The king of modularity these days is an AR-style firearm like the Springfield Armory SAINT.
A long way down that same list is the M1A or is it?
The Why
Why do I think that?
With the Delta 14 Chassis system, you can add a really innovative mod to your M1A-pattern firearm.
Its an American-made chassis system that was designed and is produced in the United States.
Yep, thats all pretty awesome, but thats not even the main selling point.
The genius of the Delta 14 chassis system is that its designed to interface with Mossberg 500-pattern stock systems.
The Delta 14 Chassis system takes the M1A rifle to the next level.
This opens up a massive amount of stock options that allow you tocustomize your M1Ato an insane degree.
you might fit standard stocks as well as stock adapters, such as the excellent ones from Mesa Tactical.
This was the part that really interested me.
The Delta 14 Chassis allows you to fit the Mossberg 500-pattern stock assembly of your choice to the M1A/M14 platform. Image: Delta 14
And Delta 14 gives you a lot of options on this.
In addition, the company offers the chassis with a wide range of included stock systems.
So what caught my eye?
The optional Mesa Tactical stock adapter on the test model was fitted with an AR-pattern pistol grip and Ace Tactical folding stock.
The chassis fitted out with a Mesa Tactical adapter and the excellent Ace Tactical Folding Stock.
For me, this would give the M1A some serious M1A1 Carbine vibe, but man-sized.
Ensuring everything is lined up and the way I wanted it took the most time.
While it can work on any M1A-pattern firearm, the Delta 14 folding stock system really comes into its own with the compact SOCOM 16.
The Ace Tactical system for the stock and folder is well done and very smart.
Once everything is locked in placed and installed it doesnt move, shake or tumble.
Also, the stock locks in both the open and closed positions, and it is solid both ways.
Generous M-Lok slots on the forend make mounting accessories like this Streamlight TLR RM1 a breeze.
This is not going to flop around on you or give you a sloppy cheekweld when shouldering.
The Delta 14 chassis weighs less than a pound (.75 of a pound, to be exact).
Thats without the stock, obviously.
I hardly noticed heat building up and the gun remained comfortable and easy to fire.
The M-Lok rail slots allow for lots of mounting options so you might pick and choose accessories.
Reloading an M1A can be tricky compared to an AR, but this chassis really helps the process.
Travis found the Delta 14-equipped SOCOM 16 to be very well-balanced and easy to shoot well.
Conclusion
The design is truly brilliant.
Folding stock .308 rifles may not be for everyone, but I love it.
This is a lot of gun in a very small package.
Short and powerful, the Delta 14 and the SOCOM 16 make for a very capable team.
While the might not be ideal for a precision rifle, its perfectly suitable for the SOCOM 16s applications.
I just happened to go the folder route since I had a compact SOCOM 16 CQB in hand.
The forend of the chassis is very slim, and Travis found that it stayed very cool during firing.
The Ace Tactical folding stock system locks in both the open and closed positions, giving you a rock-solid interface.
