I also did anin-depth interview with Ron that you’re free to read here.
At the same time, the 16 version is much more agile for some running and gunning fun.
Coming Up Short?
The Smith Enterprise, Inc. customized SOCOM 16 rifle combines beauty with incredible performance.
The SOCOM 16 is one of my favorite variants of the M1A rifle for a few reasons.
Lastly, I think it simply looks fantastic.
Proportionally its a beautiful rifle, and the stock options are great from the factory.
Master gunsmith Ron Smith is an undisputed expert on the M1A/M14 platforms. He is shown here working on the author’s SOCOM 16 rifle.
I wanted this SOCOM version to be more of a run and gun one to 200-yard rifle.
Its exciting to me to see the end results that are usually beyond all my expectations.
Smith Enterprise did just that, yet again.
Ron Smith and Andy Horton delivered amazing results when customizing the SOCOM 16 rifle.
When I picked up the rifle from Smith Enterprise, I immediately thought of a sleeper car.
A sleeper is a vehicle that looks mostly stock but has a monster of an engine inside.
Its made from 8620 steel with 60RC surface hardness and is salt bath nitrided for a corrosion-resistant finish.
A quality rifle is built from top-shelf parts. Smith Enterprises starts with high-quality parts and perfects them before final assembly.
Making it possible for the new muzzle equipment to be attached is the SEI SOCOM 16 Gas Lock.
I would highly suggest this upgrade to all M1A SOCOM owners.
The new Gas Lock takes the M1A thread pitch and adapts it to the traditional 5/824 thread pitch.
Andy Horton is shown above, working on the SOCOM 16’s barrel assembly.
Once installed, you might use any .30 caliber muzzle devices that you wish, including suppressors!
Keeping the original barrel, Smith removed it and then machined an 11-degree crown on the muzzle.
They then polished the feed ramps and salt bath nitrided the barrel for refitment.
The author tested the custom Smith Enterprise/Springfield Armory SOCOM 16 rifle extensively on the range.
The match sights feature a narrow, .062 wide front blade for a crisp, clean sight picture.
Continuing backward, you will find the addition of the SEI Warfighter Gas System.
This is an extremely rugged, robust and reliable gas system for the M1A series of rifles.
Note the custom optic mount and Trjicon RMR fitted on it. The author blacked out the handguard of the rifle after some range time with the custom rifle.
Now comes the optic.
Suffice it to say the mount is extremely rugged and holds zero perfectly.
Its minimalist and elegant at the same time.
The rifles op rod was polished and then sent off for a salt bath nitride.
An absolute must-have upgrade comes in the form of the SEI Extended Bolt Stop/Release.
This allows the M14 bolt stop/release to act more like an AR15.
There is also much more surface area making it intuitive and tactile even while wearing gloves.
The Extended Bolt stop/release is made from bar stock and case-hardened for rugged durability.
Rounding out the upgrades to the M1A SOCOM is the SEI trigger job.
Bringing the trigger to a crisp 4.5-lb.
break, the feel and repeatability of the new trigger is exceptional.
I guess we will just have to let their secrets reside in the performance and feel of their parts.
I loaded up a few mags of Remington UMC .308 and prepared for some .30-caliber steel-smashing fun.
First impressions on weight were very impressive.
For the added features to the rifle, it felt mostly the same as my factory SOCOM rifles.
When shouldering the rifle, the Trijicon RMR perfectly aligned with my eyes.
I appreciated how the custom extended mount set the red dot more forward on the rifle.
The trigger is most excellent.
Its tactile and feels tight, enabling precise shots as well as quick follow-up shots with accuracy.
Reloading the rifle was fun and felt like a new experience with the SEI Extended Bolt Stop/Release.
This was a great advantage as its easy muscle memory for me from my AR-15 rifles.
If youve shot a .308, you know the satisfying thump your shoulder receives from the rifle cartridge.
Its impressive how much work the muzzle brake does while being fairly minimalist.
Its clean and does the job perfectly.
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