Springfield Armory M1A

The Loaded variants are available with either a walnut or synthetic stock, and one model comes with a Precision Adjustable Stock. All Loaded models include the following features:[3]

• Barrel: air-gauged medium weight National Match (available in stainless steel or parkerized chrome moly steel), 22 inches (56 cm) in length with a 1:11 right hand twist.
• Front Sight: National Match .062” Military Post
• Rear Sight: GI Match Grade Non-hooded Rear Sight: Aperture .0520, Adjustable, One-half Minute for Windage and One Minute for Elevation
• Two-stage Military Trigger, Match Tuned, 4.5 to 5.0 pounds-force (20 to 22 N)

The Loaded models do not have the action glass bedded into the stock as do the National Match models.

Two M1As are advertised as match rifles, the National Match M1A and the Super Match M1A. The National Match is a more basic model, while the Super Match is more customizable has additional features on some models such as a McMillan stock and a Douglas stainless steel barrel.

The Scout Squad is an M1A marketed toward law enforcement users. It has an 18-inch (46 cm) barrel, a forward-mounted optical sight base, and a proprietary muzzle stabilizer. It is advertised as being optimal for Aimpoint optics, although most mounts attached to the factory accessory rail will still require a cheekrest in order to get the proper weld. It is available in both wood stocked and synthetic furniture options with different colours of wood and synthetic stocks.

Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM
An M1A SOCOM II chambered for .308 Winchester
Type	Battle rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designed	2004
Manufacturer	Springfield Armory, Inc.
Produced	2004–present
Specifications
Mass	8.8 lb (4.0 kg) (with empty magazine)
Length	37.25 in (946 mm)
Barrel length	16.25 in (413 mm)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO .308 Winchester
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt, self-loading
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity	762 metres per second (2,500 ft/s)
Feed system	M14 detachable box magazines
Sights	XS Sights post with tritium inserts (front) / Enlarged military aperture (ghost ring) adjustable for windage and elevation (rear)

The SOCOM 16 and SOCOM II are modern variants of the M14 manufactured with lighter materials. SOCOM is an abbreviation which refers to the United States Special Operations Command. These variants have a barrel that is just slightly longer than the minimum barrel length of 16 inches (410 mm) permissible without taxing and registration under the National Firearms Act in the United States. The gas system was reworked to ensure proper operation with the shortened barrel, and a new muzzle brake was added to help soften recoil.

The SOCOM 16 was introduced in 2004, with the SOCOM II being introduced the following year; they are essentially the same except for their accessory rails. An uncommon variant called the SOCOM II Extended Cluster Rail features a longer top rail that extends over the ejection port to the stripper clip guide, allowing the operator to mount optics farther to the rear. It appears the SOCOM II was discontinued at the end of 2014.[4][5] The SOCOM 16 CQB (close-quarters battle), a SOCOM 16 with a pistol grip and telescoping stock, was introduced in early 2016.[6]

The SOCOM 16 and SOCOM II are largely identical to the standard M1A, but feature a 16.25-inch (413 mm) barrel, rather than the standard model's 22-inch (560 mm) barrel. The specially designed muzzle brake is designed to reduce the increased recoil produced by the shorter barrel. In addition to the top accessory rail for optics, the rifle has enclosed Garand-style iron sights, with tritium inserts for low or dim light conditions. The rifle will accept any M14 magazine, with typical capacities of 5, 10, or 20 rounds.

The only difference between the SOCOM 16 and SOCOM II is the Picatinny rails. The SOCOM 16 features a short length of Picatinny rail in front of the action, above the handguard,[7] while the SOCOM II features a continuous top Picatinny rail from just ahead of the action to the front of the handguard, and shorter lengths of rail on the sides and bottom of the handguard.[8] The extra Picatinny rails allow for more attachments, including scopes, grips, lights, and lasers, but also means the SOCOM II weighs 10 pounds (4.5 kg), compared to the SOCOM 16's 8.8 pounds (4.0 kg). Because the rails add weight at the front of the weapon, it is more muzzle-heavy than the SOCOM 16, making it more difficult for some users to engage multiple targets quickly.