• Frank's Lesson's Contest

    We want to see your skills! Post a video between now and November 1st showing what you've learned from Frank's lessons and 3 people will be selected to win a free shirt. Good luck everyone!

    Create a channel Learn more
  • Having trouble using the site?

    Contact support

Looking for info on M1A type set ups

GhengisAhn175

Last known
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 29, 2013
854
21
Last known
Guys,

looking to get some advice on a future rig I'm wanting to do.

i want a semi auto 308 platform , not AR10 based.
will have a red dot on it (eo tech or aim point)

purpose for rifle is a multi purpose 400 and in gun. Generic pest control, range, etc.

been looking at the M1A's and I want to do the socom (16" barrel) and put it on a jae 100 G3 chassis.

Just had a few questions
-any other platform I'm overlooking ?
-I'm reading some reports of not using an optic mounting system that goes directly over the bolt and it's better to use one that has a pic rail further forward of the rifle. Any additional info here?

not too concerned about sub MOA accuracy. I have a bolt rifle for precision work. As long as it's 1-1.5 MOA with hand loads im good.

i want mag capacity at 20-25. I know it's available for the M1A but unsure about what else is out there
 
The 3rd generation JAE is tremendously expensive for a rifle that you aren't looking to get ultimate accuracy out of. I'm not sure I would go that route with a Socom. A Socom will certainly mount into the JAE stock, but it's not really geared towards that. The Socom is supposed to be light and mobile and the JAE stocks are anything but light. If you aren't worried about weight, have you looked into a Sage chassis? They have lots of increased rail space for optics.
 
Just thinking out loud here. If you buy a Socom (which is a great gun) and then stick it into a Gen 3 JAE stock, you will be well on your way to a Scar 17. That might be a good semi auto that would meet your described needs.

FAL might be another option? Not sure about optics mounting for that...
 
A socom and a Sage ebr stock would be a good set up. I cant remember if the socom has a forward rail attached to the barrel like the scout model does. A cool set up would be a model like the one in Black Hawk Down. A great place for info on the m14 platform is the m14forum.
 
You might want to check out the PTR 91, it's a H&K clone and from everything I've seen about them better then the century C308. There Have several different models depending on budget, most already have the pic rail for mounting optics.
 
Why not a SOCOM CQB? It already comes in a pistol grip chassis, with adjustable butt stock.

It's got all the same features as a socom 16, plus you can put any after market AK grip of your choice on it, and can replace the standard adjustable shoulder stock with any other AR style back end (like a magpul PRS if you wanted)

Sounds like it would get you where you want to be for a lot less cash up front, and let's you fully customize the important parts over time, or up front (still for less money)
 
Last edited:
LRB makes a great action of course. Look at the rear lugged, pic rail set up. Any 16" M1 A is going to be smack you in the face loud. Might want to shoot one before investing.
Good luck with your project.
 
M1A National Match with Troy stock
9iPcLRbl.jpg


Zastava P77 7.62
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i.imgur.com\/ZjvdzNEl.jpg"}[/IMG2]

Cetme 7.62

0AapOlhl.jpg
 
As far as custom goes here are a Browning BAR in .300 Winchester Magnum and a Remington 740 in .30-06

Browning BAR .300 Win Mag

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i.imgur.com\/vhvccudl.jpg"}[/IMG2]



Remington 740 in .30-06
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i.imgur.com\/EKzVaoAl.jpg"}[/IMG2]
 
Last edited:
I had a SOCOM II w/ extended quad rail. I had very good results (solid MOA) shooting 110 gr Hornady TAP. I didn't put too many rounds through it before I traded it away, but it I never experienced any malfunctions. While the SOCOM II quad rail is heavy, it does provide plenty of space to mount a RDS / LPV. I used a set of Seekins 1.26" rings because you'll need to clear the rear sight aperture. One inch rings wouldn't allow my Vortex PST 1-4 to clear the rear sight. The muzzle brake did a descent job of mitigating recoil. I bought six Checkmate 25 round mags because they're 1/2 the price of Springfield mags. I only used 1 of the 6 but it performed flawlessly.

I also shot 147 gr Winchester & 168 gr Federal loads through it w/ roughly 1.5 MOA results.
 
Guys,

looking to get some advice on a future rig I'm wanting to do.

i want a semi auto 308 platform , not AR10 based.
will have a red dot on it (eo tech or aim point)

purpose for rifle is a multi purpose 400 and in gun. Generic pest control, range, etc.

been looking at the M1A's and I want to do the socom (16" barrel) and put it on a jae 100 G3 chassis.

Just had a few questions
-any other platform I'm overlooking ?
-I'm reading some reports of not using an optic mounting system that goes directly over the bolt and it's better to use one that has a pic rail further forward of the rifle. Any additional info here?

not too concerned about sub MOA accuracy. I have a bolt rifle for precision work. As long as it's 1-1.5 MOA with hand loads im good.

i want mag capacity at 20-25. I know it's available for the M1A but unsure about what else is out there

I think the smartest use of your money would be an M1A Scout model. It's got an 18 inch barrel, and a scout style scope mount that would be perfect for a red dot, and would not be nearly as expensive as your other options. The issue with M14s is that they balance great in the factory stocks, and all the aftermarket stocks tend to make them very heavy and unpleasant to carry.
 
M1A Scout in a Vltor M1S stock. SOCOM's are ridiculously loud, and have proprietary parts like the gas system. You can also get a red dot mount that replaces the stripper clip guide, or use the scout mount.
 
If you're solely interested in running optics, take a look at Bula Forge's M14 variants. They have a receiver that has integrated rails - so no iron sights. About as low as you can go. Their distributor is Wolfe Firearms.

Regarding the scope mounts on the receiver, there are some who have issues but by and large most people do just fine.

i loved my JAE but I wouldn't drop a short-barreled all-purpose rifle in one. Your dough though.

The Sage is nice but heavier. The Blackfeather chassis is similar but it saves you some weight over the Sage.