God I Love This Gun.....

[RuhRoRorge]

So on Saturday, I spent 5 hours on the range in sheer bliss with my M1A SOCOM. Today I figured what better way to spend a Sunday than doing what I did on Saturday, right? This time thoug, I gave my shoulder a rest and went out to the range with my beloved IMI Model B. So I grabbed my loaded mags and a couple WWB Shooters Packs and headed out.

First of all, Oberfeld's German 32's ran flawlessly all day long - thanks! This Uzi never ceases to amaze me. Nice tight groups out to 50-yards and consistent splatter out to 100-yards. A guy on the range spotting my hits downtown through his scope kept saying: "THATS a 9mm???"

I think I'm whimping out in my old age though fellas....:gym I'm thinking more and more about adding a wood or polymer stock and keeping the old folder for a rainy day. For the first time since I bought an Uzi over 20-years ago, cheek-weld is starting to bother me.....Is it a major hassle to change out, or even back and forth? Was thinking about a nice wood stock for that classic look, or maybe a polymer rear and front IMI for that evil look...decisions, decisions....

In any case, I chucked 300-rounds downtown and couldn't be more pleased that I reaquainted myself with my once long lost friend. I do believe I'm dancing around 4,000 rounds - not a single solitary failure to do anything except spit out 9mm hardball...Wah-hoo!

If I have to eat rat-poison infested Iams Cat Food, this IMI will never leave my side again... :)

[watchin]

Sounds like you had a great time. It is definitely not a hassle to add a wooden stock. The German surplus stocks are made for the UZI and fit really well up against your cheek. It is a good fit and feel. I also like the 'original' look it provides. Changing back and forth is no problem (about ten minutes). You probably won't put that cold, sharp edge steel folder back on though (unless you decide not to shoot it anymore). Also, wanting a smoother ride is not wimping out. If you are serious about shooting then get the wood stock (I don't know anything about shooting the polymer stock). Have fun.
-watchin-

[az paul]

I think you'll enjoy the wooden stock. A solid stock works out good for me, however, I do keep the folder on it most of the time.

What kind of groups were you getting with the M1A SOCOM?

[RuhRoRorge]

I think you'll enjoy the wooden stock. A solid stock works out good for me, however, I do keep the folder on it most of the time.

What kind of groups were you getting with the M1A SOCOM?

Thanks for the tips - going to look into a nice wooden stock and add the folder to my cane, or walker when it comes time....:silly Seriously though, I'm only 42, but it seems that I'm choosing function over form these days and a wood or black stock appears to be in the future...

As for the M1A SOCOM, I love this gun. It seems to be the bastard-child of the M14 to most "purists", but I can't find a single thing wrong with it. Folks complain about the wide rear aperature and the wide front tritium blade for longer range work, but I'm shooting nice groups with open sights out to 200-yards, (my range limit) and nicer groups with the Tripower on deck. It shines in the CQB role for sure with tight groupings from 10-100 yards, but I've made accurate "man-sized" fire out to 400 and change on my buddy's farm. I always explain to folks who complain about the sights, that it's not a match gun - designed to hit paper, it's a military weapon designed to hit people...Not very politically correct, but the truth sometimes isn't.

Saturday, I shot the best 100-yard group so far - one in the X the other 4 laid out like a chevron in an area the size of a tennis ball a couple of inches low and right - 3 of 4 groupled touching in about a 2" area. I was blown away, because I'm no target shooter. I'd like to try this gun with optics to further dispell some mythology and may sink it into a Troy MCS and do just that. For now, she has 5600 rounds downtown with nary a hitch. Literally my favorite rifle - above all others. I think it may be the combination of history, coupled with function, mated to modern-day badass, but here she is in USGI....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/MassMark/HPIM1246.jpg

[az paul]

She's a beaut!! Is that the Smith Enterprises Muzzle Break? Can you get back on target relatively quickly? 5600 rounds, now that's impressive.

You'll do well with either the wooden or black stock. They're very comfortable for shooting.

[RuhRoRorge]

She's a beaut!! Is that the Smith Enterprises Muzzle Break? Can you get back on target relatively quickly? 5600 rounds, now that's impressive.

You'll do well with either the wooden or black stock. They're very comfortable for shooting.

Thanks Paul - I love this gun as well....I guess I just love all my guns - wish I had that kind of luck with the rest of my life... ;)

The muzzle brake is Springfield Armory - comes stock on the SOCOM. This comp really is a work of art. Yes, it's noisy and no there's no "giant flame ball", (a popular rumor about the comp started by M1A/M14 purists)....It absolutely tames the recoil and brings the gun back to point toot-sweet. I've fired both the Standard and Scouts and the recoil is noticeably less on the SOCOM. I understand Smith Enterprises is going to offer a Vortex FS for the SOCOM soon....I may have to give that a whirl.... :)

[az paul]

Thanks for the info!! I have an M1A and am considering Smith's set-up. Brownells has 'em, so I might spring for one shortly.

I totally agree with you about loving guns. Like you, I could have used that luck in other elements of my life over the years.

[davep32618]

I have the little "black" devil also. It is a fine piece of weaponry and I wish I could get it to the range as much as I do the Uzi. Not too many convenient places to shoot distances where I live.

[RuhRoRorge]

I think no other two guns in my collection represent my love of firearms more than my Uzi and my SOCOM. They both represent a broad history and show how a seemingly aged design can still be relevant decades after their inception. I have bought and sold much in this life - many of which I wish I still had. I cannot however at 41 conceive of being without either of these guns....They are simply a joy to own and shoot. I also view them both as "Myth Busters" in their own right. The SOCOM was seen by many as little more than a "marketing ploy" by Springfield Armory - with little to no use other than to satisfy the "Mall Ninjas". I was warned about the inaccuracy, giant flameballs, loud noise, poor quality and suspect reliability. I have found none of it to be true, just ramblings from "purists", or people who spend too much time on the forums on not enough time on the range. As for my Uzi, I heard about heavy, bulky, inaccurate, antiquated, no purpose, ineffective cartridge, expensive, underpowered. Again, sheer nonsense. The guy at the range last weekend watching me make accurate hits at 50, 100 and 200 yards is now a believer. The fact that I was ringing the 200-yard gong left him with his jaw dropped. I'd give up everything I have in the safe if I had to, just to keep these two guns.....

[az paul]

I've never let these "stories" stop me from buying and enjoying a weapon, unless they were related to safety issues.