SOCOM 16 Problem

[Dark Horse]

Recently installed a Delta P Design adapter and Surefire 762-211c muzzle brake and got pretty severe baffle strikes just leaving the muzzle. Installed a JP large profile compensator and had the same result. Cycling was a non-issue.

Removed the Delta P adapter and installed the original SOCOM muzzle brake and no issues whatsoever.

Any ideas?

 

[NoExpert]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

Sounds like a defective adapter. Are the strikes in the same place in relation to the barrel or adapter?

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

Sure are, both are at the 6 o'clock position leaving the front of the brakes.

 

[Chucky]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

Definitely sounds like your adapter was threaded non concentric to the bore

 

[karb]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

My set up is identical, and It's been smooth sailing for
Nearly a month, being a total of 420 rds. Some of those
Rounds were subs too!

As everyone says, and instructions state, one needs
To check concentricity once adapter is on, and if that passes,
Then when can is on. Springfield likely threads those barrels from
The outside, not aligning from the bore, inside.

I probably got lucky, but I did check with a firm dowel rod in the barrel
First.

 

[chongoMT]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

My buddy from work had the same issue with a Delta P adapter and his AAC can. POI shift at 25 yards was close to 2 feet.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

The barrel is not a Springfield, it's a 16" Criterion that I suspect is of higher quality then the original.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

What did he do to correct it?

 

[chongoMT]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

He doesn't use it as a host anymore. He had one endcap strike and when he got the suppressor back we tried it again and the poi shift was so dramatic that he said screw it and is fine not using a suppressor on his M1A.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

I suppose I could live with the factory brake, especially since it's the shortest configuration anyway, but I had a suspicion that the expansion chamber between the barrel and the inside of the brake was detrimental to accuracy. I was trying to test the theory by installing a different brake.

The SOCOM is not known for its accuracy but I believe it can be improved upon. I started with the usual mods-unitized gas cylinder properly shimmed for fit, thinner front sight, trigger job and the barrel which was a pleasant surprise because a quality 16" barrel was previously unavailable.

At this point if nothing else I need to know why this is happening. Be it an alignment issue or a gas issue it's driving me crazy.

 

[karb]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

If you feel the adapter is off, I'd take it to a machinist and ask him Mic it out.

I do not have the same can. The TBAC threads down to the shoulder of the delta adapter. Believe me, I was paranoid of damage, so I used a dowel of wood to see where everything met. It was dead center. I probably unscrewed and checked with a light every shot....bout 40 times, till I relaxed, and realized the nasty wasn't going to happen.

Can we see a pic of your baffle strikes? Was it hitting on the blast baffles, or the final exit ?

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

All of the muzzle devices in question are brakes not suppressors and the strikes were at the final muzzle exit.

I will try and get some pics posted tonight.

 

[Jack17397]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

i have a socom 16 also. thinking of doing the same, but with these problems you guys are having, i guess ill keep[ it stock for now

 

[NoExpert]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

Outside of changing the brake, have you tried a better stock? The factory plastic stocks are junk. There's a lot of things that affect accuracy on these rifles before messing with brakes. SA Inc.'s hand guards usually contact the stock, also bad for accuracy, they're also loose, bad for accuracy. They use flat spring guides instead of round NM style spring guides. The rear sight still has a .125" hole which is horrible for accuracy, try a standard rear aperture.

To chase the brake situation... before you run to the range next time, after installing the brake, find a pretty darn straight #2 pencil and slide it in the muzzle of the barrel. That will give you a pretty good idea of if you're going to have problems before you go wasting ammo or damaging something. Also loosen the adapter with a pencil in the barrel and see if it's the adapter that's the problem or the barrel (likely the adapter). If it threads onto the barrel straight, check the brakes and see if they thread onto the adapter with the 6 o'clock position contacting the pencil, or if there's a wobble, or if they're tightening down and shifting out of alignment. Lots of variables there to watch for.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

Stock is a Boyd's wood stock and the hand guard has been cleared. I installed a Sadlak spring guide and Tubb cs spring. I agree with the rear aperture but it allows me fast target acquisition so it is what it is for now.

Overall, short of glass bedding which I'm not interested in doing on this rifle, most of the usual tricks have been performed. I chose to test the accuracy at 50 yards to eliminate or minimize my lack of experience with iron sight shooting as all my other rifles wear an optic. 5 shot groups with 155 and 168 gr Hornady TAP ammo are averaging 1.25-1.5". I feel like it should do better but not substantially given the platform.

I will try the other suggestions you mentioned and see what happens.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: SOCOM 16 Problem

For a Socom and box ammo, that's pretty good. Bedding is where you get the big payoff. Even if you remove the action a lot, a bedded stock that's worn is better than an unbedded stock.

Some of the boyds stocks are good, some aren't. How's trigger group lock up and receiver heel contact?

The rear sight might be killing you, hard to get a consistent sight picture. Fast loses accuracy, accuracy loses speed. I'd say try a standard rear aperture just to see if it helps. Even my .0595 hooded aperture is pretty quick to get on target with.