just bought a socom 18 now what?

whitetailwoodsarcher

whitetailwoodsarcher

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ok well just bought a package deal from Canada ammo. I want to make some upgrades on the gun but not sure what to do first. I want to improve the quality of the gun but also improve accuracy if possible. not looking to spend a lot on upgrades but 300 to 500 bucks shall be lots?
thanks
 
wolf main spring and hammer spring. should run you $25 for both from brownells. might as well get some gas cylinder shims too just in case.
 
The first upgrade should be new op rod spring guide and if you plan on using the iron sights a set of Garand rear sights . Check to see if the gas locking ring gets nice and tight at the 6:00 position if not add a shim or two .One of the advantages of these new ones is adding shims will be easy peasy now ....no more banging on flashiders to get it off .
 
I'd begin by taking her out to sight in and fire at least a couple of groups from a good rest as a benchmark of accuracy.

The NM op rod spring guide would be a good first bet, and a new rear sight setup might be a good idea if you find the Norinco sights wanting.

I'd get a good mount for the optics (i.e. CASM, Pro Mag, ARMs 18 or decent scout mount) and a scope of your choice. For reasonably priced options I'd look out for a Bushnell 3200 10X target scope or a Bushnell TRS red dot.

I'm not yet up to speed to comment on the TIG welding, shimming of the gas system or smoothing up the trigger group, but those are relatively inexpensive mods that you could do over time as you see fit, making full use of the knowledge available on this site or one of the ongoing M14 clinics. The rifle could probably still provide loads of fun and decent accuracy in the meantime.
 
nothing personal, but this makes me wonder all the time about adds like yours. buy a rifle that's fully capable out of the box, and see what should I do,,, YOU SHOULD SHOOT IT. don't do anything to it until you clean it up and go shoot it. never know might just like it the way it is
 
Some of these are surprisingly good out of the box.
If its not, tune it up as per the stickies, at no cost.
Then get a decent OR guide...
And of course get to a clinic if you can
 
Go shoot it. A lot.

Then start adding stuff. I like adding things one at a time, then shooting groups to compare too pre mod groups to see if the mod actually did anything to improve accuracy.

On mine, I've changed the spring guide, the recoil spring, and the rear sight. Found them to be nice, and easy upgrades.

For function I've added an NEA bolt release and NEA oversized mag release.

For looks I have a Navy style front sight on the way, but you already have that haha. Of course the muzzle brake is on the way too.

I also added an UTG tri rail which also has the optional short rail that replaces the stripper clip piece so a scope can be mounted above the ejection port. A lower hand guard rail with sling swivel was also added. Gives a "mild" socom look.
 
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new spring guide is always recommended. Also a nice archangel stock always works nice. As far a sights/optics go that is all on what you're comfortable with.
 
"...a socom 18..." A real SA Inc. marketing Dept. carbine or a Norinco copy? Not that it should matter. If you wanted a rifle for extreme accuracy, you should have bought a rifle for that.
In any case, as mentioned, buy some good ammo and shoot it before you do anything. Just remember that it's not a target rifle. It'll need a trigger job just like any other commercial firearm.
 
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