my DA Socom 18 (M14 shorty) review + problems + lots of Pictures

Was considering finally coming around to an M305 but the horrible stories never end with these guns.

Guess I will just go buy a few more SVT-40's since the only problem I've ever had are improperly adjusted gas systems, which are fixed with a turn of your wrist.

The "M14 Doctor" must make a lot of $$$$ off of fixing these piss poorly made guns.
 
Grove said:
Was considering finally coming around to an M305 but the horrible stories never end with these guns.

Guess I will just go buy a few more SVT-40's since the only problem I've ever had are improperly adjusted gas systems, which are fixed with a turn of your wrist.

The "M14 Doctor" must make a lot of $$$$ off of fixing these piss poorly made guns.
Click to expand...

They are not poorly made, they aren't supreme high quality with actions that feel like swiss watches but if unless you get a real lemon that cant be fixed they are pretty good
 
I would say about 80% are generally trouble free.
I just bought a 2005 on the EE as a spare - that vintage (pre 2009, wood stock CJA stamp) appear to be the best quality.

Might be worth looking for one, there's one buried in the EE right now on page 5 or so.
 
ALMAR said:
i got mine 2 days ago and it is pretty good so far. It had the loose guide that i fixed pretty quickly and it's aligned and not moving now.
Another issue: I saw some guy mention a tilt test for the action and gas piston and the rod was rubbing a bit on the barrel when it was in the pulled back position, fixed that with a little polishing and it's perfect now.

visually there seems to be no index problem.


The safety is not functonning very well when in the stock but functions perfectly outside...probably some more sanding is required somwhere...will figure it out eventually.

The stock is pretty crappy, i am not a fan of plastic on my firearms anyways...the fix for this is on it's way...

I guess i got a good one.

The ultimate test will be on the range...

I got some 150 gr federal powershok but apparently the soft primers on these rounds are risky in a semi auto with a free floating pin...so i'm not planning to confirm this the hard way...anybody ever uses these with this rifle?
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150 grain Federal powershock works very well in these rifles.
 
can14 said:
If it doesn't work right out of the box...send it back. If your new car didn't start...would you go out and fix it without any skill's to do it??? No you would not. Fixing a gun is the same..if
you don't fix it to spec...you could be wearing the bolt or op rod or worst. It isn't up to the buyer to fix new gun's that don't work. If that is what buyer's think, then the quality is going
to get worst, not better. It shouldn't matter where the firearm is built, the buyer should know that it is built to government spec for export and is safe to use out of the box.
If it isn't, the Government of Canada will be in a position to dis-allow importation because it isn't a safe product. The importer's are taking responsibility for their product, but the manufacturer
isn't delivering a safe product. The Canadian consumer market for firearm's can't be considered a dumping ground for poor quality control by foreign gun maker's!!
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That's exactly why I bought my first one from Rodger at Dark many years ago. At the time his were picked in China by his "business associate". Rodger completely stripped it, cleaned it, reassembled & checked it, test fired it,measured the brass etc. before he shipped it out to me. At the time he did this with all the pieces he sold; I believe he still does, but can't say for sure. I paid $100. over Marstar's price at the time, which was worth it as I'd never even fired a CF rifle before and was a newbie. He said "if you have a problem, ship it back, I'll fix it no charge". I put my first 5 Center Fire Rifle shots into a 3.5" circle at 100yds., using surplus ammo, with it. Sure glad I bought his last M14s.
 
Anyone having SIGNIFICANT trouble with their mags binding?
I can only get mine out but hitting it pretty hard (forward) with one hand, while keeping the release depressed with the other. I am not expecting "drop free" but this is crazy.

If i use the 5 round, its virtually impossible to remove.

The mag walls are rubbing on the insiode of the receiver (when viewed from underneath)

What can be done? Do I need to file the rifle for clearance???? Note: it is the same for all my mags
 
this man is GREAT! Hope he is still doing so... BTW, what is "Dark" ?

Major Commander said:
That's exactly why I bought my first one from Rodger at Dark many years ago. At the time his were picked in China by his "business associate". Rodger completely stripped it, cleaned it, reassembled & checked it, test fired it,measured the brass etc. before he shipped it out to me. At the time he did this with all the pieces he sold; I believe he still does, but can't say for sure. I paid $100. over Marstar's price at the time, which was worth it as I'd never even fired a CF rifle before and was a newbie. He said "if you have a problem, ship it back, I'll fix it no charge". I put my first 5 Center Fire Rifle shots into a 3.5" circle at 100yds., using surplus ammo, with it. Sure glad I bought his last M14s.
Click to expand...
 
canuckchap said:
Anyone having SIGNIFICANT trouble with their mags binding?
I can only get mine out but hitting it pretty hard (forward) with one hand, while keeping the release depressed with the other. I am not expecting "drop free" but this is crazy.

If i use the 5 round, its virtually impossible to remove.

The mag walls are rubbing on the insiode of the receiver (when viewed from underneath)

What can be done? Do I need to file the rifle for clearance???? Note: it is the same for all my mags
Click to expand...

I noticed the same issue with both the provided mags and an older pinned mag that I tried. They need a slight tap by the hand to the rear of the mag to loosen while the other hand depresses the release. While that's not a huge issue when shooting on the range or hunting, it negates the ability to perform a quick mag change at least until it's fixed. Otherwise, from what I've seen of my cursory examination and wipe down the rifle looks really nice.
 
The socoms are quite nice actually; much, much better quality than the first batch of shorties than came in several eyars ago. Norincos are great value for the price, just don't expect an equivlency to the $2000.00 versions that are out there.
 
whats the fix? do i need to file away inside the mag well in the stock??


Beadwindow said:
I noticed the same issue with both the provided mags and an older pinned mag that I tried. They need a slight tap by the hand to the rear of the mag to loosen while the other hand depresses the release. While that's not a huge issue when shooting on the range or hunting, it negates the ability to perform a quick mag change at least until it's fixed. Otherwise, from what I've seen of my cursory examination and wipe down the rifle looks really nice.
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dukecrab said:
this man is GREAT! Hope he is still doing so... BTW, what is "Dark" ?[/Q]

.darkinternational.com You'll have to talk to him if he's still doing so; he did right by me. I had not even fired a rim fire rifle before so I figured I'd get it already set up to go; and all went well.
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canuckchap said:
Anyone having SIGNIFICANT trouble with their mags binding?
I can only get mine out but hitting it pretty hard (forward) with one hand, while keeping the release depressed with the other. I am not expecting "drop free" but this is crazy.

If i use the 5 round, its virtually impossible to remove.

The mag walls are rubbing on the insiode of the receiver (when viewed from underneath)

What can be done? Do I need to file the rifle for clearance???? Note: it is the same for all my mags
Click to expand...




Does the magazine seat in easily or does it require some force?

If so, the magazine catch of the trigger assembly may need a little material shaved off of the surface that mates under the magazine catch lug on the back spine of the magazine

Are your mags rivited to limit capacity to 5 rounds?
 
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It might not make a difference if the hole for the mag catch pivot pin is a little high.

I had to file down my sadlak extended mag release a tiny bit as well

drifter dave said:
Im getting a Sadlak extended release to replace it.
It had nothing to do with the stock/magwell on mine
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you guys nailed it...the top of the mag catch was the problem.
Spent some time filing...much better now. They don't drop free, but they don't to be pounded out eithor. I may file more as I go.

thanks
 
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