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Posted: 4/22/2025 9:51:20 PM EDT
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I always wanted a socom 16. I have a opportunity to where I can sell my Bulgarian sam7 like new in box. Can sell it for 2k I'd only sell to to get the socom 16. I also can sell the ammo with the ak, and have lots of mags to bring in even more money to get mags and ammo for the socom 16. What do ya guys think. No...this is not a trade. Id just take the money and buy one. Thanks for any opinions. |
| Keep the Bulgarian… this from someone who owns an SA93 and an M1A Scout. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By tooly: And what's your reasoning? Not being nasty...serious question. The SAM is a quality version of a now expensive somewhat hard to get AK. The Socom 16 is a bit of a novelty gun. I know plenty of people that admire theirs much but shoot it very little. Expensive to feed and blasty. Quality and accuracy hit or miss too. |
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Originally Posted By tsg68: The SAM is a quality version of a now expensive somewhat hard to get AK. The Socom 16 is a bit of a novelty gun. I know plenty of people that admire theirs much but shoot it very little. Expensive to feed and blasty. Quality and accuracy hit or miss too. Originally Posted By tsg68: Originally Posted By tooly: And what's your reasoning? Not being nasty...serious question. The SAM is a quality version of a now expensive somewhat hard to get AK. The Socom 16 is a bit of a novelty gun. I know plenty of people that admire theirs much but shoot it very little. Expensive to feed and blasty. Quality and accuracy hit or miss too. Pretty much that. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By tsg68: The SAM is a quality version of a now expensive somewhat hard to get AK. The Socom 16 is a bit of a novelty gun. I know plenty of people that admire theirs much but shoot it very little. Expensive to feed and blasty. Quality and accuracy hit or miss too. Ok....I respect that. |
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Personally I favor the 18” M14 type rifles over the 16” M1A SOCOM, but if that’s what you want then go for it. YOLO and all that. SAs can exhibit spotty QC sometimes (which can occasionally become noticeable during attempts at mounting optics). I haven’t seen a recently manufactured one in many years and therefore cannot advise regarding current production, but I’d start with an older (and forged) Norinco or Polytech rifle, and rebuild it the way you want, which is what I did for my other builds. You’d likely have to buy a new barrel because the Chinese barrels can usually only be threaded 1/2x28 once shortened. Their outer diameter is a little less than USGI barrels. They also require a metric gas cylinder lock which is generally where your front sight base has to be after shortening the barrel. Here’s one option for that (and I’m unsure if there are more metric options): https://www.smithenterprise.com/product/pn-2012-m305-gas-lock-front-sight-hooded/ If you’re ok using a 1/2x28 muzzle device (and no sound suppressor) then that should work with the original metric barrel shortened to 18” though. If you want 16” and the SOCOM style front end you’ll need a new US barrel for sure. |
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Attached File Attached File Attached File I think the socom and the AK fill different roles so it comes down to what you like. I like the 16" M1A's 
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Originally Posted By KitBuilder: Personally I favor the 18” M14 type rifles over the 16” M1A SOCOM, but if that’s what you want then go for it. YOLO and all that. SAs can exhibit spotty QC sometimes (which can occasionally become noticeable during attempts at mounting optics). I haven’t seen a recently manufactured one in many years and therefore cannot advise regarding current production, but I’d start with an older (and forged) Norinco or Polytech rifle, and rebuild it the way you want, which is what I did for my other builds. You’d likely have to buy a new barrel because the Chinese barrels can usually only be threaded 1/2x28 once shortened. Their outer diameter is a little less than USGI barrels. They also require a metric gas cylinder lock which is generally where your front sight base has to be after shortening the barrel. Here’s one option for that (and I’m unsure if there are more metric options): https://www.smithenterprise.com/product/pn-2012-m305-gas-lock-front-sight-hooded/ If you’re ok using a 1/2x28 muzzle device (and no sound suppressor) then that should work with the original metric barrel shortened to 18” though. If you want 16” and the SOCOM style front end you’ll need a new US barrel for sure. I believe for now, I'll just keep the sam7. Thank you for all your info. |
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Originally Posted By yamahawarrior89: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/372855/IMG_20250414_095346257_HDR_jpg-3524459.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/372855/IMG_20250414_095333032_HDR_jpg-3524460.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/372855/IMG_20250414_094246279_jpg-3524461.JPG I think the socom and the AK fill different roles so it comes down to what you like. I like the 16" M1A's Nice! |
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Late to the party on this one. Will resort to an old man anecdote in my reply below. Not quite an apples to apples comparison, but here goes. I had a milled Bulgarian side folder sam I traded (for something other than a SOCOM). A couple years later, I purchased a used but well cared for SOCOM. My way of saying I owned both. I regret getting rid of the SAM, not because the AK shooting experience with it was so enjoyable, but because they're a gun that tends to maintain or increase their value. If your calculus is solely based on the satisfaction of owning and shooting the SOCOM, it's a no brainer IMO, get the SOCOM. If the future market interest of the SAM is a factor that is persuasive to you, keep the SAM. I don't know if the above is as clear a statement as I intend it to be. But good luck with whatever you decide to do (or decided at this point). Either way, there's no "wrong" decision here. |
“It’s not that I can’t help these people. It’s just that I don’t want to.” Lawrence Bourne III
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