We posted about the release of Springfield Armory’s SOCOM 16 CQB earlier on TFB, but at SHOT I got a chance to run a magazine through it, and get some hands on time. Perhaps a little late in the game, but Springfield Armory is trying to break into some of the black rifle market with this new rifle, by modernizing it up to certain standards with a pistol grip, AR style stock, and a Vortex reflex sight. Although some might argue on the choice of the stock, or even the look of it, from a practical standpoint, it makes some economical sense. Not everyone has the patience or money to deal with purchasing an M1A, and on top of that, an EBR stock. Through the CQB model, people who want something already set up in a similar way, can have it all ready from the factory.

The telescoping stock is on an AR dimensioned, 7 position tube, so shooters can remove the factory stock and replace it with any AR stock on the market. The pistol grip is actually an AK style grip and mounted as such, instead of an AR pistol grip that I originally thought it had on it. The Springfield Armory reps told me that this was because the designers liked the grip angle of the AK than that of an AR. In addition, shooters aren’t limited to the supplied picatinny rail segments, because underneath these are an M LOK system. The reason for M LOK over Keymod was because of the polymer construction that lead itself better to a square opening, rather than a complex Keymod opening.  the angle of the AK grip over the AR one. Unfortunately the rifle will still ship with a 10 round magazine, and this is because many of their customers are living in states that have magazine restrictions. However, a coupon for a 20 round magazine will be included in the purchase.