FN scar or ACR

General Firearms Other Semi-Automatic Rifles
1

I was watching a video of the shoot show of the fn scar. WOW i have to say i really like the side charging handle that can be switched from either left or right. That’s the first I’ve seen on a rifle. Since i’m a lefty that is really cool.
Also on the for the ACR i like the quick change barrel even though for us we would have to go up and not down. Although they don’t offer a 308 version like the scar. Since I already have a .223 AR I would most likely to move up to 308.
On the acr i don’t like the none enhanced version because no quad rail and there’s no 6 position stock adjustment.
Although i don’t know much about them other than from what i watched on youtube video, What on your thought between the 2 and which one do you guys prefer and why? I’ve read that some people prefers the scar over the acr.

Are these legal to buy in cali? Other than getting a bullet button installed and the folding stock, what are the hurdles to get one of these? I’m leaning toward the scar because they offer .308 and the interchangeable side charging handle. Not a huge fan of the price.

2

Please ensure that you are posting in the right area. Thanks.

3

enhanced ACR price will go down, give it a couple months. Basic was $2400+ when it first came out and if you look hard enough you can get it now for $2000 (sometimes less). Since youre a lefty, the ACR will have better ergo for you as its true full ambi for all controls.

Not sure how you would incorporate a bullet button for either rifle.

4

both guns are available in CA , just in limited quantities. LanWorld has bullet button versions of the scar from time to time and the other boat anchor has been around in some places in CA recently so they must have figured out a bb for that too. I think there is at least one of each for sale privately on calguns.net right now.

5

It’s almost unfair to compare the SCAR and the ACR at this point. The SCAR is a relatively mature weapon that underwent a very strenuous testing phase, and has been in use in the field for some time now. The ACR appears to be dealing with some teething issues, such as difficulty with the barrel ratchet system and the ratchet handle, incorrect dimensions on the charging handle slot (the steel charging handle will deform the aluminum upper a small amount until proper clearance is achieved), and some generally loose/wobbly levers and parts.

How long it will be before these issues are addressed and taken care of, and whether any new issues will pop up with long-term use, is anyone’s guess. Bushmaster has the quality control of a Chinese toy factory, although they do seem good about fixing things that go wrong when the rifle is returned.

I chose the SCAR. In addition to the SCAR being a more fully developed weapon, I like these points:

  • It comes standard with a rail and folding stock, and this version weighs less than the “Basic” ACR, which has neither of these features.

  • It comes with good iron sights, instead of the very minimalist Magpul backups.

  • I don’t trust or like the ACR’s QD ratchet. Unless you plan on hauling around a spare barrel (and bolt and mags, if you want a caliber conversion) for a barrel change in the field, I have no problem having to turn some screws to change the SCAR barrel, and this method of attachment is much more proven. Given that I don’t ever intend to change a barrel in the field/at the range, the ratchet assembly and handle are dead weight for me.

  • I like the way the SCAR balances. Even the basic ACR is very front-heavy (although some people seem to like this, so this is a personal preference).

  • Having to adhere to gov’t contracts, we can be confident that FN uses good materials and production processes in the SCAR’s barrel and bolt. God only knows what anything in the ACR is made out of, and it will probably stay that way, unless they somehow secure a gov’t contract.

  • My SCAR is very accurate, and the consensus among users seems to be that it is generally more accurate than the ACR.

  • I can replace the pistol grip on the SCAR.

-Because they didn’t recycle some AR parts, FN were able to make durability improvements in the SCAR, namely in the trigger group and in the bolt. The hammer spring is a wound coil spring wrapped around a shank (similar to what is found in HK G3 pattern rifles), rather than the AR hammer spring, which has been known to break. Also, by not using an AR barrel and extension, FN was able to make the SCAR’s bolt quite a bit beefier than what is possible with the ACR, given that the ACR’s bolt must fit into a regular AR barrel extension.

What I like about the ACR:

  • Takedown is easier than that of the SCAR.

  • I like the charging handle location better.

  • I like the ambi FAL-style bolt release.

I think the ACR has a lot of potential as a weapon. Time will be required to work the bugs out of the design, but I think it will become a very viable weapon in the future. That said, if I were given the choice between the present SCAR and our hypothetical bug-free ACR, I’d still take the SCAR.

6

I have not fired either of these weapons, but got to hold both of them last weekend at the fun show. I would pick the SCAR hands down because of the weight of the ACR. Not that it’s too heavy, but it’s much heavier than it needs to be, and all of the weight seemed to be out on the front end. Just my $.02.

7

Exactly what happened to me. Actually, I was set on buying the ACR until I carried both. The SCAR felt just perfect and it is sexxxy. I will be buying the SCAR-L next month.

When will the XM8 come out? If it comes out soon I may wait on the SCAR-L.

8

I think the SCAR is a all around better weapon. The XM8 will never come out. Ever.

9

The XM-8 was a military only weapon built by HK for the Army… It is basically just a tuned up G36. It was a pretty amazing weapon, and basically beat the pants off all comers in objective testing despite poo-pooing by internet chatter and industry opponents. It fell victim to politics and to the question of why does the Army really need another 5.56 carbine?

I personally would pick the SCAR over the ACR. The ACR seems neat but the SCAR is more fully developed, and is being deployed as we speak. Even with the recent transfer of the SCAR 16 $$ to the Scar 17 it shows that the system itself has merit. The question is, are either of them worth getting over a decent AR?. I suspect not, but I am usually wrong.

10

I fired the Enhanced ACR and SCAR 16S side by side today.

I’ll get into impressions later.

11

In view of recent SCAR 16 news, I wonder for how long remington/bushmaster will keep pouring money on R&D and testing of the ACR…

12

front heavy can be mitigated by them producing a lightweight profile barrel, which the SCAR has. Either have to wait for it or get a daniel defense barrel and cannibalize the ACR barrel for the gas piston parts. People have done it on AR15.com. Not a total bolt on theres some dremelling involved.

13

Why on earth would Remington stop working on the ACR?

SOCOM walking away from the SCAR has zero to do with recent and future carbine solicitations. It’s not like the ACR can go back in time and win the SCAR contract.

Remington is going for the whole enchilada. Not the sliver of military business the SCAR represented.

14

The XM-8 was trash. Like a lot of good ideas, it looked good on paper and performed well in the lab. Once it got into the hands of actual soldiers shit started to fall off it. A few samples went to the box where it got bad reviews.

Actually, I think there is a whole business model there for some enterprising young man - buy the HK G36 and convert it to the XM-8 format. Since it looks cool lots of folks will buy it!

The SCAR also ran into the brick wall of reality, although it seems to be better built than the XM-8.

The ACR looks neat too - just like the XM-8 and the SCAR. And, it might be just as successful! Time will tell.

Unless you must own one of these rifles for the CDI factor, save your money. The Army will be conducting tests soon to select a possible replacement for the M4. I would wait for the Army to pick the winner first. Once the Army selects it’s new weapon you are assured a steady supply of parts and aftermarket accessories.

Of course, that may also cause a serious drop the cost of M4 parts and you may then be able to pick up a Colt M4 for around $800 (the DoD cost is about $600). And at that point I really have to ask why would you want a $2k ACR or SCAR? You don’t get three times the rifle with either of these systems against the M4.

In any event, even after we do get a new rifle, we will get to enjoy the fist fight between the other services, The Army, and Congress over why this gun and why the Army has a different rifle from everyone else. Just like the USMC forced everyone to adopt the leather jacket only M16A2, maybe we will get to force The Army Rifle on everyone else. Get some popcorn…

This whole ‘new rifle’ concept is cocked up from the word ‘go.’ What is needed is a comprehensive change in Army Marksmenship. The weapon needs to change, the caliber needs to change, and training needs to change at the same time and the changes need to compliment each other.

People are moving heaven and earth to get a new ‘toy’ or a just another big DoD contract. That is the wrong approach. This is the weapon that our troops will be saddled with for the next 40 years. Let’s not fuck it up.

15

What about parts availability? If something should go wrong, how are spare parts going to be available easily? I’ve read on calguns.net that the warranty isn’t that great.

16

What i like about the acr is easy to dissemble where as the scar seems more a little more difficult. I was curious about the 2 rifles. I may want one in the future but as of right now i’m happy with the pof and i plan on getting a .308 in the future.

17

I didn’t find the scar to be any harder to disassemble than any of my AR’s :confused:

18

Until you try and get the piston out for cleaning.

19

I just pop it out with ‘L’ allen wrench. You are correct though I suppose since it takes an extra step

20

Overall I agree with you. There isnt a huge difference.

I do like how the ACR pops open like an AR15 though, while the SCAR has to be completely taken apart.