I had a question asked about the MK17 in another thread. I’ve been issued one and decided to post my observations in their own place. I’ve been thinking about doing a full review (with pretty pictures) when I get time but until then here are some disorganized, barely articulated ramblings about my experiences so far.
I guess like everything it has its pluses and minuses.
It’s been as reliable as my M4 in the desert (both have been about 99.9%). I like the trigger on the SCARs a lot better than the usual AR ones; they aren’t lighter but they have much cleaner breaks. With the 7.62 Long Range I’m feeding it it’s pretty damn accurate. Even with delinked AP ammo it’s been pretty good. I started out using the shorty barrel but the mid length is a lot more manageable so now I have that one mounted. The POI between barrel changes is enough to imply rezeroing. Recoil management is great but on the MK17 full auto is all but unusable. Full auto on a MK16, especially with a suppressor, is surprisingly controllable. The cyclic ROF seems like about 2/3 that of an M4.
The stock design is really nice but the length adjustment is worrisome in that it’s sometimes hard to get it to pop back out and lock once you push it in to adjust the length. If you don’t make sure it’s seated the stock collapses under recoil and you smack your face. The mags are heavy as hell and the baseplates want to slide off easily. The reciprocating charging handle is a good thing if you don’t use too high of a high grip. If you do it might need to be on the right side (for a righty shooter) but then your manual of arms becomes weird. The left-side mag release button is prone to hitting on your kit and dropping your mag for you which violates rule number one. The big, ambi selector switch likes to snag on your kit and put itself on fire if you’re negligent.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head for now. Overall the Mk-17 is a rugged, accurate, well built weapon but it isn’t perfect. I’d be happy to answer any specific questions you guys might have about the platform.
I think weight sensitive users might want to try before they buy. I only have a M-110 to compare it to which is a dedicated sniper system, not a battle rifle like the Mk 17. The barrel profile is what I would call medium and the carrier is a massive chunk of steel so the balance point is forward of the mag well with the 16" barrel. The way the receiver is laid out puts the breech pretty far forward and the receiver is also very tall. The polymer lower and butt stock are very light, so the weight is up top and forward. It really becomes apparent when you mount a heavier optic like the Spectre DR’s they’re issuing with the SCAR’s. It somewhat balances the rifle by putting weight (24oz!) to the rear but also makes the thing feel like it wants to “flop over” on you. I weighed my 16" setup with the Spectre, light, and IR laser and it’s 13.5 lbs loaded; no joke on foot movements.
The steel mags are also relatively heavy as is the ammo. I don’t have a postal scale but three loaded 5.56 USGI mags weigh roughly the same as 2 loaded MK 17 mags. I’m really starting to appreciate the qualities of my old M4 before the armorers put the stupid HBARs on them.
I don’t have a lot of experience with the new 7.62 AR’s but from what I’ve seen I would probably rather have something like that Knight’s SR-25 EM carbine with a couple uppers than a MK-17. Reliability has been comparable between the systems (yes the SCAR’s can jam). The whole idea of a user changeable barrel is misguided imho. With the MK 17 I can change out a barrel but then I have to remount and rezero the optic, irons, and IR laser. With an AR system I could have just swapped uppers and been done with it. I could have a short upper with an Eotech, a medium one with an ACOG and a long one with a scope, already zeroed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. In a way the SCAR barrel-change system is a cheaper way of accomplishing what a deluxe set of AR uppers could do better.
Thanks for the write up and service. I would love to see some pics if you get a chance. Just wondering how many barrels were issued with the rifle? I’m guessing two from your review, correct?
No problem, I’m glad I can contribute to this site. Three barrels were issued for each rifle (short, medium, long). For the 17 the short is 13.5, medium is 16, long is 20. I can’t remember the actual measurements for the light but I think it’s like 11.5, 16, and 18.
I think FN is really trying to get SOCOM to buy off on this rifle. The amount of shit that came with each one is unprecedented. Besides the rifle you get three barrels, 7 mags, an amorers kit (including a seekonk torque wrench for changing the barrel), a Spectre DR calibrated to your weapon’s caliber, an Eotech, a Light with filters and tape switches, a PEQ-2, a VTAC sling, 4 eagle industries mag pouches, an AAC suppressor, and a manual.
