I keep reading that the SCAR 16 brings nothing special to the table, it is just as good as an AR but no better, etc.
Are there any genuine negatives/cons to one of these?
- reciprocating charging handle
- no quick detachment points for sling
- cramped rail space for people running optic, night vision, and IR illumination source
- trigger that is a couple pounds heavier than standard AR
- stock and latch that could be better designed and more robust
- does not take AR grips without modification
The above post pretty much covers how I feel. I will also note, these issues are also why I built my own LR308 (which I am now selling lol) instead of the scar 17. Not that the scar is bad, just too many things I would want to change on a rifle that comes with a pretty hefty price tag from the get go.
AR lovers love to hate the 16. I like it. YMMV.
Same here.
Only downside I can think of is the price. Everything else can be addressed on the aftermarket (rail extensions, QD mounts, trigger, buttstock, pistol grip), something nobody ever complains about doing with an AR. Again, boils down to the price. I personally love the reciprocating charging handle. 10x better than any AR charging handle. Even with that, though, there is a non-reciprocating aftermarket option.
Price is everything with the Scar. Most people have a hard time dropping $2500 on a rifle and then having to add another $1k to get it where they want before spending a dime on optics. However a tricked out Scar is a fearsome rifle, but is its worth the $4500-ish to get it to that point? Many are better served or can justify spending half on a quality AR style rifle.
My biggest draw is I love FN firearms. I have a 16s and a 17s. Only real changes I’ve made to both is add a rail extender, switch the grip.
2-6 have solutions, 1 has a solution as well, technically but not a very good one. I can live with 1… That said, AR over SCAR unless you need the rifle for work and you work in and out of vehicles, then I can see where a SCAR CQC could come in handy.
Spot on
It’s simply too large for a 5.56 rifle.
Price is the only reason I don’t own one.
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Fortunately I only paid $2070 for my NIB FDE 16 several years ago.
For me, since I use the 17, and 16 makes sense. I have ARs, including SBRs but the SCAR 16 just works for me.
Yeah, it took some modification, but since I don’t buy and sell ARs like the tide rolls in and out, it isn’t a big deal to me.
I also don’t foam at the mouth for the latest and greatest thing from <INSERT BIG NAME HERE>.
The Charging Handle is a plus for me, but then again I grew up shooting a Winchester Model 77 22LR - which had a RCH as well, so from the age of about 8 it has been natural to avoid it.
Grips, sling attachments, rails - pretty much everything Joes on here change out semi-monthly.
The form factor is slightly bigger than an AR - ok, doesn’t really make a difference to me either.
YMMV.
Thanks all… I was thinking maybe there was some reliability issue, poor accuracy or major ergonomic issues… I see that all the issues listed are readily addressable and the SCAR 16 to me has some advantages I like. My first issue rifle and handguns were FN, so I am very interested in the 17 which makes think I should start with a 16 and create the same manual of arms for my 556 and 762 platforms if possible. I’m still not sold on the AR for a 762 battle rifle… I think I will try a SCAR 16 and see how it goes. Thanks again!
I’m not a SCAR hater. This is what sits in a safe in my closet:
I have 2 SCAR 17’s in my basement safe set up for various contingencies.
The OP asked someone to list the platform’s cons. Yes, some of these cons can be overcome. One just needs to decide if the pros outweigh the remaining cons after a few hundred in aftermarket upgrades. It’s an individual decision with no correct answer.
While I am naturally biased towards the SCAR (17) I would say three things. #1 price (NBD its European) #2 when in direct comparison to an AR it’s major disadvantage is the lack of 50 years of refinement. #3 the buttstock seems to like eating my beard.
If I were to say if any platform were to decisively cut into the AR hegemony, the SCAR will most likely be it. Now I am not going to go into the details (as some would say I am advertising). I thought the SCAR was the future the day I first shot it @ JBLM (although I knew it needed some changes).
If you are on the fence about a 16S, don’t be, do it. Just know you’ll end up buying the 17 too.
Truth right there.
Agreed. I’m a big SCAR fan and have been buying them since maybe 2010 or 11 (I’m up to four now 16s and 17s). There are a ton of aftermarket goodies now. I personally like the charging handle a lot better than the AR CH. I have 8 ARs and I like them too, but the way the SCAR 16 shoots, the solid upper rail, how clean it stays, the breakdown, and the folding stock (although I live in Calif.) are all big big factors for me.
Here is something you should know, the 16 shoots well but is not a big winner in the accuracy arena. It is a combat rifle and shoots like a combat rifle, don’t expect it to be any more accurate than your average AR. I’ve gotten some decent groups out of it with Mk262 ammo (77gr 5.56 OTM), but it shoots average ammo averagely.
These are the goodies I put on my stock SCARs:
- Geissele Super SCAR trigger - Try your rifle first, some of the stock triggers are OK, they can be heavy, but smooth. Some are just rough.
- PMM Rear QD - Parker Mountain Machine
- MI rails - MI-S1617SR I don’t need extended rails I prefer not to add any additional weight if possible, these rails include QD sockets
- Tango Down BG-17 grips - I like these, some folks don’t.
- Aimpoint T1 or T2 - The T2 is better, but it’s maybe $100 more. LaRue sells a T2 package for $761.
- I prefer aluminum mags for my SCARs - D&H, and NHMTG. With NHMTG being slightly better. The SCAR 16 runs PMAG Gen 3 fine.
- Preferred reasonable cost ammo is the Magtech CBC 77Gr 5.56 OTM (Mk262 clone).
- I use Fireclean lube on my SCARs and ARs.
- Safety selector switches on the SCAR 16s are excellent PMM—> http://www.parkermountainmachine.com/store/p43/FN_Herstal_SCAR_16%2F17_Selector_Levers.html
On the SCAR 17s I run one with a NF NXS 2.5-10X and the other with an Aimpoint T2 and Aimpoint 3x magnifier in LaRue flip mount. Most of the time I shoot with just the T2 as it keeps the rifle very light.
That’s just how I’ve configured my rifles, you will undoubtedly do it differently.
Cons: The SCAR16s is about a pound heavier than an AR15 with the same barrel length and profile. It’s twice the price. My limited experience showed it to have accuracy potential slightly better than or comparable with a well-made ar15 pencil barrel.
Pros: Some suggest increased parts life. Barrel changes don’t require a vice/bench. It comes already set up with adjustable gas for optimum suppressor function. Personally, I thought it had a uniquely tame recoil impulse, thought that might have been due to the brake.
I think the SCAR17s offers more advantages for what it is. It’s actually substantially lighter than most semi rifles in its caliber and seems to be more accurate on average, based on internet reports. I also found the recoil felt absurdly soft compared with FALs and G3 clones, which again could be the brake.
Did some accelerometer testing on the different brakes. The OEM brake on the 17S is a good one, in the top five (of 30) tested.
Interesting!