A decade late, but I guess better late than never. Note that they talk about there being less reciprocating mass on the BCG, so the new revision will likely be a little easier on electro-optics.
Alright, Cliffs Notes:
[ul]
[li]All new SCARs will be NRCH models
[/li]> [li]conversions will be available, but I anticipate they’ll be available like spare barrels for the time being
[/li]> [li]Aftermarket CHs will no longer work
[/li]> [li]Aftermarket endplates will have to be modded or swapped
[/li]> [li]Drops into all Mk20s with no further mods
[/li]> [/ul]
Full conversion from the old-standard 16/17 takes a torque wrench, a heat gun (or MAPP gas), and about ten minutes.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/929912630445469/posts/3683446615092043/?comment_id=3683627271740644
They should have done this years ago. Curious to see what they did to the back plate. Bolt carrier mass isn’t as big of an issue as the lack of a real buffer (similar to what B&T uses).
I would love a SCAR 16/17 with a better shoulder on the front of the muzzle for flash hiders.
Nevertheless this is great news. Maybe we’ll see a HK 416 with a chrome lined barrel and adjustable gas block next.
It appears it will be available as a kit. I am not “operator” enough to need the switch. I just run my charging handle like an AK. But it is nice to know I have options. And maybe this will suppress all the endless whining about optics (I have gone through Nightforce, ACOG and VCOG and haven’t had troubles yet (although I don’t have a full auto gun)).
In reality, given the nature of gun people, whoever hates these guns and has been demanding these changes will come up with some new reason why these are bad. Suddenly they will praise the old ones as the real ones, etc. The circle of silly will go on and on.
If the kit is in the $500 range I would definitely get one just because I am a nut. But if FN wants $1000 I’ll just have to stick with my old AK/FNC/AR70 reciprocating charger.
And unlike the AK, it is really only the first round of the first mag that you even use it. A whole lot of sound and fury, IMHO. Some will argue that malfunctions are harder to clear but I think more folks cause malfunctions by putting their hands in the wrong place when it is on the left than you will ever see just shooting it. That being said, I shoot my Galils all the time and they have their charging handle on the left. I am just luckier than most folks I guess.
AKs and Galils, I’m 100% good with 45 degree cant and charging over the top. But I can also shoot FALs, G3s and other left sided guns. The FAL has to be a non reciprocating or else you would constantly hang it on barricades.
A lot of the new gee whiz gun features are for those who never learned how to run a practical rifle in the first place. If you can’t left hand charge your AK it’s because you haven’t been willing to invest 8 hours into learning how to do it.
The left sided charging handle of the Galil ACE doesn’t interfere with optics and optics mounts like they do on a SCAR. I run my SCAR 17’s charging handle on the right side like an AK to avoid those issues. I have yet to hang it up on a barricade etc.
Regardless, I view this in the same light as the APC 9 Pro’s upgraded charging handle. It’s a win for everybody. I just hope we see some other improvements. I was hoping for tougher stock and better buffer/backplate for use with after market stocks (like the ACR). A larger diameter shoulder on the barrel for muzzle devices would also be a welcome improvement, 1/10 twist 7.62 NATO barrels……
How about a real multical SCAR? 6.5 Grendel, 300 blk out, 6.5 creedmoor, 7.62 x 39 (that takes AK mags). Everyone would want a SCAR-H if FN did that. It’s a sweet shooting .308, and I love mine.
That is because you are smart enough to run it on the right side like an AK. Now if you had it on the left side, you’d be more likely to hang it on barricades.
Lots of people like to run left side charging handles on rifles like SCARs because you can charge with your non shooting hand. And while that is something that is always good, it does come with some challenges on the SCAR rifle.
But quite honestly the first thing I realized about the SCAR is it doesn’t do one single thing that my existing rifle selection wasn’t capable of. And for all of it’s polymer construction it was still a tad on the heavy side and the accuracy I experienced was pretty disappointing. Add in some unique character flaws and it eventually became a rifle I didn’t really need.
Last time I was that disappointed with a rifle was the Steyr Scout which pretty much did everything “not as good” as almost every bolt rifle I owned. The Steyr SSG was just as handy, had superior optics and was dramatically more accurate. And I quickly learned that the wonky folding bipod / forearm setup was worthless. They should have just done something similar to the Stg-58 integral bipod.
I agree especially with the SCAR 16. That gun does nothing a good AR doesn’t do and at that price point you are way past Knights / Hodge world. I would much rather have one of those.
On the SCAR heavy side of the house I think its an interesting gun. An accurate, super lightweight battle rifle but it has some major flaws and the rest of the industry has caught up in weight. In 2021, the fact that we are fixing the reciprocating charging handle and not the other issues like the front rail and the hinge mechanism is inexcusable.
AR10s are starting to get very reliable. I see no reason to buy a +3k gun and then add another $800 to make it usable by todays standards. I sold my 17 during peak Covid / riots for 4k. I added some money and got a SR25. One of the best things I ever did.
I do believe the SCAR 16/17 does a few things better than the AR (DI) platform:
Running suppressed. Less heat is getting back into the receiver. There is no comparison when I run any of my ARs vs my SCAR. Same goes for many piston platforms with adjustable gas blocks.
Easier to clean. Less gunk in the action when running suppressed just like my AKs and Galil. Now for some who just keep adding Slip 2000 EWL, I guess this isn’t an issue.
Barrel swaps. Not much of an issue, but you don’t have to remove the handguard to do it. LMT’s system is arguably better though.
And for those of us in the military, over the beach use is better with piston rifles (completely irrelevant for most of us of course).
I like my SCAR and it has treated me well the past 10 years. No, I would not sell it for any SR-25.
SteyrAUG, I agree with you 1000% about the Steyr Scout! lol! I could never bring myself to buy one. The SSG 69 or a good quality bolt gun with a composite stock and LPVO or high end optic makes more sense than the Scout. I really wish I would have bought an SSG 69 when they were on sale at CDNN. I have a nice Tikka to play with though.
Funny enough, AFAIK, using a suppressor violates the warranty on the SCAR.
I also would argue that the monolithic upper rail is an advantage to minimize MFAL deflection and also make mounting thermals and CNVDs easier, though that’s also a niche case.
The folding stock, while also a weakness due to its, uh, weakness, is arguably the most obvious pro, simply for storage and/or transport, particularly for low profile transport. Yes, yes, the LAW folder exists, and I even have one, but that’s a band-aid fix no matter how you look at it.
I didn’t mention the monolithic upper because of the DI AR offerings like LMT that feature that. More important, rail systems such as Daniel Defense are rigid enough to mount lasers, lights etc.
The folding stock is definitely a plus but needs to be sturdier along with the back plate. I would not want to drop my stock on concrete for certain. Huge negative for the SCAR compared to what Bravo Company did with their AR buttstocks for instance or the ruggedness of an AK Russian issue buttstock or Galil ACE.
“Funny enough, AFAIK, using a suppressor violates the warranty on the SCAR.”
ny addition to your FN firearm of aftermarket accessories (such as suppressors, triggers, muzzle devices, stocks, etc.) is considered a modification of your firearm from its original configuration, which may void your warranty. We are unable to adapt each firearm for every variable effect that might occur when you install a third-party manufacturer’s accessory on an FN firearm. Therefore, FN disclaims all responsibility and liability for any damage caused to you and/or your firearm as a result of aftermarket accessory use. If an aftermarket accessory causes damage to you and/or your firearm, please address your concerns with the accessory manufacturer.
They disclaim any liability associated with aftermarket accessories. Which, ultimately, pretty much every large manufacturer does. Colt’s manual has a similar provision. SIG’s Virtus Manual has a similar provision. IWI’s ACE manual indicates you can’t use any non-factory part and further, you can’t shoot from a tree or while on drugs.
This is a common “ding” on the SCAR but I would guess a larger percentage of SCAR shooters are suppressed than just about any other rifle. I’ve been running my various SCARS for about a decade with my Surefire SOCOm. I guess if it ever breaks I’ll put the old muzzle brake back on it and ship it in. I suspect they will be more interested in the thousands and thousands of rounds of cheap Surplus 762 Ive run through it.