I have the opportunity to get either platform this week. If you could only have one which and why just need some opinions outside my own!
I have a Sig 556 on the way also but may sell it to my local dealer and use the money for a suppressor.
I’d prefer to have 1 rifle and be proficient with it.
What purpose or role is the rifle (not necessary to refer to them both as “platforms”) intended to fulfill?
It will be for general purpose fun, SHTF, and attending the carbine classes. Classes in order to gain maximum proficiency with the rifle.
I suppose when I get out of the military it could be used for work.
I am thinking the SCAR-L for the reason of ammo availability if a SHTF scenario came up. Cost of ammo for practice in general. And ease of use if my wife wanted to shoot (she’s tiny).
I do have 22 boxes of black hills 7.62 burning a hole in me! But after that it’s probably going to be pretty costly unless I reload.
I have a SCAR 16s and really like it. It is balanced well, accurate, reliable, and the controls are placed well (for me).
5.56X45 costs less allowing more bang for the buck for training. Can also carry about twice as much 5.56X45 as compared to 7.62X51 for the same amount of weight if that matters to you.
With all of that said…
If you already have a 5.56X45 (any good AR) then I think I’d go for the 17s over the 16s. I have nothing bad to say about the 16s (I’m actually a fan), but I do believe a good AR can do everything the SCAR can do in 5.56X45. Once you step up to 7.62X51 I believe the SCAR 17s is going to turn out to be a great firearm (not many reports to follow yet). I have a good friend who used one for real and another friend who is a contractor who sees them in use daily (he’s not using one though). Each of them has good things to say about the SCAR Heavy.
Personally if I could only have one carbine it would be in 5.56X45, but after that one was covered then that SCAR 17s would be tough to pass up. So far there are not too many reports out about the accuracy of the SCAR 17s. My 16s is very accurate. In the 7.62X51 I want my carbine to be very accurate (personally) so I’ve been waiting a little to see more reviews before I take the plunge. There are a couple of other 308 platforms out there that are well proven. The 17s is definitely well balanced and light weight for a 308.
I am thinking the SCAR-L for the reason of ammo availability if a SHTF scenario came up. Cost of ammo for practice in general. And ease of use if my wife wanted to shoot (she’s tiny).
I think you answered your own question. The proverbial “plasma rifle in a 40 watt range” is useless without some skill behind it. You know, unless your heart is set on a SCAR, you could buy a BCM AR and a lot of ammo for the same price.
I agree with joshua on this.
I don’t own a SCAR but my brother does. I have fired it and taken it apart. It is undoubtedly an improvement on the AR series, but it just can’t compete with the sheer availability and cost/value of the AR within the 5.56 performance envelope within the US.
Now when it comes to 7.62 battle rifles, there really isn’t an equivalent of the AR series (in a cost/value sense) out there. They are all similar in price with similar performance envelopes.
To Killjoy’s point. For the same money you could get 2 ARs one for you and one for your wife. Or 1 AR and optics/rails/lights/etc and still have quite a bit of money left over for ammo/training.
In my opinion, every household should have at least 1 AR.
If it were MY choice, I would go for the SCAR-17 (H). There are plenty of 556 slingers out there for much cheaper that do a better job (or at least have proven their reliability). I assume you have one already. If you don’t, forget the SCAR for now, get a good AR and learn to use it, then get the SCAR down the road when prices drop. Personally, I would love a -17 but have zero interest in a -16.
SCAR 16. Honestly, if you’re taking the 7.62 plunge go with the LMT MWS. Too many ‘ifs’ with the SCAR 17 (Spare parts, magazines, etc).
If you are only going to have one rifle, get a high quality AR15 (Colt, Bravo, LMT, DD, Noveske) w/16" barrel. If you already have that, then the SCAR-H/Mk17 might be worth looking at if the price was right, otherwise don’t get either SCAR.
I really want a SCAR. I do believe the 16 will be the way to go now. I can look into a 17 down the road or go the LWRC/LMT route.
I do have a Sig on the way but I suppose I’ll sell it.
If I were to use a AR type rifle in 5.56 what do you fellas know about the PARA TTR? I see good stuff and I’d save a little bit of money.
I like LWRC’s rifles. But I think if I go with anything else I may say “I could have got a SCAR”.
I personally would find it incomprehensible to drop $2k on an unproven (and unlikely to be proven) rifle like the Para TTR. Particularly when a BCM or similar rifle could be had with an Aimpoint, sling, light, and ammo for less money.
out of those two only I would go 16. But in an overall picture if I didnt have running ARs already I would chose neither. Only reason I would get an SCAR/ACR type rifle is if I was ARed out
Agreed, However I was in hopes that someone here could tell me it is a POS or GTG. From what I hear ZM weapons went down the tube and Para rescued them or something to that tune.
The deal is gents. I am trading a precision rifle I have for one of the SCAR’s and outside of that I may be able to get him to order me a LWRC or something along that line. But the rifle is worth what it’s worth and I’d like to get that out of it. I suppose I could ask for two LMT’s (if they are in that range). But I am drawn to the SCAR for some reason I just find it a fascinating weapon and really like FN products as I have some in the stable now.
Another interesting idea that I would entertain outside the SCAR box would be a LWRC with a second 5.45 upper. I hear it’s cheap to shoot.
That’s honestly the only other option to me besides a SCAR now that I think about it.
Crap I am looking at LWRC prices and they are the same as a SCAR. Suppose it’d be a coin flip with that. Still fealing the SCAR 16.
Overall utility? SCAR 16 is probably the better choice
But the SCAR-H shines in that its one of the most reliable .308 carbines out there. Sure its expensive, but its a great rifle.
I’d say unless you really want a .308, just get the 16S and sell your SIG556
Sounds like you already have your mind made up.
If you’re debating LWRC or SCAR, I would go SCAR.
Just keep in mind, you may be buying the next FNC or FN 50.00…
“I don’t own a SCAR but my brother does. I have fired it and taken it apart. It is undoubtedly an improvement on the AR series, but it just can’t compete with the sheer availability and cost/value of the AR within the 5.56 performance envelope within the US”.
Very well said. The SCAR to me is the better rifle. Not light years ahead but a definate improvement over the AR.
That being said AR’s will be here in one form or another for years to come. They are at the peak of their evolution. Mondo aftermarket!
Very hard to beat.
I still prefer the SCAR and would start out with the SCAR 16 and then step up to the 17. And if the SSR ever becomes available to the public then you can have the top of the Heat!
FNC as in ? I am not very familiar with the history of that rifle. The 50.0 was a FAL right?
I think it’s got enough support now to take off. I seen magpul dropped the SSR for it. Hopefully a start of many aftermarket upgrades to come. Honestly I really want the side charging handle too.
The FNC is the current standard issue rifle for the Belgian and Swedish military.
Some people view the SCAR-L as the next evolution of the FNC.
FN CAL = 1963-1966
FN FNC = 1976-Present
FN SCAR-L = 2006-Present
As much as I would like to have a SCAR-16S, I’m saving up for a SCAR-17S.
I have a few AR platforms that satifies my need for having a 5.56x45mm platform and the SCAR-16S is not that great of an improvement to ditch what I have for the SCAR-16S.