Tango Down sent me the two currently available components from their Hyperion SCAR Performance Line a few months back to try out. After getting a few thousand round rounds on them I figured it was time to put up a quick review.
The FN SCAR Angled Charging Handle is a drop in replacement for the OEM charging handle. It is fully ambidextrous and can be angled either up or down. If you can field strip the carbine, you can install this part. When I first received it I assumed I would want to angle it “down”, but what I’ve found is that it works best for me angled “up”. Angling it “up” for me better clears the sling swivel mounted at the rear of the 9 o’clock rail and the plastic housing for the barrel screws. The shape and texture provide a much better gripping surface than the OEM handle (especially with cold, wet, tired hands) and the low profile design helps prevent the parts from snagging on your kit. This is especially important with the SCAR’s fixed/reciprocating design. The part is made of 4340 steel and finished in black phosphate.
The FN SCAR Aluminum Stock Latch is also a drop in replacement for the OEM stock latch. This part was developed based off end user feedback of frequent breakages of the factory plastic latch. This part can be replaced using a live cartridge, screwdriver, etc. It provides piece of mind more than anything else over the factory latch. I did find that the stock snaps into place more solidly than with the plastic latch.
Both parts performed exactly as advertised. They are extremely well designed and built to a high standard free of burrs or rough spots. My thanks go out to Jeff at Tango Down and Clint of Sentinel Design who got these parts to me. Jeff tells me they are cutting the aluminum side rails now and they should be available shortly! I’ve got a set of the prototype rails and they have a lot to offer over the factory plastic side rails.
The Tango Down Hyperion SCAR Performance Line is available here.
I can train hard with my guns without babying them, but slamming the SCAR stock open without depressing the latch seems as pointless and potentially damaging as Hollywood slamming a revolver cylinder open and closed. It’s not like you have to train to slam the stock open, so beating the shit out of it unnecessarily is just adding wear for no good reason, IMO.
I got these several months ago when they were released. The stock latch seemed like a no-brainer given reports of the plastic one failing–though I doubt I would have put my gun through enough to see a problem. As for the charging handle, I’m still kind of on the fence. I used it for a class and think I may prefer the stock one as it’s easier to grasp/manipulate IMO but I haven’t made up my mind and for now it’s still on.
It was a little hard to stomach the price, but I understand why they are priced they way they are given the very limited market. I appreciate that Tango Down released them at least.
Well, to be fair I have been known to throw rifles but only to prove a point during a class; not as a regular training exercise (because what training involves that, unless we’re talking about, ‘Elite Team Fighting’ )
The parts I ordered came in a few days ago. So far I like the CH angled down because it’s easier to clear the optic. A couple days of range time will settle my preferences I’m sure.
I knew that
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