Had a go with an FN SCAR

[cybershooters]

So I was in the US last week and I happened to walk into a range where the FN rep had showed up to show off all the goodies. I'm afraid this was a big surprise to me so unfortunately I left the camera at the hotel.

Everyone was interested in the SCAR so I only got my hands on it for a few minutes. Basically the lower is made of some sort of ABS type plastic and the upper is some sort of sheet alloy and it has what looked like a conventional gas piston system to me. The stock was a plastic folding affair and also is adjustable in and out. I thought the way it locked closed was a bit goofy, latches into a cutout into the plastic case deflector.

The bolt head was noticeably larger than on an AR-15 with much larger locking lugs, obviously to stop them cracking.

Anyway, when I finally got to fire my allotted two rounds I have to say I wasn't terribly impressed with it, the trigger pull was pretty stiff (even for a new rifle), and there are rails on all three sides of the handguard so that made it uncomfortable to shoot with no foregrip attached. The safety is also stiffer than on an AR-15. The pistol grip is the standard A2 grip so obviously you can fit something better.

The mag release is ambidextrous but the bolt release is basically the same as on an AR-15. Easier to #### though as the bolt handle is on the left side (and can be swapped over I think). Can't really comment on accuracy at short range with two rounds, but the muzzle brake it was fitted with (I'm assuming this is not what is on the military version) seemed to work okay.

I have no doubt it's more durable and more reliable than an AR-15, but given that the asking price was $3,200 I couldn't see the point personally. You can easily get your AR-15 working very reliably indeed for that kind of money and with a better trigger pull to boot. Really that puts it in the realm of "collector only" status like the H&K Mark 23 as far as I'm concerned. I'm willing to bet if the Obama paranoia evaporates the price will halve. As a military rifle I was a bit surprised at how tall it is, because getting low with it from prone is basically impossible.

The serial number was bar-coded. Not sure why I'm mentioning that, it was just a bit unusual.

No-one was particularly interested in the other guns, so I basically nearly broke my thumb loading the 50-round mags for the PS90. That is a seriously neat gun, but as a range-only gun with a restricted 5-round mag in Canada, it would be pointless, imho. Also a "collector only" gun as a result.

However I think Ruger misses a trick if they don't chamber the 10/22 in 5.7x28 at some point as that would be a neat varmint gun.

Just wear a cup if you ever have a go with one because it ejects downwards and slightly backwards. Ouch. Or more accurately, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, holy ####, does this thing ever run out of ammo?

Also had a go with a Five Seven pistol, which I tried before a long time ago, the current civilian version has better sights (hugh adjustable sights) and a stippled grip compared to what I remember. However it has an even longer trigger reach than the Beretta 92 I think, which is great for me because I have really long fingers but I'm probably in the minority there. The main thing that annoyed me about it was that the trigger is grooved and this is a gun which really needs a smooth trigger.

 

[Colin]

Thanks, good reviews, I tried out the FS2000 in Vegas and that darn trap door at the back kept pulling my facial hair out with every shot: Bang! Ouch!, bang! Ouch!, bang, Ouch!......

 

[Winz]

I can't understand why the designers made the architecture in the way they did on the SCAR.

Years have gone since the SCAR came out and I still don't get how it would be a great idea to field strip with a bunch of pieces completely detaching like the trigger group/pistol grip, buttstock all coming off just to get to the bolt carrier and having to worry about a tiny knob charging handle.

FN made a big deal about 'operater level swappable barrel' but then executed with having to do six(6) screws and having to carry a pre-adjusted mini-torque wrench.

To me, FN made too much of a deal about keeping the upper receiver as 'modular' as possible but executed everything, including the other basics all wrong.

As for the FS2000...don't even get me started on that poopshoot cover you would have to negotiate to deal with clearing stoppages...

The only new rifle that seems logical and ingenious by design is the Magpul/Bushmaster ACR.

 

[beltfed]

FN made a big deal about 'operater level swappable barrel' but then executed with having to do six(6) screws and having to carry a pre-adjusted mini-torque wrench.

You wouldn't do a barrel swap in the middle of a patrol if that is what you are getting at...I suppose they could have gone the route of Robarms and just had one bolt that backs out by itself so you can do impromtu barrel swaps between rounds down range...

As for the FS2000...don't even get me started on that poopshoot cover you would have to negotiate to deal with clearing stoppages...

The action cover gives you no less access to the action than most other battle rifles - and in fact more when you factor in the ability to separate the barrel group as you can.

 

[urbaneddy]

Great review. It is a shame that you forgot your camera, but a great description helps too.

 

[ian_in_vic]

I'm thinking a PS90 in 22lr (or even 22 mag) would be pretty cool - but a 10/22 in 5.7 is a great idea.

 

[Winz]

You wouldn't do a barrel swap in the middle of a patrol if that is what you are getting at...I suppose they could have gone the route of Robarms and just had one bolt that backs out by itself so you can do impromtu barrel swaps between rounds down range...

No I'm not talking about swapping barrels on patrol

FN made a big deal about the ability to swap easily and while it isn't hard, the Magpul Masada/ACR way is simpler and easier.

Barrel swaps between rounds down range? What on earth are you suggesting?

The action cover gives you no less access to the action than most other battle rifles - and in fact more when you factor in the ability to separate the barrel group as you can.

First, I'll admit that all wpns require training and retraining. Opening the cover will give you easy access and yes, if you pull the pin and pull off the upper, even more so...

Now...tell me great your RA drills are. Are you fast on opening and closing little covers from practicing as a C6/C9 gunner?

 

[Armedsask]

Everyone was interested in the SCAR so I only got my hands on it for a few minutes. Basically the lower is made of some sort of ABS type plastic and the upper is some sort of sheet alloy and it has what looked like a conventional gas piston system to me.

Not ABS but a polymer. Jst a tad more advanced than plumbing. Also, the upper is extruded aluminum, not sheet.

Barrel swaps between rounds down range? What on earth are you suggesting?

It's not rocket surgery. No little bolt holding in your barrel means your barrel likes to visit down range.

 

[greentips]

THe architecture is probably sound but I think people will take a bit getting used to a boxy rifle - the AR is spoiling for its slim profile.

 

[Winz]

THe architecture is probably sound but I think people will take a bit getting used to a boxy rifle - the AR is spoiling for its slim profile.

GT ...from the man himself. Are you referring to the SCAR or FS2000. I believe you had the FS2000. How was it running stoppage drills?

 

[greentips]

GT ...from the man himself. Are you referring to the SCAR or FS2000. I believe you had the FS2000. How was it running stoppage drills?

99% of the stoppage is something to do with not seating the magazine properly becasue the rubber skirt made it so hard to "feel" the seating. So you really need to insert the magazine with authority.

Funky things happened if the magazines are not seated properly. I opened the toilet set, yanked the mag out and pulled the charging handle to clear it.

Finally somehow a spent casing got stuck between the "polymer grabber" and the receiver when I was doing the above IA drill I ended up disassembling to clear the jam. THis is not like the AR - the bolt group of the FN2000 takes a little more motor skill to install......Putting a worn out mag in the FS2000 system will spell diaster ( or a failure of the feed lip)

At that point - I told myself this is surely a fun rifle but that is it for me. I will surely keep it if I have cash, but not for a man with limited gun money. I don't care the manual of arms that much - too difficult to fix a stoppage if the user made a simple mistake.

 

[Winz]

99% of the stoppage is something to do with not seating the magazine properly becasue the rubber skirt made it so hard to "feel" the seating. So you really need to insert the magazine with authority.

Funky things happened if the magazines are not seated properly. I opened the toilet set, yanked the mag out and pulled the charging handle to clear it.

Finally somehow a spent casing got stuck between the "polymer grabber" and the receiver when I was doing the above IA drill I ended up disassembling to clear the jam. THis is not like the AR - the bolt group of the FN2000 takes a little more motor skill to install......Putting a worn out mag in the FS2000 system will spell diaster ( or a failure of the feed lip)

At that point - I told myself this is surely a fun rifle but that is it for me. I will surely keep it if I have cash, but not for a man with limited gun money. I don't care the manual of arms that much - too difficult to fix a stoppage if the user made a simple mistake.

GT: Thanks for you insight.

Having never owned the FS2000, I appreciate the input. To me, running through the drills(vital for any system) seems cumbersome. With practice, I'm sure anyone can get the hang of it and use it rather effectively, but the point is that the drills are still MUCH MORE INVOLVED than common platforms like ARs.

Back on the SCAR system....I have no doubt that it is pretty sound, but from conceptual point of view, it is still flawed for ease of field strip(as an AR replacement).

Furthermore, for the 40mm user, that long mag skirt of the attachment would add to difficulty to clear a double feed or odd jam. The DA trigger of the launcher isn't a bad idea though.

 

[MPI]

As a military rifle I was a bit surprised at how tall it is, because getting low with it from prone is basically impossible.

Funny I have always thought this looking at the pics but you're the first I've read who has written about it. It does seems very "big" for 5.56/7.62 rifle well at least in pictures anyway...

 

[beltfed]

No I'm not talking about swapping barrels on patrol

FN made a big deal about the ability to swap easily and while it isn't hard, the Magpul Masada/ACR way is simpler and easier.

I was making light of your obvious misdirected complaint to the complexity of 6 bolts over 2. Your arguement is obviously moot.

First, I'll admit that all wpns require training and retraining. Opening the cover will give you easy access and yes, if you pull the pin and pull off the upper, even more so...

Exactly my point - The problem is everyone seems to compare System 'B' with the AR and poo poos it because they are familiar with the AR.

I have an FS and it has ran flawlessly for several thousand rounds.
I have induced the kind of screwed up feeding GT has explained with dummy rounds and I can tell you it is extremely tough to replicate. My rifle simply will not strip rounds until the mag is fully seated. Once a double feed is induced however, separating the barrel group and clearing the stopage is easy.

I have had double feeds in ARs that took far longer and tools to clear, so to say the AR platform is far superior in this regard is just false.

 

[Winz]

I was making light of your obvious misdirected complaint to the complexity of 6 bolts over 2. Your arguement is obviously moot.



Exactly my point - The problem is everyone seems to compare System 'B' with the AR and poo poos it because they are familiar with the AR.

I have an FS and it has ran flawlessly for several thousand rounds.
I have induced the kind of screwed up feeding GT has explained with dummy rounds and I can tell you it is extremely tough to replicate. My rifle simply will not strip rounds until the mag is fully seated. Once a double feed is induced however, separating the barrel group and clearing the stopage is easy.

I have had double feeds in ARs that took far longer and tools to clear, so to say the AR platform is far superior in this regard is just false.

Points on the SCAR: What I was indicating(or trying to) is that FN made a huge deal about certain points about the SCAR including the 'quick change' barrel. I simply think that the execution of their ideas isn't done well. Quick change barrels is not an end user thing but since FN claims it can be, I say other companies made simpler ways to do it effectively. Moot...maybe.

I'm glad you enjoy your FS and have had good experiences with it.

You think it's a problem that people compare it(and any other) with ARs. How can one not? Most of these 'new' systems are developed in mind for military and law enforcement contract hopefuls....and the sporting shooter as distant clients.

The AR platform is one of the most successful designs to date for a number of reasons including simplicity of operation.

You may be reading too much into my comments. I don't generally do the piss contest of which wpn system is above all 'better'.....rather, the AR is a common platform used throughout and new wpns should aim to better it, including ease of regular operation.

 

[beltfed]

Right, I understand most being familiar with the AR, are going to make comparisons to it -rightly so. What I'm saying is that while a stopage is cleared with platform 'A' is done is this way, clearing the same or similar stopage in platform 'B' is done a different way does not necessarily make platform 'B' any less reliable or functional - just unfamiliar to some.