More FS2000,
For those who haven't had a good look at one they are very interesting. It's the most interesting gun I have ever owned. The extractor pulls the case out and the ejector flips it into a tubular shaped guide. Then when the bolt goes forward it pushes the case straight forward above the barrel into the ejection tube. The ejection tube is right above the barrel. A small 'hammer' attached to the bolt carrier gives the case a pretty good smack, as the fresh round is chambered by the bolt below. It pushes the case past a nylon / plastic washer and into the tube. Once into the tube there is no coming back. I tested it by putting live and empty cases into the ejection tube and holding the gun straight up / vertical. I then slowly pulled back the bolt and a new round chambered, no problem. If you lift the chamber cover you can see the case in the ejection tube. It's a little hard to explain and is better to see for yourself. It is a very well designed system. It has been tested extensively and is proven to be reliable. The gas system is a small short stroke piston that looks a lot like the AUG (borrowed technology). The gas operating rod is much thinner though. Very clean gas system. No carbon outside of the small piston and plug. The barrel is free-floating. The barrel is thin as well. Like I said before, the barrel is also very thin on the FN SCAR L, I think this is where FN is trying to keep their total weapon weights down. I like the sight rail. It's nice and long and will allow a shooter to position any scope they want with proper eye relief. Some other bullpups do not have this feature and you are stuck with mounting your scope on a tiny base without allowing for adjustment (Tavor?).
FN has attempted to solve the bullpup problem by allowing for right or left hand fire / operation (shooting support side from behind cover). They have done a good job of it.
Down sides,
1. Typical european fasion, no bolt hold open feature on an empty mag. 2. The gun is a bit wide or fat. Not that bad just fatter than I'm use to (Ok I'm ready for the verbal abuse on that comment) in an assault rifle. 3. You can't see inside the chamber unless you lift the spring loaded inspection cover (this drove Kevin nuts as he is super safe and always had it open to check that chamber). 4. You can't adjust the length of pull on the stock. What you see is what you get. Not a big deal if you are mounting a dot as you can see it any where on the rail.
It may not be the very best combat rifle in the world but I don't think it is a slouch at all. It might be the most interesting though. I still can't believe that they got into the Country. I'm not sure if any more will make it in. They were exported without flash hiders to be approved. So far I'm happy with it. I'll wait for Beltfed to put some 69 and 77gn handloads through his to see what the true accuracy will be like for service rifle shooting.
Beltfed should post more pic's and maybe some with the gun torn down.
Rich