SCAR Fondling

I had an opportunity through my work connections to fondle a SCAR-L

SCAR-L data

The SCAR-L is the 5.56x45mm variant of the SCAR weapon system, recently purchased by the US Special Operations Command.

Like any FN products, it looks ugly, but feels good. It is extremely light, and points very well. The buttstock is collapsing AND folding. There is an bipod integrated into the forward pistol grip. I haven't had the chance to go prone with the rifle to check out the functionality, but it definitely tweaks my NEAT! button. The front sight is integral to the gas block, and the rear sight is a flip up style, like those often seen on flat-top AR-15s. The magazines appear to be STANAG, and the release is ambidextrous.

The biggest criticism of the Armalite rifles is the gas tube dumping combustion gases into the receiver to function the rifles. Critics call this "shitting where it eats." I have never seen an M16 choke due to ordinary fouling, but who knows? The SCAR has this particular criticism beat; there is a short stroke piston, that impacts the operating group to cycle the weapon. Any combustion gases are vented from the piston, and aren't dumped into the receiver.

One of the interesting features is that the barrel is held into the receiver with machine screws. This allows the barrel to be changed in the field from a long, 20" barrel to a 10" barrel for CQC. It kind of weirded me out. In my opinion there is no place in a combat rifle for fasteners that require tools beyond a rock. On the other hand, how else would you make the barrel easily changeable in the field? Oh, and before anyone says that the screws won't be rigid enough for good accuracy, don't forget that the bolt locks into the barrel ala Armalite, not the receiver.

I'd like to have a chance to shoot this weapon. I really hope it shoots as good as it feels. If it does, FN has a winner here. I even think it's good enough for adoption by the regular army.

(Full Disclosure: Adoption by the regular Army will have enormous financial benefits for me. However, you can trust me to call crap crap, regardless.)