BarryinIN

I went off the deep end. I got an FNH SCAR 17S (7.62x51) this week.

I looked at one about 18 months ago and came away thinking "That's it?". It felt clunky, the stock was rattly, the trigger was poor- and that was the end of my SCAR interest. Then one was thrust into my hands early this year and I said "Oh that's OK, I don't need to look...hey this feels pretty good". The stock was solid, the trigger was pretty good, and the entire rifle felt great. Wonderful. Now I don't know if the first one or the second one was the exception. I looked at eight or ten since, and shot one, and decided the first one was the anomaly.
I wanted one, but read mags were awful hard to come by so I cooled down.

Then a friend showed up at a carbine match he runs with...not one, but two- a 16 (5.56) and a 17. "Here, shoot it.". It was nice, real nice, but didn't want to spend that much on a rifle I couldn't find mags for. No, no, says he, magazines are starting to flow. He had 17 with him.
I checked and verified it. No more excuses.
Sigh.

So I looked around, picked the one with the best trigger (they do seem to vary) and brought it home. I got FDE (flat dark earth) because it's cool. No, not that kind of cool. Cool, meaning it doesn't get too hot to touch after five minutes in the summer sun kind of cool- my biggest beef about black rifles.

Usually I have buyers remorse after a big ticket gun purchase. Not this time. The first two groups after zeroing were better than my old AR-10(T) 24" that weighed nearly double. They were far from my best bolt gun groups. I haven't matched those since, but I know it did it twice in a row, and that's something.
It feels so light. I've seen various weight figures quoted, so I put it on my 10-lb scale. 7 lbs, 10 ounces. I checked my old 20" SP1 AR and it was 7 lbs, 2 ounces- only eight ounces difference.
I've had most of the .308 semiautos, and shot others, but the SCAR had the least felt recoil I thought. The AR-10 was always mild in my opinion, but the SCAR is milder.
It comes at a cost, though. That very efficient muzzle brake/flash hider is LOUD. Any goo brake is, but combined with a 16.25" barrel and a covered firing line, I had to use double ear protection.

Anyway- I like it.
Excuse me for bragging. I am sorry. But I'm pretty happy with it. Like the Steyr Scout, I think it really can do the job of two or three rifles like the military hoped. If it's as light as an AR and accurate as a bolt gun, maybe there is something to it.

donflynn

Pictures man...we need pretty pictures :)

BarryinIN

When I get home to a real computer. The above was posted by phone out of boredom while sitting in a Dr waiting room.

donflynn

Been there done that....hope everythings ok

BarryinIN

The moment of joy:


Another moment of joy:


For comparison with some other popular rifles:


Guts:


Folded. It's short when folded, but of course, wide:

Chris Stephens

Hello Barry,

Congratulations! I would love to own an FN SCAR! In the words of some my European friends "that rifle is uber cool"! Best and enjoy it! (And yes, I know lots about going off the deep end for a nice rifle as well.....)

Chris

donflynn

Me wantee :-)

oberstlt

Very nice!

jeep

What killed the Scar from U.S. Goverment military service is the moving operating handle and what damage it did to troopers hands.

sirgilligan

BarryIN,

Congratulations on the SCAR 17H. Very nice. The magazine thing held me back as well, back when I was looking. Haven't started looking again.









:) :) :)

Here is what I did get:







FN SCAR 16S and Blackhawk Dieter CQD® Sling w/Sling cover (2-PT)

I am waiting to get a red dot still. I know what I want but I have to see one in person before I buy.

Plenty MK17's are used in the military and just a few months ago I read of another order for them fulfilled.

I personal run the charging handle on the right side. That is where it is on my Browning BAR Safari .30-06, and on my Ruger Mini 14 (which is a good rifle and accurate).

__________________
SirGilligan

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