The more I use my SCAR 17S, the more it grows on me. I wasn’t a huge fan at the outset, but the performance of the precision rifle has started to change my mind. FNH USA submitted a modified version of the SCAR 17 for the CSASS program that was looking for a short semi-auto sniper rifle platform, and while the contract has yet to be inked for any of the competitors they have decided to go into full production with a civilian version of the rifle. Made 100% in the United States (unlike the current Belgian imported receivers for the SCAR series) the rifle sports some cool features.
Instead of a 16-inch barrel, the SCAR 20 has an eponymous 20 inch tube. The receiver has been extended another six to eight inches forward of the gas block to provide a longer stance for the rifle and a longer top rail for long-range precision fire, and looks very slick. The stock has been replaced with a great looking adjustable version, and the trigger has been swapped from FNH USA’s design to a Geissele Super SCAR two-stage trigger. That last part is especially important — I love FNH USA, but I hate that SCAR trigger.
Availability for the new FN SCAR will be “soon,” but the price point is said to be astronomical. If you thought the SCAR 17 was expensive, don’t even peek at the price tag or you will have a heart attack. FN America’s plan at the moment is to launch the semi-automatic piston design as a kit, including a hard case full of goodies like a silencer and scope, all for one price to try and quell the sticker shock.
FN SCAR 20S UPC 845737006761 SPECS
- SKU/Model No.: 38996
- CALIBER: 7.62x51mm (7.62 NATO ammo)
- OPERATION: Short-stroke gas piston
- MAG CAPACITY: 10 round magazine
- BARREL LENGTH: 20″
- OVERALL LENGTH: 40.6″ – 42.5″
- WEIGHT: 11.2 lbs.
- MSRP: $4,499
PRIMARY FEATURES
Extended monolithic receiver
Short-stroke gas piston
RECEIVER
Hard-anodized monolithic aluminum, Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish
MIL-STD-1913 accessory rails at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions. Top rail is full-length mil-std.
BARREL
Heavy Cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating barrel with muzzle device
TRIGGER
Two-Stage Match-Grade trigger (Geissele Super SCAR)
BUTTSTOCK
Adjustable length of pull and comb height
Adjustable cheekpiece
Hogue® rubber grip with finger grooves
OPERATING CONTROLS
Ambidextrous safety lever and magazine release
Charging handle may be mounted on right or left side to further aid ambidextrous user’s needs
Enlarged trigger guard for easier access when wearing gloves
Composite polymer trigger module
MAGAZINE
Steel magazine body
Low-friction follower
Got a SCAR-17S myself and I too am very fond of it. I might entertain the idea of getting one of these. Just wish they made these to use P-Mags….
Look up Handl Defense’s aftermarket lowers for the Scar. They look nicer, are reputed to be more robust and solid, and can take P mags. A bit pricy though, but for the utility they provide it’s probably worth it.
Stryker Enterprises has an aftermarket lower that takes Pmags, as does Cavalry. Handl isn’t the only one in the game. Stryker seems to have closer ties to FN itself than the rest do, as well, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the company and the owner.
Also the aftermarket lowers take standard AR-pattern grips. If you look, even the one stuck on the pictured lower doesn’t fit right. For some reason the default SCAR lower seems designed not to be compatible with much of anything.
HELL YES.
Wasn’t the price something ridiculous like 6 grand?
If it includes a suppressor and a scope? Oh I think it will be a lot more than $6k.
It’s $5000 and only available for CT side, but it isn’t worth buying because it can’t one hit on body shot and it’s a noob weapon. Also it doesn’t have a silencer.
Do not waste your money on these. The MK20 is one of the biggest POS weapons I have ever seen issued. If it was just one gun that was issued that had problems, I would have such feeling about it. But when it a systematic turd that has a variety of quality control issues it’s another thing.
I heard that a lot of the USSOCOM guys were shying away from the SCAR in general.
Yeah. There is a reason the SMUs refuse to use the SCAR family. It’s going to come out sooner or later just how unpopular the SCAR family is in Socom, and how it unfortunately became issued.
I would like to know what sort of problems you’ve had with them
As I own a 17s this interests me
With the 20s I have seen a large amount of guns going full auto, random POI shifts of above 5 minutes, and a high level of general unreliability. The 17s have improved to a decent level of reliability. But they still are outclassed by a large amount of 7.62 rifles. The SCAR is a family of weapons that was pushed on SOCOM against the wishes of a lot of people, from a extremely screwed up acquisition programs.
Was the POI shift due to the rifle eating optics? I heard a few years ago that the SCAR 17 in particular was known to kill optics. Confirm or deny?
As much as I like the whole M14/Sage setup, this would make a lot of sense as contemporary replacement.
How would this be any better than an accurized FAL?
A scope mount that isn’t attached to the dustcover? Drop-free mags instead of rock-in?
Nice rifle, modern M21.
Wow, for just a few seconds that was the most exciting announcement so far from SHOT Show 2015. All American made SCAR, 20 inch barrel, better trigger – WOW! I rocketed to a quick high, then had the rug pulled out from under me. Leghorn, why did you have to mention price?
I think I’ll wait for the Desert Tech MDR…
How about a 20″ barrel for the 17 – this should be offered by FN given the purpose of being able to swap barrels on the 17. Charging an astronomical price for a kit is a drag.
seans – still throwing tampons…Mk20 is solid and bros are running it with the geissele trigger and seal module now. good on fn to get it to the civvy shooters. EGLM is a no go.
I have a SCAR 17s but shortened the barrel to 14″ and installed a Surefire SOCOM muzzle break/suppressor mount for a CQB rifle. If more than a max 500 yards I would go bolt rifle that out preforms in the accuracy column. I have not had any issues with the FN but have upgraded to the Stryker Magpul lower and Geissele trigger which made large improvements. But a 20″ barrel i think is too far a reach and barrel lenght does not increase accuracy just FPS.
Just tell what the fucking price is. If you thought the SCAR 17 was expensive don’t even peek at the price tag or you will have a heart attack. Knock off this stupid shit. If you know the price then let people decide for them self what is to expensive. If you don’t know the price then don’t act like you know and post nothing. Typical click bate bull shit. Also what is soon? This article was published over 1.5 years ago. If that is your idea of soon, then all of humanity will die of old age. Go back to journalism school, because you seriously suck at doing this for a job.
True
Might have a hard time deciding to put this or the mk 20 ssr (sniper support rifle) on my wish list at the FFL. Or, the two versions now offered in 6.5 Creedmoor in blk or fde. While the fn scar 17s might still be called a “carbine” just because of OAL, these 20-inchers are rifles for a marksman working for distant target acquisition. The match trigger is a smart upgrade. There’s no question these have SOCOM (Special Operations Command), U.S. military, or law enforcement pricing. Wow, the civilian shooter pays top dollar to have some of the legendary dna of the 7.62-calibered mk. These are tall guns, and I’ve found I need a high rest height and extended bipod legs to shoot them because of the mag and pistol-grip lengths. I’ve had factory loads from both remington and winchester to shoot sub-m.o.a. if I do my job.
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