FN SCAR ASSAULT RIFLE, DETAILED WEAPON REVIEW, TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS, DESCRIPTION OF THE MACHINE GUN, BARREL CALIBER WITH PHOTO AND VIDEO

FN SCAR is an assault rifle designed for special units of the US Army in 2004. The creator of the rifle is the American branch of the famous Belgian arms company FN Herstal.

FN SCAR is not just a rifle, it can be called a real modular rifle complex, which includes two basic modifications, as well as sniper versions of weapons, a model for crews of combat vehicles and several other modifications.

In addition, each of the basic versions can have three different configurations that differ only in barrel length: for melee, standard configuration and sniper version. In this case, you can change the barrel in a few minutes using a minimum of tools.

The FN SCAR assault rifle is a great example of a successful implementation of a modular scheme in rifle weapons systems. With such a rifle, a fighter in a short time in the field can collect exactly the weapon that is most suitable for him to perform a specific combat mission.

The FN SCAR weapon complex was adopted by the US Army in 2009, however, the rifle operation began a little earlier. This weapon has already passed the test in the harsh conditions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

In addition to the United States, FN SCAR is in service with several dozen more armies in the world. Among the operators of this assault rifle are special units of Belgium, Germany, Korea, Japan, Italy and a number of other countries.

History of creation

In 2003, the US Command of Special Operations Forces announced the start of a competition to create a new assault rifle with a modular design.

A year later, the winner of this competition was announced, it was the American division of the famous Belgian company FN Herstal. It should be noted that initially most experts preferred the XM-8 assault rifle developed by the German company Heckler-Koch.

In 2005, a new rifle began to be delivered in parts of the US special forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. FN SCAR was made in two versions: Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mk.17 SCAR-H. The US military planned that in the future, these weapons would replace such well-deserved but morally obsolete models as the M4, M16, M14 and Mk. 25

In the summer of 2007, several assault rifles were tested in the United States: the German-American HM8, the German NK 416, and the US-Belgian FN SCAR. It was planned that in the future one of these rifles should replace the M4 automatic carbine. The tests were carried out in harsh desert conditions. Among the samples of weapons presented, the FN SCAR assault rifle showed itself the best.

In 2009, it was adopted by the American army.

It is already possible to note the trend that the FN SCAR shooting complex, originally designed for special units, is gradually becoming the main weapon of the US Army. There is a rearmament plan, according to which the "antique" M16 rifle, which served the American military for more than 50 years, will gradually be supplanted by the FN SCAR.

Rifle modifications

There are several modifications of the FN SCAR rifle, but the main ones are two models: the Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) and the Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy).

The Mk.16 SCAR-L (“light”) uses NATO 5.56 × 45 mm cartridges, it was planned to replace the M4 carbine and the M16 rifle. However, in 2013, the US command refused further purchases of the "light" rifle and announced intentions to dispose of the weapons already acquired.

Mk.17 SCAR-H ("heavy"). The rifle, designed for a more powerful 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition, was planned to replace the M14 and Mk.11 with it. After abandoning the Mk.16 SCAR-L in 2013, the US military limited itself to purchasing only the “heavy” version of the rifle. With little refinement, this weapon can use cartridges of other calibers, among which there are 7.62 x 39 mm Soviet ammunition. It is planned that this version of the weapon will even be able to use shops from a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

In addition to the base, there are other, more specialized, modifications of the rifle:

FN SCAR SSR Mk.20 Mod.0. Semi-automatic sniper rifle, adopted in 2010. From it you can conduct a single fire or shoot in bursts of two shots.
FNAC. Carabiner, created on the basis of Mk.16. Unlike the main model, it lacks the ability to quickly change the trunk. Also the carabiner is slightly lighter than the Mk.16, the fly is slightly different and the mount for the bayonet is attached. FNAC participated in the competition to replace the M4 carbine, but the winner was not announced.
FN HAMR. This is a very interesting and innovative development company FNH USA Inc. Her designation translates as "a rifle that adapts to temperature." Shooting begins with a closed shutter, which greatly improves the accuracy of fire. If the weapon overheats (the temperature of the barrel reaches a certain point), then further shooting is carried out with an open bolt, like most machine guns. This contributes to the cooling of the receiver and the barrel.
FN SCAR PDW. A modification designed for the crews of helicopters and ground combat vehicles. It has a shortened, compared to the base model, barrel (170 mm) and unregulated shoulder rest.
FN CSR-20. Another sniper modification with a shortened barrel (508 mm) chambered for 7.62 × 51 mm NATO.

The main idea of the FN SCAR rifle complex (like any other modular small arms) is to provide the fighters with the most flexible and versatile weapons that are suitable for a wide range of tasks.

Changing the rifle model takes a minimum amount of time and can be carried out by the fighter in the field or on the base of the gunsmith. All modifications of the FN SCAR rifles have a completely identical design, controls, care and maintenance procedures. Details of various modifications rifle interchangeable by 90%. FN SCAR easily adapts to the performance of various tasks: from conducting close combat in a city to sniper shooting at distances of 500-600 meters.

Description of construction

Automatics FN SCAR works by removing part of the powder gases from the barrel. The stroke of the gas piston is short, it is separated from the bolt carrier and placed in the vapor block above the barrel.

The barrel is locked by turning the bolt, which has three lugs. The barrel of a rifle consists of two halves: at the top there are a bolt group and a barrel, and at the bottom there is a magazine receiver and a trigger module. The upper part of the receiver is made of aluminum, and the bottom - from a polymeric material.

The barrel of the rifle is replaceable, it is attached with bolts to the receiver. Barrel replacement requires a minimum of tools and takes place within a few minutes.

The cocking handle is mounted both on the right and on the left side of the weapon - for this purpose, appropriate slots are provided in the receiver. There is a slide delay mechanism that leaves the slide open after the last cartridge is used up. The shutter release off button is located above the magazine receiver on the left.

The ejection of the sleeves takes place through a window on the right side of the weapon, while behind the window there is a reflector for the sleeves, which allows the use of a rifle for shooting from the left shoulder.

The magazine release button is located on both sides of the receiver.

On top of the receiver is the Picatinny rail (Picatinny rail), with which you can install additional sights and other accessories on the weapon. Similar strips are placed on the side and bottom side of the forearm.

A standard rifle is completed with sights consisting of a folding front sight and a diopter pillar. However, if desired, any types of sights (day or night) can be installed on the FN SCAR.

The rifle has a side-folding butt made of impact-resistant plastic. It is adjustable in length and can be adapted for each individual fighter.

Additionally, the FN SCAR can be equipped with a grenade launcher (FN EGLM, 40 mm) and a removable front handle, inside which are folding bipods.

Project Evaluation

Apparently, the US military has very serious plans for the FN SCAR shooting complex. He successfully passed the hardships of Afghanistan and Iraq, where he established himself as a reliable and effective weapon. And this is not the only advantage of a rifle:

Highly versatile. Thanks to the modular design of the FN SCAR, it can be turned in just minutes into exactly the weapon you need to perform a specific task. The rifle can be equipped with bipods, a grenade launcher, various sights, a tactical flashlight and other body kits.
Excellent accuracy and accuracy of shooting, and this applies both to shooting single shots, and to the firing of automatic fire.
Reliability. The rifle is made according to a scheme very similar to the device of a Kalashnikov. It easily gathers and understands, is subject to repair even in field conditions. The weapon is not very sensitive to clogging, the use of a rifle in Afghanistan and Iraq has shown that it does not fear getting into the fine sand (almost incurable M16 disease and its modifications).
Ergonomics. The rifle is very convenient, we can say that its ergonomics is at the level of the world's best small arms automatic weapons. You can shoot both the left and the right hand. The fuse keys and the store extraction button are comfortable and duplicated on both sides of the weapon. The rifle has an adjustable butt equipped with a thick rubber butt pad, which partially dampens recoil. By the way, the return itself is quite low, as for automatic weapons.

If we talk about the shortcomings, they are relatively few:

Even a standard modification rifle is heavier than the usual M16.
The weapon is absolutely not designed for hand-to-hand combat, which is not surprising, since the rifle was originally designed for special troops.
FN SCAR has a fairly high price: from $ 2,700 to $ 3,000.

It should also be noted that the rifle’s firing rate is slightly lower (approximately 600 rounds per minute) compared with other types of similar weapons. However, this is a very controversial drawback. Low rate of fire improves the accuracy of automatic fire and reduces the consumption of ammunition.