The SCAR has been a great rifle with real problems since FN first brought it to the commercial market. The reciprocating charging handle catches on gear. The recoil impulse is sharp. Running a suppressor causes excess gas to vent in the wrong direction. Serious SCAR users have known this for years and worked around it. FN's Next Gen update fixes all three issues in a way that suggests the engineers finally had the budget and the mandate to do the job right.
Harmonic and Recoil Changes
The Next Gen SCAR incorporates an updated bolt carrier group and buffer system tuned to produce a smoother recoil impulse. The original SCAR's short-stroke gas piston design produced a snappy, two-part recoil that threw some shooters. The revised system smooths that into a more linear push. It's not night-and-day, but on a $4,000 precision rifle used for long-range work, the reduction in disturbance during the firing cycle matters.
Suppressor Optimization
FN built 360-degree heat shields and tunable gas regulation into the Next Gen specifically for suppressor use. The gas block is adjustable — you dial it back when running a suppressor to reduce bolt velocity and keep excess gas from venting into your face. This is the feature suppressed SCAR owners have wanted since 2013. It's here now, and it works.
Caliber Expansion
The SCAR 20S in 6.5 Creedmoor is the most interesting addition. The SCAR platform's inherent accuracy and flat shooting characteristics pair well with a caliber built for long-range precision. FN is targeting the precision rifle community with a platform that runs suppressed, accurate, and durable. MSRP on the 17S in 6.5CM is $3,999.
Specs
Calibers: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK, 7.62x51 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor | Operation: Short-stroke gas piston | Gas block: Adjustable | Suppressor: 360° heat shield, tunable regulation | MSRP from $3,999
Bottom Line: FN finally fixed the SCAR. If you passed on the original because of the recoil and suppressor issues, the Next Gen deserves another look.
