• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • Pistol in HolsterCraft Panther Holster: A No‑Drama Solution for Everyday Carry
        • CMP9-pistolCaracal CMP9 & CMP9K: Modern 9mm Platforms With Global Momentum
        • AR-15 Red DotAR-15 vs AR-10: Choosing the Right Rifle and the Right Glass
        • SIG RattlerSIG Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Air Gun: Big Fun 3 Rounds at a Time
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Viking 28L Century Large Leather Motorcycle Trunk Bag: Real Capacity, Real Travel
        • RyobiBattery Power Stations: So Good, You Can Toss Your Gas Generator
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Grittier Sigurd shirt 25.11 V.XI Sigurd Shirt — A Year of Real‑World Use, and Why It Works for More Than Just Operators
        • Feature Photo5.11 V.XI XTU MC Pants — Versatility You Can Work, Play, and Live In
        • Pistol in HolsterCraft Panther Holster: A No‑Drama Solution for Everyday Carry
        • CMP9-pistolCaracal CMP9 & CMP9K: Modern 9mm Platforms With Global Momentum
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Rifle

The FN SCAR!

April 19, 2013 by Nick Irving 14 Comments

The FN SCAR!

Before the FN SCAR hit the major airways, my unit/battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment performed testing on these rifles while deployed to Afghanistan.

The SCAR is an acronym for, Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle.  The rifle is categorized into two families, the SCAR-L/light version and the SCAR-H/heavy version.  The SCAR-L is chambered in the 5.56×45 mm while the SCAR-H is chambered in the 7.62×51 mm and are both available in the long barrel and Close Quarters Battle variants.  The MK-20 SCAR is the “sniper” variant and holds the 7.62 cartridge.

My unit had a few of these rifles in all variants, the CQB, sniper, and long barrel, while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan around 2007-2009.  After being so used to using the M-4 rifle on a multitude of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, we were somewhat skeptical at the new design.  The rifle set itself apart from anything else we had been used to shooting, especially with the charging handle on the side opposed with it being on the top rear.

The Mk 16 Mod 0 was intended to replace the M4A1 rifles that we used while the Mk 18 CQB and the Mk 12 SPR (5.56) currently in SOCOM service, before SOCOM decided to cancel the order for the Mk 16 Mod 0. The Mk 17 Mod 0 will replace the M14 and Mk 11 sniper rifles. However the weapon will only supplement other weapons while issuing remains at the operators decision.

(MK-16 SCAR below)

mk-16-scar

 

(MK 17 SCAR below)

scar_mk17

 

(MK 20 Mod O below)

SCAR_SSR_Mk.20_mod.0

My Experience/Opinion

I personally favored the MK 17 and MK 20 models of the SCAR, the line guys really did not use the 5.56 model and stuck primarily to their M4 carbines.  Not because the rifles were chambered in the large 7.62, but because of its versatility in combat.  With the SR-25 that I carried as my primary sniper rifle, clearing room, climbing structures, etc. became somewhat of an irritating task.  With the SCAR heavies, not only were they extremely light weight, but having the ability to fold the stock made it easier to carry in a slung position.  Another thing that I really liked about the SCAR heavies were the fact that they were extremely accurate!  The SR-25 semi auto sniper rifles that we carried, on average, was a 1 MOA rifle (holding a 1 inch group of 5 rounds at 100 yards).  The MK-17 and 20 SCAR rifles held less than the 1 MOA group, something that is not often seen with the semi auto sniper rifles that I’ve seen. The only problem that I had with the SCAR heavy was the slight rattle noise near the folding stock, it makes quiet covert ops an issue, but with a bit of 100 mph tape, it solves the problem.

Conclusion

The FN SCAR The US Special Operations Command has currently cancelled their purchase of the Mk 16 SCAR-L and are planning to remove the rifle from their inventory by 2013. However, they plan to purchase 5.56 mm conversion kits for the Mk 17, supplanting the loss of the Mk 16.  The SCAR is now one of the competing weapons in the Individual Carbine competition which aims to find a replacement for the M4 Carbine.

Share This

About the Author

Nick Irving is a former U.S. Army Ranger with multiple combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During his service within the 75th Ranger Regiment, Nicholas served as an Assaulter, Heavy and Light Machine Gunner, and Designated Marksman.

See All Nick Irving Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

About Nick Irving

is a former U.S. Army Ranger with multiple combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During his service within the 75th Ranger Regiment, Nicholas served as an Assaulter, Heavy and Light Machine Gunner, and Designated Marksman.

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • 5.11 V.XI Sigurd Shirt — A Year of Real‑World Use, and Why It Works for More Than Just Operators
    5.11 V.XI Sigurd Shirt — A Year of Real‑World Use, and Why It Works for More Than Just Operators
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8, A Fast Shooting Wheelgun
    Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8, A Fast Shooting Wheelgun
  • You Can Get These Flashbang Grenades (100% Legally!)
    You Can Get These Flashbang Grenades (100% Legally!)
  • 5.11 V.XI XTU MC Pants — Versatility You Can Work, Play, and Live In
    5.11 V.XI XTU MC Pants — Versatility You Can Work, Play, and Live In

Find Us on Facebook

The Loadout Room

Recent Comments

  • sex viet nam on Snake Hound Machine’s “The Loudener”: First impressions
  • fortune-rabbit-demo on Concealed Carry: Lessons Learned.
  • Anm"al dig f"or att fa 100 USDT on Report: Russia Uses Low-tech Chips from the West, and This is Making Them Lose the War

Latest From SOFREP

Expert Analysis

Delta Force Selection Nearly Destroyed Me

News + Intel

Words Matter in War: President Trump’s ‘Blockade’ Order and Its Legal Reality

Op-Ed

AI Says You’re a Filthy Hypocrite…And So Do I

Politics

The Bolduc Brief: Implications of the Trump Administration’s Decision to Blockade the Strait of Hormuz

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2026 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...