Re: Ar vs. scar/acr
Rickey,
First off, I will begin with my conclusion-don't buy the SCAR cuz it's the best bang for the buck in a 3 Gun rifle. Buy it cuz you think it f***ing cool, man.
Now, I've been running my Flat Dark Earth (FDE) SCAR 16 since about November 2010. I've shot thousands of rounds through it and participated in a whole bunch of carbine and multi-gun matches with it, as well. I've shot it fast, up close, and I've shot it accurately, at distance. So, here are some observations I've made:
It's not heavy. Well, not until you add an extended rail, a foregrip, and a light. But the extra weight is nice, it balances out the gun and keeps it from jumping around during rapid fire.
It is wonderfully reliable. I think I've cleaned it three times since I have purchased it. I just pour in more lube (TW25) and keep shooting. I've shot PRVI 75, Hornady 75, GI green tip, PMC 55, Winchester 55/62, Wolf 55/62/75, and a bunch of 62 grain reloads-it eats everything. I prefer metal mags. Every now and then, when I get all amped up, I can cause a malfunction by over-inserting a plastic Pmag. My favorite mags are C-Products steel mags, GI mags work fine, as well. Lancers have been hanging up on the first round, using PRVI 75 grain, so I am cautiously trying them out, but only at the range.
It is wonderfully accurate. I would dare say that it is consistently a 1 moa gun. I've taken my AR's out and shot both side by side, and my SCAR will keep up with my Noveske Afghan, as far as accuracy goes.
It is wonderfully ergonomic. Real comfy stock, easily adjustable length, comb (the top) of the stock pops up and puts you perfectly in line with your optic. Put rail covers on it-it gets hot around the piston. I would improve on the ergos by adding an extended rail system by VLTOR or PWS, to get your hand out farther and adopt the new high thumb-far forward support hand grip that many people prefer these days. More rail will also allow you to run a light for self-defense use, or night matches. I have a short Troy foregrip on mine, more as a hand-stop than anything-I also have my light's pressure switch attached to it. I like my VTac slings. The factory sights are AR 15 height and adequate. I went with Troy flip ups, myself-just out of preference.
Controls:
I've never had an issue with the reciprocating charging handle. It hit my thumb once while I was grabbing the magazine well, and I have never had it happen again. You can lock the bolt open with one hand, because the bolt catch and the charging handle can be configured on the same side. The safety is fine for me, somebody makes aftermarket safety levers, but I've never had issues. It has a gas system that allows regular and adverse settings, but I've never needed to switch to the adverse setting due to malfunctions, dirt, etc. The trigger is heavy and milspec, and the hammer is beefy and whacks the ever-living s**t out of primers. I would trade up to a Geisselle (sp?) match trigger if you want a smoother trigger on a dedicated 3Gun rifle. Its gonna cost you though.
It is wonderfully compact:
I had my barrel cut down to 14.5 inches (By High Desert Dog) and I pinned/welded on a Surefire Muzzle brake. I like the compact length and side folding stock. When folded, it fits in a High Speed Gear Discrete Rifle Bag, which I can walk out of the house with and it does not SCREAM rifle. For trips to "the Border" (I'm from there) I can fit the SCAR-loaded with 20 round mag, and a chest rig with 8 loaded mags, all in the D Bag.
SO, I've shot a bunch with it. I've had some good results in local matches and held my own in big matches. I am attaching some pics of matches I shot with it in different configurations. I use an Aimpoint H-1 red dot sight for close range matches, and a Leupold HAMR for longer range stuff. Like I said, the SCAR is plenty accurate. When I took it out to the Fallen Brethren 3 Gun match this past October, I went 5 for 5 on 9" plates at ranges from 250-360yds. The gun RUNS, man!
So, if you are looking for a dependable, accurate, easily transportable rifle for self defense and competition, and money is no object-get a SCAR. If you want a very accurate soft recoiling gun that is more budget friendly, you can get something like a Daniel Defense V5 with all good components and a good variable powered 1-4 scope, for about the same price as the SCAR alone. I am biased toward Noveske rifles with stainless barrels, as far as ARs are concerned. I've had lot of ARs, but Noveske is my favorite.
PM me if you have questions or need anything.
Texas Tactical Carbine Match, San Antonio, TX
Cedar Ridge SCAR 2 by
CUSTOMGLOCKFAN, on Flickr
FB3Gun Match, - the targets are the little tombstones on the right
FB3G SCAR Helo1 by
CUSTOMGLOCKFAN, on Flickr
NRA LE 3 Gun Match - Liberty Hill, TX
TPC 3G 1 by
CUSTOMGLOCKFAN, on Flickr