The discussion centers on the FN SCAR, described as the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle. One host jokingly calls it a “Battlefield performer” and “Battle Rifle of battle,” then immediately breaks character, signaling skepticism about its reputation. The SCAR is labeled an “abomination” compared to earlier FN designs. The hosts note that FN once produced what they consider a nearly perfect battle rifle with the FAL, and argue that the SCAR represents a step backward. They criticize the polymer stock, derisively nicknamed the “tactical UGG boot,” and question the overall design direction. Despite this, they acknowledge that the SCAR is a lightweight .308 / 7.62 NATO rifle out of the box, which is one of its few clear positives in their view.
The conversation contrasts the SCAR with the FN FAL. One host claims FN essentially took FAL technology, lightened it with a polymer frame, added ambidextrous features like an ambi charging handle, and called it an improvement. The other strongly disagrees, arguing that FN took one of the best rifles ever designed and made it worse, especially by adding a reciprocating charging handle and the bulky polymer stock. They also highlight how the SCAR’s popularity is driven more by Hollywood and video games than by performance. References include its prominent role in games like Fortnite, where the “gold SCAR” became iconic, and mentions of giveaways themed around that image. The hosts suggest that this pop culture exposure inflates the rifle’s reputation beyond what its real-world characteristics justify.
Despite heavy criticism, the hosts concede that the SCAR’s ergonomics have grown on them with use. They appreciate that the manual of arms and reloads feel familiar to AR users, which would ease adoption for military units transitioning to a new platform. The monolithic upper receiver is praised, though they argue the factory rail is too short to provide comfortable hand placement once accessories are mounted. The featured rifle is set up with a weapon light and a PEQ-style IR laser, quickly consuming available rail space. They note that to make the SCAR truly comfortable and effective, owners often replace major components such as the stock, rail, and other parts, adding significant cost on top of an already expensive rifle.
A major point of contention is the SCAR’s reciprocating charging handle. The hosts acknowledge that it can be swapped to either side, and one has moved it to the right side to avoid interference with the support hand. Even so, they struggle to find a good reason for a reciprocating design in a modern service rifle, especially when non-reciprocating systems have existed for decades. They question claims that a reciprocating handle was requested and note that no current widely fielded U.S. military small arms rely on such a feature. With a light, PEQ unit, and vertical grip installed, usable rail space becomes scarce, forcing awkward hand positions and increasing the risk of contact with the moving handle if it is mounted on the left.
The SCAR’s trigger is described as one of its best attributes, with a clean break that comes from the factory. The short-throw 45-degree safety selector is praised as intuitive and easy to actuate. Most controls, aside from the charging handle, are considered well executed. The stock, while mocked as the “tactical UGG boot,” is ultimately deemed tolerable, though not ideal. The hosts strongly dislike the factory A2 pistol grip, criticizing its finger bump and shallow angle. They note that the A2 grip appears on many military rifles, including the Barrett M82, likely due to contract requirements rather than ergonomics. An aftermarket Troy BattleAx-style grip is highlighted as a superior option, offering better texture, grip angle, and overall feel compared to the standard A2 design.
The rifle’s enlarged trigger guard is noted as a practical feature, especially for gloved use, though its flat profile is considered basic. The SCAR includes an ambidextrous magazine release but lacks an ambidextrous bolt release, which is more noticeable for left-handed shooters. One host points out that, at the time the SCAR was introduced, features like a short-throw ambidextrous safety, ambi mag release, enlarged charging handle, and a monolithic upper were relatively advanced compared to many service rifles. The magazine design, with a base plate that helps protect it when dropped and allows a better grip for stripping it from the rifle, is also appreciated. However, they argue that the platform has not evolved meaningfully since then and now lags behind newer designs in terms of weight, ergonomics, and control layout.
The hosts repeatedly return to the theme that the SCAR, particularly the SCAR 17 in 7.62 NATO, is outdated relative to current U.S. small arms trends. They argue that FN has not addressed obvious issues such as the reciprocating charging handle, limited rail length, and overall weight. One host jokes that the SCAR performs as poorly in real life as it does in certain video games like Modern Warfare, where it is considered underwhelming. They emphasize that making the rifle truly competitive often requires spending thousands of dollars on upgrades in addition to the rifle’s base price. In contrast, they reference platforms like the SIG MCX, which they feel offer more modern features and better performance without requiring extensive modification.
Toward the end, the focus shifts to the SCAR 20 and caliber options. The SCAR 20 is viewed more favorably, especially in 6.5 Creedmoor, which is seen as a meaningful improvement for a precision-oriented variant. However, they note that the SCAR 17 remains a .308 / 7.62 NATO rifle and the SCAR 16 stays in 5.56, with little substantive evolution beyond the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering in the 20-inch model. The hosts speculate that a civilian-available SCAR-SC in 300 Blackout could have been a compelling option and might have changed their opinion of the platform. Instead, they see FN’s SCAR development as limited to simple rechambering decisions rather than addressing core design criticisms or significantly modernizing the system.
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