Bostodelphia 21 Gun Salute to the Firearms of 2007 #2: FN SCAR

Our second gun of 2007 is the FN S.C.A.R. (SOF Combat Assault Rifle). This was scheduled for limited testing by US Special Operations in the fall of 2007. Beating out 9 rivals in a competition, it is a completely new rifle chambered in both 5.56mm and 7.62mm and is available with 3 barrel lengths. A civilian version is anticipated for release in 2008.

According to UZI4U:

All of the traditional rifles are considerable improvements. Let's compare the FN SCAR to the M16/M4 for a minute:

Folding stock: SCAR has it, M16/M4 cannot have one by design.

Monolithic upper: SCAR has it, M16/M4 do not.

Free float barrel: SCAR has it, service M16s and M4s do not.

Quick change barrel: SCAR has it, service M16s and M4s do not.

Easy to clean gas-system: SCAR has it, service M16s and M4s do not.

The ability to rechamber the weapon into a different caliber without replacing the upper: SCAR has it, M16s and M4s cannot by design.

Then we can go into all the little improvements... Like the receiver being better sealed to keep sand and dirt out (just a little important these days). Or the fact the SCAR has an actual charging handle, making it much easier to chamber a round while prone. Or the fact the SCAR has better ergonomics and is more ambidextrous.

So there you have it. The regular troops soldier on with the M16 and M4 rifles, which are somewhat notorious for their need for regular cleaning and dislike of sand and dust, while the relpacement, the XM8, has been cancelled. Meanwhile the Special Forces get what sounds like a very capable weapon.