FN announces Non Reciprocating CH SCAR 16

Czechvar · #1 09-06-2021, 10:35 AM

Not sure why…I understand the original specifications required the reciprocating CH…Why the change? I’ve read one opinion that the retrofit parts are about $1K for a rifle that already costs $3.5K. Maybe the new ones won’t be Scope killers??? In any case, not for me unless it’s a Recall Fix or something like that…

FN Announces Key Upgrades to Proven FN SCAR Semi-Automatic Line-Up

Quote:

U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the long-awaited non-reciprocating charging handle (NRCH) upgrade is now available in all FN SCAR® semi-automatic models. FN’s new NRCH assembly features dual, ambidextrous charging handles that enable users to shoot from any position or use any grip style. The FN SCAR upgrade improves an inherently more accurate and reliable platform that, in its military configuration, has served America’s most elite fighting forces for more than a decade.

“The FN SCAR has proven itself as a leader in its class since its introduction, setting the standard for what gas-driven, semi-auto rifles should be,” said Chris Cole, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of FN America, LLC. “The complete modularity and fast-handling character of our most versatile rifle platform continues to advance. The FN SCAR 17S and 20S were already the softest shooting gas-driven .30-caliber rifles on the market and these upgrades deliver even more functionality to the SCAR platform.”

The FN SCAR becomes even more intuitive to the end user with new, non-reciprocating, dual charging handles, enabling any shooting position, grip style or optic choice. Combined with the fully-ambidextrous operating controls and adjustable buttstock, the FN SCAR instantly adapts to any shooter.

The assembly, consisting of a new charging handle sled and two ambidextrous, reversible charging handles that lock forward on bolt-close and remain static during fire, provide superior forward assist capabilities. The two charging handles, one at a 30-degree cant specifically designed to reduce interference with low-mount optics and one low-profile, are user-swappable in the field. The reduced reciprocating mass of the new bolt carrier produces less felt recoil, making a soft-shooting rifle even easier to manage.

Czechvar · #2 09-06-2021, 11:23 AM

In this picture, it looks like they no longer plug the Handle into the BCG, rather they broke the top slide into two parts with the Handle plugged into the front part. Once you slide the lower part backwards and it springs forward to strip a round from the magazine and the bolt locks in place…the top part is done. So the mass of the relatively heavy BCG is still slamming forward to lock. I don’t know that any of this will lessen the impact pulse, because that has to be a certain value to cycle.

I’m guessing the original idea of plugging the handle directly into the BCG was to enable the shooter to manually load rounds in the event of jamming caused by some physical issue. If that was the case then the Reciprocating handle would be the better design for a Combat Rifle.

If FN’s idea here is to increase Civilian sales, that might be a stretch if the MSRP goes up $300 for this little change. If it were me I’d just make the upgrade for Civilians as inexpensive as possible. Probably the only parts that would need to be changed are the two new Carrier parts…so $200 is the max I’d be willing to pay…$150 would make me consider it for both of my rifles.

From Hi-DesertDog:

Czechvar · #3 09-08-2021, 08:49 PM

A 17s with the NRCH is on GB now listed for $3800…

CB3 · #4 09-08-2021, 09:30 PM

This “improvement” has been a long time coming. It could have been done from the beginning for civilian sales, if a reciprocating handle was actually a military spec. Never heard that before.

So many things turn me off about this 7.62 “Battle Rifle”, starting with the ridiculous price, especially for the quirky and uncomfortable rifle it is.

My Robinson Arms XCR-M is twice the rifle at 30% less $$.

In this linked In Range TV Battle Rifle Test the XCR came out on top, and the SCAR deservedly finished in the middle of the pack. The link is for the final episode with a full comparison review of each rifle. The previous four episodes record one test each and are interesting to watch for those so inclined. Granted, this was primarily civilian shooters, there were a couple of unfamiliar guns, and the tests were made up for the show, not anything really standardized. However, other current RA reviews almost all rate the XCR’s as unique, innovative, robust rifles that combine the best features of AK and FAL platforms, with a small smattering of AR friendliness (pistol grip and mags) thrown in.
Battle Rifle Time Trials - Episode 5 - FINAL RESULTS - YouTube

For me, even this SCAR upgrade could not overcome the other weaknesses of the platform.

Czechvar · #5 09-08-2021, 11:24 PM

Interesting, I’ve never heard of it. This guy likes it and that means a lot to me: