When will FN Herstal do this?

[Gene2]

Does anyone know (since the final phase is almost done) when the FN SCAR will be posted on the FN Website? I know about the pdf formats under FNH-USA news, but they don't have their own FN SCAR "individual page". Does anyone know when this will come about?

[Hydro]

Have you..err, tried emailing FN?

[Gene2]

Yes, I have. They either do not email me back or they play stupid and say something that doesn't have to do with my question. Or, my **** question doesn't even get through.

[Jagdtiger]

come on the FN SCAR is still in the testing phase it´s probably appear there when it sees complete service so chill down =)

[solidarnosc]

They will probably put it on the website when they are offering them for sale. No point in putting something on the website if they not sure that it's going to be adopted by SOCOM (they still have to pass some hurdles before they are adopted) and they don't sell it to law enforcement let alone civilians. I don't think they want to make the mistake HK made with the XM8. My 2 eurocents. On the other hand. FN (and especially FN Belgium) doesn't give much priority to their military websites. Their Browning site on the other hand is quite good.

[Gene2]

I know I have asked this before, but is there a chance that the lower and upper reciever of the FN SCAR be polymer plastic, even though it did not work very well for the XM8?

[SMGLee]

I know I have asked this before, but is there a chance that the lower and upper reciever of the FN SCAR be polymer plastic, even though it did not work very well for the XM8?

I know you have asked before, and I am going to repeat it again....WHY??

[Gene2]

Maybe I was asking for someone else's oppinion.

[SGMGSG9]

Gene2, lets get our terminology straight first. The "lower & upper receiver" as you called it, needs to be more defined. There is a upper, that's the part with a barrel, op-rod & charging handle in it. Then there is a lower receiver, part with the trigger group mechanics in it. Both parts are not referred to as "upper and lower receivers." Now with terminology squared away the answer to your question: (S.C.A.R. Rifle) The upper IS a aluminum extruded channel that has been milled to accept a free floated steal barrel, & steal operation rod group. The upper has never been made in plastic. Some of the fixtures on the upper are made of plastic though, for example the picatinny rails on the sides. The picatinny's on top are milled in the aluminum. The hook that catches the buttock when its folded forward is also plastic. As for the lower receiver & buttock portion, they are both made of thermal plastic impregnated with graphite or some other material for stiffness. I can tell you early on in the program the thermal plastic had a problem with stiffness. When the E.G.L.M. was attached, a empty magazine wouldn't fall freely from the magazine well. But this was resolved by thickening the lower receiver in spots & creating a little bigger relief between the E.G.L.M. & lower receiver where the E.G.L.M. goes around the magazine well. STIFFNESS IS NOT A ISSUE FOR THE S.C.A.R. I can't speak to H&K's XM8 lack of stiffness issue though, haven't had much quality time on that platform yet. B)

[Gene2]

Thank you very much, and I will call it the "upper reciever outside frame."

But if stiffness isn't an issue, it seems like they would consider maybe making the Upper frame a complete polymer frame. But, I don't really know if alluminum is lighter or heavier than polymer plastic (at a certain thickness).

[SGMGSG9]

Modulus of Elasticity: is the mathematical description of an object or substance's tendency to be deformed when a force is applied to it. Heat treated Aluminum has a higher M.O.E. than thermal plastic at this point in time. Stiffer is better in this situation. So Aluminum wins out over plastic on the upper. You want to select a material that will have a long service life too. (i.e. cycle life) Would plastic in any form out last the stresses Heat treated Aluminum will? If you think about it you can answer your own question mate. Far as my knowledge goes plastic is not in the future for the S.C.A.R. uppers.

[Gene2]

I was thinking the same thing with plastic deformation under long and heavy fire. I didnt know if it had been improved in the last few years to overcome that, but thanks for clearing it up!

[SGMGSG9]

Your welcome.

[yiorgo]

so will we see the civilian version ready by shot 07?

[SGMGSG9]

I haven't heard any talk of a civilian S.C.A.R. being ready for Shot Show 07. Most if not all my S.C.A.R. rifle experience has to do with functional testing not marketing. If I hear anything I'll post it. I'm going to take a educated guess here, (not a official statement, my own opinion) I would say F.N. wants to sale a government contract before civilian production is considered. Only talk I've heard is possible full scale S.C.A.R. production slated for next year. Lets hope we sale a few huh?!?! B)

[yiorgo]

I dont get it....hasnt the military already made their order, I mean after FN won the SCAR contest? I just keep hearing that the military has to get theres before we get ours, arent some of the rifles in hands of operators?

[SGMGSG9]

I'm saying I'm not privy to that information yiogo. I have not heard of any being fielded at this point. But stranger thing's have happened. I remember seeing photo's from Iraq of the XM8 in operator hands. Where they fielding the XM8 or was it just a clever photo opportunity? I guess when you guys start posting S.C.A.R. photo's from the field we both will know. Yes F.N. won the contract to create the S.C.A.R. concept, but the government can stop the program on a dime if they so decide so that's why I speak of hopeful orders. I Hope this helps you understand my statments a little better.

[D.E. Watters]

FWIW: The "Low Rate Initial Production" phase was approved back in June with deliveries scheduled for January 2007. The "First Unit Equipped" milestone is scheduled for February. This will lead to an "Initial Operational Test and Evaluation" phase. If all goes well, approval for "Full Rate Production" is projected for September 2007.

[yiorgo]

ah got ya :)

[SGMGSG9]

You heard the man,Thank you Mr.Waters for clearing up the information so yiorgo can sleep @ night. B)

[solidarnosc]

Movie and article in Army Times about SCAR

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2165951.php

http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/gannett.download.akamai.com/21772/streaming/wmv/101806scar.asx

[SGMGSG9]

Good find solidarnosc, I have worked with & around Jim on several occasions over the last year. He's one of F.N.H.'s "HANDSOME BOY MODELING CREW" as I call them. B) When they show up @ the range here in Columbia there always decked out in fresh 5.11 tactical gear, instructor belts & tough guy stairs. LOL (I've adopted the dress style too, so I have no room to talk, 5.11 gear rock's) Thanks for the link I'm going to send this video to a couple other people in the plant that work with Jim.


P.S. You guys ready to buy one now? LOL



((((((((( I know yiogo is. )))))))))))))