I noticed it the other day, intended to say something about it, and completely forgot, but it looks like SOCOM is less than impressed by their SCAR Mk-16s. It sounds like a lot of "what can it do that an M4 can't?" as they are retaining the Mk-17s (the 7.62 version.) I can see the ambidextrous safety and brown finish not really balancing out the loss of compatibility with "the Big Army" and other parent services. Apparently there are also a fair number of guys who simply prefer the M4 for their 5.56 platform (I can't argue.)
I don't know why, but I've never quite warmed up to the SCAR. I think it's a partially due to mediocre experiences with FN built M16s throughout my military service, although I have no complaints as far as quality goes for their belt feds. Just some truly crappy M16A2s (functioned ok, fit and finish was garbage) and some meh A4s (see reverse of earlier, had a bunch with sub-par gas rings that had cycling issues. Was quickly fixed, but should never have happened.) I haven't had the chance to fire a SCAR, but I've handled one and it just didn't really excite me either. Granted a lot of that was muddied by knowing what the price tag said too. I have a feeling that if I ever play with an ACR it'll be a similar experience.
Overall, I can see where they are coming from. My personal AR carbine has ambidextrous controls (all but mag release anyway) and is a good mix of colors, and could be tan in a matter of minutes if I felt the need. I have yet to have an issue with the DI system (granted I'm running a mid-length system.) The only real advantage I can see with the SCAR is that you can fold it, a wish that's left over from my days of being in a mechanized unit and having a full length M16. I can easily see the decision that the benefits do not outweigh the price and loss of compatibility.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Saw that...my thoughts too, In 5.56 what does the scar give the army that they don't already have (more or less)? Until they move away from 5.56 I cant see the AR going away. And to have purchased a 1K scars (and what do they do with all these rifles after they end up back at the armory?) to only decide against deploying seems a waste...
McVee
I can't shake the feeling that the Mk-16s purchase was pushed by the same kind of... guy... who thought velcro and zippers would be a good idea on a combat uniform. Much time spent behind a desk dreaming of the field.
Post a Comment