Thomas Kagwa
3 min readMar 24, 2023

THE FN SCAR 20S

THE FN SCAR 20S

According to a paper published by Thomas Kagwa, the FN SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a family of gas-operated short-stroke gas piston automatic rifles developed by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal (FN) in 2004. It is constructed with modularity for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types. The SCAR-L, for “light”, is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and the SCAR-H, for “heavy”, is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. Both are available in Close Quarters Combat (CQC), Standard (STD), and Long Barrel (LB) variants.

The FN SCAR 20S rifle is a semi-automatic rifle that was designed and manufactured by the Belgian firearms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) for use by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

It is a variant of the SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) family, which includes both 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO variants.

According to www.recoilweb.com, the SCAR 20S is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO and features a 20-inch barrel, a free-floating barrel, and a two-stage match trigger that provides a crisp, clean trigger pull. It is also equipped with a monolithic upper receiver, which provides a stable platform for mounting optics.

The rifle has a fully adjustable folding stock that allows for a comfortable and customizable shooting experience. It also features an ambidextrous magazine release, bolt release, and safety selector, which make it easy to use for both left- and right-handed shooters.

In terms of accuracy, the SCAR 20S is highly regarded, with a reputation for exceptional long-range precision.

It is capable of shooting sub-MOA (minute of angle) groups out to 800 yards and beyond, which makes it a popular choice among competitive shooters and long-range enthusiasts.

The stock adapter and assembly provides three options for QD sockets on the rear end of the FN SCAR 20S.

The Handl Defense lower readily accepts OEM parts, and importantly, SR-25 pattern magazines.

You can safely think of the barrel attachment method as a precision chassis gun. The heavier contour of the 20S barrel makes it far more rigid than a SCAR-H, and FN proved long ago they could make a cold hammer-forged and hard-chromed gun accurate back when their SPR line was released.

Overall, the FN SCAR 20S is a highly capable and reliable rifle that has been widely adopted by the US Military and other special operations forces around the world. Its accuracy, durability, and versatility make it a great choice for a variety of applications, including long-range shooting, tactical operations, and hunting.

Further reading:

https://www.recoilweb.com/the-scar-20s-space-force-sniper-146593.html

https://rb.gy/ksjini

Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the M16 and FN SCAR 20S compared side by side:

M16:

Strengths:

Lightweight: The M16 is a very lightweight rifle, which makes it easy to carry and maneuver.

Accurate: The M16 is a very accurate rifle, particularly at shorter ranges.

High Capacity: The M16 can hold a large number of rounds in its magazine, which makes it great for sustained fire.

Commonly Used: The M16 has been in use by the US military for over 50 years, which means that there is a large amount of training and expertise available for its use and maintenance.

Weaknesses:

Fragile: The M16 has been known to be somewhat fragile, particularly when compared to other rifles.

Jamming: The M16 has a tendency to jam, particularly when it gets dirty or when using lower-quality ammunition.

Difficult to Maintain: The M16 requires regular maintenance to keep it in good working condition, and some soldiers may find it difficult to maintain properly.

FN SCAR 20S:

Strengths:

Accurate: The FN SCAR 20S is a very accurate rifle, particularly at longer ranges.

Durable: The FN SCAR 20S is a very durable rifle, and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Modular: The FN SCAR 20S is a modular rifle, which means that it can be customized and adapted to fit a wide variety of roles and requirements.

Reliable: The FN SCAR 20S is a very reliable rifle, with a reputation for functioning well in a wide range of conditions.

Weaknesses:

Expensive: The FN SCAR 20S is a relatively expensive rifle, which may make it difficult for some military units to afford.

Heavy: The FN SCAR 20S is a relatively heavy rifle, which can make it difficult to carry and maneuver.

Limited Availability: The FN SCAR 20S is not as widely used as the M16, which means that there may be less training and expertise available for its use and maintenance.

Thomas Kagwa

I write about advances and applications of latest computer technologies, drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation, and other interesting subjects.