HK416/17 vs. FN SCAR-L/H: Which System is Superior?

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by David Crane
defrev@gmail.com

DefenseReview is interested to know how the Heckler & Koch HK416 / HK417 system stacks up against the FN SCAR-L (SCAR-Light) / FN SCAR-H (SCAR-Heavy) system with regard to reliability under adverse conditions and high round count, durability/ruggedness under same, and accuracy under same. While the HK416/17 system is closer to the Colt M4/M4A1 Carbine with regard to external controls and ergonomics, ergonomics on the SCAR-L/H are also quite good.

DefenseReview test-fired all weapons (HK416, HK417, FN SCAR-L, FN SCAR-H) on both semi-auto and full-auto at the…

Blackwater USA firing demo portion of NDIA Small Arms Symposium 2007. Cyclic rate was pretty fast with both systems, as was felt recoil. Both systems (HK and FN) could definitely use FERFRANS’ patented mechanical rate reducer to lower the cyclic rate and thus improve weapon controllability during full-auto fire. The FERFRANS mechanical rate reducer would most likely also enhance weapon longevity–at least for the 5.56mm NATO weapons (HK416 and FN SCAR-L)–by reducing barrel heat and stress on the weapons. Since the full-auto setting is not likely to be used very often on the 7.62mm weapons (HK417 and FN SCAR-H), the mechanical rate reducer would probably be superfluous.

DefenseReview is interested to see the results of a high-round count/adverse conditions test between the HK and FN systems. As it happens, the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, is in the process of doing just that.  According to Matt Cox of the Army Times, the results may be in by as early as Thanksgiving.

HK416/17 vs. FN SCAR-L/H: Which System is Superior? by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

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