AR-15 vs. SCAR 17…

As discussed earlier, I wanted to do a follow-up post on a comparison of the AR-15 (direct impingement) versus the SCAR 17 (gas piston).  I got a chance to get out yesterday and shoot some steels at 200 yards, so I shot 60 rounds through each gun as I figured that would be as good a comparison as any I shot them in 20 rounds groups, e.g. 20 rounds AR, 20 rounds SCAR.

Here is the first pic of the bolt carriers and firing pins (I know, lousy photo… Sorry)

Here are the bolt faces-  It’s notable that the AR-15 had significantly more carbon/powder fouling evident simply through handling of the bolt carriers…  Yeah, I know; DOH what did I expect, right???

Here are the bolt faces cleaned up.  Note how much bigger the extractor for the SCAR is…

And lastly the bolt assemblies and firing pins cleaned up.

Edit- DaddyBear asked if there was less carbon build up on the angled surfaces of the SCAR than the flat surfaces of the AR? The answer is there was considerably less, and it was much easier to clean also!!! 


I know, no real surprises here, but there are (to me) some interesting points; the SCAR is much easier to clean (again DOH!), the length of the firing pin on the SCAR, and once again the ‘light’ felt recoil of the SCAR.  Both guns shot well, and I only missed the 6 inch steels twice with each gun, so I’ll take that.


Lots of folks were out shooting, and I wandered over to the pistol range and watched a Dad with two kids around 10-11 years old, one boy, one girl, and they were shooting that new Ruger 45/22 and seemed to be having a blast!  And both the kids were shooting pretty well, in addition to being VERY safe!  


As far as I’m concerned, this was as good a way as any to celebrate the 4th!  

Comments

AR-15 vs. SCAR 17… — 15 Comments

  1. Thank you for this report. I’m trying to absorb everything I can on the SCAR 17.
    Teaching kids to shoot and creating neophyte gunnies is a great way to celebrate Independence Day.
    YeOldFurt

  2. Did you notice any difference in the amount of effort to clean the chambers one the AR and the SCAR? I always found it hard to reach a lot of chamber in the M-16 because of the angles involved.

    Also, did you notice less carbon build up on the angled surfaces of the SCAR firing pin versus the flat surfaces of the AR firing pin?

    And nice shooting there. Hitting minute of torso at 200 yards with open sights is pretty good.

  3. YOF- That it is! The SCAR is a good gun, albeit pricy as hell…

    WSF- yep!

    DB- Good point, it was easier to clean too, and there was less carbon on the SCAR vs. the AR firing pins.

    I was cheating, I was using optics 🙂

  4. I have a Robinson Arms XCR, piston and several AR’s (S&W, Bushmaster and Frankengun) and would agree that the XCR runs cleaner and has less felt recoil.

    Accuraccy in my hands, well that’s much harder to quantify. From the bench I think the S&W and Bushy group tighter but in carbine matches the recovery between shots make the difference a wash. The XCR trigger is much heavier than any of the rest.

    Gerry

  5. Cleanliness is great.
    Still trying to figure out how that firing pin ties in to the whole shebang.

  6. Cycle rate on the XCR vs AR…I don’t know for sure but maybe slower. As you mentionned the whole recoil impulse is different.

    I guess I’ll make a range trip this week to make sure.

    Gerry

  7. Took a look.
    Just spooks me with that long pin.
    Would be best if I could get my hands on one.

  8. Skul- Find a dealer with one and get them to break it down. That’s the best option I can offer…