FN SCAR17S vs Colt 901

fnfalman · Mar 30, 2015

Let me cut to the chase. There's no "versus", it'd be more like beating up on a retarded kid.

The Colt's fit and finish is typical Colt - which isn't anything to rave about. The aluminum quad rail adds a ton of weight to the front which really impairs handling. The recoil is abrupt (think HK91). Accuracy is OK, nothing to rave about - though I need to work more on that to see if I can get some improvement. Currently I only shot 60-rds through it.

Bottom line, no way in hell I would pay $2000 for this gun brand new. I got it used from a co-worker who desperately needs moolah.

On the other positive note, I really like the Troy rear sight especially the ghost ring for quick shooting at contact range.

FullAssault · Mar 30, 2015

I really wanted one of these until I picked one up.

JonM · Mar 30, 2015

FullAssault said:
I really wanted one of these until I picked one up.

same. it was a toss tween the 901 and scar17. until i held a scar17 and was sold on the spot. bout a month ago i finally saw a 901 in person. after holding it i was so relieved at dodging that bullet. i still am grateful to troy at midwest industries for steering me onto the scar17

N.Franklin · Mar 31, 2015

FullAssault said:
I really wanted one of these until I picked one up.

I haven't found a .308 pattern AR Ive liked by feel and weight alone, SCAR 17 spoiled me.

SCARFace17 · Mar 31, 2015

N.Franklin said:
I haven't found a .308 pattern AR Ive liked by feel and weight alone, SCAR 17 spoiled me.

PredatOBR 762 & KAC SR-25 ACC come close in weight but both cost considerably more.

tejasmtb · Mar 31, 2015

The only other 308 carbine worth considering is the KAC SR-25 imho, granted I am a bit biased as I am a KAC junkie. That being said no other 308 carbine comes close to the weight of the Scar 17 and that's what makes it so appealing.

N.Franklin · Mar 31, 2015

Last KAC 308 I played with was a SR25 EMC carbine, and it was still a heavy pig in comparison.

samnev · Mar 31, 2015

With the possible exception of the S&W MP 10 all of the other 308 semi's I own or have handled are pigs compared to the 17S. Some are more piggy than others.

fnfalman · Mar 31, 2015

SCARFace17 said:
PredatOBR 762 & KAC SR-25 ACC come close in weight but both cost considerably more.

And not as reliable.

Talhoffer · Mar 31, 2015

fnfalman said:
And not as reliable.

Actually my KAC EMC has been just as reliable as my SCAR17 and just as soft recoil due to the extended buffer system in the EMC.
Or maybe I'm just not as drunk on the SCAR17 kool-aid as some. :th_confused0024:

tejasmtb · Mar 31, 2015

Talhoffer said:
Actually my KAC EMC has been just as reliable as my SCAR17 and just as soft recoil due to the extended buffer system in the EMC.
Or maybe I'm just not as drunk on the SCAR17 kool-aid as some. :th_confused0024:

no you are right, and possibly even softer recoil than the Scar when combined with the MAMS too. That being said even the lightest SR-25 ever, the ACC, which isn't even out yet, is still heavier than the Scar.

hillmillenia · Mar 31, 2015

I shopped hi and lo looking for a 308 tactical rifle...considered all of them but settled on the SCAR17s...no koolade here, just a rifle that works...too expensive? hell yes but It fills the intended role quite well.

Talhoffer · Mar 31, 2015

tejasmtb said:
no you are right, and possibly even softer recoil than the Scar when combined with the MAMS too. That being said even the lightest SR-25 ever, the ACC, which isn't even out yet, is still heavier than the Scar.

No doubt, the SCAR17 is the lightest .308 carbine I have and have used, but the SCAR17 is not like holding a feather vs holding a elephant.

hillmillenia said:
I shopped hi and lo looking for a 308 tactical rifle...considered all of them but settled on the SCAR17s...no koolade here, just a rifle that works...too expensive? hell yes but It fills the intended role quite well.

I don't mean to come off like everyone is kool-aid drunk cause I do feel it's a top .308 carbine some comments as of late have just been blatantly over the top, like it or not that's what I've seen and I'm not alone. There are a few companies who are making great .308 rifles these days and we are lucky that some are still taking the time to continue to evolve small arms or we could be stuck enjoying stuff like the fabulous Chauchat :-D

Shane45 · Mar 31, 2015

I have been lucky to own a number of 308 Semi's. I currently own a SR25 EMC, Larue OBR, a GA precision custom and a SCAR 17.They all fill different roles in my golf bag of guns with the most overlap going to the SR25 and SCAR17. If I could only grab 1, it would be the SR25EMC. Its close in weight to the SCAR, just as reliable, has less muzzle rise and just about matches the accuracy of my OBR.

SCARFace17 · Apr 1, 2015

N.Franklin said:
Last KAC 308 I played with was a SR25 EMC carbine, and it was still a heavy pig in comparison.

Ya EMC was a heavy pig, ECC wasn't really light either.

SCAR 17s 8.0lbs
KAC SR-25 ACC 8.4lbs
LaRue PredatOBR 8.2lbs

fnfalman said:
And not as reliable.

That is simply not true, older KAC sr-25s were well documented to be finnicky but this hasn't been the case in a long time. LaRue's have had some anecdotal reports of cheap blaster ammo being sometimes finnicky but are overwhelmingly highly regarded.

tejasmtb · Apr 1, 2015

The myth/reports about the SR-25 not being reliable was in regards to the older MK11 rifles before the EMC/ECC/APC/ACC variants. I'd have to agree with Shane about grabbing the SR-25 over the Scar 17 if only allowed one, now that could all change if the the MK20 were an option. That being said I don't think that the extra length of the longer barrel on the MK20 will make it any more accurate than the 16" SR-25.

Fröman · Apr 1, 2015

FullAssault said:
I really wanted one of these until I picked one up.

Me too, I was seriously considering it and then the first one I ever saw in person was making the guy pull his hair out as he decided to send it back to Colt.

N.Franklin · Apr 1, 2015

The only rifles I'd compare to the SCAR 17 would be the SR25 carbines and the LMT 308. The SCAR is not only the lightest, but also the cheapest. It will shoot as accurately as the other rifles as well. It has downsides, the barrel without a shoulder to index muzzle devices, the short handguard, and the proprietary steel mags. That said I still think the SCAR 17 is the best semi auto 308 on the market.

N.Franklin · Apr 2, 2015

If I wanted a precision rifle, Id look towards GA Precision and the new GAP-10 G2, Id take this over a MK20 any day of the week.

Shane45 · Apr 2, 2015

My SCAR 17 does not print near the level of my OBR or SR25. And I have a G trigger in it. But I don't really expect it to and that is not its role(for me). Nor have any of the others Ive been behind.

My best group out of a OBR with factory ammo, 5 shots 100yds:

FN SCAR17S vs Colt 901

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