[Tomac]

I've got a friend who really likes my PS90's but is also intrigued enough by the FS2000 to seriously consider buying one. However, he insists it be reliable/rugged enough for "serious social work" should the need arise. What say you, FS2000 owners? Thx!...
Tomac

 

[fatcat]

While ive never had one hangup with the thousands of rounds ive out down range with it if the SHTF im still grabing one of my AR's. It may just be me but id be to scared of throwing the rifle around to much.

Now where I can see it being very usefull is in the confines of a vehicle or CQB. Still the barrel length needed for the 556 round to get up to the correct velocity. Yet short enough to be able to swing around.

Im sure this rifles polymer is much tougher than I give it credit for but I just got it as a range toy and thats all I hope it stays. Its a fantastic rifle and I think he will be more than happy with it.

Now, im not knocking the FS2k but if you want a SHTF rifle get a shorty AR, Galil, FAL or an AK. Give it 10 years and ask me again

 

[Promoted Pawn]

I DID have a piece of my FS2000 break off.

I like to say this:

If I were outfitting a SWAT team or casino security force I would whole heartedly recommend the FS2000.

But if I were outfitting a combat infantry unit, or laying in stores for the end of civilization I would NOT pick the FS2000.

 

[Adosh]

i agree. i shot few thousand rounds out of mine before it broke
the charging handle snapped off, but if you have a screw driver you could still use it :lol:

 

[PointMan]

+1 I'd hold out for the SCAR!!!

Seriously though, FS2000 would not be my first choice for a SHTF scenario.

 

[BreakerDave]

Generally speaking, the FS2000 is rugged and reliable enough for "serious social work." Obviously having the charging handle break is a bad thing, but a significant number of those reports (not all) are directly attributable to the operator error where the user was slapping or violently jerking the charging handle. When one of the guys I know in town broke a handle, he was jerking it back and forth to clear a double feed. He didn't know what he was doing, but that didn't stop him from breaking it and then blaming the rifle.

The F2000/FS2000 platform has been tested and the F2000 rifles are starting to be adopted by several nations for their military forces. That is a strong indication of whether the gun is suitable for armed interpersonal conflict. Is the gun perfect? No, it has its weak points, but every gun has its weak points.

I know more than a few people who hate the AR-15/M-16/M-4 platform and they have used them in war. They can rattle off a list of things they despise about the platform. A couple of the guys who were their unit's armorers can tell you story after story about broken rifles. That does not mean the M-16/M-4 cannot be used for "serious social work." It merely means that it has shortcomings.

As one of my friends who is a Marine combat vet and Federal Air Marshal observed, once you are in the class of good quality firearms, they can all be made to work in the hands of an individual who is properly trained. Building on that point, the real issue will be whether the user and his level of training/practice is up for a real world application with any firearm. And if he plans on rolling around in the dirt does he know how to maintain his firearm?

One of the things I have noticed is that people have a tendency to shift their focus from their own skill set to their gear (weapon choice and ammo selection) in the mistaken belief that their gear will make up for a lack of training or practice. It will not. I am not saying this to rain doubt on a potential purchaser's abilities but he needs to realize that a well trained individual can pick up almost any well made, well maintained rifle and be ready for "serious social work."

 

[Promoted Pawn]

One of the things I have noticed is that people have a tendency to shift their focus from their own skill set to their gear (weapon choice and ammo selection) in the mistaken belief that their gear will make up for a lack of training or practice. It will not. I am not saying this to rain doubt on a potential purchaser's abilities but he needs to realize that a well trained individual can pick up almost any well made, well maintained rifle and be ready for "serious social work."

I agree. Any marksman, even a kid, who knows something about hunting, and is armed with a regular sporting arm, is going to be more lethal than your casual collector of paramilitary weapons.

Training and experience is everything! If the enemy is an anarchical mob then a team of professional soldiers, with their $250,000 worth of training, are going to pick their fights, and win. In this situation the type of rifle used isn't going to be a deciding factor in the outcome.

Military history is chocked full of encounters where training and professional knowledge beat superior numbers and technology.

Gibraltar is a good example.

However, when it's my own butt on the line, I'll take the best weaponry I can afford. (Not that expensive is necessarily better)... But good optics are never cheap.

 

[Adosh]

i didnt say the fs2000 wasnt good,
most people will never shoot 7000+ rounds out of a rifle in their lives
especially a 2000 dollar fs2000,

it held up well, and i admit i wasnt the nicest to it...

but i definately didnt slap the handle, the best of material can always wear out when handled violently

id say its a fantastic police/patrol rifle, great for vehicles due to its size, etc..

battle rifle, maybe not the best, try a FAL or an ak or an ar-10, but thats another thread

Military history is chocked full of encounters where training and professional knowledge beat superior numbers and technology.

imagine if the spartans at the battle of thermopylae had guns :shock:
too bad we cant drop some off in a time machine

 

[Germanic]

Just my opinion, BUT...

If the F2000 is good enough for the Belgian Special Forces, I suspect it's good enough for anything I'm likely to ever need a firearm for. That would include personal defense or survival.

I think it amounts to getting familiar with the platform and learning it's strengths and weaknesses. All firearms have advantages and disadvantages, the FS is no different.

I do think the cocking handle could stand to be beefed up though. I'm sure eventually either FNH-USA or an aftermarket company will develop a fix for it. I do wish FN (as well as some other manufacturers) would make factory spare parts widely available for the consumer. It would go a LONG way to build customer confidence and long-term satisfaction in the platform.

Bottom-Line, I don't think the FS is a perfect carbine by any stretch, but I do think it's entirely capable for it's intended role.

 

[Tomac]

After finally getting the chance to strip down & examine an FS2K myself I'll admit the only thing that gives *me* pause is the complexity of the bolt group. It's not that I doubt FN's reputation (after all, I own 2 FN57's & 2 PS90's myself) but I can't remember the last time I saw so many springs (and levers!) at the heart of a rifle! In my case I guess it would just take sufficient experience w/the FS2K for me to fully trust that part of the design.
Tomac

 

[abh3]

Amen to Promoted Pawn's post, TRAINING is the key and NOT fancy weaponry. In the SHTF scenarios, the guy who can successfully stalk and take a deer with a sporting arm (harder than it sounds and I don't mean in stands, w/dogs, etc), has basic outdoorsman skills and keeps his a** in the woods WILL survive... Face it, CQB is a group activity for a finely tuned team, one person, even with some level of military training, won't cut it regardless of hardware.

Speaking of which, how many of us REALLY practice, as opposed to plinking and random mag-dumps?!? The FS2K is a fine weapon, so is the AR, AK, FAL, etc. all the way back to SMLE, M98 and '03. I'm a realist and would not relish facing off with with a really experienced operator of a WWI rifle with my fancy new FS2K beyond the very close range!

 

[Templar]

Amen to Promoted Pawn's post, TRAINING is the key and NOT fancy weaponry. In the SHTF scenarios, the guy who can successfully stalk and take a deer with a sporting arm (harder than it sounds and I don't mean in stands, w/dogs, etc), has basic outdoorsman skills and keeps his a** in the woods WILL survive... Face it, CQB is a group activity for a finely tuned team, one person, even with some level of military training, won't cut it regardless of hardware.

Speaking of which, how many of us REALLY practice, as opposed to plinking and random mag-dumps?!? The FS2K is a fine weapon, so is the AR, AK, FAL, etc. all the way back to SMLE, M98 and '03. I'm a realist and would not relish facing off with with a really experienced operator of a WWI rifle with my fancy new FS2K beyond the very close range!

There be wisdom in this.......