[wdritchey]

I've read a ton of posts on conversions and a lot of questions out there, but no one actually stating or confirming 100% that this works, only that it "should" work.
I am here to tell you it does work, it can be done, and it's not a super hard job.

To convert your new NRCH to the traditional RCH you need:
Bolt Carrier (Technically the actual bolt pictured isn't needed, only the carrier)
Charging Handle
Front plate

That's serious it. HOWEVER. I would recommend swapping the entire bolt assembly (the guts of the BCG) if you are trading with an individual.
That means the bolt, firing pin, etc. Those parts are on a certain range of the tolerances FN has chose, but if you have a rifle on one extreme of the tolerance range and mix with parts from a rifle on the other extreme, due to the floating firing pin design, it's possible to have slam fires or other issues. If you're buying parts directly from FN, you're getting "binned" parts in the middle of the tolerance range, so it's not a concern either way.

IN ANY CASE.
I recommend swapping the BCG with all the guns, charging handle, and front plate.

Installation really isn't much different than a regular field strip and clean of the gun. You're swapping your BCG with the sled and all the guts for standard BCG.
The front plate, you must remove the barrel to get to. It may be pretty tight. There's just a couple screws that holds it in place. Be patient. Try a little heat. Use a gun vice. You'll get it. Make sure you torque the barrel screws to 62 in.-lb. when putting things back together.

That's really all there is to it. I've shot at least 200rd through my gun. I had one feeding issue (probably an ammo issue).

I am a big fan of the simplicity and how robust the original design was as requested by SOCOM. I still feel like the NRCH was FN listening to fans (I mean haters) of the SCAR saying the only reason they won't buy a SCAR is because of a reciprocating bolt (AKA they couldn't afford a SCAR)... Not to mention SOCOM specifically requested a reciprocating bolt. If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it? Even just a basic field strip is frustrating dealing with the SLED and latch system on the NRCH. I'm so glad I swapped.

If you're thinking about doing this, post up on Tac Swap or this forum. It seriously took me a day or two to find someone to trade parts with. And if you're on the other side of the fence wanting to go to the NRCH design...before you pay $1,000 for the kit, see if there's someone that wants to trade parts and save yourself some money.

 

[ZM_USMC]

You don’t need to remove the NRCH front plate for the RCH to work. The bolt carrier doesn’t even come close to the pin in the front plate.

 

[wdritchey]

You don’t need to remove the NRCH front plate for the RCH to work. The bolt carrier doesn’t even come close to the pin in the front plate.

You're right about this, but since I was trading parts with something, they needed the plate from my gun for the NRCH to work in theirs, so I had to swap it for that reason. If you buy the parts from FN, you're right, you wouldn't have to do that.

 

[Army of One]

Why switch to RCH?

 

[wdritchey]

Why switch to RCH?

I kind o mention this in my post, but SOCOM specifically requested a reciprocating bolt. In the case of a Malfunction, you can see where the bolt is stopped to quickly know what's going on. It's also a simpler and marginally more robust design. The BCG is one piece and solid compared to the two piece design of NRCH. The original also doesn't need the spring tension and clip on the sled, again just simpler. The charging handle also goes through the bolt and doesn't feel loose and cheap like the NRCH. Also seemed like every time I would tear down the gun the sled would get stuck coming out and also cause me issues when putting the bolt back in. It drastically increases time to field strip. In a worst case scenario, seconds matter. I wouldn't trust my life to a NRCH just based on how much longer and how much more complicated it is to clear a Malfunction.

That's just my opinion and experience. Don't get mad if you have a NRCH and love it. That's complete fine. As Garand Thumb always says, what matters is that you train with it. If it's a safe queen, it doesn't matter how the bolt operates. If it's a tool, all that matters is that the bolt does operate. But hopefully that answers your question... Many others have converted there's back to the original design as well over the same concerns I had.

 

[Army of One]

Makes perfect sense, and admittedly, I never considered any cons related to the NRCH.

Personally, I have the RCH, and planned to switch to the NRCH when the upgrade kit became available, but unless I'm mistaken, it never came to market as an actual kit.

There's something to be said about over a decades worth of complaints about the RCH to only have folks reverting back to it.

 

[wdritchey]

Makes perfect sense, and admittedly, I never considered any cons related to the NRCH.

Personally, I have the RCH, and planned to switch to the NRCH when the upgrade kit became available, but unless I'm mistaken, it never came to market as an actual kit.

There's something to be said about over a decades worth of complaints about the RCH to only have folks reverting back to it.

FN just released said kit a couple weeks ago. It's roughly a grand for the parts. I wouldn't worry about doing it. It's not bad to own just for the sake of having a spare bolt, because the originals are no longer sold.

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with a reciprocating bolt. It was people that couldn't afford a SCAR that began complaining about them claiming the only reason they wouldn't buy one was this or that. So FN took that feedback seriously and changed the design, but I guarantee you they won't sell any faster than before because of that change. Those same people will find a new excuse and complain about it. And that's fine, it's not for everyone.

I am a total HK fan boy, but I refuse to pay thousands more than the SCAR costs for a MR762 which is basically a premium AR10. I just can't do it. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want something that looks and feels special on top of being a damn good weapon. For me, the SCAR fits that bill.

 

[freeflyingchris]

Thanks for the post. Lots of good info. I have been considering making the change.

 

[duracel83]

If anyone does it to there scar16 message me I’ll buy your old carrier and that will get you some of the money recovered from the “upgrade.”