To answer some questions about the loadout with the SCAR "heavy" MK 17 (7.62MM). We were fortunate to be issued several at work over the last year. I have taken to the 13" CQC barrel on mine. I installed originally my Accupoint 1-4X scope and used it out to 700M with great results. I later installed a 3.5-10X Leupold scope, and an Offset Aimpoint Micro on this little guy and took him on some operations with me. My loadout depended on what I was doing, however if I was wearing my plate carrier I simply replaced my M4 mags with SCAR Heavy Mags (5), and continued with the same number of mags (less total rounds). This was due to using an HSGI Taco and two of HSGIs closed top multi mag carriers. The closed top carriers hold 3 M4 mag or 2 AK/7.62MM SCAR mags very well. I dont place 3 M4 mags in mine due to the thickness of the pouch when thats done, but its capable of that should the need arise to plus up. I also kept my HSGI Warlord chest rig accessable in the truck loaded with mags in case we should need them. When not using body armor I have operated with the HSGI Warlord chestrig and 8 SCAR mags (holds up to 12 M4 mags). I've made some brutal climbs up mountains in this configuration and it was not an issue for me with this weapon/ammo, and the other many toys that we needed at the top.
Overall, I like the Short barrel on the SCAR, the weapon shoots very well, handles like a dream, is very reliable on our end using it in the field. And I have no concerns carrying it with the short barrel. I've personally made shots with a 1-4X scope mounted and the CQC barrel installed in the 5-700 Meter range with no issues. 800M was a bit hit or miss (pun intended) but this was mostly due to optics being used (4X on the top end), and wind conditions on the range. All of this was done with the M82 delinked ball MG ammo. I KNOW it will shoot considerably better with a match grade round.
I personally would like a short and handy 7.62MM rifle, and will consider the SCAR in the CQC configuration myself when the time comes to buy one. However, I find the PWS Gas Piston quite interesting and the Mags being commonly available sure tips the scale towards that for me. If Mags were more readily available then I'd be more inclined to opt into a SCAR 17. The folding stock on the SCAR is a very nice bonus and I've seen people carry this weapon in places normally only a Krink or pistol would have been accessable, so that says alot for it as well.
The only pictures I currently have are of the rig with my M4 mags setup, and you can kind of imagine the SCAR mags swapped for M4 mags. The Chest rig I use is an HSGI Warlord in Multicam. The Warlord utilizes the same magazine pouches that I use mounted on my Plate Carrier (minus the TACO). The great things is they expand and take AK, M4, or any kind of SCAR heavy/SR-25 or M14 mags just as easily as one can imagine. Thats why I bought a bunch from High Speed Gear before this deployment, and its certainly paid off. I will see if I can post the pictures of the SCAR and the setup at a later point.
For now here goes...
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4633041_n.jpg
This is a photo of the pouches open, you can see the bungie is very adjustable and the Taco of course is easy to adjust to your various mags.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4090229_n.jpg
Like I said I'll try and find some of action photos at a later time with the SCAR on the range or at work. Until then this should give you an idea of the loadout I have been runnning. Overall I think anyone armed with the SCAR Heavy (MK17) would have few dissadvantages, and be capable of taking shots easy out beyond 500 Meters even with it in the CQC configuration. I honestly beleive this rifle is more accurate than some "Sniper" weapons I've shot before!
Disclaimer... FN Never paid me to say good things about thier products, I am just partial to them since they work!
