I was never in a position to be issued this weapon, but I was in A-stan when the first SCARs made their debut in 2009/2010. Issues that saw on my last deployment included:
1) Reciprocating Charging Handle - Although a desgin requirement for the contract, this was not popular with many end users. I cannot imagine that it would be considered in any M4 replacement contract.
2) Fragile Stock - Everything from the hinge back seemed to be relative weak compared to the rest of the rifle. The issues with the stock latch breaking were not limited to civilian rifles. It was also not uncommon to see tape applied to the cheek raiser or other broken stock parts.
Most of the people that I spoke to about the rifle described it as "different," but not necessarily better or worse that the M4. The SCAR H was much better received mainly because it accomplished the mission in a lighter package than it's 7.62 competition (which were not nearly as reliable or easy to support/maintain as the M4)
Didn't know it was top secret. Don't really care at this point, I'm keeping mine next to my ARs. Regardless of what color screen names are highlighted in....
FFL/SOT
Chuck Norris has to maintain a concealed weapon license in all 50 states in order to legally wear pants.
My buddy at the Ranger Rgt says 1/75 was unhappy with it in service. Lots of broken parts.
USSOCOM PAO officer statement on 6/10/2011 - "The Mk 17 will fill an existing capability gap for a 7.62 mm rifle. The Mk 16 does not provide enough of a performance advantage over the M4 to justify spending limited USSOCOM funds when competing priorities are taken into consideration."
From: http://kitup.military.com/2010/08/ki...l-grinder.html
Pro guys can focus on "when competing priorities are taken into consideration."
Con guys can focus on "does not provide enough of a performance advantage over the M4 "
As for me, I'll stick to the Vulcan M4 because every one in the know knows that Hesse (sorry meant Vulcan) is the rifle used by those on the Tip of the Spear.
There are quite a few of us that were, and are, aware of things about the SCAR and the program that we are not able to share. It isn't perfect, just as *shock* most things aren't.
When an Industry Professional or Subject Matter Expert does not jump to provide extensive documentation of an event or occurence, it's usually because the source or nature of the information is not for dissemination or they are held by a non-disclosure agreement.
I know that happened with a platform my agency looked at to replace our ageing handguns. We found that platform that others on the West Coast and on this site love that we did not due to requirements that we tested. We are not aloud to say anything as well but that is the requirement if we want to test guns prior to buying them.
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