James Bond should be rocking the FN REFLEX. It’s about the same size as the Walther PPK, holds more ammo, lighter, and in a more potent caliber… Much more potent than James’ .32 caliber Walther.
I’ve carried mine for about a year now, as my main Concealed Carry weapon, and I’ve shot it enough to solidify my opinion of it. It’s a Winner. The gun is reliable, accurate, not difficult to shoot, and thanks to the good sights and great trigger, not difficult to shoot well with. I’ve had no problems with it using 115 grain range ammo and 124 grain and 147 grain defensive loads. Currently loaded with 124 grain Sierra JHPs, it groups well without a hint of issue. Using a Vedder IWB hybrid type rig, it conceals extremely well. Like I said… It’s become my main CCW piece. The alternate carry gun I use is my HK VP9SK, which is also excellent, but doesn’t hide as well. And since I travel into less than permissive environments, printing would cause unwanted drama, legal or not. As winter approaches, I’ll carry it more and other larger guns for fun and variety… But everywhere else, the little Reflex is my Go-To.
FN has confirmed the rumors that had been going around that the SCAR series of rifles has been discontinued. This comes as a shock to many, since the SCAR has been so iconic for so long!
But here’s the deal… As popular as it is in video games and works of fiction, the reality is that the rifle just isn’t worth the price of admission. The SCAR 17 is about 4 grand. Add a good optic and now you’re at 5.2 grand. Add in an appropriate number of spare mags, and you’re at 5.5 grand. A case of good ammo, and you’re now sitting on a 6 Grand Kit. Not including Lights, Lasers, Slings, Case, or any other piece of kit you want to attach to the gun, assuming you don’t already have them already that you can transfer over from whatever Peasant Class rifle you’re migrating from. For 6 Grand, you can buy a whole lot of other gun, and a good used motorcycle to go with them. And what does this really get you? A .30 cal semi-auto rifle with average accuracy and a lot of snobbery.
Look, I like the SCAR series. I love them. But they are at least twice the price they should be. The design is very clever. It’s well engineered… But it isn’t the Excalibur of Rifles some folks make it out to be, and other folks fantasize about it being… it just isn’t. I could spend all day giving you other options for launching .308, or the 5.56 if that’s the version you fancy… But I won’t, because I don’t have that kind of time. But there are tons of options that will cost you about half or even less that are going to be just as reliable, just as accurate or BETTER, and take standard/common magazines that you can get in abundance for a fraction of FN’s cost. Seriously, I found a .308 Magpul mag for only 12 bucks locally. Of course, I snagged it. You’re never going to find that for the FN. Ever. Well, maybe now you might, with the platform being tossed to the side.
There is no word on a SCAR replacement. The fact FN has refered to the series being the “LEGACY SCAR”, makes one think that there is a SCAR 2.0 in the works. But rumor has it that there is no such thing in the pipeline. Another rumor has it that FN is going to release civilian versions of their military guns… But this is not substantiated and indicators point to that being just wishful thinking. The other rumor is that FN is washing its hands of the civilian rifle market. And that is probably the most sensible approach for FN right now.
Anyone else remember FN’s outstanding bolt action rifles? Yeah, I miss those… those were great.
