FN delivers new SCAR 20S precision rifle to commercial market

The FN MK20 SSR has been used by special operations units since 2010 and a version, the SCAR 20S, seen above, is now available to consumers (Photos: FN)

Long available only to military and LE customers, FN announced Tuesday they are releasing a commercial version of the SCAR 20 rifle.

The 7.62x51mm-chambered FN MK20 SSR, or Sniper Support Rifle, has been fielded within USSOCOM units over the past decade and promises sub-MOA accuracy out to and beyond 1,000 yards.

The new commercial SCAR 20S version sports much the same specs to include a 20-inch, 1-in-12-inch twist, heavy profile barrel and an adjustable stock outfitted with numerous MIL-STD-1913 accessory rails at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12 o’clock positions. Importantly, it also comes with a factory-installed, double-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger that provides a 3.5 to 4.5-pound trigger pull.

Mark Cherpes, FN America’s president and CEO, said the new rifle is akin to the company’s Military Collector series, which includes a number of semi-auto-only belt-fed rifles such as the M249S.

“The FN SCAR 20S is the latest addition to our battle-proven line-up of FN SCAR products and the first commercial SCAR release since we launched the 17S in 2010,” said Cherpes. “Customers will notice that the FN SCAR 20S shares more commonalities than differences with the MK20 SSR and reaffirms our commitment to producing commercial versions of our iconic military firearms.”

The SCAR 20S uses an extended hard-anodized monolithic aluminum and a short-stroke gas piston system FN says is designed to absorb recoil efficiently to improve follow-up shots and maintain target acquisition.

It includes a cold hammer-forged, chrome lined, free-floating barrel and comes in any color you want as long that color is FDE.

The Geissele Super Scar two-stage match trigger is standard as are the ambi safety lever and mag release.

The stock is adjustable for LOP and comb height as well as incorporating an adjustable cheekpiece and Hogue rubber pistol grip with finger grooves.

FN teased the commercial market earlier this month by releasing a limited run of 200 special edition SCAR 20S rifles to FN owners groups that included an FN-branded SKB iSeries hard case, a Harris SBRM bipod and other swag for $5,499. However, the MSRP on the standard model is a slightly more gentle $4,499.

Tactical Life got a sneak peek at the 20S and shows it running steel in the below video, with Dave Bahde saying in his review, “Moving to 1,000 yards and dialing in the elevation, I managed to get eight hits out of 10 shots on a 16-by-12-inch steel target—as good as it gets for a 7.62mm NATO designed as a purpose-built precision rifle.”

Guns.com