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Top FN Scar Alternatives: Battle Rifles You Can Trust
When the SCAR first came out, I remember everyone thinking the AR-15 platform was finished and that it would be the brand-new military rifle for the next 80 years.
But that wasn’t the case. Here we are almost two decades later, and the FN SCAR has replaced the AR-15 platform in very few hands and scenarios. But we’ll get to that more in a second.
It’s like a piece of art. Source
While the SCAR is a great rifle, there’s a reason it’s been discontinued. The demand has been relatively low, and it’s a stout weapon system. Yes, does a great job, but it is heavy and a bit unwieldy.
Thankfully, there are solid alternatives, many of which are also much less expensive.
Armalite Rifle (AR)
The Armalite Rifle comes in many shapes and sizes. Did you know the first draft was actually chambered in 7.62×51 to compete with the M14? Now you do.
It’s a great rifle compared to the SCAR. It’s far more lightweight and arguably more capable in specific scenarios. And what makes it even better than the SCAR platform is the familiarity. The SCAR is extremely easy to use for any American who is familiar with the AR-15, but the AR-15 will always be our fighting rifle.
A pairing that has accompanied many of the warfighters through bad days. Source
The SR-15 and LMT MARS-L are two fine examples of great AR-15s that can outperform the SCAR, although the MARS-L is a bit heavier. LMT makes one heck of a rifle. In hand, it feels cumbersome, but trust me, you’ll believe in that rifle more than you believe in a 1998 Honda Civic.
FAL
The FAL has been in service in many places and time zones for longer than some of us have been alive. Just like the AR-15, its roots are buried in military history. And it comes in many variants and calibers.
However, it’s mostly a larger caliber battle rifle. There are no 5.56×45 variants, but there are 7.62×51 variants as well as 7.92x3mm Kurz and .280 British, depending on how much power you want and need.
A modernized FAL; heavy, but a battle rifle through and through. Source
Most commonly, you’ll find them chambered in 7.62×51, which would rival the SCAR-H. I would choose the SCAR-H if I needed a short-term battle rifle, but the FAL is legendary for reliability and performance. NATO adopted it, and military operations worldwide have used it for decades.
It’s not the best rifle for the job if you need lightweight, but it definitely excels when you do.
HKG3/91 (PTR-91)
Getting your hands on an actual HKG3 can prove challenging, but the PTR-91 is an exact clone and could be had for far cheaper. Much like the FAL, it has been in service around the world for quite some time and performs well as a battle rifle.
You can consider the PTR-91 an excellent replacement for the SCAR-H. It is simpler to operate than the FAL and more robust. It’s old school, but in all of the good ways.
The PTR 91 is a real guerrilla rifle. Cheap, highly effective, with a long history. Source
The PTR-91 is available in different sizes. The PDWR is the compact version and is better suited to shorter-range engagements that require more power, but all versions have an excellent track record. It’s heavy, but it’s simple, and it will put down what needs putting down.
Galil
The Galil is one of those rifles that has been in almost every big 80s action movie and major video game. Its big carrying handle slung over the side is classic. It’s still loved today by many shooters who appreciate what the old Israeli can do.
An iconic silhouette. A long history of performance. Source
You can get it chambered in either 5.56×45 or 7.62×51, and it is similar to the AK-47 in operation, since it was initially built with AK-derived parts. The platform’s reliable operation has enabled it to remain in service for many years.
It can replace the SCAR-L or SCAR-H owing to the availability of both 5.56×45 and 7.62×51 chamberings.
CZ Bren
The CZ Bren is a rifle platform that has seen extensive use in the Ukrainian war and is the service rifle of the Czech military. Now I know what you’re thinking, the 805 was not the best rifle on the planet, and to many it was terrible, but the Bren 2 has actually made an excellent name for itself in combat.
The BREN 2 chambered in 7.62×39. Source
The older ones were chambered in 7.62×51, which would have made a great competitor for the SCAR-H. Still, they are available in 5.56×45 and 7.62×39, both using a short-stroke piston system, which is highly reliable and favored for combat operations.
They are pricey compared to some of the other rifles mentioned on this list, but they do have a strong foundation and combat history to back up the price. It would be an excellent replacement for a SCAR-L since it is priced far lower and offers similar performance.
Conclusion
The SCAR is undoubtedly one of the better platforms to emerge from the early 21st century and will always have a place at the cool table, but with all but the SCAR 15P discontinued, we are nearing the end of the platform, and prices are skyrocketing.
As you can see, we still have plenty of battle rifles left to do what you need. Most even do the job better while being lighter and more modular, like the AR-15 platform.
Still, we’d all love to have one.
Be good and take care.
