Need help deciding on Rifle

[Lazuris]

I have an opportunity to pick up at a reasonable price $3000+tax an FN SCAR 17. I must be honest this would be my most expensive single firearm purchase to date on a rifle less optics. My friend insists that this rifle will become a collectors item in the future due to the looming gun ban that I think we all know is lurking somewhere. I have shot his, and it’s a great shooter but it puts the same bullets downrange that an AR does. I have the funds so that’s not an issue.

My question is, what would you guys do? I have the looming feeling of buyer’s remorse. I have set aside these funds regardless to buy some firearms. My alternatives would be high end 1911’s, Wilson, nighthawk. Larger bore rifles .338lm+, and some cowboy action gear. Your advise is greatly welcome.

Laz

 

[Shenanigans]

For that money, you could probably get an AR lower and a couple uppers to mess with different calibers if that's what you're looking to do.

I love FN. But $3K+ isn't something I could justify for the SCAR, looming weapons ban or not. Different strokes, though. Good luck with your choice and give a report no matter what you end up with.

 

[ARNETT44]

If money is not an issue why not have one? Though you could get 2 AR's or 3 1/2 AK's. But, how many people have a SCAR? Dont own one, but they were sweet at the gun show in January

 

[lilguy]

If you wanted 2 AR's or 3.5 AK's you'd have them. The only gun I will not add because of price is a Barrett 50. Go with your gut, check the local and on line market for comparison, and then go for it.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Looming gun ban..... It's beliefs such as this that is making all of us in the firearms industry somewhat wealthy... except me of course.

If you think it is a good idea to invest 3k into a rifle that may or may not increase in popularity, then by all means.....

What happens if our commander and chief touches not any of the nations firearms ownership directives?

Now what, you have a nice rifle that cost you way more than it's worth, the resale value has diminished, people are purchasing the same rifle for much less than you did and now....

This in itself is a difficult decision to make, it is like gambling- if you could tell how it was going to turn out, you would be the richest dude in vegas.

Good luck with your decision-

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

At this point, I would bet my own money that there will be no ban until at least February 2011. Given that prices on semi-autos are already dropping locally and that SCARs were originally going for as much as $6k-$9k, I would guess that prices on the SCAR will continue to drop as more of them hit the market and don't sell.

Having said that, I think MSRP on them is around $2,900, so they won't be dropping too much further if FN has anything to say about it.

Nitpick; but I believe the model is SCAR16 (5.56mm). The SCAR17 is a 7.62mm and would likely be a lot hotter item.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

No, unless it's one of the first 100 serial numbers or something it's not going to be collectible per se. And the ban (gawd willing) may not be forthcoming. So you're left with a rifle worth $1500 or so that you paid double that for - I surely wouldn't.

 

[Medusa]

SCAR 17, that is .308Win model with 16 or 18 inch barrel? It is reportedly a good rifle, so why not if you actually like it - so try it out, maybe put a mag through it, before giving out that cash. But if it's 5.56 SCAR 16, then I'd pass.

IMHO 3 ARs is not a better choice over one SCAR, judging by quantity as main criteria. Different people have different opinions, but if I would have $3k to give out for semi-auto rifle, it would either be SCAR 17 with 20' barrel, or HK MR762 with long barrel. Or another M14 in SAGE or Troy chassis.

 

[Lazuris]

My error it is the 5.56 version not the .308 version which i'd grab in 2 seconds. I'm not looking for an AR or another M1A of which I have both.

Or another M14 in SAGE or Troy chassis

I went gen 2 JAE which its insane accurate.

Nor am I a quanity guy, I perfer quality. Hence the other items are in the same price range. I'm just wondering if the SCAR is gonna be worth the hype or just another fancy AR. And to be clear I have shot the gun. I put over 200 rounds through my buddies and like i said it performed flawlesly. He loves his but he's 100% carbine guy where i'm about 20%.

 

[Medusa]

Well, everything cannot be measured in money alone, that some other rifle would be cheaper, although you might no have the "pull" towards them.

I usually trust my gut feeling, so use it. I'm sure the SCAR is a good reliable weapon (IIRC it handled military tests better than M4 and had better rounds per stoppage ratio), but it could be put through a carbine class (it was that, right? shooting the heck out of a rifle) to see how it works under pressure. But FN has pretty good reputation and experience, so it should work. Long talk shortly, if you like it and wouldn't be regretting it, buy it. Satisfaction is sometimes more important than getting 2 rifles for the prize of one you really like, especially if you said you don't want another AR or M1A.

 

[BushyGuy]

If you can afford the SCAR FN then buy it! there aint many rifles that live up to that rifle.. its priced high for a reason!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yes, it is - and that reason is overinflated HYPE!

I'd hold out for an XCR-M or get two RFBs.

 

[ARNETT44]

Lexus or Camry?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Hehehehehe... This sound like what went on when AR's first became available.

Best damn semi-auto made, awesome, oh my goodness, gotta' have one of them thar AR's-

Anything Military-
Anything Tacticool-
Anything resembling a prickly black porcupine-

Gotta have it-

 

[Reid73]

My friend insists that this rifle will become a collectors item in the future due to the looming gun ban that I think we all know is lurking somewhere.

I have no crystal ball, but it is a safe bet that there will be increasing firearms control legislation sometime in the future. But no one knows how it will play out [when it will happen, what guns will be banned, what if any grandfathering provisions will be enacted, etc. etc.].

It is entirely possible that the SCAR 17 will eventually become as common as the AR-15 now is. It is also possible that all semi-automatic firearms will eventually be prohibited and required to be turned in for modest cash reimbursement (as happened in Australia), and that this will survive the inevitable constitutional challenge in a Democrat-majority Supreme Court. Who can say?

If I were you, I would invest my money on things I genuinely wanted [which could be the SCAR 17, although it doesn't sound like it], rather than worrying about possible future contingencies entirely beyond your control.

I have shot his, and it’s a great shooter but it puts the same bullets downrange that an AR does.... I have the looming feeling of buyer’s remorse.

I think that you have answered your own question. I'd say follow your own instinct and don't be unduly influenced by your friend's understandable enthusiasm for the rifle that he has already purchased.