SCAR 17S Build

'88Scrat · February 24, 2020, 02:37 AM

So I recently came into some money and decided to go through with something I've wanted to do for a while: obtain a FN SCAR 17S. I shot one once a couple years ago and fell in love but my budget was not up to task.

I currently have a pretty tricked out M1A EBR with several cool additions that would be considered my "Heavy Metal" rifle but it might be changing roles very soon. Thinking about adding a much larger optic to it and taking it out to 800ish yards one day, but that's another thread for another day.

I'm looking for opinions on color (I like the original FDE ones but it seems like FN just kinda gave up trying to match the colors on the newer ones...), setup, and accessories. Right now I'm thinking a Super SCAR Trigger, a front grip, and a Trijicon TA11 to start. Haven't ruled out anything though.

Post pics of your setup, the more the better. If I'm dropping this kinda cash (and I am, my mind is made up) I want to see all my options.

Let's see 'em!

'88Scrat · February 25, 2020, 09:33 AM

Could be done probably. If you're willing to shell out the $$$. That would be a little more than I'd be willing to put into it.

Probably...

TrueBlue711 · February 27, 2020, 05:11 PM

I have a SCAR 17 and tricked it out...a lot. Here are some mods I added:
-Geissele Super SCAR Trigger (a must, or the two stage trigger from Shootingsight is just as good)
-Replaced buttstock with Vltor's buttstock
- Kinetic Dev Group's MREX Forend
-Oversized mag release and B.C.D. lever (like Magpul's B.A.D. lever) from PMM
-Cerakote camo paint job
-Vortex Viper PST and LaRue Scope Mount
-GG&G Angled charging handle
-Magpul safety selector
-1.4mm gas jet screw from PMM
-Hogue pistol grip (modified to fit on the SCAR perfectly)
-SilencerCo ASL muzzle brake (only due to me suppressing it. Factory muzzle brake is awesome wouldn't replace if I wasn't suppressing)

dakota.potts · February 27, 2020, 10:45 PM

Honestly to me the Elcan Specter just seems at home on a SCAR 17

If I were setting up my ultimate rifle, it'd have to have some NVGs to go with it (at least a PVS 14) and an ATPIAL-C or a MAWL, something like that. Truly an awesome experience

'88Scrat · February 28, 2020, 12:43 AM

I've been told that the SCAR platform can be a bit of a knuckle buster if you're running an optic with a fat mount especially. TrueBlue711 does that angled charging handle make a big difference?

TrueBlue711 · February 28, 2020, 10:21 AM

Quote:

TrueBlue711 does that angled charging handle make a big difference?

Absolutely. I never hit my knuckles on my optics after getting that angled charging handle. Plenty of options for angled charging handles, but I'm happy with the GG&G one.

Willie Lowman · March 1, 2020, 10:04 AM

I have a SCAR 16 and my buddy has a 17. Neither of us cared for the carbine length front handguard/rail setup. The MREX extended handguard was the solution we both liked.

My SCAR as it is set up now.

MREX forend, angled charging handle, BCM pistol grip from PMM, Aimpoint M5 with 3x magnifier, Vltor receiver extension and B5 stock, and AAC suppressor.

You just have to forget about matching colors. Every brand of FDE is a little different from the next. Even if you go with a black one you will have all different shades.

'88Scrat · March 1, 2020, 11:16 AM

What's the advantage of the forend? Seems like it would only increase the weight.

Willie Lowman · March 1, 2020, 11:50 AM

I just said...

Quote:

Neither of us cared for the carbine length front handguard/rail setup. The MREX extended handguard was the solution we both liked.

Some folks like a longer handguard. The MREX gives about as much real estate as a rifle length AR handguard.

It adds a couple ounces over the weight of the steel pic rail that comes on the SCAR. So it's heavier but not by much. I notice the weight of the x3 magnifier or the balance shift from the suppressor more than the handguard.

TrueBlue711 · March 3, 2020, 10:16 AM

Quote:

What's the advantage of the forend? Seems like it would only increase the weight.

With the factory rails, I didn't have a lot of real estate for my hand when I had the bipod at the end. Which ended up getting my hand smacked a few times by the charging handle while firing standing up. For me, the extra rail space was needed and I love it. It's also slimmer than the picatinny factory rails and feels much better to hold in the hand. The added weight is minimal.

TBM900 · March 3, 2020, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakota.potts

Honestly to me the Elcan Specter just seems at home on a SCAR 17

You would be correct

I tried a number of different combos and settled on the DR for mine.
A close second was the VCOG.

I put a Suoer Scar on one of mine, and while it is "better" than the mil spec stock trigger, I didn't think it was enough to convert the other.
Other than that and the optics, mine are bone stock... just add ammo

Heres one of mine with the super rare 1/4/6x

'88Scrat · March 5, 2020, 10:37 PM

Should have it by the end of next week!

Haven't been this excited for a purchase in a while!

Willie Lowman · March 6, 2020, 04:19 PM

Are you gonna suppress it?

'88Scrat · March 7, 2020, 09:45 AM

Probably, makes sense because I have a Sandman-S in NFA jail right now that has another 4-5 months to go. My only concern is how long that would make it, 23ish" if my math is right.

In the future I may SBR it and go with the 13" barrel.

We'll see

'88Scrat · March 15, 2020, 05:33 PM

Went to put in my Super Scar trigger today and noticed that my 17S does not have the right side cover plate. A little looking online would suggest that the 16S has a cover plate and the 17S does not.

I don't think it is an issue but anyone else run into this?

SR420 · October 26, 2022, 09:27 AM

I recently sold off my last Sage EBR chassis stock kit (just the kit without the rifle) and I used some of the money I got for it to buy an un-fired RCH Scar 17S with a few upgrades already installed... I still have money left over to spend.

The S17 is an interesting rifle, and I am looking forward to comparing it to my CQB-16 type SEI in a light weight M14 RS chassis from Blackfeather.

February 24, 2020, 02:37 AM	#1
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	SCAR 17S Build So I recently came into some money and decided to go through with something I've wanted to do for a while: obtain a FN SCAR 17S. I shot one once a couple years ago and fell in love but my budget was not up to task. I currently have a pretty tricked out M1A EBR with several cool additions that would be considered my "Heavy Metal" rifle but it might be changing roles very soon. Thinking about adding a much larger optic to it and taking it out to 800ish yards one day, but that's another thread for another day. I'm looking for opinions on color (I like the original FDE ones but it seems like FN just kinda gave up trying to match the colors on the newer ones...), setup, and accessories. Right now I'm thinking a Super SCAR Trigger, a front grip, and a Trijicon TA11 to start. Haven't ruled out anything though. Post pics of your setup, the more the better. If I'm dropping this kinda cash (and I am, my mind is made up) I want to see all my options. Let's see 'em! __________________ BOOM

February 25, 2020, 09:33 AM	#2
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	Could be done probably. If you're willing to shell out the $$$. That would be a little more than I'd be willing to put into it. Probably... __________________ BOOM

February 27, 2020, 05:11 PM	#3
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	I have a SCAR 17 and tricked it out...a lot. Here are some mods I added: -Geissele Super SCAR Trigger (a must, or the two stage trigger from Shootingsight is just as good) -Replaced buttstock with Vltor's buttstock - Kinetic Dev Group's MREX Forend -Oversized mag release and B.C.D. lever (like Magpul's B.A.D. lever) from PMM -Cerakote camo paint job -Vortex Viper PST and LaRue Scope Mount -GG&G Angled charging handle -Magpul safety selector -1.4mm gas jet screw from PMM -Hogue pistol grip (modified to fit on the SCAR perfectly) -SilencerCo ASL muzzle brake (only due to me suppressing it. Factory muzzle brake is awesome wouldn't replace if I wasn't suppressing) Last edited by TrueBlue711; February 28, 2020 at 10:23 AM.

February 28, 2020, 12:43 AM	#5
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	I've been told that the SCAR platform can be a bit of a knuckle buster if you're running an optic with a fat mount especially. TrueBlue711 does that angled charging handle make a big difference? __________________ BOOM

March 1, 2020, 10:04 AM	#7
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	I have a SCAR 16 and my buddy has a 17. Neither of us cared for the carbine length front handguard/rail setup. The MREX extended handguard was the solution we both liked. My SCAR as it is set up now. MREX forend, angled charging handle, BCM pistol grip from PMM, Aimpoint M5 with 3x magnifier, Vltor receiver extension and B5 stock, and AAC suppressor. You just have to forget about matching colors. Every brand of FDE is a little different from the next. Even if you go with a black one you will have all different shades. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

February 27, 2020, 10:45 PM	#4
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Honestly to me the Elcan Specter just seems at home on a SCAR 17 If I were setting up my ultimate rifle, it'd have to have some NVGs to go with it (at least a PVS 14) and an ATPIAL-C or a MAWL, something like that. Truly an awesome experience

March 1, 2020, 11:16 AM	#8
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	What's the advantage of the forend? Seems like it would only increase the weight. __________________ BOOM

March 5, 2020, 10:37 PM	#12
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	Should have it by the end of next week! Haven't been this excited for a purchase in a while! __________________ BOOM

March 6, 2020, 04:19 PM	#13
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Are you gonna suppress it? __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

March 7, 2020, 09:45 AM	#14
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	Probably, makes sense because I have a Sandman-S in NFA jail right now that has another 4-5 months to go. My only concern is how long that would make it, 23ish" if my math is right. In the future I may SBR it and go with the 13" barrel. We'll see __________________ BOOM

March 15, 2020, 05:33 PM	#15
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 558	Went to put in my Super Scar trigger today and noticed that my 17S does not have the right side cover plate. A little looking online would suggest that the 16S has a cover plate and the 17S does not. I don't think it is an issue but anyone else run into this? __________________ BOOM

October 26, 2022, 09:27 AM	#16
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,343	I recently sold off my last Sage EBR chassis stock kit (just the kit without the rifle) and I used some of the money I got for it to buy an un-fired RCH Scar 17S with a few upgrades already installed... I still have money left over to spend. The S17 is an interesting rifle, and I am looking forward to comparing it to my CQB-16 type SEI in a light weight M14 RS chassis from Blackfeather. __________________ https://athenswater.com/ Last edited by SR420; October 26, 2022 at 06:21 PM.