[SHOT 2026] SCAR 16S Gen 2

When FN killed the SCAR, I think most of us knew it was going to come back, right? The SCAR had lagged behind modern rifle design and was starting to show its age. I’m a SCAR fan, mostly because it was in seemingly every video game of my youth, and it has an iconic appearance. I also just enjoy shooting the SCAR. It’s just different enough from the AR to be interesting.

The SCAR admittedly had its issues. The handguard was too short for modern shooters. Suppressing the gun violated the warranty. The charging handle reciprocated, and the gun lacked modern sling attachment points. It also had that piston “twang” where the gun moved both backward and forward with recoil. Some of these points were fixed along the way, but it was time for a total overhaul.

The SCAR 16S Gen 2

It was time to go, and a great many people were sad. Yet, we can rejoice because the SCAR is back and better than ever. The SCAR Gen 2 is here, and I’m an unapologetic fan of the SCAR 16S series. Namely because I’m too cheap to seriously run .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor. I also just prefer the lighter rifle.

The Gen 2 comes with an extended M-LOK handguard that covers the gas regulator. Sadly, we lose the iconic front folding iron sight. The ergonomics are refined with ambidextrous controls all around. Not only ambidextrous, but better.

The bolt release on the right side was a standout for me. It’s huge and your trigger finger can activate it, making reloads fast as soon as you slam a magazine home. You can use standard AR grips on it now. The user can also set up the ambi safety how they want it with 16 possible configurations.

The Gen 2 comes standard with a non-reciprocating charging handle (NRCH), and using suppressors will no longer violate your warranty. FN moved away from the shoulder-less barrels and adapted 1/2×28 for the 16S and 5/8×24 for the 17 and 20 series. No more jam nut needed for muzzle devices.

Buffer It

The real star of the show is the integrated two-piece bolt carrier with a hydraulic shock absorber. This reduces recoil and prevents that telltale forward piston recoil. This will probably keep it from destroying optics. The 16S feels softer than any standard AR. It compares best to an AR that’s been tuned to reduce recoil via the gas port, buffer, and BCG.

The new single-stage trigger is a nice touch. It’s short, light, and smooth. Smile-inducing describes it well as I fired a few rounds through the SCAR 16S and the new FN low backpressure suppressor. It’s still front-heavy like any piston gun, and the can and extended handguard weren’t helping.

Still, it’s super easy to shoot and incredibly enjoyable. The gun barely moves between shots. It’s everything good about the SCAR made a little better.