FN SCAR 17S
- Category
- Battle Rifle
- Barrel
- 413 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.63 kg
- Introduced
- 2009
About
What it is, and why it matters
The FN SCAR 17S is a semi-automatic battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, produced by FN Herstal since 2009. This Belgian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 20-round magazine capacity, this battle rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense. The 16.3-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 3629g (128.0 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The aluminum alloy frame achieves a notable weight reduction compared to all-steel construction while maintaining the structural rigidity required for safe, reliable operation. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The SCAR 17S is the civilian version of the battle rifle that replaced multiple weapon systems in U.S. Special Operations Command service. Unlike the SCAR-L (Mk 16) which USSOCOM dropped, the SCAR-H remained in service because operators found its 7.62mm stopping power invaluable in the long-range engagements of Afghanistan.
The SCAR-H comes in three main military variants: CQC (Close Quarters Combat) with 330mm barrel, STD (Standard) with 406mm barrel, and LB (Long Barrel) with 508mm barrel. The civilian SCAR 17S is semi-automatic only with a 16.25-inch (413mm) barrel. The Mk 20 SSR (Sniper Support Rifle) is an accurized precision variant adopted by SOCOM in 2011. The SCAR's modularity allows rapid barrel changes to adapt the weapon from CQB to designated marksman roles. Over 20 countries have adopted the SCAR platform for military and law enforcement use. The original 1:12 inch twist rate has been updated to 1:10 inch in newer precision variants like the SCAR 20S for improved performance with heavier projectiles.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal
- Category
- Battle Rifle
- Country
- Belgium
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2009
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 413 mm
- Overall length
- 978 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.63 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 4.03 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated short stroke
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Capacity
- 20
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Hard anodized
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 853 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 3463 J
- Effective range
- 600 m
- Maximum range
- 3820 m
- Rate of fire
- 600 rpm
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Chrome lined barrel
Free floating barrel
Cold hammer forged barrel
Folding stock
Telescoping stock
Ambidextrous controls
Picatinny rail
Adjustable gas regulator
Quick change barrel
Select fire
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 86 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 3.63 kg | 4.30 kg | Lighter than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 85 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 978 mm | 1025 mm | Shorter than about 80% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 87 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 413 mm | 458 mm | Shorter than about 80% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 87 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 20 | 20 | Near the median |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the FN SCAR 17S
How much does the FN SCAR 17S weigh?
The FN SCAR 17S weighs 3.63 kg (8.00 lb) empty and 4.03 kg (8.88 lb) loaded. It is the 10th lightest of 86 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles in the catalogue.
What caliber is the FN SCAR 17S?
The FN SCAR 17S is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
How many rounds does the FN SCAR 17S hold?
The FN SCAR 17S holds 20 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the FN SCAR 17S?
The FN SCAR 17S is 978 mm (38.5 in) long overall, with a 413 mm (16.3 in) barrel.
Who makes the FN SCAR 17S?
The FN SCAR 17S is made by FN Herstal (Belgium).
When was the FN SCAR 17S introduced?
The FN SCAR 17S was introduced in 2009.
How does the FN SCAR 17S operate?
The FN SCAR 17S uses a gas operated short stroke action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- US Special Operations Command
- 2009
- US Navy SEALs
- 2009
- US Army Special Forces
- 2009
- US Army Rangers
- 2009
- Marine Forces Special Operations Command
- 2009
- Belgian Armed Forces
- Belgium
- French Armed Forces
- 2019
- Portuguese Armed Forces
- 2019
- Polish Armed Forces
- Poland
Provenance
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/fn-scar-17s' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "fn-scar-17s", "name": "FN SCAR 17S", "manufacturer": { "id": "fn-herstal", "name": "FN Herstal", "countryCode": "BE", "foundedYear": 1889, "website": "https://www.fnherstal.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:43", "version": "868b12ac455d24b965edddf486bafb1892f606961311b1ab9907556e3a23b075" }, "category": { "id": "battle-rifle", "name": "Battle Rifle", "description": "Selective-fire rifles chambered in full-power cartridges" }, "country_of_origin": "BE", "year_introduced": 2009, "barrel_length_mm": 413, "weight_empty_g": 3629, "action_type": "gas_operated_short_stroke"}