FN SCAR 20S
- Category
- Sniper Rifle
- Barrel
- 508 mm
- Weight, empty
- 5.08 kg
- Introduced
- 2010
About
What it is, and why it matters
The FN SCAR 20S is the semi-automatic civilian variant of the Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR), developed by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command's precision rifle requirement. Built on the proven SCAR-H platform with a short-stroke gas piston system, the SCAR 20S features a 508mm (20-inch) match-grade cold hammer-forged barrel, factory-installed Geissele Super SCAR two-stage trigger, and an extended monolithic upper receiver with full-length Picatinny rail. The precision-oriented stock includes an adjustable cheek piece and length of pull, while the side-folding capability allows compact transport. Capable of sub-MOA accuracy with match ammunition, the SCAR 20S represents one of the most advanced semi-automatic precision rifle platforms available, combining the SCAR family's legendary reliability with dedicated long-range accuracy.
The Mk 20 SSR was developed as part of the SCAR program that aimed to give US Special Operations a single modular family of weapons. While the SCAR-L (Mk 16) was controversially dropped by SOCOM, the SCAR-H variants including the Mk 20 SSR remain in widespread SOF service, with operators praising its ability to transition between close-quarters and precision engagements.
The Mk 20 SSR was adopted by USSOCOM in 2010 as a replacement for the Mk 11 Mod 0 (SR-25) in the precision support role. The SCAR 20S civilian variant was released in 2017 with the factory Geissele trigger. The NRCH (Non-Reciprocating Charging Handle) variant was introduced later to eliminate the reciprocating charging handle, which was a common complaint among operators. The rifle accepts standard SR-25/M110 pattern magazines. FN guarantees sub-MOA accuracy with match-grade ammunition from the factory.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal
- Category
- Sniper Rifle
- Country
- Belgium
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2010
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 508 mm
- Overall length
- 1031 mm
- Weight, empty
- 5.08 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 5.60 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated short stroke piston
- Firing mechanism
- Rotating bolt
- Trigger
- Two stage
- Trigger pull
- 17.0 N
- Capacity
- 10
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Barrel
- Cold hammer forged steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Flat dark earth
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 790 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 3535 J
- Effective range
- 800 m
- Maximum range
- 3700 m
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.
Free floating barrel
Match grade barrel
Adjustable cheek piece
Adjustable stock
Folding stock
Picatinny rail
Suppressor ready
Geissele trigger
Monolithic upper receiver
Ambidextrous controls
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 80 7.62x51mm NATO sniper rifles | 5.08 kg | 5.04 kg | Near the median |
| Overall lengthAmong 80 7.62x51mm NATO sniper rifles | 1031 mm | 1116 mm | Shorter than about 70% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 80 7.62x51mm NATO sniper rifles | 508 mm | 559 mm | Shorter than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 80 7.62x51mm NATO sniper rifles | 10 | 15 | Holds fewer rounds than about 60% |
Answers
Questions about the FN SCAR 20S
How much does the FN SCAR 20S weigh?
The FN SCAR 20S weighs 5.08 kg (11.20 lb) empty and 5.60 kg (12.35 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the FN SCAR 20S?
The FN SCAR 20S is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
How many rounds does the FN SCAR 20S hold?
The FN SCAR 20S holds 10 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the FN SCAR 20S?
The FN SCAR 20S is 1031 mm (40.6 in) long overall, with a 508 mm (20.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the FN SCAR 20S?
The FN SCAR 20S is made by FN Herstal (Belgium).
When was the FN SCAR 20S introduced?
The FN SCAR 20S was introduced in 2010.
How does the FN SCAR 20S operate?
The FN SCAR 20S uses a gas operated short stroke piston action, and its firing mechanism is rotating bolt.
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
- United States Special Operations Command
- 2010
- United States Navy SEALs
- 2010
- United States Army Special Forces
- 2010
- Belgian Special Forces Group
- Belgium
- Australian Special Operations Command
- Australia
- Lithuanian Armed Forces
- Lithuania
Provenance
Confidence in this record
82%
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-20s' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "fn-scar-20s", "name": "FN SCAR 20S", "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": "sniper-rifle", "name": "Sniper Rifle", "description": "Precision rifles optimized for long-range accuracy" }, "country_of_origin": "BE", "year_introduced": 2010, "barrel_length_mm": 508, "weight_empty_g": 5080, "action_type": "gas_operated_short_stroke_piston"}