FN SCAR-H
- Category
- Battle Rifle
- Barrel
- 406 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.58 kg
- Introduced
- 2009
About
What it is, and why it matters
The FN SCAR-H is a select-fire 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 16.0-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 3583g (126.4 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.
USSOCOM dropped the SCAR-L (Mk 16) in 5.56mm in 2010, concluding it offered insufficient improvement over the M4A1. But the SCAR-H in 7.62mm was retained because no existing weapon matched its combination of modularity, accuracy, and reliability for the long-range engagements common in Afghanistan.
The SCAR-H was designed to replace multiple weapon systems including the M4A1, Mk 11, and Mk 12 in special operations service. The Mk 20 SSR (Sniper Support Rifle) variant features a longer barrel and enhanced precision capabilities. Unlike the SCAR-L (Mk 16) which was eventually phased out by USSOCOM, the SCAR-H remains in widespread service due to its superior performance with 7.62mm NATO ammunition. The weapon's quick-change barrel system allows operators to swap between different barrel lengths in the field. In 2024, FN America discontinued all civilian SCAR models (SCAR 17S) for the commercial market, though military and law enforcement production continues. The SCAR-H is currently fielded in over 20 countries worldwide.
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
- 406 mm
- Overall length
- 1067 mm
- Height
- 270 mm
- Width
- 70 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.58 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 4.08 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
- Hardcoat anodized
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 875 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 3640 J
- Effective range
- 600 m
- Maximum range
- 3800 m
- Rate of fire
- 625 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.
Free floating barrel
Cold hammer forged barrel
Chrome lined bore
Adjustable folding stock
Ambidextrous controls
Picatinny rail system
Quick change barrel
Modular design
Side folding stock
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 | 3.58 kg | 4.30 kg | Lighter than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 85 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 1067 mm | 1025 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 87 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 406 mm | 458 mm | Shorter than about 90% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 87 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles | 20 | 20 | Near the median |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the FN SCAR-H
How much does the FN SCAR-H weigh?
The FN SCAR-H weighs 3.58 kg (7.90 lb) empty and 4.08 kg (8.99 lb) loaded. It is the 9th lightest of 86 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles in the catalogue.
What caliber is the FN SCAR-H?
The FN SCAR-H is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
How many rounds does the FN SCAR-H hold?
The FN SCAR-H holds 20 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the FN SCAR-H?
The FN SCAR-H is 1067 mm (42.0 in) long overall, with a 406 mm (16.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the FN SCAR-H?
The FN SCAR-H is made by FN Herstal (Belgium).
When was the FN SCAR-H introduced?
The FN SCAR-H was introduced in 2009.
How does the FN SCAR-H operate?
The FN SCAR-H 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
- U.S. Special Operations Command
- 2009
- U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command
- 2009
- U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment
- 2009
- Belgian Armed Forces
- 2010
- Portuguese Armed Forces
- 2012
- French Armed Forces
- France
- Polish Armed Forces
- Poland
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- 2022
- Kenyan Defence Forces
- Kenya
- Mauritius Police Force
- Mauritius
Provenance
Confidence in this record
87%
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-h' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "fn-scar-h", "name": "FN SCAR-H", "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": 406, "weight_empty_g": 3583, "action_type": "gas_operated_short_stroke"}