I just got official word from FN Herstal that the company has begun fielding the SoCom Combat Assault Rifle/Mk16 and Mk17 to commandos in April.
In a bland release from the company’s PA shop, FN says fielding will continue through the winter of 2009. A source close to the program tells me so far the Rangers have gotten their new rifles, with Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen and SEAL teams 1, 2 and 3 getting theirs through this month and the Army Special Forces operators slinging theirs “shortly.”
So that brings us to point #2…if the SWCCs haven’t gotten their SCARs fully fielded yet, then what gives on the photo I posted a couple days ago that supposedly shows two SWCCs with SCARs slung across their shoulders?
Well, that same source tells me based on his analysis of the fielding dates, location of the photo and date of the shoot, “it doesn’t add up.” He claims that a company called Independent Studio Services manufactures look-alike SCARs that the SOCOM buys for training purposes.
Kudos to DT reader Alan for spotting the chipped paint on one of the stocks. That’s exactly what our informed source spotted as well before he gave me a call to set my post straight…which I caveated with a smidgen of doubt.
Anyway, officially operators are close to getting their new, high-speed rifle and hopefully that’ll mean more sightings and maybe a couple more test shoots!
– Christian
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Hah! I KNEW the stock on that SCAR looked a bit odd.
Also, the fact that the operators are just now getting their rifles, it make sense that we haven’t seen any “in action”.
Rangers got theirs first? That kind of surprises me given the number of them compaired to the number in other SOCOM groups. So when does the rest of the military get them…:)
My original assumption would have been that the SWCC crewmen had been among the first, considering your word “fully” re: fielding. Interesting to hear about ISS though, hope everything turns out for the best for the operators with the SCARs, whether Mk 16 or Mk 17.
Anyway, officially operators are close to getting their new, high-speed rifle and hopefully that’ll mean more sightings and maybe a couple more test shoots!
What does it mean anyway, high-speed rifle???
Good to hear the frontliners are getting new guns.
Wait, I thought the concept of front lines was an obsolete notion. As in the GWOT is global, and terrorists could strike anywhere at any time. As in, when you start considering an area as “Safe” and “Secure” that means that’ll probably be where the enemy tries the hardest to hit.
So when is the military going to stop handing out 30 year old M-16s to its “Rear echelon” troops? Not to mention training? I got 30 year old M-16s that are shiny from where the black has worn through, and the gun is now showing bare aluminum. I swear some of our guns look like they were built in the Khyber Pass. my favorite part is where an armorer has hand etched “-A2″ on the reciever to show the gun has been switched over from full auto to three round burst.
Im enlisting in Sept, hope we get them in the field, or maybe ill be lucky enough to make the ranger regiment and not have to worry about that, id deff go with the mk17 with that 7.62 round, if the .556 isnt cutting it in the field i wouldnt take any chances.
something tells me that this will end with a H&K-victory.. inb4 HK416-417
This is a top notch weapon. If haven’t done any research on this, check it out.
‘Top notch weapon’ but in British trials (unrealeased data, I know someone in the Royal School of Small Arms) the HK416 tested as more reliable than the Mk16. Believe me or not, thats the facts.
Can’t comment on the bigger rounds.
The problem lies with the 5.56, I know that the weapon is capable of 7.62 but most likly Joe’s will still carry the 5.56 in mass. I think the overall caliber should have changed to either of the 6mm for knock down power.
First chance anyone gets in here and it’s all about Ammo again. I swear you guys are like Mac and PC lovers.
@The Cenobyte:
Yup…i’m still waiting for someone to write “varmint”.
As long as the gun magazines keep up this “debate” (think about who pays their bills), people will keep regurgitating it onto the internet.
@Lefty
failed engineer will ever blame materials, failed general will ever blame the training, failed politicans will ever blame the times and you do blame amo..
@BritTankie
About HK-417 ask The british royal marines.. they got it marksmans.. not that this shit is good for sand and cold areas like HK416.
i think that the mk16 and mk17 are very reliable weapons but nothing can beat the h&k 416
I am left wondering how often people who make claims like “this is the best” or “nothing beats this” have actually used the weapon in combat. Or on an exercise. I doubt most of them have even fired rounds down range with the weapon, let alone anything else.
And to whoever it was that was enlisting in September, I am sure you will “go with” what ever the heck you are given.
It is worth remembering the site is defensetech not defensewank.
Yea im pretty sure i will go with what i am given…but given the choice id rather have a more reliable gun than the M-16/M4A1. like the Mk-16/17 or the HK416…i can dream cant i
Dream away :)
The m4 gets a lot of flak, but you can’t ignore the fact that a large proportion of the worlds finest warriors have kicked ass using that very weapon system. It may be true that these new rifles are better, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that the m4 is bad.
Check out this link:
http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2009/May/090524-01.html
If you look at the second to last picture, the Rangers will confirm they have their new toys.