New FN SCAR-P: A Sleek PDW Variant
At the Milipol expo in Paris FN Herstal unveiled a new prototype PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) variant of the FN SCAR. The FN SCAR-P features a sleek upper receiver that lacks a full length top rail and heat vents (for a gun designed to be carried at the ready in tight spaces, less is more). The SCAR-P has a new collapsable wire stock with a very thick recoil pad. In order to accommodate the stock they removed the “bumper” barrel screw retainers that are normally on each side of the receiver just forward of the eject port, which makes the gun look a lot better in my opinion (at the possible expense of making maintenance harder).
One thing I like about FN is that they are not afraid to show you a work in progress. This is actually the third FN SCAR PDW we have seen in as many years.
The SCAR-P look like a amalgamation of the original FN SCAR PDW prototype and the FNH-USA SCAR PDW. Is the FN SCAP-P the company’s final attempt at a PDW? Probably not.
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A couple of points to consider:
I do not know the muzzle velocity of the FN SCAR-P, but a 7" barrel in 5.56mm can generate about 2300-2400 fps firing the M193 round. The 5.7mm round out of the P90 is roughly the same velocity. The M193 round is 55 grain while the 5.7mm round is 23 grain. So, the 5.56mm out of even a 7" barrel has twice the energy of a 5.7mm round.
Another consideration is ergonomics. I have handled a P90 before. The top mounted magazine is quite long, and, compared to an AR, cumbersome to remove and replace. The finger dial selector below the trigger is fiddly. The thumb selector and AR-type magazine catch on the FN SCAR-P are both probably easier to use.
The price to pay for twice the energy and better ergonomics is increased muzzle blast, as some has pointed out.
And, a 5.56mm PDW does not share ammo with the excellent FN Five-Seven pistol.
Now that's a souped up fancy M1 Carbine!