DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
All photos contained in this article were shot by DefenseReview.com (DR), and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these materials. The photos were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability). All video clips contained in this article belong to DefenseReview.com (DR), and were shot as a courtesy by writer/photographer Nick Leghorn from TheTruthAboutGuns.com (TTAG), using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 12.1 MP Live MOS Interchangeable Lens Camera with Panasonic 45-200mm f/4.0-5.6 Lumix G Vario MEGA OIS Zoom Micro or Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital lens.
May 27, 2011
Last updated on 6/03/11.
DefenseReview (DR) was fortunate enough to get to run a functional prototype FN SCAR PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) prototype select-fire 5.56x45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO)/.223 Rem. assault SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle) on full-auto at the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center (CAJMTC) firing range at during the 2011 International Infantry & Joint Services Small Arms Systems Symposium, Exhibition & Firing Demonstration Range Day shoot on May 26, 2011.
We liked the (prototype) weapon (FN SCAR PDW) per our caveat regarding the reciprocating charging handle in our previous article on it.
Understand that DR was only able to run a few mags through the weapon at the shoot. However, if FNH makes the FN SCAR PDW’s charging handle non-reciprocating and improves the cheek piece for an improved cheek weld, and the weapon proves reliable, accurate, and durable under adverse conditions and high round count, it will get the DR thumbs up, and it should prove effective for covert under-the-jacket executive protection/PSD (Personal Security Detail) Security Operations, vehicle ops, Direct Action (DA) missions, and general close quarters battle (CQB) applications. Just understand that its a compromise weapon. In giving up size and weight, full-auto controllability is compromised, so the weapon will most likely be more effective when fired/utilized on semi-auto.
DR would like to see the weapon (FN SCAR PDW) outfitted with perhaps a slightly reduced version of the starndard FN SCAR side-folding/telescoping butstock, to see how the weapon performs with it. Also, any PDW-type weapon with a barrel this short (6.75″) should be outfitted with a stubby vertical foregrip, like the TangoDown Stubby Vertical Grip, for example, for weapon reliability and safety reasons, so as to 1) prevent the shooter’s support hand from interfering with the reciprocating charging handle’s operation, 2) prevent burning the support hand while shooting at high round count, and 3) prevent the shooter from getting his support-hand fingers blown off while firing on full-auto under stress.
Editor’s Note: DR shot a couple of video clips with our own camera showing the left side of the FN SCAR PDW during the firing sequence, so you can see the reciprocating charging handle moving back and forth. We’ll publish these additional video clips as soon as we can. The video clip below, however, was shot for us as a courtesy by The Truth About Guns (TTAG) (TheTruthAboutGuns.com) staff writer and photographer Nick Leghorn. Nick’s a nice guy and a great videographer, and we appreciate his assistance with the video. Thanks, Nick! Defense Review would also like to thank FNH USA Military Executive VP Mark Cherpes and Director of Training Bill Buie for allowing DR to handle and fire the (prototype) weapon. We appreciate it. DR also shot some additional still photos of the FN SCAR PDW in the exhibition hall at NDIA Infantry Small Arms Systems Symposium 2011, and we’ll try to publish them as soon as possible, either in a subsequent article or inside this one. So, please stay tuned.
The video clip below features DefenseReview (DR) owner/editor-in-chief David Crane test-firing the FN SCAR PDW prototype weapon:
(Reported) FN SCAR PDW Weapons Specs:
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO)/.223 Rem.
Operation: Short stroke gas piston/op-rod (operating rod), select-fire/full-auto-capable
Barrel: 6.75 inches (6.75″)
OA Length: 20.5 inches (20.5″) with buttstock retracted, 24.9 inches (24.9″) with stock extended
Dry/Empty Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Finish: Black / Desert Tan
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Pricing: Unkown
Company Contact Info:
FNH USA Military Operations
PO Box 896
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-288-3500
Fax: 703-288-4505
Email: militaryinfo@fnhusa.com
FNH USA Website: http://www.fnhusa.com/
FNH USA Military Website: http://www.fnhusa.com/mil/
FNH USA Military Training Operations
Phone: 540-752-6200
Fax: 540-752-0967
FNH USA Law Enforcement and Commercial Sales
PO Box 697
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-288-1292
Fax: 703-288-1730
Email: info@fnhusa.com
Website: http://www.fnhusa.com/
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