The FN SCAR 15P is, without a doubt, one of the most absurdly fun firearms to shoot in its class. With its stockless design and a stubby 7.5-inch barrel, itโs the ultimate example of a firearm that makes you ask, โWhy does this exist?โโright before you empty an entire magazine with a grin on your face.
Now, letโs clear up some misconceptions. First, this isnโt some clandestine operatorโs go-to for undercover missions. Hollywood and video games might have you believe that every secret squirrel unit is rocking micro-sized rifle-caliber pistols, but thatโs not reality. If youโre thinking low-visibility military or personal security details are stuffing these into their bags, think again. A 10.5- to 12.5-inch barrel is far more common in those circles, while anything shorter is usually reserved for pistol-caliber subguns.
Where the SCAR 15P really shines is in vehicle operations. If you need something compact that can be easily stowed, drawn, and maneuvered inside a car, this little beast makes a lot of sense. It tucks away neatly in a seat, behind a seat, or even mounted inside a vehicle without getting tangled in seat belts, door handles, or dashboards. Thatโs something a full-length rifle canโt claim. And when it comes time to transition from inside the car to engaging targets outside, the 15Pโs light weight and short length make it a dream to handleโassuming you know what youโre doing.
Is 5.56 NATO in a 7.5-inch Barrel Useless? Not Even Close.
A lot of internet commandos will tell you that 5.56 NATO from a barrel this short is basically a glorified .22LR. Thatโs simply not true. Yes, velocity takes a big hit, but youโre still dealing with supersonic speeds and effective energy transfer.
For those who love numbers, IMIโs 55gr M193 hit 2,354 fps from the 15P, while their 62gr M855 clocked in at 2,241 fps. Winchesterโs .223 64gr Power Point Soft Point managed 2,190 fps. At 100 yards, those rounds are still screaming along at over 1,900 fps, more than enough for reliable expansion from hollow and soft points. Sure, you lose fragmentation effectiveness with FMJs, but letโs be realโif youโre using M855 out of a 7.5-inch barrel, youโre already making questionable life choices.
Accuracy: Surprisingly Good (For What It Is)
People love to claim that guns like the SCAR 15P are โspray and prayโ weapons. Well, I took mine to the range and put those claims to the test.
With a simple pistol-sized reflex optic and a single-point sling, I ran a full 30-round magazine into a 12-inch target at 25 yards in just over 10 seconds. After an hour of practice, anyone whoโs spent time behind an AR should be able to do the same.
For longer-range performance, I mounted a Leupold Deltapoint Pro NV and shot five-round groups from a rest. At 100 yards, I consistently printed 4-inch groupsโplenty good for a gun this size. But what about unsupported fire? Dropping to a kneel, I was able to put 10 rounds into a 4.5-inch group at 50 yards and keep a full magazine inside a 19-inch silhouette at 100 yards. Not bad for an โinaccurateโ gun.
Reliability: Classic SCAR Performance
One of the most common gripes about the SCAR series is the reciprocating charging handle. FN solved that problem a while back, and the 15P comes with the newer non-reciprocating handle. If you somehow break it (which is highly unlikely), it defaults to the old reciprocating setup.
I ran over 1,000 rounds through this gun without a single malfunction. Out of the box, I hit it with some CLP, then ran it dirty and dry for the rest of the test. No failures, no hiccups. The only issue I encountered was when I flipped the gas regulator to the suppressed settingโturning the 15P into a single-shot rifle. Not exactly surprising.
Speaking of suppressors, FN makes it abundantly clear that using one voids your warranty. The manual states:
โANY AND ALL USE OF A SUPPRESSOR WITH YOUR FN FIREARM IS AT YOUR RISK AND VOIDS THE WARRANTY.โ
Translation: FN doesnโt want to deal with the endless combinations of suppressors and ammo that might or might not work with their gun. And honestly, given that most suppressors arenโt rated for sustained fire through a 7.5-inch barrel, itโs not a bad stance. Even with a can, this thing is still ear-shatteringly loud. If you think slapping a suppressor on it will make it hearing safe, youโre in for a rude awakening. Double up on ear protection, or prepare for permanent tinnitus.
Final Thoughts: Is It Practical? Probably Not. Is It Fun? Absolutely.
The FN SCAR 15P is a niche firearm. Itโs not the best choice for home defense, not ideal for duty use, and certainly not the best for long-range engagements. But is it a blast to shoot? Hell yes.
This thing is a training tool, a range toy, and a curiosity all wrapped up in one overpriced but well-built package. FNโs stubborn refusal to color-match their parts aside, the gun is rock-solid. It shares the same SCAR DNA as its bigger brothersโambidextrous controls, full-length Picatinny rail, short-stroke gas piston, and simple tool-free disassembly. It even has the same excellent two-stage trigger as the SCAR 16.
The only thing missing is a second magazineโseriously, FN, one mag? For the price of admission, you could at least throw in another. And while it would be tempting to slap a minimalist folding stock on it, the real trick is finding one that doesnโt ruin the gunโs balance.
At the end of the day, the SCAR 15P isnโt a must-have firearm, but itโs certainly one of the most entertaining. If you can afford it and donโt mind shelling out for extra mags, youโre in for a seriously fun time at the range. Just donโt forget your ear proโyour future self will thank you.
