I recently picked up an HDD SCAR 10 lower. I am stationed in a restricted state and was able to get home to my state of residence for a few days to pick it up. I’m just writing a quick review because I could not find one for the SCAR 10 on here.
I do not want this thread to become a contest between different manufacturers. I could care less about who makes something. I’m just trying to give back some information to this forum since I’ve gotten a lot from it.
For the record, I had an original Handl SCAR25 lower that did not fit to the upper receiver. Exchanged it for a new in-spec model but have not tested or assembled it (still in its box). I was planning on getting a Stryker lower, but for reasons previously mentioned I wanted to get something ASAP since I can’t get to my home state very often. I have used products from both Handl and SE and like them all. Zero complaints.
Pictures will follow once I can get access to my camera and rifle again.
For the lower:
Ordered 9MAR2016 received 18MAR2016 along with 6 PMAGs.
The lower is FDE cerakoted and fit/finish are great. No tooling marks or anything like that. Came assembled with Geissele trigger and OEM parts.
Lower fits very tight to receiver; zero wiggle. It was slightly hard to attach at first. Now it’s easy and zero problems. Again, very tight fit. The lower fit perfectly with both the OEM/Vltor stock as well as a KDG stock. I’ve recently gone back to the Vltor/OEM stock over the KDG stock after reading about the KDG screws backing out. I have used the mk17 and never had an issue with the stock. Nobody I know did. I just liked the way the KDG looked, honestly.
Additionally, I installed a KDG MREX FDE rail. Perfect installation, love the ergonomics with that thing! As far as charging handle, I have an EACH and really like it. However for this range trip I was trying out an MH Machining folding charging handle. I love it; fit and finish are perfect, folding mechanism is perfect, and really slims down the profile of the rifle.
Initial function check was 100% good-to-go with lower installed.
I took my rifle to the range on 19MAR2016. Had 80 rounds of some REALLY old Musgrave and Remington Soft-Point .308. I also needed to zero my new Vortex Razor HD II 1-6x24 with ADM/Vortex cantilever QD mount. Not the greatest ammo but I just wanted to get a rough zero. I was shooting a few guns on this trip (Tavor to zero AimPoint, AK to check Magpul stock) and saved the SCAR for last.
Brought 1 x 20rd PMAG, 1 x 25rd PMAG, and 1 x IWI .308 mag that I bought a few of. They are the .308 version of the 5.56 IWI mag. I liked the concept so I wanted to check it out.
The unloaded mags all fit perfect with very positive feedback upon insertion into the magwell. HOWEVER, the IWI mag needs a slight slap to make sure it’s fully seated when loaded with a closed bolt. Magpul mags were perfect. Magazines all dropped free flawlessly.
HDD touts their “enhanced bolt catch”. I will attach pictures when I can. It is definitely slightly different than OEM. BHO was engaged on empty magazine. Bolt catch did not rise at all with 1rd in mag. Tested this on all mags. I plan to do a little more testing in the future. The bolt catch started to show a tad bit of finish wear on the top surface. I checked the OEM bolt catch from my OEM lower and it had similar marks. No marks on the bolt or carrier. For the record, I ordered an extra OEM bolt catch and am going to test to see how it works in the SCAR 10 lower and SR25/DPMS/AR10 mags next time I get home. The ONLY questionable thing about the entire assembly is when I pull the charging handle/BCG back very lightly on an empty mag, the charging handle/BCG needs an extra bit of force to clear the bolt catch and engage it. I assumed this meant the bolt catch was catching on the bottom of the bolt before being fully engaged but I could not figure it out, saw no marks, and am not sure if this is normal or not. Thoughts?
Range performance = flawless. Chugged along and shot 1” group after zero with Vortex Razor. BHO engaged on empty mag. Only issue was one dud round. Like I said…. This ammo was OLD.
If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer and will also get some pictures uploaded as soon as I can. I typed this up pretty quick so again if I missed anything or anybody has questions, post em’.
WRT optics, as mentioned I ended up going with a Vortex Razor HD II but am looking into getting a Trijicon VCOG... If anyone is interested in a virtually unused Vortex Razor HD II 1-6x24, with mount and flip up lens covers, PM me!
I do not want this thread to become a contest between different manufacturers. I could care less about who makes something. I’m just trying to give back some information to this forum since I’ve gotten a lot from it.
For the record, I had an original Handl SCAR25 lower that did not fit to the upper receiver. Exchanged it for a new in-spec model but have not tested or assembled it (still in its box). I was planning on getting a Stryker lower, but for reasons previously mentioned I wanted to get something ASAP since I can’t get to my home state very often. I have used products from both Handl and SE and like them all. Zero complaints.
Pictures will follow once I can get access to my camera and rifle again.
For the lower:
Ordered 9MAR2016 received 18MAR2016 along with 6 PMAGs.
The lower is FDE cerakoted and fit/finish are great. No tooling marks or anything like that. Came assembled with Geissele trigger and OEM parts.
Lower fits very tight to receiver; zero wiggle. It was slightly hard to attach at first. Now it’s easy and zero problems. Again, very tight fit. The lower fit perfectly with both the OEM/Vltor stock as well as a KDG stock. I’ve recently gone back to the Vltor/OEM stock over the KDG stock after reading about the KDG screws backing out. I have used the mk17 and never had an issue with the stock. Nobody I know did. I just liked the way the KDG looked, honestly.
Additionally, I installed a KDG MREX FDE rail. Perfect installation, love the ergonomics with that thing! As far as charging handle, I have an EACH and really like it. However for this range trip I was trying out an MH Machining folding charging handle. I love it; fit and finish are perfect, folding mechanism is perfect, and really slims down the profile of the rifle.
Initial function check was 100% good-to-go with lower installed.
I took my rifle to the range on 19MAR2016. Had 80 rounds of some REALLY old Musgrave and Remington Soft-Point .308. I also needed to zero my new Vortex Razor HD II 1-6x24 with ADM/Vortex cantilever QD mount. Not the greatest ammo but I just wanted to get a rough zero. I was shooting a few guns on this trip (Tavor to zero AimPoint, AK to check Magpul stock) and saved the SCAR for last.
Brought 1 x 20rd PMAG, 1 x 25rd PMAG, and 1 x IWI .308 mag that I bought a few of. They are the .308 version of the 5.56 IWI mag. I liked the concept so I wanted to check it out.
The unloaded mags all fit perfect with very positive feedback upon insertion into the magwell. HOWEVER, the IWI mag needs a slight slap to make sure it’s fully seated when loaded with a closed bolt. Magpul mags were perfect. Magazines all dropped free flawlessly.
HDD touts their “enhanced bolt catch”. I will attach pictures when I can. It is definitely slightly different than OEM. BHO was engaged on empty magazine. Bolt catch did not rise at all with 1rd in mag. Tested this on all mags. I plan to do a little more testing in the future. The bolt catch started to show a tad bit of finish wear on the top surface. I checked the OEM bolt catch from my OEM lower and it had similar marks. No marks on the bolt or carrier. For the record, I ordered an extra OEM bolt catch and am going to test to see how it works in the SCAR 10 lower and SR25/DPMS/AR10 mags next time I get home. The ONLY questionable thing about the entire assembly is when I pull the charging handle/BCG back very lightly on an empty mag, the charging handle/BCG needs an extra bit of force to clear the bolt catch and engage it. I assumed this meant the bolt catch was catching on the bottom of the bolt before being fully engaged but I could not figure it out, saw no marks, and am not sure if this is normal or not. Thoughts?
Range performance = flawless. Chugged along and shot 1” group after zero with Vortex Razor. BHO engaged on empty mag. Only issue was one dud round. Like I said…. This ammo was OLD.
If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer and will also get some pictures uploaded as soon as I can. I typed this up pretty quick so again if I missed anything or anybody has questions, post em’.
WRT optics, as mentioned I ended up going with a Vortex Razor HD II but am looking into getting a Trijicon VCOG... If anyone is interested in a virtually unused Vortex Razor HD II 1-6x24, with mount and flip up lens covers, PM me!
