Looking for FNAR opinions.

[chuckd1277]

I was at my favorite local gun store today and they had a FN AR on the wall. I have read a few things about them, both good and bad. Just looking to get some input from anyone that has had their hands on one. It seems like a nice rifle and it almost followed me home today but I want to do a little more research.

Thanks for any help.

 

[lipadj46]

I think they are good very accurate (especially the heavy barrel model) rifles. They are based on the proven BAR hunting rifle action so they are reliable though not simple to disassemble like say an M14. They have a built in scope rail which is a plus but no iron sights which personally I don't like but hey my father's Ruger hunting rifle did not come with iron sights either. They take a proprietary magazine that will set you back at least $50 a pop and are hard to find at the moment. Personally I would take an M14 any day but the FNAR is a good choice if you like it. Check gunbroker for prices I have seen them go for $1250-$1300 the past few weeks so don't over pay.

 

[chuckd1277]

I want to get a M14/M1 as well but they seem to be hard to come by right now. I figured I might pick up the FN now and look into a Smith Enterprises M1 in a few months. Not 100% sure how long those take to get. I have not had a chance to talk to my guy at the gun shop about that.

 

[exgun]

Got a FN AR

I have got a FN AR and I like it very much. After the purchase, I found out that FNH was giving a really nice shooting mat for the purchase. It really rounds out the package. A Barska mil-dot illuminated scope enhances a great product.

Exgunn

 

[chuckd1277]

Thanks exgun, I just saw the shooting mat deal on the website. The other thing that I have to consider is what to get for glass ($$) since there are no iron sights.

 

[Bill2e]

I have handled on in the store. I like the rifle & find it interesting, however I do not think it is something I would purchase.

It appears to be a very clean cut semi-auto .308. For me the propietary mag is an issue. I would like it better if they used a more common magazine.

Being that it is really just a cross between an AR-10 & bolt action rifle I would rather just get the AR-10 or an M1A which I find more interesting. Again that my opinion for what ever that is worth.

Good Luck with what ever you decide.

 

[Bill_Rights]

Chuck,

I love my FNAR - sweet shooting rifle, great control of recoil. I think what FN has done to and built on the old Browning piston Short-Trac action makes it potentially the highest rate aimed-firepower .308 out there - still learning mine, however. I am starting with Millett DMS-1 1-4 x 24 glass with lit dot-in-donut reticle. I think its the cheapo version of the Barska exgun mentioned. Though I am experimenting with a closer target/rapid acquisition setup, the rifle itself will gladly support high precision glass. I don't think you can go too far wrong. BTW, Lipadj46 is correct that $1300 is a good low price, but if you can walk out of a store with one for $1500 you've done just as good. The cheaper prices tend to be for ones backordered or transferred through FFL from out of state.

 

[Gewehr98]

It's not a cross between an AR-10 and bolt action.

It's a gussied-up Browning BAR sporting rifle, with new magwell and black synthetic furniture taken from the FN tactical shotgun. The action's the same as it's been since the late 1960s.

As an owner of a nice 1969-vintage Belgian BAR, I can attest that it'll be smooth cycling and fun to shoot. With the plastic tacticool furniture, you won't be afraid to knock it around some, either.

 

[kirkcdl]

Some owners have reported problems with parts breakage while performing factory suggested breakdown/cleaning...

http://fnforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=13373

 

[lipadj46]

Some owners have reported problems with parts breakage while performing factory suggested breakdown/cleaning...

Sounds like minor problems and are just growing pains for a new unproven platform. I would give it a few months for the kinks to be worked out. This is true for any new platform.

 

[jackdanson]

I want to get a M14/M1 as well but they seem to be hard to come by right now.

I have a FNAR and it is nice, but an m1 it is not. The FNAR is a long range semi-auto precision rifle, not a battle rifle.

That being said if you want a semi-auto "sniper" or "DM" rifle I can't think of a better option. The rifle is more accurate than I will ever be. I've also never had a malfunction of any sort. (Although that's only about 250 rounds so far) It is definetly a "tacticooled" BAR, which IMHO, is a good thing.

The other negative is that right now extra mags are hard to come by.

 

[chuckd1277]

I have a FNAR and it is nice, but an m1 it is not. The FNAR is a long range semi-auto precision rifle, not a battle rifle.

I had the same feeling reading about it, especialy since it has no iron sights. I think ultimately I am still going to get a M1 but I am liking this rifle the more I read and hear about it. You can never have too many.

 

[Gewehr98]

I just wish McMillan would offer the A2 stock for it again...

Like they did for the FNAR's predecessor, the Arms Tech Interdiction Rifle:

 

[Bill_Rights]

Chuck,

not a battle rifle.

I had the same feeling reading about it, especialy since it has no iron sights.

Not battle rifle: Correct. Though FN makes many full military firearms, the FNAR is from its (also large) specialty genre of police/SWAT/security-guard guns. The FNAR is probably tougher and more forgiving than most hunting or target rifles, but not meant for dragging through the dust of battle - at least not proven so yet.

Iron/open sights: A number of us have been discussing that, and you could start reading a thread at this posting, but the full thread starts here. Not sure we're at a final solution yet, but I think we'll get there.