Opinions on AUG, XCR SCAR and 556 needed

[Kino74]

With my AK and AR15 collection coming along nicely, I'm looking to add two more rifles to the collection. Rifles such as the Bushmaster ACR, FN SCAR, XCR, Microtech AUG and 556 are all being considered at this time.

Although just from reading the specs, I favor the ACR and most certainly will get one barring another ban. Money available would be enough to get another rifle so that leaves the AUG, SCAR , XCR and 556.

I have handled the AUG but that is all the experience I have with that rifle.
I have no experience with of the above rifles whatsoever other than internet lore.

What do you recommend?

 

[retgarr]

all of 'em. No, for me if I already had AR15's an ACR, I'd want to go for something a little less conventional. SO I'd get the AUG, just because it's different. Diversity is good.

 

[Kino74]

The AUG is definitely unique. The rifle I handled felt very easy to manuever although I was not the biggest fan of the optic it had on it. I wish I could have shot it though.

 

[spaceCADETzoom]

In your situation, I'd say AUG. If for nothing else, it's a novelty. That's how I feel ab out my FS2000. I'm not that big a fan of the gun. Terrible trigger, crumy ergonomics, shots louder and inexplicably harder than .223 should. But it is unique...has its own place in my collection.

I have the 556. I really like it...handles great, shoots in a fun enough manner. Confident in its reliability. I initially thought it was a bargain in comparison to all of the other semi auto .223 rifles coming out. But that's all relative....$1300 is still steep! I'm okay with it because it's already been paid for (i never regret purchases after the cash is already gone).

You also can't go wrong by stockpiling AR15 lowers

I agree on ACR being a first buy though.

 

[Kino74]

I c, how is your Sigg556? Can another buttstock be put on their like a PRS? I owned SIG pistols and was impressed by the craftsmanship on on them, hows the SIG 556 in that regard?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I've shot the Steyr AUG (full-auto even) but not the Microtech version. The AUG is a remarkably handy little weapon; but a little hard to get accustomed to ergonomically if you have built up a lot of familiarity with ARs.

One plus about the XCR, ACR, and SCAR is that they essentially use the same control layout as the AR with minor variations (and most of those minor variations are an improvement - like the charging handle).

 

[El Tejon]

What do you intend to do with the weapon?

If you want to collect and hold it for "investment", get the AUG clone. It will be on Obama's list in '09 and not many will be made.

If you want to shoot it and use it, it is my opinion that Magpul has reinvented the wheel and the Masada is an actual step forward. I got to handle the Masada at the NRA Meeting in Louisville and believe that you can believe the hype (if the gun runs).

The 556 is a solid weapon but I do not believe it was designed by shooters. The weapon is front heavy (even without all the Tommy Tactical crap people stack on them) affecting the flow of the weapon and hurts to shoot (especially that awful grip, it pinches worse than an AR and would be the first thing on the weapon I would trash can).

The Title I .223 SCAR that is coming is goofy. The 20" barrel throws off the balance and makes it a little less "utile" than a 16". The lack of AR compatibility would concern me as we do not know if FN will leave us high and dry.

I like the .308 SCAR but FN at Louisville said that a Title I .308 is "down the road" and Obama will surely close the door by then.

The Magpul rep at Bushmaster's display said 4th quarter of '08. Wait and see.

*The above reflects the opinions of El Tejon and ET alone. As always, the subjective is objective.

 

[Coronach]

So now it's 4th quarter, not second? Dammit. Nothing going down to the wire.

Mike

 

[El Tejon]

4th quarter 2008. This is what I was told by the Magpul rep at the Bushmaster display on May 17, 2008 Saturday afternoon when Fritz and I were walking the Expo Hall.

If they are smart they will release it earlier and amaze the gun culture.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Actually, someone else from the NRA show just commented in another thread (El T's NRA Thread) that they were told January 2009 and $1800-2000 by the Bushmaster rep.

I sure hope that isn't the case; though if Obama is waiting in the wings then with a Democratic majority they will probably be able to sell all they can make at $2k.

 

[Darthbauer]

I c, how is your Sigg556? Can another buttstock be put on their like a PRS? I owned SIG pistols and was impressed by the craftsmanship on on them, hows the SIG 556 in that regard?

Yes you can put the PRS and other AR stocks on it. It shoots great and has a very smooth trigger. There is alot of slop between the upper and the lower but it doesnt effect the way it shoots. Most think its alittle heavy up front but most of that weight is in the bolt so its pretty balanced when the bolt is back unless you have a heavy stock on it like the PRS. The stock hand guards are alittle weird but easily replaced with a Surefire dedicated weapon light forend. Oh yeah and the stock iron sights are crap.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

My opinions:

1. XCR => HIGHLY favorable!

2. ACR/Masada => Unknown

3. Microtech AUG => Unknown

4. SCAR => Unknown

5. 556 => Slightly unfavorable (not good ergos for *me* and overpriced for what you get).

I'll throw in a couple more:

6. FS2000 => Marginally favorable

7. Standard AR => Generally favorable with research into choice

8. Gas piston AR => Generally favorable with research into choice

I'm getting an XCR within 6 months of the inevitable new D party administration in Nov.

 

[GRIZ22]

I used an AUG for 6-7 years in the late 80s and early 90s. Initially I thought it was a great rifle but over time I found several problems with it.

1. Tendency to slam fire with non mil spec primers. I'm not talking reloads but commercial factory ammo.

2. Insert magazine in well and tap the bottom with your palm as you do with everything else to ensure it's seated and the 2-3 rounds pop out of the magazine requiring you to clear the weapon and start all over again.

3. The augs we originally got had the trigger where you squeeze for semi and kind of jerk the trigger for auto. Problem is if you happen on a target at close range and jerk that trigger...you get auto.

4. The soulution to #3 was fitting a safety that would had three positions. Push to the first click and it's semi, push to the second for auto. If you're on safe and acquire a target at close range you'll push that safety all the way to auto position.

5. The AUG never worked well after a few hundred rounds (can't always clean a weapon duting a firefight). The AR is light years ahead of the AUG in this respect.


Never handled the others you ask about. Still happy with the AR.

 

[tacweapon]

I have the XCR and love it. I have only had a few minor issues with it and they have been quickly resolved by RA there customer service is great and the weapon is just as good.

I think the only thing that the ACR has over the XCR is that is supposdly can use the AK mags.

If you want some more info on the XCR go to the XCR Forum

Here is a pic of me and my XCR

 

[Eightball]

At the NRA convention, I was told Q1 09 for the ACR by a bushmaster rep, so i'd take it out of the running. The AUG is the most "different" from your AR collection, and would be worth looking into, IMO--nice weapon that will be limited availability before swearing in of the POTUS....and look at the prices of the old ones at this point, they're $$$.

 

[ny32182]

The original release date on the ACR was Q2 '08, right? So it is getting delayed. No telling at this point how long that will be.

The 556, eh, I don't know. I shot one... its reliable, has a nice trigger, but that weight is something else, and it is, after all, a Sig 55X series, which has been on the market for decades. Nothing new, technology-wise. When I look for a next generation rifle that does things that ARs and AKs can't do, The 556 doesn't really qualify for that. It may be a fine investment at this point, but if you are looking for a SCAR-spec rifle, you are looking for something else. There is one SCAR spec rifle on the market today, and that is the XCR. Given the way in which production delays go, combined with the changing political climate, the XCR might be the only true SCAR spec rifle you *ever* have the chance to own. Buy one now. Just do it. If the FN SCAR and/or ACR ever make it to market, it will be months down the line, and you can buy one of those too if/when it happens.

 

[LaEscopeta]

Not to hijack the thread, but since a few people with AUG experience posted…
What is proper trigger discipline with the unconventional trigger guard on the AUG? Index finger on the side of the receiver like a conventional firearm, or do you have to do something different to keep your middle finger off the trigger?

 

[GRIZ22]

What is proper trigger discipline with the unconventional trigger guard on the AUG? Index finger on the side of the receiver like a conventional firearm, or do you have to do something different to keep your middle finger off the trigger?

Alongside the frame, your middle finger sits below the trigger without any problem.

 

[sinistr]

never handled the aug clone,but a steyr aug does not stack up to an fs2k.the fn's trigger also gets considerably better with more rounds through it(at least mine did)

 

[Kino74]

I hope for a McCain presidency and pray that if even the dems get into office with a filibuster proof Senate that hopefully those dems are at least pro second amendment.

I hope to get a ACR as it is my number one choice but we'll see come next year. I hated living through the first AWB and I feel the next one if there is a next one will not just hurt the assault weapons owners but cause a further rift amongst gun owners reminiscent of the 1986 ban but on a much larger scale.

Looks like I can't go wrong or too badly at least with the current choices so this will be a tough decision that would not surprise me that the first one I get is the one available. Course having all of them sure would be nice

 

[LoadedDrum]

I am a big fan of the XCR but since you are set on the ACR I would say the AUG to have something different or a 556 since a US company is going to be making conversion parts to make it more like a 551.

 

[George Hill]

I am full on digging my SIG 556. I love it. The other options? All good... there is no bad choice between these.
1. XCR => My personal least favorite.
2. ACR/Masada => When it comes out, will it offer anything better than the others to warrent the hype? I doubt it.
3. Microtech AUG => An improved AUG, if you like the AUG platform... this is the way to go.
4. SCAR => Fantastic rifle, this is why the SOCOM adopted it... but when it actually comes out, how much it is going to actually cost, and if demand doesn't outstrip availability... should be a winner.
5. 556 => Fantastic weapon, does everything right. Bad ergos? The mag ejection button is a bit further away, but I can hit it with my middle finger instead of my trigger finger. Is this a problem? No, it's a SIG. SIG moves things around, like the slide release and decocker on their pistols. You have to get used to the difference.
6. FS2000 => Too funky, I question reliability with that forward ejection and weird dust cover over the ejection port. I don't like the mag well's rubber things inside to hold the mag. I don't like the ergos... I'm not an Anime Tentical Monster, so it doesn't really fit me. Cool, yeah, but too alien for me.
7. Standard AR => Crap. Fits well, lots of after market, familiar, but crap.
8. Gas piston AR => Still has the AR's star shaped chamber which I hate, but fixes almost everything else wrong with the AR. This is a step in the right direction, but if you want a gun like this... why not get something different that fixes all the AR's issues?
9. HK SL8-6. Great rifle... G-36 genetics. Retarded Unich Mags, no options for a hi-cap unless you modify your expensive rifle with an expensive kit so you can use cheap AR mags. This is like modding your Mercedes to fit a Ford engine under the hood. HK needs to pull their heads out, mag the SL8s use G-36 mags, and import a ton of those mags. Free retrofit to G36 style.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

How come you don't like the XCR?

 

[lvcat2004]

I had a chance to handle the LEO/military SCAR at 2008 SHOT show and it was amazing. I would say that was my favorite rifle at the SHOW. They told me 2009 1st Qtr., about $1400 ish, according to FN reps there.

 

[Quiet]

If you want to get one before the next president goes into office, get the Robinson Arms XCR.

If you can wait, get the FN SCAR.