Unscientific, raw video: rapid fire tests SCAR vs AR15 vs AUG

[iamkris]

So, Friday was my birthday and I snuck out of work for an extended lunch to go to the range. I really wanted to see if the SCAR was really more controllable than an AR as I've heard the internet commandos say. I haven't really been able to wring the SCAR out as right after I got it, I've been travelling internationally for work a lot. The one time I got to shoot it, it certainly didn't feel that much different than my AR. Also, I thought I'd pit it against my MSAR AUG-clone. It has always felt very handy and controllable.

As you can see, I'm no high-speed-low-drag operator...just a regular guy shooter. In fact, from the size of my jeans, you can see I'm fairly high drag. Also, for Michigan, it was HOT that day...90 deg and 90% humidity. I know that doesn't seem like much to you Southern boys but remember, we break out the shorts and t-shirts here when it gets above 45 degrees.

Well, take a look at the videos. I haven't edited them to get a back to back comparison. Also, my AUG started reverting to its old tricks of not locking back on an empty mag, so not a full test. The basic test was...start loaded round in chamber, 3 in mag, safety on. Fire 2 hammer pairs, reload, 2 hammer pairs. Here's what I learned:

• The AR felt easier to fire hammer pairs but I think that is driven mostly by the trigger...I've got a RRA 2 stage match trigger in it
• The SCAR didn't "feel" more controllable...in fact, just the opposite. Not sure if that is familiarity or just the big bolt carrier slamming back and forth
• While it didn't feel more controllable, the SCAR actually kept a much tighter group. I was very surprised by this so I repeatered the test several times...sure enough, my shots were much more tightly clustered. At this range (7 yards) I think that is nothing to do with accuracy. Probably more driven by the PWS comp on the SCAR and the piston system
• The unofficial time on my stopwatch is pretty equal between the SCAR and AR...but the SCAR seems slower
• You can see how slow the AUG is...a couple of seconds slower but I think that mostly has to do with the BHO acting up vesus the rifle. The groups for the AUG were almost as tight as SCAR...confirming that it is a handy controllable rifle
• Which do I like best? Don't know yet...I'm not selling my ARs anytime soon

SCAR video

AR video

AUG video

 

[Owen]

it looks like the SCAR has less climb than the AR. I'm not sure why that should be.

 

[Mags]

Thank for the vids.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Great vids.

The SCAR looks very light recoiling - I'll bet that the PWS brake has a lot to do with this.

 

[rangerruck]

ahmm... the scar looks very stable, but the trigger on the ar seems
very smooooove...

 

[ccjcc81]

Looks like the AUG has less muzzle rise.

 

[MinnMooney]

I know that doesn't seem like much to you Southern boys but remember, we break out the shorts and t-shirts here when it gets above 45 degrees.

I see you are from Michigan. I'm in north-central Minnesota and 90 deg/90% is spent in front of an A/C unit or in the fridge with the light on while reading a rifle mag.


I see little diff between the SCAR and AR-15 targets but you stated that the SCAR was much tighter so that's a + for the SCAR. You didn't show the target results for the AUG but it shot great, also, eh? Good test and fun to watch. Thanks for the testing.

 

[happygeek]

it looks like the SCAR has less climb than the AR. I'm not sure why that should be.

I'm guessing it's due to having the piston up front over the barrel. I haven't had the pleasure of handling or shooting a Mk16 or Mk17, but if they're anything like my Sig 556 that's what it is. The Sig 556 is noticeably heavier than a M4, especially up front. It'll make your supporting arm get tired a lot quicker while shooting standing up, but I also notice a lot less muzzle climb. It also has less recoil, due to the increased overall weight I'm sure.

By the way, I'm officially jealous of iamkris's collection.

 

[iamkris]

I'm guessing it's due to having the piston up front over the barrel.

That and the fact that the SCAR sports a PWS brake. I think it really held it together for shot to shot recovery.

Looks like the AUG has less muzzle rise.
...and...

. You didn't show the target results for the AUG but it shot great, also, eh?

Yes the AUG is really great for staying on target. I think it has to do with having such a short moment arm for the muzzle rise to work on. It was a nice tight little group.

I think I'll have Bill Springfield work his magic on my SCAR trigger and see if I can get it to have as smooth double taps as the AR.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Looks like it shoots like a Sig. I need to fire a MK16 to confirm but a lot of the piston guns kind of shoot similer to eachother. They keep the weight up front which is nice when shooting.