FN SCAR 15P: Here Comes the Long-Awaited, CQB Pistol Platform SCAR

A little brother has joined the SCAR family ranks—the SCAR 15P. SCAR devotees will be thrilled that their go-to rifle platform has finally joined the rifle caliber non-traditional form pistol ranks. 

The SCAR can be viewed as an amalgamation of improvements made in rifle design since the field became predominated by the AK and AR designs. FN America (FN) chose to go with a more complete approach with the SCAR versus just taking an AR platform and making it piston driven.  SCAR stands for Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). FN originally designed the SCAR in response to a United States Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) request for a weapon to supersede the M16/M4 platform.

“The release of the FN SCAR-SC in 2018 created excitement amongst SCAR enthusiasts who hoped that we would, one day, offer this configuration as a semi-automatic pistol to the U.S. firearms market,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “With the FN SCAR 15P release, I am pleased to be able to deliver exactly what our consumers asked for – a pistol variant of the FN SCAR-SC – backed by the legendary reliability, durability and adaptability of the FN SCAR series.”

FN SCAR 15P

The FN SCAR 15P weighs in at 5.6 pounds and measures 19.75 inches overall. The SCAR 15P’s cold hammer-forged, 7.5-inch barrel sports a chrome lining. It comes equipped with a three-prong flash hider using ½”x28 threads. The SCAR 15P utilizes a true 5.56MM chamber, enabling it to fire both 5.56MM and .223 Remington loads.

The SCAR 15P breaks down into three major components: upper receiver assembly, moving parts assembly (bolt, bolt carrier, short-stroke piston), and trigger module (lower receiver). Remember no buttstock with the pistol SCAR 15P. FN provides vertical Picatinny rail with sling QD cup at the rear of the receiver. This allows user to choose a brace of their choice or go through the BATF Form 1 process to create a short barrel rifle. 

The new SCAR 15P, along with its larger brothers, now operate with non-reciprocating charging handles (NRCH) which can be moved to either side of the forend or with charging handles on each side of the forend if a user desires.  This has been well received by SCAR enthusiasts. With the limited real estate found on the front end of the SCAR 15P the NRCH is damn near a necessity keeping offhand fingers and thumb safe. 

We All Dig SCARs

So glad NDA agreement date in now over, so I can talk about the SCAR 15P. Multiple days at the range with theSCAR 15P leaves no doubt it has inherited the SCAR lineage of uber reliability. The SCAR 15P is more potent and offers longer effective range than a traditional pistol if trained to use effectively and appreciate its nuances.

Range time with the FN SCAR 15P was at Echo Valley Training Center. An EO TECH EXPS2-2 was mounted on the SCAR 15P’s upper receiver’s Picatinny rail. The non-eye relief dependent EO Tech proved ideal for use on the SCAR 15P pistol. Square range drills consisted of firing behind barricades, barrels, and other obstacles. An onsite Hesco Shoot House also provided excellent scenarios to put the SCAR 15P through its paces. The compact size of the SCAR 15P showed its advantage when working around and inside range vehicles. When possible, parts of the vehicle were used as support to steady the SCAR 15P during firing. The NRCH was appreciated during this phase of testing. Similar bracing methods were used when around barricades, door frame, or other structures. 

Rounds Downrange

In an effort to determine utility of the SCAR 15P, a plate rack featuring multiple 6-inch round targets were engaged at 25 and 35 yards, combined with a steel ¼-scale silhouette target at 50 yards. This was to establish typical field accuracy with the SCAR 15P pistol compared to prior experiences and expectations with a more traditional handgun form. The sling method of bracing proved its worth during these types of drills. 

A weapon like the SCAR 15P pistol owns advantages in terms of handling, ease of concealability and increased portability. It proves hard to resist when compared to a standard-length rifle in these areas.

“The SCAR is renowned for its uncompromising reliability, durability and accuracy – the hallmark of FN’s quality. We are proud to say that the FN SCAR 15P meets those measures handily and delivers a shooting experience worthy of the name,” said Benjamin Voss, Senior Product Manager for FN America’s Long Guns. “This long-anticipated release carries the DNA of SCAR throughout from its short-stroke gas piston operating system, NRCH capabilities, cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrel, and so much more. We’re happy to deliver the FN SCAR 15P to our consumers who have eagerly anticipated this release.”

The SCAR 15P retails for $3,699. For even more info, please visit fnamerica.com.

FN SCAR 15P Specs & Features

• Caliber: 5.56mm
• Barrel: 7.5-inch, 1:7RH twist
• Overall Length: 19.75 inches
• Overal Weight: 5.65 pounds
• Sights: Flattop Picatinny rail
• Action: Semi-automatic, short stroke piston
• Overall Capacity: 30 round
• MSRP $3,699

SCAR 15 P Performance