The FN SCAR 17 Gen 2 has arrived, and it brings several updates to the rifle platform and Classic Firearms takes a look at one. Key changes include a more comfortable UGG boot stock and a new handguard that offers extra space for accessories while helping the barrel cool down. For the handful of left-handed shooters out there, the addition of fully ambidextrous controls means you no longer have to perform gymnastics just to release the magazine or catch the bolt.

Internal upgrades are also a highlight, featuring a hydraulic buffer system designed to stop the rifle from shaking itself—and your expensive optics—to pieces. This new system is backwards compatible, so owners of the original model can swap parts without needing to buy a whole new setup. The gas system is also more welcoming to suppressors now, which is a nice touch for anyone who prefers their range days a bit quieter without voiding their warranty.

On the range, they tested the rifle with various high-end optics and accessories, noting that it feels like a reinvented legacy. They even joked about its stealth capabilities—or lack thereof—given the audible cracking of knees during their tactical woodland intro. Whether used as a standard battle rifle or shortened into a more compact configuration, the Gen 2 aims to keep the SCAR relevant for another generation of enthusiasts.