WE V2 FN SCAR GBBR review by Booligan
Discuss this review HERE
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
WE introduced their first iteration of the GBB FN SCAR a few years ago, using their "AWSS" blowback system, which required a large brass tube in the chamber, which is a bit of a cosmetic turn-off. Recently, they introduced their official Version 2 of the gun, dubbed the "Open Bolt" model, which is technically a misnomer, as the gun still fires from a closed bolt, but has an open chamber, free from the ugly brass tube. This model has been manufactured up to an exacting enough standard to gain official licensing through FN Herstal, the real manufacturer of the SCAR. This model is being imported to the US through Spartan Imports, and today, we'll be reviewing it here on Airsoft Retreat!
Ordering:
I was sent this gas blowback rifle directly through Spartan Imports, the current importer of the licensed version of this gun. It is for sale at retailers such as Airsoft Extreme, available HERE for the black model, and HERE for the tan model being reviewed today, priced at $345.
Basic Gun Information:
As mentioned before, this WE SCAR is a gas blowback rifle that uses an open chamber feeding and firing system that is different than the AWSS system used in their early model. The main differences are in the bolt assembly, barrel, hop-up, and magazine, so those parts are not backwards compatible with the older V1 SCAR. Like the real FN SCAR, the WE SCAR has a metal upper receiver combined with a polymer lower receiver and folding stock assembly. It has the six position retractable stock, with an adjustable cheek rest for full customizability for use with different shooters. The gun comes with the CQB length barrel, however a full length outer and inner barrel kit is available through Spartan. The gun is optimized for use with CO2, however a propane/green gas magazine comes with the gun. Spartan also has a CO2 magazine available, and I'll be including both it and the extended barrel kit in this review!
First impressions/Packaging:
The WE SCAR comes packaged in a cardboard box with a sticker complete with a picture of the gun held within, as well as some information about the gun itself. The gun as well as the included accessories are zip tied into the lower half of the box to keep them from moving around during shipping. My first impression on seeing the gun was how good the trademarks looked, without any extra warning labels that might show up on a licensed replica.
From this point on, click on the thumbnails to view full size photos
Box art
Included:
Along with the gun itself, you'll find a single propane/green gas magazine, a loader, and a manual. With my kit, Spartan included the aforementioned extended barrel kit and CO2 magazine so I could include them in my testing and review.
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Length: 27.5" – 29.75"
Width: 2.25"
Height: 10.25"
Sight Radius: 15.5"
LOP: 12-14.25"
Externals:
As mentioned previously, the WE FN SCAR is a full metal replica, as it has the same metal content as the real gun. The upper receiver is made of anodized aluminum, and the polymer lower has a matte finish that compliments the semi metallic finish on the upper. The overall appearance of the gun is quite similar to the real one, aside from some differences in the official markings.
Overview, left side
Overview, right side
One of the most distinguishing features of the FN SCAR is the folding stock. It features a great deal of adjustability, as it can be extended to six positions, as well as a cheek rest that raises to two positions. When folded, it locks onto the shell deflecter located onto the right side of the receiver.
Stock
Stock adjustment button
Stock extended
Cheek rest
Cheek rest raised to highest position
Stock folded and locked onto right side
Moving forward, you'll encounter the polymer lower receiver, which houses all of the fire controls, the vast majority of which are ambidextrous. The selector switches, which are located on both sides of the receiver have a 90 degree sweep, with positive selections for safe, semi auto, and full auto. In front of the selector switch, you'll find the magazine release, which can be triggered from either side of the receiver. Above the magazine release on the left side, you can find the bolt catch that is used to release the bolt once it's locked back. Do not pull the bolt back while the selector is on safe, as you could damage the hammer mechanism.
Lower receiver
Selector switch
Magazine release and bolt catch
Right sided controls
The pistol grip is a standard M4 style grip with checkering on the sides to keep a good grip on the gun while firing. It is replaceable if you want a different grip, you just need to purchase a real steel AR grip of your choosing.
Pistol grip
Pistol grip attachment screw
The upper receiver serves as the backbone of the gun, and contains the entire blowback firing mechanism, outer and inner barrels, and serves as a place for the outer rails to mount to. It is made of a single piece of machined aluminum that is anodized in a gold/bronze color. At the top of the receiver, you'll find the cocking handle that can be switched from side to side without any tools, allowing for ambidextrous operation.
Upper receiver
Cocking handle
Faux bolt carrier
Open chamber
Moving forward on the upper receiver, you'll hit the 20mm accessory rails, which are located on both sides as well as the bottom. The rails are all made of metal, and are well manufactured to spec to allow for easy mounting of your accessories. You may want to add covers to the side rails, as they are quite sharp.
Front rails
In front of the railed front end, you'll find the faux gas block, which houses a small tool for disassembling the outer barrel assembly. The outer barrel is rock solid and is terminated in a 14mm- threaded muzzle.
Gas block
Tool hidden in the gas block
Aiming this replica is accomplished using the included flip up iron sights. They are made of metal and are both adjustable for windage and elevation, or can be removed entirely if you so desire. The top rail is 20mm, and is easily able to mount your choice of optics.
Rear sight
Front sight
Top rail
Optic mounted
Trademarks:
WE applied some very nice, licensed, laser engraved trademarks through FN Herstal. The trademarks are located on the left side of the upper receiver, and include 6mm caliber markings, the FN logo, and a unique serial number.
FN logo
Trademarks
Magazines:
The included magazine holds 30 rounds as well as the gas used to fire the gun. The CO2 magazine has the same capacity, but holds a CO2 cartridge instead of having a gas fill port and tank. The body of the magazine is metal, as is the inner structure, giving it a surprising bit of heft. On the tan gun model, the magazine is painted tan as well, giving everything a nice consistent look. On the top of the magazine, you'll find a small switch to enable or disable the bolt lock on empty.
Magazine
Feeding end
Switch to disable or enable bolt lock
Base of propane/GG magazine
Base of CO2 magazine
CO2 screw cap
Performance:
Chrono results using Airsplat .20g BBs and Propane, shot through a Madbull V1 chrono, after a 500 round break in period:
High FPS: 401.2 FPS
Low FPS: 384.5 FPS
Average FPS: 390.2 FPS
Chrono results using the CO2 magazine were slightly higher, coming in at an average of 406 FPS, with slightly better consistency. I'm able to get about 2 magazine loads of BBs out of a single gas or CO2 load with conservative firing practices. With a full magazine dump or extended full auto bursts, you'll probably only get a single BB load out of each gas fill, and your FPS consistency will suffer.
Rate of fire seems much better than my old V1 AWSS SCAR, with a smoother and snappier blowback action. The recoil seems faster, most likely due to the better optimized blowback system. I'm getting about 17-18 RPS in relatively warm weather conditions on propane.
Accuracy and range are pretty much standard for a GBBR, with torso shots being achievable at 150-165' without issue on the standard length inner barrel. The hop-up is a standard flat nub, so side to side deviation is the big concern at long range. The nub appears to be standard unit, albeit slightly larger, so you could jury rig an H design nub with a little bit of handiwork.
Internals:
Mechanically, the SCAR uses a reciprocating bolt assembly that is activated using a fairly standard blowback assembly. It has nice features like a ball bearing equipped hammer for smooth and consistent operation. Disassembly is a piece of cake, only requiring you to remove the front pin and slide off the lower receiver. This allows you to slide the stock assembly down and off the gun, followed by the removal of the recoil rod and spring assembly. At this point, you can pull the bolt back to the point where you can remove the cocking handle. This is how you switch it from side to side. If you remove it completely, you can slide the bolt out the rear of the receiver for lubrication and maintenance. Additional disassembly requires the included tool hidden in the gas block, instructions of which are found in the manual.
Hammer assembly
Ball bearing equipped hammer
Bolt and recoil rod assembly
Air nozzle
Recoil buffer
Hop-up assembly
Modifications:
For my purposes, I installed the long barrel kit that Spartan included for a more "long range" look. The included longer inner barrel did give me a FPS bump, up to 421 on average with the green gas/propane magazine, and my usable range bumped up another 10' on average.
Long barrel kit
Barrel installed
Pros:
Full metal and sturdy construction
Fully licensed and legal laser engraved trademarks
High quality polymer used in the lower receiver and furniture
Comes with plenty of rails for mounting accessories
Skirmishable performance out of the box
Comes in tan or black
Cons:
Gas Blowback Rifles do lack a bit of consistency for general skirmish use
Fairly expensive to build a skirmish rig - $345 for base gun plus $40-$48 for spare mags
Low magazine capacity – 30 rounds
Overall:
Honestly, gas blowback rifles are great as conversation pieces, or for skirmish use if you have somewhat deep pockets. They're a blast to shoot, offer nice recoil when shooting, but the low magazine capacity and expensive spare mags make them difficult to build up for serious game use. They do offer a unique airsoft experience, and if you're interested in separating yourself from the rest of the AEG toting players out there, then the WE FN SCAR is a great option!
Many thanks again to Spartan Imports, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!
