SCAR: The SOCOM Rifle That Became A Fortnite Icon - Loadout
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Since the early 2000s, the SCAR-L and SCAR-H Assault Rifles have become mainstays in our video games. But what are the differences between the two, how did they become such essential additions to our gaming arsenals, and do they deserve their place among other iconic assault rifles like the M16 and AK-47?
In this episode of Loadout, Dave Jewitt visits the Royal Armouries to talk to Keeper of Firearms & Artillery Jonathan Ferguson about the real world history of the SCAR-H and SCAR-L Assault Rifles, from their SOCOM origins to their surprising pop culture impact in video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite.
You can check out more episodes of Loadout right here. - • How Games Are Lying To...
You can check out our Firearms Expert Reacts series here. - • Firearms Expert Reacts...
If you're interested in seeing more of Jonathan's work, you can check out more from the Royal Armouries right here. - / royalarmouries
If you would like to support the Royal Armouries, you can make a charitable donation to the museum here. - royalarmouries...
This week's episode is a bit of a different style, but I hope you enjoy!
For some weapons, like those that are "newer", or where there is an interesting chat to be had around them, we are exploring a more conversational approach when it comes to talking about their history and their life in pop culture (and having a bit more fun where we can).
We may do deeper dives into them in the future, but I'd love to hear what you think about this style of talking about video game firearms, their real life stories and their history in games.
And of course, what weapons you'd like to see discussed in this format!
Thanks for watching
Honestly preferred this chat vibe more. Felt less serious and like you were having some fun. The surprise at the end was good too. Be good to do more stuff like this. Or maybe I was thinking you show Jonathan outrageously customised guns in games like in vanguard or tarkov and he has to guess what they are.
Love you Dave and Gamespot for making Jonathan a mainstay of your feature videos. I can tell you both are having fun! ❤️
maybe there's a better middle-ground between the two formats? this episode felt a bit unfocused, like the tangents about its niche, customization, and rarity could've been cut in half
I, for one, welcome this type of one-to-one chat over a more "dry" presentation
Your donation of that piece of armament to the Royal Armouries collection there was very thoughtful, Dave!
Jonathan shooting a Fortnite SCAR at the camera is something I didn't know I needed.
Our gift to you
I loved the few seconds when he is figuring out the magazine catch and operation at the end, something definitely new :D
"its Nerf or nothin"
When Jonathan shot the NERF Fortnite SCAR, that was a real epic gamer moment. : D
@@gamespot merry Christmas guys
I love how happy Jonathan was with the nerf gun, he didn’t criticize for realize just having a bit of fun
Giving J. A Nerf Gun was like giving a Puppy a doggy chew, he was both surprised and delighted.
I love the professional close-up shots of the nerf gun. That just gives me a good chuckle seeing it on the stand and well lit and everything, the commitment to the bit is admirable.
"7.2x100 caseless rounds" made me laugh 🤣
Jonathan said something about people overlooking "the fashion side of the industry."
I for one would like to hear a bit more about that, and how deadly serious purchasing and research decisions get driven by people following what the cool kids are doing.
Without being cynical, fashion seems like a very important part of the military recruitment. When your target audience is primarily young men, making stuff they think is cool is excellent to rope them in. Its why Michael Bay movies and COD work closely with the US Government.
The XM8 looks how it does because H&K were told to make the XM8 more like Battlestar Galatica.
@@TugaAvenger That’s based
Often with requisitions such as US military contracts, the actual functional requirements are so strict that the aesthetic is often the only way designers can differentiate themselves. If the choice then goes down to two designs that are functionally almost identical, it’s always the one that looks coolest that gets chosen..
@@TugaAvenger I thought it was Starship Troopers. Do you know where you heard BSG? I'd like to know which one's right
The SCAR is just a beefy, heavy hitter. And we all love it.
Yea
The H variant, indeed.. and our discussion here outlines one of the points Jonathan made about the preference for the H in video games!
I prefer the L variant, not because of the lighter recoil, but the magazines from my AR-15 also work on the SCAR-L. I don’t see the point having to dish out $40-$50 dollars for every SCAR-H magazine.
@@Luis-be9mi they’re a bargain compared to the HK mags for the MP5s and clones.
I always get a smile when we see Jonathan be happy with the weird stuff they show, Priceless!
It's also good to think of the SCAR-L and SCAR-H as two different weapons. The SCAR-L was an attempt to make FN's M4 so to speak, not anything special and everyone tried to make it, but the SCAR-H doesn't quite have a competitor like that, baring the very recent XM5/Spear attempt. We have AR10 based guns like the SR25/M110, and HK417/G28, but there aren't really any other ground up 7.62 rifles today, especially one that can be so compact (fold the stock for storage, transport/vehicle work)
When it comes to SCAR, I set my eyes on the "heavy".
Also, it's the only battle rifle that's as close to modern day standards as it can get.
Not to mention the SCAR-H isn’t heavy like that pig MR762. It also isn’t locked in a role like the SR25.
The SCAR is an iconic rifle that’s popular across most video games. The real life manufacturers must be proud of themselves. It’s such a good gun
yes, because they're proud because of it's depiction in video games instead of it being adopted by 23+ countries.
@@Entroxity I mean hey if it means civilians buy it in countries where it's available for purchase it's better than it just fading off into obscurity
I woupd buy one if i didnt have to sell a kideny for it
It's a miracle that it's even on shelves. With a price point of $3000+ per rifle, you can purchase 3 or more AR-15's at that price. It's overrated in my opinion.
@@chris.3711 3 ARs that probably wouldn’t make it through a single carbine course, no doubt. Compare it to actually good ARs and the price isn’t nearly as bad. The 17 especially.
The thought of Jonathan doing the paperwork for it is just hilarious.
Jonathan is the best balance of expert and banter
The SCAR-L is now also going through a redemption arc in COD as it's considered by many to be potentially the best assault rifle in MW2 (as the TAQ-56)
The names are too difficult for me
I'd just call em SCAR-L, SCAR-H and SCAR SSR
@@guts-141 i just call them by the socom designations: MK16, MK17 and MK20
@@guts-141 get ready to add a 12 to that list because fn is currently working on a shotgun version
Jonathan’s knowledge on video game logic is incredible. That’s what I love about him. He takes game design, controls, and balance into consideration when it comes to video game firearms.
Also, I always loved the SCAR-H. So big and punchy, always loved a good 7.62 rifle, so I love like the FAL and the G3 (G3SG1 or G3A3 comes into mind) as well.
The tan work boot is iconic, I wonder what exactly SOC was looking for in a rifle they weren't getting with the m4?
Better operation with a suppressor, the folding stock was a plus, less mean rounds between stoppages (more reliable), that type of thing. The end result was 'it isn't better enough to justify the acquisition'
Shameless shilling of someone else's channel, but the channel Modern Tactical Shooting (run by a former Green Beret named Jeff Gurwitch) has a great video detailing the selection and ultimate failure of acquisition of the MK16/SCAR-L
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz thanks for the info!
In the US, a lot of government projects or legislation will use backronyms, that is to say, words that are chosen because they are pithy and market well and then have words assigned retroactively to the letters to flush out the full "name" of the project and form the acronym. I'm not sure when this started exactly, but it certainly became much more common starting around the early to mid 1980s.
I fell in love with the design from day 1 when I saw it in Left4Dead 2, and somehow always preferred the SCAR-L 5.56
Was the go to when you start rainbow six vegas though you tend to switch from it when the mag size gets irritating.
Love you Dave and Gamespot for making Jonathan a mainstay of your feature videos. I can tell you both are having fun! ❤️
There's something so wholesome about seeing Jonathan having fun with a nerf gun
absolutely!
In real life the biggest problem the SCAR had was the price, something that the H variant in low numbers to spec-ops units compensates, that's why it wasn't hugely adopted and why the L went even worst, funny enough it wasn't even the best rifle in the trails, the XCR went better, but they didn't made a blank adaptor so they lost, also curiously the FNC (which is the SCAR "father") was a way cheaper, lighter and reliable gun.
The price wasn't an issue for SOCOM.
it also destroys optics that aren't rated for its use. will break a ROMEO 5 very fast.
One of my favourite appearances of the "SCAR" is in Crysis, where it's an XM8-esque rifle. I believe the SCAR trials had already concluded and the FN was chosen before the games development, but I enjoy the headcanon that Crytek had tried to predict what the SCAR would be and backed the wrong horse.
Yeah, by 2007 it seems like they should've known, as both Battlefield 2 and Rainbow Six Vegas featured the correct model, but I suppose game development takes time and they didn't want to remodel it or something, but the name was cool enough to keep as well?
I do love it when games take on experimental or hypothetical technology, and to look back on them to see how close they got. We had some good examples in the late 80s/early 90s - F29 Retaliator featured a plane named the F-22, modeled after the YF-23 prototype ... which wasn't the F-22 that won the ATF competition (Novalogic's F-22 Lightning games and EA's F-22 Interceptor got it though). Quite a few games speculated on what the secretive US Stealth Fighter would look like, with F-19 Stealth Fighter, Project Stealth Fighter among others being ... completely wrong. LHX Attack Chopper however modeled the V-22 Osprey just months after the prototype had made its maiden flight, and it ended up handling it pretty well (though the titular LHX program was cancelled, along with the Comanche that got its own franchise).
I fell in love with the SCAR-H thanks to Battlefield 4. I even have the bolt release sound of it as my ringtone on my phone. What an experience.
The only thing that'll make snipers sweat is a SCAR with Heavy Barrel and an ACOG!
Man I miss BF4
@@K113-A it's still got people playing to this day, good community servers around
@@LauraLovesHugs really? I might try reinstalling it
@@K113-A definitely if you're on PC, EU and NA servers are still full even to these days.
@@Slaking_ it's still alive in the PS5
This series is just a superb show from you guys, from the amazing professional shots, Dave and his amazing knowledge in pop culture, to the professionalism and expertise Jonathan provides in the videos. This is truly a masterpiece I honestly love, both of you have inspired my childish yet impressionable thirst for history and knowledge and now I have immerged myself into this sea of stories, warfare and engineering. I don't see myself visiting England without visiting the Royal Armoury's Museum
Dave doing insane work as always. Absolutely loved this one
Thank you! It's a bit of a new style for the show but I'm glad you like it!
I will add that at least for the United States the SCAR L was phased out in favor of issuing 5.56 conversion kits for the SCAR H to down-caliber the receiver in order to save storage space and inventory and just have one rifle that can switch between both
i actually love this new conversational style
The SCAR-H will always be my favorite over the SCAR-L. I just love how it’s heavy low fire rate and the 7.62x51 cartridge that the Scar-H has instead of L variant. It just feels like you’re actually shooting it in real life even if it’s in a video game. The MW2019 version was a great example even they kinda made it look weird because of licensing manufacturer.
Need more Magpul/Remington ACR coverage. The actual gucci version of a SCAR
The 'FN' in 'FN SCAR' stands for Fortnite btw.
Incorrect, the FN is an abbreviation of the manufacture “Fabrique Nationale” the company that makes the SCAR.
@@Luis-be9mi *woosh
The irony is that the FN SCAR is more known and used by gamers and by gun owners.
I love seeing them having genuine fun
Christmas came early for Jonathan
Does that make Dave….Santa?
@@gamespot Yes?
Glad Johnathan finally got the see the majesty of the Nerf Fortnite Sponsored Nerf Rifle.
If you would like to know more about the SCAR program reach out to MSG Jeff Gurwitch. He is a Special Forces Operator that participated in the SCAR program procurement. He also has a youtube channel called Modern Tactical Shooting where he talks about hi involvement in the program.
Try copying and pasting this to the pinned main thread at the top. Because it's too hard to notice it mix with regular comments.
I always found R6V SCAR H is on CQB barrel funny, mostly because it is battle rifle used on CQB
Love the SCAR 17S. I always find it very comfy to shoot for such a light 7.62x51 rifle. Honestly the only thing besides price I can day is a detriment is the 1:12 barrel. There are some heavier projectiles I'd really love to send down but they are better suited to 1:10. Other than that I suppose they could have shrunk the factory gas plug by about .3mm, understand from the reliability standpoint that more gas is helpful but for me it has never choked up with the reduced gas port setting
That and 7.62x51mm/.308 isn't the most consistent ammo on the market. Desert Tech ran into that trying to gas their rifles as perfectly as they could led to the guns basically not working with a lot of 308 loads including surplus and new production.
Side note, FN does make the Mk20, idk what the twist is off the top of my head but I would assume it's 1 in 10 to accommodate the 175 SMK bullets, and the barrel might be interchangeable with the standard SCAR-17. It does lack a front sight gas block though, so that's something to remember.
I wanted a SCAR for a while but decided against it due to the price for what you get. The cost of magazines, the reciprocating charging handle, and the fact that due to the barrel harmonics the scar destroys optics
Recoil impulse, but still. Funny enough some optics are specifically 'SCAR-H rated' so it's pretty bad.
The SCAR-H is pretty much the only thing of its kind so far though. I think Poland has a good contender for battle rifle, but I've only seen bits of it and it's not commercially available, along with the XM5/Spear rifle being all but unobtainable for now as well.. Every other .308 is either an AR10 based system or out of date.
My first experience with this gun was in the Ghost Recon GRAW games on PC. Great fun to be had on those missions.
I have had a truly awful day, but the grin on Jonathan's face as he plays with the NERF gun has gone a LOOONG way to making up for that. Thanks to Dave for bringing it to the shoot!
Probably one of my favourite episodes so far. SCAR has always been one of my top favourite weapons ever since I played Battlefield 2. It's a weird gun as I knew from the start that it was going to be that "slightly more powerful M4/M16" in games. I personally love the design and the custom grenade launcher designed for the gun is really cool.
Hands down the absolute best moment in this video is the very end. It's fun to see Jonathan with something so cartoony and silly.
The camera Health Bar going down was *perfect*, the cherry on top of a great episode. Loved it.
I remember being fascinated by this rifle. I saw it in Ghost Recon, I saw it in Left4Dead, and so many other games. I had a friend at one of the Ranger battalions and asked him how he liked it. He said he hated it since it was bulkier and had all sorts of random issues. Of course this was when it was still early into adoption, but it ruined the love for it. Still a cool looking rifle and for sure well suited for video games.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter was the first time I saw the SCAR. It all so had both the H & L as an option. In Insurgency: Sand Storm the SCAR is a great option for the points cost vs something like the ACE, G3 or the FAL which cost more points & have more weight.
Having a brown UGG boot as a stock definitely suits well the Fortnite aesthetic!
Based on that principle I bet if Fortnite had a green tuna gun (Beretta assault rifle) it would also be popular!
I love that the fortnite scar gets the full GameSpot treatment along with a lister calibre (7.2 x 100 careless which made me roll) and even the name listed on top, the Nerf AR-1
Wonderful episode. Love it. I've also wondered about how naming conventions get made.
I know i'm 3 weeks late, but the YT channel Modern Tactical Shooting (run by a former Green Beret named Jeff Gurwitch) has a video on the SCAR program from a SOCOM operator's perspective, and especially on why the SCAR-L/MK16 didn't get adopted.
Now I kinda want a "Firearms Expert Reacts to Nerf Guns"
Love these videos with Jonathan in them. It's done a lot of good in educating younger audiences on firearms and the culture of them, really appreciate you guys for putting these out there!
The first time I ever played with the SCAR was in Crossfire with the SCAR-L variant. It was a good all-around rifle and ideal beginner weapon to buy in the shop after a bit of grinding. It had a good medium to close range potential and ironically enough, it's slower rate of fire, that supposedly makes it worse than the M4A1 in video games, allows it to be controlled in full auto a lot easier as well as having a reduced bullet spread per shot. I very much prefer the silver metallic look of the SCAR-L in Crossfire over the tan color.
it annoys me that the SCAR is directly named in fortnight, but the AK and M4 are given generic names like burst AR
Perhaps it's because _SCAR_ already features _AR_ in the abbreviation
(its not in game for Battle royal anymore need to check) but it was never called the SCAR in game, i only ever heard it referred as such from players since it tells if you had a epic/legendary AR. In the PvE mode that existed before BR its called the Siegebreaker
When was it ever directly named SCAR in the game? Got a source for that?
The SCAR is such a cool gun.
And its the best battle rifle ever!
@@SQUIRKY10 the FN FAL has entered the conversation.
@@usernamunavailiable I'm sorry I wasn't talking about the "Fn Fal" so please let me enjoy my music?
I wonder how many viewing this knows/remembers what game that health bar overlay was from. These boys bring back the nostalgia!
Which one
It needed the breathy sound of 007 getting hit to make it complete.
Put Johnathan in the thumbnail for more views. The dude is a legend
One thing I remember from my childhood but have never seen is that this was advertised as being able to fire 7.62x39 as well. Since then nothing I've seen has ever brought this up.
In the RTS game Tom Clancy's EndWar the SCAR rifle is used by the "Ghost" infantry riflemen of the US Joint Strike Force (JSF) faction as their standard combat rifle.
Gen Z kid: "It's the SCAR!!"
Anyone older than 15: "From where?"
Gen Z kid: "From Fortni-"
*Loads SCAR-H with malicious intent*
Im Younger tham 15 and i kown that the SCAR is a real gun made by a real Gun industry. Did i was born in the wrong generation?
When you start with a cool, pronouncible acronym and then find the words to fit, it is called a «backronym»!
Actually, the color is not as much a fashion statement rather than actually a basic camouflage option. Actual black doesn't really appear in nature and especially moving black will attract your eyesight quite effectively (I suspect it is a defensive mechanism of spotting predators' shadow). Especially in this day and age where the camo patterns of the uniform are getting really effective so a black stick tends to stand out. Many spec-ops personnel then spraypaint their rifles to increase their camouflage effectiveness. I think FN cleverly caught the starting trend in the army and availability in technology (the resistive chemical coloring of aluminum) to go for both distinct and useful addition to the overall package. Also, the SCAR is quite the "paddle" - who held it will know what I'm talking about - especially compared to the AR15 so the black area would be even more distinctive.
I can also attest to it as an airsoft player just recently one of my enemies told me after the skirmish where I tried to flank him "I saw the flying black stick" - as I was running around - he didn't see the person, but the gun itself as the distinctive item, which draw his attention.
Man that fortnite scar looks so good to craft a Gears of War prop :o
Like dressing up a airsoft SCAR H into a Hammerburst. Or the L variant into a Lancer.
I just learn so much on these videos . Hopefully we see more like it.
Cheers to all the team
The little segment at the end with the surprise was excellent.
Speaking of pop culture weapons, the official Airosft Halo AR is a must with it being a now rare collectable.
What a great video, thanks Dave & Jonathan
Jonathan is a treasure.
I have a Scar 17, it's one of my favorite rifles I own. Haha, funny he mentioned the CZ Bren 2... I own one and actually like it more than the Scar.
The SCAR has been my favorite AR since i first played the original MW2!
Probably the coolest 21st century battle rifle so far.
Depend, is it SCAR-H or SCAR-L?
The M5 is pretty amazing
@@Madjo-qj2ge Scar H. I'd love to shoot an L in full auto though. Super controllable rifles.
Tavor might want a word!
@@AntonAdelson Tavor is an Assault rifle not Battle Rifle
I really like the Scar 16, got to shoot one a while back and I was surprised how light the recoil was.
The 17 more so. But recently picked up a 16 with the non reciprocating charging handle and it’s quickly becoming my favorite. I’ve SBRed it. Just waiting for the ATF to approve my SOCOM RC2 so I can get the gas dialed in.
I personally am a huge fan of this weapon system. I'd consider the MK17 my favorite rifle. I have even fired a MK17 once! Unfortunately, it's hard to talk about it without someone bringing up the "Is that the gun from Fortnite?" stuff, me being a long time fan of this platform. It's great to see the gun shed in this light. Great comprehensive video!
As you feature World War 3 in this video, it'd be cool to get Jonathan to react to weapons from that game on the 'Expert Reacts' series.
I wanna try that game so bad! But i hear it's kinda dead
Honestly, didn't know it was that rare, saw some guards with it in school and I'm in East Africa
I weep for the SCAR beeing known as the Fortnite gun.
Its such a nice rifle, it doesnt deserve such a fate.
my first dicovery for the SCAR was the one featured in MGS4 which was a MK17 with a shortened barrel for close quarters. it was a common sight as the main weapon of the PMCs
my main love of the SCAR came from COD MW2019. it was my go to gun until the AN-94 released
This was one of my favorite firearms as a teen, I blame video games back then for that lol. But I gotta say the XM8 was my all time favorite as a kid, it looked like a gun from a futuristic movie
I love how in most games it's a late unlock, meanwhile in BF4 it's one of the first ARs you actually unlock and it's one of the best.
The SCAR-H SV being the last DMR you unlock fits the mold at least
gotta love Jonathan man .
Personal I feel like scar is personal favorite It’s basically an improved version of the M4 rifle
There where some test to see which Assault rifle jammed the most, and the results where:
XM8 (Prototype Rifle): 206 Jams
FN SCAR-L: 216
HK-416: 238
FN FAL: 251
M4A1: 636
I always get the Scar and the ACR confused, though that hasn't really been a problem lately
Fairly similar shape overall, but even the stocks are easy to distinguish once you take a closer look at them xD
Maybe that’ll change since Franklin Armory purchased Bushmaster after the Remington bankruptcy. Hopefully we’ll get the Masada Magpul intended.
I love these videos please do more iconic firearm breakdowns like this! Maybe even like 3 at a time that jive together. Group by brand or style or something? Just an idea
If you're looking for one single physical object to add to the collection in order to represent video game guns, that indeed is the perfect choice.
Nah, I'd go with double barrel cut down shotgun from Doom2!
In gaming the weapon is iconic and easily recognizable. In the gun community, it's more infamous for what it is. The weapon is overrated. At $3000+ per rifle, it's just not worth the price point for what you get. You can purchase a good AR-15 plus gear for the price of a SCAR.
I figure they started out calling it 'special operations command assault rifle' and then figured 'hey if you take the O out it spells SCAR, which is awesome...' and then tweaked the acronym from there.
criminal that mgs4 isn't featured in this! found it odd that john has never reacted to mgs, and footage of it is never shown in loadout - is there some problem with capturing footage of it or something?
Yes, actually. MGS4 is only available on the PS3. The PS3 has HDCP protection that makes it very hard to record or use a screen capture device. There's ways to bypass it like using component cables or a splitter, however most TVs these days no longer have Component anyways. So yeah it is harder to record but not impossible. Best bet would be to try emulating the game as PS3 emulation has gotten pretty good.
That ending was adorable ☺
The SCAR is an excellent weapon in the field. Reality speaking. You can't beat firing 7.62×51mm down range.
The reason the SCAR is known for Fortnite (and vice versa) is because in the original Tower Defense version (Save The World), the SCAR was an elite tier weapon that had elemental damage (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind) that was required in the endgame to take down tougher enemies & bosses. When they started to focus on BR, they still had the 3D model, so they just switched it to a normal AR with varying stats. So, it mirrors how the SCAR program was meant for elite operators IRL, but gradually fell out of favor and/or just became common place as in the game.
Id love it if you guys talked about some odd guns from games. Like the ACR. I believe its based on what was once known as the magpul masada but id love to hear about that guns history
Whoever reads the comments for feedback tell them not to be afraid to talk about the more technical aspects of the gun. For example why the MK16 was chosen in the scar program and why the receiver is shaped the way it is
Two reasons why I have a SCAR 17S, and SCAR 16S…
1- Ghost Recon Advanced Warfare
2- Flexing on the p00r
The first game, that had SCAR on it, was Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter.
I love that they showed the diameter of the nerf darts.
I have wondered if nerf guns or similar would actually count as part of the museum's collective. Especially older ones
At 13:01 the graphic says that the nerf fortnite scar shoots 7.2x100 caseless ammunition when the nerf darts it shoots are actually 12.95x72.13
Pls do a video on the under-rated iconic HK-416!
The 416 is overrated.
the first time I saw the scar and remember it was Left for dead 2. My favorite gun from that game.
Favourite gun in Into the Radius
Ever since cod bo2 I've been in love with the scar. It's a very cool gun.
For me it was Ghost Recon Advanced Warfare… Remember going to the gun store after work and seeing one for the first time, and it’s then $2800 price tag. Thinking I’ll never be able to afford that. Fast forward 10 years in the printing industry, and now I own a 16 and 17. Both suppressed.
Johnathan is a gentleman and a scholar
You forgot the most important feature. UGG boot stock.
If Jonathan/Royal Armories needs a recommendation for representing video game weapons, Nerf does also make the Halo Assault Rifle. Specifically the MA40 variant featured in Halo Infinite.