FNH USA will release its SCAR 17S for civilian purchase in 2010, and announced several other updates to a rifle platform that became available to law enforcement agencies earlier this year.

The SCAR 17S is a tactical alternative to AR-type rifles and accepts 7.62 x 51mm NATO, as well as 308 Winchester, rounds. The weapon is slightly heavier than the SCAR 16S, which is the semi-auto version of the U.S. Special Operations Command's (SOCOM) newest service rifle. The rifle is available in matte black with the same features as the flat dark-earth model and can be purchased with 10- or 30-round magazines.

Both SCARs have fully ambidextrous operating controls, a free floating, hammer-forged, military spec barrel with hard-chromed bore; a receiver-integrated MIL-STD 1913 optical rail; and three accessory rails for mounting scopes, electronic sights, lights and lasers.

The side-folding polymer stock is fully adjustable for comb height and has six settings for length of pull. The SCAR also features a reciprocating charging handle for speedier ammo and magazine failure response.

The firearms manufacturer also announced the availability of the FNAR with a 16-inch, hammer-forged, Military Spec, fluted barrel with a hard-chromed bore and target-crown barrel. This semi-automatic rifle has an ambidextrous magazine-release button that drops the detachable 20-, 10- or 5-round steel-box magazine (DBM).

A one-piece receiver mounted MIL-STD 1913 optical rail comes standard for unlimited optics choices and also features three rails on the stock's fore-end for mounting tactical lights or lasers.