FS2000 vs AR, any thoughts?

[Snowgun]

I was looking at the CDNN catalog and they have these FS2000 for around $1400. Now these look awesome, and according to reviews they are fun to shoot, ect.

I am looking to get my first battle rifle. I want something that I can maybe use for 3 gun someday, and something I can go coyote hunting with as well. I've looked around at AR's, but I like the idea of the bullpup.

I imagine getting something like the fs2000 tactical model, putting one of those 3-9 combat scopes on it, and having fun. However, I could buy a AR for about half to 2/3rds the price, and it is more modular.


So does anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth it? Can you use them in 3 gun matches? Are they zombie/SHTF certified?

[timwarner]

Get one, I wanna try it.

Not zombie certified, but if space bugs come, you're ready to rock.

[JoeH]

It's a free country. Go for it. Just don't go around calling a 5.56 a battle rifle.

I haven't shot this particular rifle but the bullpups that I have shot have had poor triggers. The AR trigger is better with lots of options for upgrades. I'd go rent one. I'll bring an AR and we can compare.

[RobD]

Are you using optics on it?

Open sights, I'd go for an AR for a longer sight picture.

[hammAR]

Are you using optics on it?

Open sights, I'd go for an AR for a longer sight picture.

RTFP......and NO it is not a Battle Rifle..............

I imagine getting something like the fs2000 tactical model, putting one of those 3-9 combat scopes on it, and having fun.

[Snowgun]

It's a free country. Go for it. Just don't go around calling a 5.56 a battle rifle.

RTFP......and NO it is not a Battle Rifle..............

Whoops, my bad..
Battle Rifle
Assault Rifle

Didn't know that term was caliber specific..

[Snowgun]

Are you using optics on it?

Open sights, I'd go for an AR for a longer sight picture.

I thought that something like this would be AWESOME, it's a scope and rangefinder in one!


Eliminator Specifications
4x-12x-42mm
Laser Range* (yards reflective) 800
Laser Range* (yards deer) 550
Laser Accuracy +/- 1 yard
Operating Temperature 14°F - 122°F
Dot size @ 100 yards .33 MOA
Field of View Low-High (feet) 25-9
Exit Pupil (mm) Low - High 10.5 - 3.5
Click Value(Inch@100yards) 0.25
Max Adj. (Inch@100yards) 50
Weight with mount & battery 26 oz
Optimum Eye Relief (Inch) 3 - 3.5
Overall Length (Inch) 13
Mounting Rail Length 5.7

http://www.burrisoptics.com/laserscope.html

I haven't shot this particular rifle but the bullpups that I have shot have had poor triggers. The AR trigger is better with lots of options for upgrades. I'd go rent one. I'll bring an AR and we can compare.

I might have to take you up on this, I assume they have one at bill's south.

So...Can you use this for 3 gun? If so what division? How about the new IDPA 3 gun?

[ComradeBurg]

It depends on what you want to do.

If you're shooting 3-gun matches and the such the AR will probably serve you well. The AR is pretty modular and there are parts to customize almost every aspect of the rifle so you can turn the rifle into exactly what you want.

With that said the FS2000 has one major advantage over the AR. The limitation of the AR was the fact it was built quite some time ago and many things weren't considered. If you're fighting in low Earth orbit or on the moon the AR will fail you while the FS2000 has been certified by NASA for off world engagements as it will work in low gravity. So if you plan on going into space a lot get the FS2000.

[hammAR]

Whoops, my bad..
Battle Rifle
Assault Rifle

Didn't know that term was caliber specific..

Like most things in life, size matters.........

[Joe Camo]

Never shot an FS2000 so can't comment there, but have handled one. Even though it was a bullpup it looks, and more importantly, feels very "bulky" (but not heavy) to me especially compared to an AR or an AUG or AUG clone. I also didn't care for the feel of the forearm, again "bulky" is the best I can describe it. For a bullpup, I much prefer the feel and look of an AUG (which I HAVE shot) over the FS.

Only read a couple reviews on the FS, both seemed positive. The action seems to be solid, but I wonder how the "forward eject tube" would work if you had to fire a full mag at elevated targets ... I've only seen vids of it fired with the muzzle level.

JC

[David]

I've got and have extensively shot an FS2000. I think it's an excellent rifle. It's unbelievably short and handy. I don't like the standard forend, so I got rid of it and installed FN's rail system for it. I put a forward grip on it and the thing really handles nicely now. It also looks better, if that matters to you. However, the rail adds a lot of weight to the gun, so it feels pretty front-heavy where it was balanced perfectly before. You'd have to handle it yourself to decide whether that's a big deal to you.

The trigger is mushy and not anywhere near an AR trigger. Again, that might not be an issue for you (isn't for me) but your preference might be different. There are a couple of models out right now, and one comes with the original FN integrated optic. I wouldn't get that one if I were you, because underneath the optic there aren't standard rails. You'll have a problem mounting your own optic if you take the original one off.

Also, mags don't drop-free with the FS, as there is a gasket around the inside of the mag well to keep crap out. You have to grab the mag and positively pull it out. In competition I like a mag that drops free, so if you're going to use it for that, you might want to consider this. If you're not going to compete, it's probably not an issue. You might also be able to take the gasket out.

Regarding the forward ejection, it really works flawlessly. I think I saw a video someone made sometime where they tried to get the thing to jam by putting a lot of cases and dirt in there and shooting upwards and all that stuff. They couldn't do it without getting ridiculous. And really, if you see how the thing works, and how each case is forcefully grabbed by the action and then flung forward into the tube, you'd see why it's unlikely. There's an inspection cover that you can lift and watch everything happening. It's a very nice system that has worked great for me.

I've got just about every 5.56 "battle" rifle out there, and I can say that I like this one a lot, now that I put the rail on the front. If I were only going to have one 5.56 rifle, it wouldn't be this one, but if you like it, then try it out before you buy it. It's an odd little gun, and not everyone's cup of tea. I'm happy to let you try mine if you'd like.

Here is what the rail system looks like. Some people put stubbier grips on the front to make it look more sleek but I like a full grip:

[gyrfalcon]

...There are a couple of models out right now, and one comes with the original FN integrated optic. I wouldn't get that one if I were you, because underneath the optic there aren't standard rails...

Are you sure it has a non-standard rail? I was curious and couldn't find any info as to what sort of rail it would have. This is about all I could find:

FS2000 Standard sports a sleek all-black exterior. The color is not the only significant change. Similar to the F2000, the Standard also features a built-in 1.6X optic attached to its Picatinny rail and concealed by a polymer cover, which features a 15 mm objective lens diameter and a German-style reticle. To supplement the integral optic, the polymer cover assembly has a set of rudimentary notch-and-post back-up sights molded directly into the top.

[Snowgun]

I've got just about every 5.56 "battle" rifle out there, and I can say that I like this one a lot, now that I put the rail on the front. If I were only going to have one 5.56 rifle, it wouldn't be this one, but if you like it, then try it out before you buy it. It's an odd little gun, and not everyone's cup of tea. I'm happy to let you try mine if you'd like.

Here is what the rail system looks like. Some people put stubbier grips on the front to make it look more sleek but I like a full grip:

That is exactly the setup I would want. Maybe in green though, i don't know. I've read that you can take the gasket out.

So if you were only going to have one 5.56, which would it be?

Also, how do you think the fs2000 compares to the MSAR STG-556 or the AUG A3?




The more I read about all of this the more confused I get. Here was a funny quote I ran across in a comparison review:

AR15: I really hate to say it, but in smallboreEBRville, the AR is still the standard by which others are judged. I know they jam up and are so fragile that the gossamer wing of a butterly fluttering in the adjoining township can cause one to break.

[Snowgun]

...There are a couple of models out right now, and one comes with the original FN integrated optic. I wouldn't get that one if I were you, because underneath the optic there aren't standard rails...

Are you sure it has a non-standard rail? I was curious and couldn't find any info as to what sort of rail it would have. This is about all I could find:

FS2000 Standard sports a sleek all-black exterior. The color is not the only significant change. Similar to the F2000, the Standard also features a built-in 1.6X optic attached to its Picatinny rail and concealed by a polymer cover, which features a 15 mm objective lens diameter and a German-style reticle. To supplement the integral optic, the polymer cover assembly has a set of rudimentary notch-and-post back-up sights molded directly into the top.

I have read some stuff regarding the rail underneath the stock optic. Some say it's polymer instead of aluminum. Others say its non standard. Either way I'd get the "tactical" model and put my own optics on it.

[David]

About a year ago I sent an e-mail to FN customer service asking if I could buy the 1.6 optic all by itself. The response I got was:

David,
The 1.6 Optic is not available as an accessory. If you have the Tactical Model with the Rail and Iron sights, the Optic will not Fit.
We make the FS 2000 Standard that comes with the Optic. The Rail is different on the Standard.

Thank you!

Bob Ailes
Customer Support Manager

To me that means the rails are different, but I suppose they could have changed it within the last year, or I'm completely misunderstanding what they said.

I absolutely love the MSAR. I like it better than the FS200, in fact. It's more compact and feels more "gun-like." It also has a spongy trigger, but I'd say it's a little better than the FN. I put a 30MM ACOG on it and it's a really handy little carbine. I have not fired the new AUG, but the MSAR is definitely a better gun in every respect than the "old" AUG. I've got both so I'm not just throwing that out there. I'd be very curious to try out the new AUG though. If anyone here has one, we should do a bullpup taste test sometime!

I guess if I were only going to have one 5.56 EBR I'd probably go with an AR of some sort. I've got so much trigger time on mine that it would seem weird to not have one, and I know the thing inside out and backwards. Lots of parts available and all that. If I weren't so used to it, then I'd probably either go with a SCAR or an ACR. The ability to easily and quickly switch calibers makes up for a lot, and if you're only going to have one gun, that would be a nice feature. They are both outstanding, reliable, and accurate guns, too. A lot more expensive than the FS2000 you found though. That's another reason to go with an AR I suppose. You'd have a lot of cash left over for accessories, modifications, and ammo!