Gents, I took my scar16s out shooting with my son today and decided to do a deep cleaning afterwards. On the aft side of the bolt carrier, above the hole housing the recoil spring and guide rod, there is another bore out hole a few inches deep. I noticed the inside of this hole had what appears to be rust. Totally bizarre location and I’m not sure what I’m looking at. Also not sure if I’m just noticing it now or if it’s always been there. Anyway some of it wiped up using bore cleaner, but there appears to be a deep stain in that location. It’s quite odd, and I’m curious if any members have seen anything similar.

I’m not an expert on this weapon, but it looks weird to me. Thanks for any reflections you might have.

Could you post a picture? I can go check my 16S to compare.

Youtube channel garandthumb recently posted a cold weather ice test of several rifles. He extended it to check water/rust resistance. He states that his SCAR was the only one to rust. https://www.instagram.com/p/CYRuqz0puQQ/?hl=en
I know it’s a sample of one, but if it’s more prone to rust, a bored out cavity for weight reduction that doesn’t normally get lube protection would be a likely place for rust to form.

Mine hasn't rusted in 10 years but I live in a desert

Thanks for the replies. Yes I’ll post a picture as soon as I can; I know that would be better than a verbal description.

I'll be interested in the detailed picture. I like the scar and its my goto rifle. I have subjected them to a number of 'adhoc' poor storage conditions, including ground storage all without issue (well unless you call mold an issue).

I have a 16,17 and 20s. I think FN made a small mistake and did a lot of the metal parts in a black oxide. Black oxide is a form of blueing. Blueing is a controlled form of rust itself. They should have just parkerized the metal parts. Just my .02

Quick follow up: took the SCAR for an extended shooting session a few days ago and followed yesterday with an extended cleaning session. What I thought was rust upon closer inspection appears to be a nasty factory lubricant that was caked on. With a lot of elbow grease I got most of it off, but it spread everywhere and appeared to calcify in certain spots.

But that’s my only complaint and it’s a non-issue. Wonderful weapon.

quote:

Originally posted by arabiancowboy:
What I thought was rust upon closer inspection appears to be a nasty factory lubricant that was caked on.

I have no experience with the SCAR, but I have seen that reported with different guns over the years.