Amongst the many categories of guns the “ranch rifle” is a classic. It’s gotta be light and slim with a short barrel, but it’s also gotta work every time you take aim. Whether you’re plinking at the range or taking aim at coyotes on the back forty, FightLite’s SCR carbine fits the bill.
The SCR (Sport Configurable Rifle) is available as a complete gun, but it also mates with any AR-15 upper. It comes with either wooden furniture up front or with an M-LOK handguard. You can take your favorite complete upper and reconfigure it as a classic sporting rifle with a wooden stock. Although FightLite made polymer stocks with a previous iteration of this gun several years ago, this launch will only be available in wood — but there are seven different color options.
When you buy the lower, it includes a new bolt carrier which makes this gun possible. The buffer tube is a much smaller diameter than a standard AR-15, and runs almost the full length inside the stock. The stock is modeled after a Remington 870, so it’ll feel very familiar. The trigger is proprietary and doesn’t accept drop-in AR triggers.
If you’d like to add a new rifle to your collection without buying an entire gun, maybe an SCR lower is for you. Otherwise, get yourself a complete FightLite SCR in one of six colors and show those coyotes who’s the boss.
Specs
| CALIBER: | .223/5.56MM |
| WEIGHT: | 5.8 LBS (complete rifle) |
| OAL: | 37.75” |
| BOLT: | MIL-SPEC CARPENTER 158 |
| BARREL: | 4140 CHROMOLY, 16.25” 1/9 TWIST (THREADED 1/2X28) |
| RECEIVERS: | CAPTIVE PUSH-PIN TAKEDOWN AEROSPACE GRADE 7075-T6 FORGINGS. |
| STOCK: | NUTMEG LAMINATED |
| LOP: | 14.5” |
| HANDGUARD: | NUTMEG LAMINATED CARBINE LENGTH |
| FINISH: | ALUMINUM MIL-A-8625F BLACK HARDCOAT ANODIZE, STEEL FINISH MIL-SPEC MANGANESE PHOSPHATE |
| MAGAZINE: | *5 RD (CAN ACCEPT ANY AR15/M16 MAGAZINE)*EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW |
| ORIGIN: | 100% MADE IN USA |
So, when will these be available?
This is one of those rifles that could be great, but isn’t. I speak from experience with this rifle. It’s strong points are that the barrel used is accurate, and the rifle is 50-state compliant. But there are many accurate AR barrels, and you can find other compliant rifles. The downsides of the SCR are significant.
The trigger pull is terrible and there is no way to change it.
The rifle is missing standard features in bizarre ways, eg. 1) forward assist upper with no forward assist and the hole just sitting there, 2) no bolt catch, 3) no magazine release fence, etc etc. But you can pay Fight Lite an extra $40 for a bolt catch. Some have ejection port covers, some don’t. Perhaps they should make up their mind what kind of rifle they are building. They used to offer a slick upper
There are no sights provided at all, and AR-height sights are not compatible, nor is there provision for irons sights unless you buy the forend rail version or install your own.
The polymer buttstock – which appears to have been discontinued but there are many guns previously sold with it – has dimensions are neither comfortable nor conducive to shooting accurately. The current laminated wood stocks are not available as a part from the company.
Reassembly of the upper and lower receivers is tricky and usually takes several attempts, due to the tail on the bolt carrier for the recoil system. Due to the sporter design, the charging handle is in a bad spot, and the magazine catch is barely reachable. For the money, the SCR should be a side-charger with an extended bolt catch.
For all of that, it’s way overpriced. LGS sells complaint AR rifles – with sights, bolt catch, etc – for $819 retail. The SCR is over $1200 shipped with a bolt catch, before your dealer adds his transfer fee. To get a less capable rifle.
If you live a restriction state, you can build a better rifle for far less money using standard dimension AR parts and a Thorsden stock. Or for several hundred dollars less, you can buy a Mini-14 or Mini-30 that comes with iron sights and scope rings.
Being a M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, 03A3 person, I actually wouldnt mind doing this to one of my AR platform rifles.
That is really makin’ a modern sporting arm attractive for those that would like this! Nice outside the box try!
Wife smiled when I said something about the blue stock matching her eyes. Took enough interest it appears we’re also getting a blue one! Not my first rodeo and life’s daily knocks – tossing it in the back seat of the airplane or in the side-by-sides – it just isn’t going to make me lose sleep. Add to it, Lynn likes the civilian look of the wood. Says it reminds her of her father’s hunting gear. As for the price, honestly, the good stuff costs. Always has, always will. Can’t speak for everybody but how much I paid isn’t even gonna cross my mind in 10 years because life’s too short not to focus on value.
Chambering in 5.56/.223 is okay but what about 7.62×39 or the new 350 Legend?
You can add your own complete upper that takes mags similar in size to the 5.56 mags. 300 Blackout, for instance.
A 1 in 9 twist barrel. Why?
Don’t like it, toss on our own upper. The only thing that you have to do is to use their proprietary BCG. I assume the BCG has a rat tail tang on it that shoots down inside the stock. There was a California Bay Area company that came out with these a number of years ago, Ares was the name as I recall.
I agree with Kimberpross. Also. They should have made the trigger compatible with AR drop ins. I prefer carbine grip over pistol grip . I would buy one , if it were so ( Even though i have an AR ) i loved my Ruger Mini30. But it had more recoil and mags were more diff to insert . For me anyway …
Can’t be done. Because of the grip not being under the action but behind it, the trigger would end up too far forward. The trigger on this rifle comes out just about where a pistol grip would mount.
I hear ranch rifle I think of a carbine, quick handling rifle that you throw in the seat of your side by side or pick-up keeping it handy and expecting it to get beat up . At $1,200 I would be reluctant to throw it around.