Steyr announced the new Scout Mk II late last year, and we now have one of the first shipment guns on hand for review. However, good reviews take time, and there is not much info about this gun yet. So, here is a first look at the Scout Mk II while that review is in process!
Steyr @ TFB:
This review is a follow-on to my three-part series on the original Steyr Scout (links to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). I have a relationship with Steyr stemming from that review series, and they provided the new Mk II for this new review.
Overview
The Scout Mk II shares quite a lot in common with the original. They are both 6.6 pounds, with 19-inch barrels. Several things have changed, though. One of the biggest is the receiver design. The Scout Mk II has a one-piece design, unlike the original which has a separate receiver and forward shroud. That new design also includes ventilation ports above the barrel. I have not shot it for groups yet, but extra cooling for the very thin barrel can only be a good thing,
Barrel
The barrel is the same length and features the same flutes as the original. However, it has one major upgrade: the thread pitch. The old barrel featured a 1/2×20 pitch, which is not common for centerfire rifles in the United States. The Scout Mk II new features 1/2×28 threads. Now, that is still not the most common thread pitch for a .308 but it is not unheard of on barrels that are too thin for 5/8×24. I confirmed the thread pitch with a SilencerCo Harvester Evo, which includes a 1/2×28 thread adapter with a .30 caliber bore.
Top Rail
This is one of the main differences with the Mk II. The top rail is now one continuous Picatinny rail running from front sight to rear sight. This is a huge upgrade from the original model, which predates rail standardization. Picatinny rail is the standard for optics mounting these days, as well as other accessories. This long, uninterrupted rail makes it easy to mount magnified optics, red dot optics, long eye relief scopes (if you really insist on still using one in 2024), and thermal or night vision clip-on devices.
Forend
Another major change is located on the bottom of the forend. Rather than the old accessory rail, there are now two M-LOK slots. One of the best features of both the old and new Scouts is how light and handy they are. Adding lots of accessories and additional weight is not really the name of the game for this gun, but a little ARCA-Swiss plate might be a nice addition for tripod use without adding much bulk. The sling attachment position on the underside of the forearm remains unchanged.
Magazine
The magazines are the same, down to the part numbers. The Scout Mk II includes two (one in the action, with a spare stored in the stock) as does the original. Each holds five rounds and has extra slots that allow it to attach in a “magazine cutoff” position. Pushing the magazine all the way in, past those stops, allows it to feed for rapid fire.
Conclusion
The Scout Mk II has a lot in common with the original but also has some significant upgrades. Stay tuned for the full shooting review. Also, be sure to drop a comment on this post with any questions or things you would like to see covered in the review. Thanks for reading.
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