History
I consider FN one of the best firearm manufacturers in the world, with over a century of experience. Considering the pedigree of many of FN’s designs, not to mention some of the company’s designers, there is good reason to have confidence in the brand.
The FN-15 SRP G2 was FN’s mainline AR. Known for cold-hammer-forged barrels that have boosted FN’s reputation for accuracy, FN-15s have been extremely popular in the United States for uses ranging from law enforcement to home defense.
With the recent release of the FN-15 Guardian, the company’s latest, more affordable take on the AR, now is the time to get an amazing deal on the high quality FN-15 SRP G2 version, the longtime mainstay of FN's AR line.
Related: Extended Review of the New FN-15 Guardian Rifle
Even though the Guardian is a newer design, that does not take away from the quality that FN put into the SRP G2.
Features
Over the years at this job, I have had a chance to unbox and shoot many different AR models, and there are several key aspects I notice. A while back, I got a chance to give a brief overview while unboxing some of the first FN-15 SRP G2s we received from FN. Now, I’ll hit the highlights of this FN AR in conjunction with the key things I look for in an AR.
One of the most important design features of an AR is the gas tube length, which needs to be properly matched with the barrel length. I’ve said many times: a 16-inch barrel should have a mid-length gas system, as the carbine-length system is really designed for 14.5-inch barrels and is too harsh on the receiver over time. To its credit, FN used a mid-length gas system on this rifle, a minor design feature that can extend the life of the components and give the shooter a softer and more easily controllable shooting experience.
Next up, a free-floated M-LOK handguard extends the length of the barrel. This expands the area for your support hand and offers maximum space for mounting accessories. The handguard also features four QD sling mounts, one on each side of the handguard at the muzzle and near the receiver. A sling is a vital part of a duty rifle, and well-thought-out sling mounts are very important.
Other than that, the rifle features standard controls, a standard A2-style pistol grip, and an M4-style retractable buttstock.
Optics
As far as accessories, I used two different optics for the rifle. Initially, I used a SIG Sauer Romeo red dot, which is great for shooting drills. I’m also working on a review of Swampfox’s new Tomahawk II, so I added the new LPVO along with the new Justice II red dot mounted at a 45-degree angle for up-close shooting.
My 500-yard range has been closed due to snow, but when it reopens, I will take the rifle and optic out to distance to see what they can do. Optics are among the most important accessories you can add, as they increase the speed of target acquisition and help aid in achieving better accuracy.
I also added a Surefire weapon light, a Magpul sling, and a BCM Gunfighter foregrip mounted backward to support my C-clamp grip. The light and sling are both musts for any duty firearm, and the full-length handguard made it easy to accommodate these necessary attachments.
All together, I set this rifle up as I would a duty rifle, and it has performed as expected through the limited work it has faced so far. Soon, I will run it suppressed and take it out to distance to measure the accuracy potential of the rifle.
Performance
I have put about 1,100 rounds of work in at the range with this rifle. That number is nowhere near enough for an in-depth review of the rifle’s capabilities, but it’s enough to give me an idea of how it performs.
In many ways, this is a basic AR-15. Without knowing the name of the manufacturer, it could be easy to look at this AR and pass it off as nothing special. However, arguably the most important part of a serious firearm is the quality of the build, as that will tell a lot about how long the rifle will last. FN has always put a lot of work and quality control into its different rifle series, and this is no exception.
I ran the rifle through a lot of drills with quick reloads, and I did not clean or lubricate it once. I do not clean or oil new firearms right away, because I want to test the performance out of the box and gauge the threshold of work the gun can handle before it needs to be maintained. Over 1,100 rounds so far, I have experienced no malfunctions, and I will continue to run it as-is until I start to encounter failures.
Pros & Cons
While shooting has been on par with what I expect from FN, I did change a few things on the rifle. I was a little disappointed with the A2-style pistol grip and very basic M4-style stock. In my opinion, an AR that is north of $800 should have much more comfortable furniture.
The A2 pistol grip has a fairly significant angle, and over long periods of shooting, it can lead to wrist fatigue. Companies like Magpul, B5 Systems, and BCM have been addressing this design issue for years with quality pistol grips that place the wrist in a more natural angle. I replaced the stock pistol grip with a BCM Mod 3, giving me a more comfortable angle and better texturing for adverse shooting conditions.
While there is a certain level of opinion associated with what is best, most people agree that the basic M4-style stock is at the bottom of the list when it comes to comfort and quality. Again, numerous companies make quality stocks that feel more comfortable and have better features.
Pros:
- High-quality manufacturer
- Great value at a discount
- Solid performance
- Mid-length gas system
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Outstanding handguard
Cons:
- Buttstock and pistol grip lack quality
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Limited stock as the rifle is going out of production
Summary
I still want to run another 1,000 rounds through the rifle, shoot it suppressed, and really stretch out the legs on distance and accuracy, but thus far the rifle has performed as I expected. It is a solid AR, and I have been pleased with the results during my limited testing. The reason I am not overindulgent in my feedback is I don’t think 1,100 rounds is enough to measure the full capability of the rifle. So far, FN has impressed me with the quality of the build, but I want to stress the rifle a little bit more.
Outside of replacing a few basic parts, this rifle is a great deal. Considering the platform originally fetched well over $1,200, it is quite a value with the current discount.
As always, the most important aspect of firearm ownership is training. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you spend $500 or $5,000 on a rifle; it is useless if you don’t hit the range and master the craft. Make sure to buy something that leaves you with enough money to grab some ammunition so that you can hit the range. Don’t be complacent, exercise your rights, become proficient, and get better every day.
