Fightlite SCR Review : 50 State Compliant AR

If you live in a gun control state, I feel bad for ya son, I got 99 problems, but a complaint AR ain’t one. Living in a state with strict semi-auto rifle laws is a hassle, but the Fightlite might have the best compliance option for you. Read our Fightlite SCR review and learn more.

We got our hands on a Fightlite SCR lower and cobbled together an upper for a unique take on the AR 15.

Behind the Fight

SCR stands for Sport Configurable Rifle, but it could just as quickly stand for State Compliant Rifle. The SCR comes as both a complete rifle and a lower receiver set. The reason the gun exists is because of gun control.

Assault weapon bans live throughout the union and often target specific features in a ridiculous way. The SCR defines design by presenting a lower or lower and upper configuration that eliminates the necessary components to not be considered assault weapons.

Plenty of companies have produced compliant rifles or compliant options and not to be rude, but they look like modern art. The SCR has a unique look that is far horrid. In fact, it’s more of a classical design bred with the modernized AR 15.

It eliminates the traditional buffer tube AR design and incorporates a Remington 870 shotgun stock and an 870 style safety. The result is a 50 state legal AR 15 that still allows for a detachable magazine without looking like a misconfigured reject.

Fightlite even produces variants with wooden stocks and handguards to further emphasize the neo-retro design. The SCR is a 50 state legal AR 15 design that comes in 5.56, but conversion to 300 Blackout is entirely possible.

(As a side note, Fightlite used to produce the SCR under the name Ares. Ares became Fightlite, and that’s why my lower is marked Ares and not Fightlite.)

Fightlite SCR Features

1 Remington 870 Stock

Sturdy, comfortable, and provides a great cheek weld.

2 Push Button Safety

Not as nice as an AR-15 safety, but it gets the job done.

3 Rat Tail BCG

This modified BCG allows for the use of a Remington 870 on an AR platform.

4 Integral Buffer Tube

More robust than a standard buffer.

5 50 State Legal Design

This gun is completely legal in all 50 states.

Hitting the Range

The SCR is a rifle that always gets some looks at the range. Who can’t appreciate this cool looking design in a world where the same old AR is everywhere. The Fightlite SCR offers a unique experience as well as a unique look.

The buffer is integral to the 870 stock but is much smaller and interacts with the unique rat tail bolt carrier group. The bolt is the same as any AR bolt, but the rat tail is little enough to interact with the much smaller buffer. The spring is attached to the buffer is also much more robust than an average buffer. This results in a weapon slightly hard to rack, and an extended bolt handle is quite helpful.

That stronger buffer tube spring also results in lower recoil. The lightweight SCR kicks like a kitten, and it’s exceptionally comfortable at that end. The SCR from the factory comes without a muzzle device, and that is to ensure 50 state legality. A muzzle device can help with flash, concussion, and recoil but that’s not present here.

You might not realize how much you miss a muzzle device until you don’t have one. There is a good bit more flash and concussion, but as a 5.56, it’s still manageable. I would suggest a threaded barrel and muzzle device where permitted.

SCR’s lightweight nature makes it easy to handle and fast on target. I do appreciate a lightweight AR, and I bet most people do.

An Ergonomic Mess?

Most state-compliant rifles devolve into a mess of weird ergonomics, and the SCR is no exception. Admittedly the stock is much more comfortable than a fin around a pistol grip and makes the rifle more manageable. The safety is a push-button 870-type that sits right behind the safety. It’s a downgrade from an AR-style safety, but it works well enough.

New production SCR rifles come with a bolt lock and LRBHO, but my older model does not. That degrades ergonomics a bit as well. The magazine release is right where you expect it to be, but it’s also impossible to reach with your trigger finger. Add-in the difficult to charge design, and the ergonomics are a little compromised.

On Target

The SCR comes with a decent trigger that is light and short. The reset is a little longer than most, but the trigger itself is above average. That’s great because you can’t exactly just drop-in a CMC trigger and call it a day. The SCR’s unique stock situation allows you to utilize a nice low mount with most optics, and that gives you an excellent cheek weld and a stable shooting position.

The 870 stock was designed for a great cheek weld, and it most certainly makes an appearance here. The gun is capable of producing decent accuracy, and my best group was 1.2 MOA from a bench rest position. That’s was an exceptional group, and I averaged around 1.5 MOA most of the time.

With a good optic on board, I plan to make this my chosen hunting rifle, and it should blow some minds when people see it. It’s certainly accurate enough to get the job done.

Does it Eat?

Oddly enough, you’d think you might have some ammo issues with a proprietary design. However, the SCR eats just about everything without complaint. The gun eats your normal brass-cased XM855, some 55 grain 223 Remington, and even the cheapest Tulammo I can find on shelves at the moment.

I don’t need to treat this thing like a delicate lady to get it to run either. Sure I tossed some Hoppes in it from time to time, but I guarantee it’s not frequent. The SCR has no problems with multiple magazine platforms as well. I like Lancer 20 rounders, but PMAGs, and even Magpul Drums work.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

The Fightlite SCR is an expensive rifle. I mean, ARs range come in at all price points, and the SCR is in the above a grand line. That’s a pricey design that’s tough to justify when you look at the ergonomics and accuracy of the rifle. If a rifle costs more than a thousand bucks, I feel it should shoot 1 MOA.

There is obviously some cost associated with the proprietary design, and that’s on full display here. If you leave in a free state, then it can be a tough sell in the face of other rifles. If you live in a restricted state, this is the best option I’ve seen yet. In fact, it made our list for best AR15 for its ability to go anywhere in the United States.

Fightsite SCR Pros and Cons

Starter Pack for the Fightlite SCR

If you’ve decided to pick up a Fightlite SCR–whether it’s because that’s all your state will allow or you love the platform–there’s going to be a few add-ons you’re gonna need.

• Magazines: Lancer Hybrid 20 Round Magazines at Brownells
• Gun Cleaning Kit: Gloryfire Universal Cleaning Kit on Amazon
• Shooting Ear Protection: If you’re going to be firing any weapon, you’re going to need ear protection. Find out which is best for you on our Best Ear Pro article.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of errant hot brass to understand why shooting glasses are so important. But not all glasses are the same. Check out our Best Shooting Glasses article to figure out which is the right selection for you.
• Storage: Pelican Rifle Case on Amazon

Fightlite SCR Gun Deals

The Fightlite can be an elusive gun to get your mitts on. That’s why we’re going to keep you up-to-date on where you can find some of the best and latest deals online.

Best Accessories and Upgrades for the Fightlite SCR

If you plan on picking up a Fightlite SCR, you’re going to want to pick up some basic upgrades to get started. Here are some of our recommendations:

Best Accessories for the Fightlite SCR

Best Ammo for Your Fightlite SCR

Although ammo’s rather scarce at the moment, that doesn’t mean you won’t find anything. We recommend that you pick up two different rounds as well. Range rounds and some working ammunition.