I like the reciprocating charging handle and it's not heavy enough to throw off any balance. Personal taste, I guess. As for bulkiness, it's no worse than a H&K G3. I'm not sure what he means about the muzzle brake being necessary to tame the rifle, it's the first thing I removed. The SCAR is the softest shooting autoloading 7.62 rifle I've ever shot and I've pretty much tried them all.

The only thing I don't like about the SCAR is the stock. I'd prefer a more substantial fixed stock without the funny cheek riser. Everything else on my 17S has been modded or replaced. New charging handle, extended fore rail, new trigger, new grip, new flash hider, and sling did go a long way to making it ergonomic for me.