Good cause that's is exactly what happened to me when I bought mine. Probably 500, mainly cause I work too much. I don't have an AR to compare it to. It's just like an AR though in modifying/upgrading (grips, extended rails, shorter/longer barrels, etc.
Ease of maintenance is amazing.
Ergonomics, charging handle can be moved from side to side.
Top pic rail is a single piece.
Soft shooting, accurate, light.
For the 17, finding mags could be a problem. (Not sure what the availability of FN mags
Replacement lowers are made to allow use of more common/readily available SR-25 Pmags.
FN forums has tons of additional info if you have time/want to read for a while
Corey