Any XCR or M96 folks here?

[sectional_density]

One of these days (or years) I'm going to get an auto-loading .223, and I'm intrigued by some of the Robinson Arms products.

Given all the bad press I've heard about the AR gas system (crapping where it eats etc.) and reliability issues (which of course are not a problem if you clean it), I was looking into the XCR and M96. I've seen a few threads here that talk about the XCR, but not a whole lot of discussion on the pros and cons vs. AR's and others. Seems like they've incorporated the best features of the AR and the AK (or at least their marketing suggests this.) They are a bit spendy. Anyone have any suggestions? Or should I just spend $300 and get a Saiga and save the precision .223 work for the CZ 527?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Given all the bad press I've heard about the AR gas system (crapping where it eats etc.) and reliability issues (which of course are not a problem if you clean it),

So I'm really confused by this. I constantly hear about the reliability of this horrible AR gas system, but the failure rate is astoundingly low for the number of weapons in service, due to this specific problem.

Is there really a high enough failure rate to justify the VERY high cost of the "fixes"?

No argument that the gas piston design may be superior, but is the gas impingement system bad enough to warrant that kind of cash outlay to "fix" the problem?

The more I read of this the more the marketing person in me sees the light bulb go on.

 

[LoadedDrum]

It is not that the DI gas system is so horrible. It is not. It is just that the AR's gas system requires more maintence to be a reliable as a piston based gun.

Less maintence is one my favorite things about my XCR's

Other benefits include:

When the gas system is adjusted to the ammo, there is far less muzzle climb with the XCR than even a rifle length gas system AR, without a muzzle brake.

Since the buffer spring is in the reciever a bent stock tube will never disable the XCR.

The lower stock height makes the irons faster to use.

The monolithic upper lets me put the optics where I want them which happens to be where the gap between a free floated forend and the upper reciever woud be on an AR.

The entire gun can be disassembled without any special tools.

The QC barrel holds zero very well after the barrel is removed and reinstalled.(you will likely only notice at greater than 125 yards)

Accuracy is on par with tier one AR's despite the piston and pencil barrel.

 

[Hauptmann]

Yes the gas system on the AR-15 is a bit dirty, but for most civilian needs it's more than adequate. If you properly clean and lubercate your AR-15 according to the manual, you can go through over a 1000rds without really suffering any problems. Extreme weather conditions such as salt water, sand, or below zero temperatures can be factors as well. Don't be fooled by all the internet gossip regarding reliability problems of the modernized AR-15, they are way overblown. The modernized AR-15 is an outstanding combat assault-styled rifle.

That being said, I used to own a M96 and I currently own a XCR. The M96 was a very interesting design, but I don't think it was worth the money. However, RA learned from their experience with the M96 and developed the XCR which in my opinion is indeed better than the AR-15 in many ways. Everything from the robustness of the internal and external workings, the modularity of the design, the ease of maintaining it, and it's overall performance. It's a fantastic weapon system and you will not be disappointed if you buy one. If I could afford a second one, I would buy one.

 

[Evil Monkey]

I swear just 5 hours ago I was reading a thread at either M4carbine.net, ar15.com, or the FAL files and I can't remember which one was it!!

But one guy was talking about how he took an XCR to a training class and had the ejector break off, extractor sheering, bolt lugs broke, things coming loose and having to loctite them, and some other problems.

 

[Hauptmann]

But one guy was talking about how he took an XCR to a training class and had the ejector break off, extractor sheering, bolt lugs broke, things coming loose and having to loctite them, and some other problems.

Link to thread please. I've never heard of such problems and it sounds like total BS to me unless he has pictures to back it up. One broken part?....sure, several broken parts sounds like lying to me. Not even the most fragile of firearms will do something like that. The AR-15 websites are known to have quite a few BS damage reports for rifles that are not AR based. You'll get the same from Glock sites, H&K sites,....etc.

 

[everallm]

+1 on the XCR.

I think I saw the BS statement on AR15.com and it appeared totally unattributed.

The only POSSIBLE issue is the one about loctiteing on the ejector which was an issue with a few very early run XCR's.

You also have to remember the XCR is designed to be broken down and swapped between barrels and calibers in about 90 seconds. When you do that you have to make sure you have tightened and locked what you're supposed to have tightened and locked.

I actually feel probabaly the least mentioned plus of the XCR is not actually the weapon but the rapid and consistent support and feedback we XCR o'holics are getting from the manufacturer, Robinson Arms.

The end users raise issues, possible concerns or enhancement requests and RA are responding.

Examples include

Changes to the firing pin assembly based on users feedback
Want to change gas setting without a tool, "OK we'll build you a different gas block"
"You want it in 6.5mm as well as 5.56/6.8/7.62x39, no problems we'll test and IF it works well we'll tool up for it"
You want stocks available in 2 different fixed LOP's, foldable, collapsible and collapsible AND foldable, OK"
"Light barrel, heavy barrel and different twist rates....OK"

If you want to have a look at the degree of feedback, have a look on the XCR forum www.xcrforum.com

Beware, may lead to uncontrollable desire to buy one.....