Robinson Arms Bringing Back the Stoner 63 (M96)

[MechAg94]

This was something I nearly missed amongst all the other videos and new products at Shot Show.

A little less than halfway into the video, they talk about the M96 rifle which was a version of the Stoner 63. Robinson Armament apparently had some parts to build some and is going to make a limited run this year and is going to take pre-orders pretty soon.

Most of the reviews of the M96 appear to be pretty good. The MSRP for the basic rifle is expected to be $2500 with the top feed option higher. What do you think? Is it worth it for the collector?

 

[Destructo6]

What is this, 1998?

Robinson Arms promised the same batch of stuff about 20 years ago and delivered very little.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

A buddy of mine has an M96. He hasn’t shot it in 10 years since a pin broke and Robinson wouldn’t sell him a new one. Bad Customer service and obscure custom parts is not a good combo.

An M96 makes you appreciate the reliability and availability of a basic AR. As far as I’m concerned that’s all it’s good for.

 

[M1key]

I looked one over that many years ago. Thought it was interesting but too heavy and overpriced. I probably wouldn't own one even at a cheaper price.

M

 

[Mosin Bubba]

It's definitely in the novelty/curio category, but I'm just impressed that anyone brought a design that old and obscure back.

 

[Robert]

There is a very old thread floating around where the owner of Robinson goes absolutely ballistic on a guy that was having issues with his rifle. Old or not, his behavior and the way he treated people in that thread was absolutely terrible. I've heard very little positive about their customer service. I was surprised to read this and find out they were still in business.

 

[MCMXI]

A coworker has two M96 rifles and they're the only firearms in his significant collection that I covet. I'd really like one.

 

[MechAg94]

I have seen comments about their customer service, but have no experience with it myself. I will say their XCR-M rifle in 308 is pretty nice and I had no trouble dealing with them on that. In 5.56, I think the XCR might be on the heavy side compared to AR's. Opinions vary.

As far as the M96, I assume they saw the success of Brownell's retro rifles in the last year and thought thought bringing this rifle back might tap into that. With the small numbers they are talking about, this may work out for them.

 

[Mk-211]

Is it an awesome rifle? Absolutely!

Is it worth your sanity if you have any problems? No!

As was said above, the worst part of their stuff is the owner. Which translates to their customer service.

Do you want to spend your hard earned money on a nice rifle, that if you ever had any problems with, might not get fixed?

I knew a guy that sued them over one of their guns. He ended up winning but I'm sure he would've rather had a nice working rifle then going through what he did.

So ask yourself if it's worth it to have to get lawyers involved over a firearm.

 

[AlexanderA]

One of the big drawing cards of the Robinson / Stoner 63 design is the ability to put it together in various configurations, such as a rifle, carbine, Bren-style LMG, etc. In other words, modularity. But, the parts to do this weren't available in the original run of Robinson M96s, and won't be in this new run (of which only 400 will be made, total). Never mind that ordinary spare parts were/are unavailable, and customer service severely lacking. I would consider buying one of these, but not under these conditions.

 

[MCMXI]

and won't be in this new run (of which only 400 will be made, total).

I think it's only 200 total.

 

[MechAg94]

They say they will have the Bren style top feed as an adder ($3500). I am not sure that is worth it to me.

 

[Coal Dragger]

That kind of money buys a Knight's Armament Co. SR-15, and the SR-15 will run and run and run and is a thoroughly vetted carbine or rifle that is made to the highest standards of materials and workmanship.

Mine has rendered every other 5.56mm carbine or rifle in my safe an afterthought.

For that money I suggest joining the KAC master race.

 

[MechAg94]

Good idea. I agree there are a lot of very nice rifles that can be had for that sort of money.

 

[silvermane_1]

These are NOS(new old stock) guns, not a "re-release" of M96, and while "neat" looking guns, probably will have the same QC problems seeing they're part kits of the first run M96s, and at $2,500 base price it's a hard pass.

 

[kBob]

well, all we need now is a reproduction MBT70 tank. Aurora models had a little plastic model of the MTB 70 when it was all the rage and had artwork on the box of troops armed with the Stoner.

Seriously the only way I would be interested in this system would be if use firearms owners were no longer protected by FOPA 86 and I could have one set up like the Seals used.

-kBob

 

[silvermane_1]

well, all we need now is a reproduction MBT70 tank. Aurora models had a little plastic model of the MTB 70 when it was all the rage and had artwork on the box of troops armed with the Stoner.

Seriously the only way I would be interested in this system would be if use firearms owners were no longer protected by FOPA 86 and I could have one set up like the Seals used.

-kBob

^Exactly there kBob, if we could have new manufacture of MGs it would be a whole different ballgame.

 

[MCMXI]

I got my name on the RA notification list. That doesn't mean that I'll get the chance to buy one but if they call me in a few months asking me for a deposit I'm fairly sure that I'll hand over my CC info.

That kind of money buys a Knight's Armament Co. SR-15, and the SR-15 will run and run and run and is a thoroughly vetted carbine or rifle that is made to the highest standards of materials and workmanship.

I think you're missing the point. I have plenty of ARs that run and run, and that are made to high standards. For me the M96 isn't a replacement for other rifles, it's in addition to. If you've handled one or taken one apart, you'll know that they're really interesting and innovative. The fact that the receiver can be flipped over and used as a top loading rifle is cool. The fact that they can be run as a belt fed machine gun is cool. Additionally, they look like a serious, military grade product rather than a civilian version of one. Maybe that's not important to you but it's an attractive feature to me.