I know folders are all the rage
I don't think so. Those plastic telescoping stocks are far more common these days. Though, I think that's exacerbated by the fact that you can't put a folding stock on an AR-15. All the same, people have been finding ways to mate AR-15 stocks to a variety of guns.
My favorite is the CETME/G3. In the fully-collapsed position, the telescoping stock is only a little shorter than a standard buttstock. In the fully extened position, it provides for probably a 16" length of pull.
Frankly, unless you have multiple users of the same weapon with different arm lengths, or routinely use the weapon with and without your body armor on, the collapsing stock is unnecessary. Most shooters I've observed with them simply leave them at their preferred LOP.
I'd rather have a short fixed stock, myself. Then again, I'm not big on folding stocks, either. Most of them provide a poor cheek weld. What's more, most of them fold to the right, making them less than practical for a left-handed person. The exception is the ACE folding stocks they put on AKs. I like those, they fold to the left.
The wrong-side-folding issue is why I probably won't ever get a para FAL.
However, some people must see some practical use for a folding stock. Note the FN SCAR, which has a stock that adjusts for LOP and folds.
Anwways, I've handled a Robinson XCR, the one Correia has in his shop. It's actually a very solid gun, and feels like it was constructed with considerable attention to detail. I'd like to get my hands on one to wring it out, see how it works after being dropped in the mud. I don't think Correia will let me do that, though, so I have to limit my analysis to what I saw.
I liked the ergonomics. People complain about the lack of adjustable LOP, but for most uses a short fixed stock works well enough. In any case, if it's an issue, somebody will make a lower-comb conversion kit that will accept the telescoping stock. (Personally, I prefer having the sights closer to the barrel for close-range shooting.)
If they made one in .308, it'd be a contender for my personal weapons selection.
Even if Robinson gets it together and actually mass produces this weapon, they're going to face a considerable bias from the .223 shooters. There's a palpable bias for the AR-15, and against any similar design that is different. Every time a new .223 rifle comes out, there are a slew of "Pfft...what will it do that an AR won't?" from the AR-15 guys.
I don't understand this. When some company comes out with a new pistol, you don't hear the Beretta guys "this won't do anything my Beretta won't". (Though you do hear it from Glock and 1911 guys on occasion.) When a new .308 rifle comes out, you don't hear many M1A or FAL shooters saying they'd never buy one (in fact, many .308 shooters seem to collect many different types of .308 rifles).
Like as has been said, a new-in-the-box AR-15 rifle, equipped with the free-floated rail handguard and folding sights is going to cost about the same as the XCR. Anyone here priced a Wilson or Knights AR lately? The basic $900.00 Bushmaster isn't the upper limit on price, here.
And, if you want a quick change barrel for your AR, you're looking at thirteen to sixteen hundred dollars
just for the upper receiver.
Observe.
