Got my XCR to the range for it's first 100rds. The gun is a lot of fun to shoot, and gets much attention from the AR guys. Two things concerned me, though. First, I had 3 FTF's due to light primer strikes. They went bang second time around, so I guess this may go away as the gun breaks-in. The second thing is those cratered primers. No penetrations, no pressure signs, just that odd shallow dimple surrounded by a crater wall. Never seen anything like it, but all my primers were the same. This has been addressed on other threads, with representative pics, but I haven't seen anything definitive on whether or not there's a problem. Is this OK, or is there a firing pin/bolt/headspace/whatever problem?
First Range Trip - Issues?
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What kind of ammo was it? Is this a brand new rifle, or an older one?
I think RA can send you an extra power hammer spring. You can also send them your bolt, and they will do something to the firing pin hole (radius it a little I think) that will fix the cratering, if your rifle does it bad. I think the cratering can be an issue in that metal fragments from the primer can build up in the FP channel and eventually cause problems. I'm sure Terra will be along shortly to confirm.
I got my rifle in Nov. 2007 (new FP, gas system, etc)... I've never had a light strike (and I have even used some Russian Silver Bear *after* having the Springfield trigger job). My rifle does do some cratering with very hot loads, but nothing noticeable with 5.56 spec ammo... I thought these sorts of things were more or less confined to the first gen rifles?
I think RA can send you an extra power hammer spring. You can also send them your bolt, and they will do something to the firing pin hole (radius it a little I think) that will fix the cratering, if your rifle does it bad. I think the cratering can be an issue in that metal fragments from the primer can build up in the FP channel and eventually cause problems. I'm sure Terra will be along shortly to confirm.
I got my rifle in Nov. 2007 (new FP, gas system, etc)... I've never had a light strike (and I have even used some Russian Silver Bear *after* having the Springfield trigger job). My rifle does do some cratering with very hot loads, but nothing noticeable with 5.56 spec ammo... I thought these sorts of things were more or less confined to the first gen rifles?
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5,177 Posts
cratering is very typical in every XCR. the softer the primer, the more crater ring you will see. Unless it starts punching primers, it's perfectly normal.
Light strikes happen during break in. If you experience any after 300 rounds, we can get you a different hammer spring.
Light strikes happen during break in. If you experience any after 300 rounds, we can get you a different hammer spring.
Thanks, guys. I figured everything is probably about as it should be. I can see I need lots of ammo. The thing is a blast, literally. Almost no recoil. Firing from the hip at 25yds raises an impressive cloud of dust, splinters and cardboard into the air over the range. Hell, they didn't need that clubhouse anyway. Next I need to learn how to aim the thing, which will be the subject of my next post.
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1,192 Posts
If Alex Robinson wanted you to aim the XCR, he would have put sights on it!
Tough to squeeze that crummy trigger. More like jerk, bang, yank. Worst I've seen on any firearm, ever. I'm new to tactical rifles, though. Maybe they're all this bad. I'd get the trigger job, but I'm hoping they'll have the replacement available before too long.
With the exception of the minor problem I had with the trigger reseting, I actually like the trigger. I prefer a heavier pull on a battle rifle and my trigger has little to no take up before "bang" (feels like a single stage). I also prefer a heavier trigger when wearing gloves. A light trigger and heavy gloves could be disastrous.
Roy.
Roy.
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