How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

Re: How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

I totall agree.

1). I love the look of that Masada Stock, and it looks a little like the Magpul UBR that is due for release next month.

2). A polymer or some kind of powder coating would be good. Maybe something like an overmold from Hogue?

3). Agreed.

4). Good point.

5). Done! Very well done might I add.

6). Yes a good match grade single stage trigger works for me.

7). No issue here.

8). The marks on the rail would be nice too.

As I said, I agree with Variablebinary (may I call you VB?) and by the way, what is the second rifle you have in your photo?

Re: How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

I agree with most of what you said. I don't mind the stock too much (aside from sling mounting issues). I think the trigger is the weakest link. As far as my personal performance with the rifle, I think that a trigger would be the biggest improvement.

variablebinary said:

7. 1/7 barrel, because there is no reason not to considering 1/7 is the defacto standard

8. T mark the rail because I don’t want to use rail covers to remember where optics return to when I experiment. It almost shows attention to detail which customers appreciate

9. Change the gas block from dove tail to picatinny

Click to expand...

7. I think a 1/7 twist would be the most practical on the XCR because it's definitely more in keeping with the military role. I know that M855 ammo is supposed to go through a 1/7 for it to perform correctly. On the other hand, for 55gr and 63gr ammo, the 1/9 is fine. Since I don't shoot M855 (it's wicked expensive), it's not a huge issue for me personally.

8. Are those the numbers in the slots? My AR has those marks, but I don't find them all that useful. If the scope is off the rail for more than 15 minutes I can't remember what number they were on. I could write it down, but I can just as easily write down "5 from the back" or something.

9. I asked Mr. Robinson about that same thing. He said that they want to make a front sight like the adjustable front sight on the M14 (I hope I'm getting this right...). He wants to make one that is adjustable for windage and then locks down with a screw. The idea is that when you are changing out different barrels, each barrel has it's own front sight that is zeroed in for that barrel. Then when you change it out, you don't have to worry about the irons being off at all. Makes sense I guess.

Re: How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

An adjustable version of the folder would be great. I really liked the folder but it was too long in full tactical gear. I have been quite pleased with the magpul CTR on the non folding adaptor but I never did like the sliding/folding combo as it stands now.

Lighter would be nice, but our M4 clones equpped with the same equipment and rails weigh 9.4 pounds compared to my XCR at 9.5. Even my HK94 clone with red dot and light weighs 9.3 pounds (all weights with fully loaded mag).

I think the XCR is pretty much perfect as is, or at least it has been for me since I have bought it.

The new gas system looks nice, but I am afraid I would be playing with it too much. I keep a 5/8 wrench in my range box and it took about 30 seconds to adjust it at the last range day. I am now down to #3 with wolf ammo and no problems. The gun had over 1000 rounds through it before the change and it still functioned 100% so I think I am good to go.

I think a gas block with built in folding front sight would be pretty slick, although the MI folder works great for me up front.

I think tops on my list would be a .22 conversion kit.

Re: How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

I'd like to see/get an Ambi safety for my XCR.

Also, Terra, any update on the match trigger which is in the works? Will it be end-user installable (i.e. can we users install it)?

I emailed the C-Products folks today on their 7.62x39 mags, but don't expect an answer so soon.

Hmm, DMPS 308 mags is a good choice for the XCR-M (XCR-Medium) as I have many.

What else?

Are there any front sights which specifically fit the new gas block dovetail?

How about something easy for you guys, red enamel paint on the safety OFF position mark, white paint on the safety ON position mark (both sides of the receiver). White enamel paint on the gas block setting numbers.

Yeah, I know very minor and can be easily done by the end-user.

Re: How would you "Fix"/Improve the XCR?

Terra said I should stick my head in here to update you all.

You guys have got some good ideas. We’re way ahead of you though. I’ll fill you in on some things that are relevant to this discussion.

Stock

We have designed a bunch of stocks. I didn’t like any of them and I certainly don’t like the M4 stock. We offer it only because many have asked for it. I got a change to cheek the FN SCAR and the Masada. All I can say is that they’re bulky and uncomfortable. I also wonder how strong they are.

I finally found a stock design I like and we bought it. We’re improving if for the XCR. It is very innovative and much more ergonomic than the SCAR or Masada stocks. We’re trying to get it into production quickly. It won’t be expensive and will be easily attachable to your XCR. It goes from having a 10.5” to a 13” LOP. It also has an adjustable cheek piece. It is slim, strong, and looks awesome. We’ll post a picture shortly.

Calibers

Our 6.8 will come with our own muzzle brake. We shot a 5.56 XCR back to back with a 6.8 XCR in both semi and full auto. The recoil of the 6.8 is so low that it’s hard to tell from the 5.56. We’re very happy with the results. We’re almost ready to start shipping the 6.8 rifles and kits.

Because 6.5 ammo is also becoming available, we made up a few 6.5 rifles last week. We tested the functionality of these rifles today. The work great. We will be shooting these at paper the rest of the week. If the accuracy is up to par, we’ll immediately put the 6.5 into production also.

Both the 6.8 and the 6.5 use the same magazines.

We also spoke with Larry Panka of C-Products today. He assures us that the 7.62x39mm magazines will be available shortly. Most likely December. He’s making them right. We’ll start our kits so that they are available as soon as the magazines are available.

Trigger

Because some don’t like the trigger, we are making a whole new set. With the current trigger group, we can drastically improve it by simply putting a set screw up inside the threaded hole used hold the piston grip on. It takes the trigger down to feel much more like and good M16 trigger.



Weight

Here’s the neat thing about the XCR that the SCAR and Masada cannot claim – Our lower receiver is the registered part. The SCAR and it’s direct ripoff copy the Masada (actually the SCAR’s action is a direct ripoff of the H&K G36 which is like a AR18) have a cheap plastic lower and the upper is the registered (serialized) part.

Having the upper as the registered part is a BAD idea. Let me tell you why. The upper is the part that gets all the wear and tear. The lowers don’t get nearly as much. With the SCAR and Masada your upper including your rails is going to get worn and you’ll want to replace it like you could with you’re AR15, but you might not be able to without buying another firearm (which may not be possible because they may be banned).

The great thing about the AR15 and the XCR is that the lower is the registered part. Once you have it we can make lots of different uppers, including a lighter one.

Also, let’s say that you have an overpressure situation with either the SCAR or Masada. It’s going to bend the #&(*!! out of the upper. Also, you want to be able to replace the rail system if it gets chewed up over time. I’ve seen some of the SCARs out there and the uppers get chewed up really fast and look like crud. With the XCR, you can pitch the upper and buy a new one for $300.00. With the other two rifles, the upper is your rifle if you get my point.

So, we will not only offer some lighter uppers, but also a PDW that we’ve been working on with a 10” barrel (it must be registered as an NFA weapon of course).

Sights

We don’t have the front sight done yet and it won’t be until we do the .308 model.

Marks on Rails

We haven’t numbered the rails. It’s a good idea. We can do this. Please let us know how you want them marked.

Ultimate Rifle

We are working to make your rifle the ultimate rifle. By the end of this year we will be shooting at least five calibers in the current XCR. I seriously doubt that any other rifle can shoot as many calibers as well as the XCR. We are committed to making the XCR as perfect as any rifle can be. We are working on lots of new accessories for the XCR. NO OTHER PLATFORM IS AS FLEXIBLE.

Thank you for your support!!!

Alex Robinson
Manager
Robinson Armament Co.