Picking up my first XCR today. Any advice?

2344 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Special-K, Dec 12, 2008

Special-K

Discussion Starter · Dec 10, 2008

Y'all,

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for a week or so now. I will be picking up my first XCR from the fun store in a few hours.

I'm asking for any advice needed for a total newbie. I own several AR type rifles along with other semi-autos, so shooting itself isn't new - just this rifle.

Any advice at all is welcome and appreciated.

The rifle is a 16" light barrel 5.56mm. I plan on installing an ARMS #40 rear sight and a flip up front sight (I think they carry Pro Mag) as backups to an optic. I'm leaning towards an EOTech right now, though I'm open to others too. I already like the Aimpoint I have on one of my AR's, but I want to try something new.

What kind of maintainance quirks does it have that I need to know about? Is there anything I am used to doing on my AR's that will damage this rifle? Is it safe to dry fire it or will that cause problems?

I can't think of anything else to ask right now, but if I'm missing something please let me know. I'd rather learn the easy way from others than the hard way myself.

Thanks!

-K

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

TerraShrewsbury

· #2 · Dec 10, 2008

Well, lube your rifle before break-in, it will make the process smoother. After the first couple hundred rounds, turn your gas down to 3 or 2, whichever setting works best on the rifle. You will be able to tell by the distance the shells are being ejected; and if the gas is too low for the level of wear-in, you will have some ejection issues.

Most of the guys here like to re-loctite the ejector screws with 277. You can do that beforehand, or keep your eye on the ejector and if it starts to loosen do it then. It's up to you.

Always check your brass from time to time. A small crater is normal - punched primers are not. If you do punch any primers, let us know.

Other than that, read your manual and have FUN! And if you need anything else, I'm always around on here.

gunner69

· #3 · Dec 10, 2008

Terra, as usual, has pretty much covered it all. I opted to get Militech1, with which I lubed the bolt/carrier with. :2cents: Read the maintence post(s) here will give you several good options/ideas. Enjoy yourself, and welcome to the forum. ;D

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 10, 2008

TerraShrewsbury said:
Well, lube your rifle before break-in, it will make the process smoother. After the first couple hundred rounds, turn your gas down to 3 or 2, whichever setting works best on the rifle. You will be able to tell by the distance the shells are being ejected; and if the gas is too low for the level of wear-in, you will have some ejection issues.

Most of the guys here like to re-loctite the ejector screws with 277. You can do that beforehand, or keep your eye on the ejector and if it starts to loosen do it then. It's up to you.

Always check your brass from time to time. A small crater is normal - punched primers are not. If you do punch any primers, let us know.

Other than that, read your manual and have FUN! And if you need anything else, I'm always around on here.

Thanks for the info! Is dry fireing ok?

-K

jon1371usmc

· #5 · Dec 10, 2008

Just to be on the safe side, use some snap caps. You can also use a rag or catch the hammer before it hits the receiver. I doubt that if the hammer does hit the receiver, that it will cause serious damage, mainly cosmetic.

dont_tread_on_me

· #6 · Dec 10, 2008

The Pro-Mag front sight is intended for the gas block on an AR and as such will,when mounted on the same plane as the back sight cause your bullets to impact about 20" low at 25 yards.After I figured out what was wrong I didn't bother trying to raise the front because their isn't that much adjustment possible.Just make sure your front BUIS is intended for the same plane as the rear and you should be good.

mgw2168

· #7 · Dec 11, 2008

Any advise as to what lube is better Militech or LSA? LSA is sure alot cheaper if you can find it?

gr8santini

· #8 · Dec 11, 2008

Advice? Buy another!!

aziator

· #9 · Dec 11, 2008

Dry Fire is just fine with this weapon when the upper is on the lower. Lube her up and have some fun.

variablebinary

· #10 · Dec 11, 2008

Add a couple of drops of CLP to the FCG, and dry fire, always with the upper on the gun. This smooths out the trigger and ensures it wont stick on the reset

Take some white nail polish and draw a line over the ejector bolts. If they start walking, you'll know it. If they do walk, clean the bolts and reinstall with the strongest thread locker short of red loctite

Check the barrel bolt. Torque it down tighter if you suspect there is any play.

Learn how to adjust the stock so there is no play, and it doesnt feel loose when folded

Shoot the gun on gas setting 4 for 300 rounds or so. Dial down after. I prefer gas setting 3 personally, which I find to be more reliable with all ammo than gas setting 2

Learn how to shoulder your weapon correctly because most XCR shooters dont due to AR15 muscle memory. Break those habits ASAP to get the most out of the XCR. It's like people are scared to get the XCR close to their face.

Look at this pic for what cheek weld and stance should look like. If your face is hovering over and off the stock, you're doing it wrong

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aziator

· #11 · Dec 11, 2008

I wouldn't recommend removing and loc-titing the ejector bolts. Mine have been on there for almost 3 years and I have never removed them. Use a paint marker or nail polish like VB said and make slippage marks.

killswitch1982

· #12 · Dec 12, 2008

As your attorney I advise you to shoot the shit out of it and have fun!

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 12, 2008

dont_tread_on_me said:
The Pro-Mag front sight is intended for the gas block on an AR and as such will,when mounted on the same plane as the back sight cause your bullets to impact about 20" low at 25 yards.After I figured out what was wrong I didn't bother trying to raise the front because their isn't that much adjustment possible.Just make sure your front BUIS is intended for the same plane as the rear and you should be good.

Damn. I wish I had read that before I went and bought it.

So basically, I shouldn't bother trying to sight it in. Thanks for the heads up though, you probably saved me quite a bit of frustration. What will work with my ARMS rear sight then on an XCR? It seems to me that most of them will have been designed for the AR platform....

-K

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 12, 2008

variablebinary said:
Add a couple of drops of CLP to the FCG, and dry fire, always with the upper on the gun. This smooths out the trigger and ensures it wont stick on the reset

Take some white nail polish and draw a line over the ejector bolts. If they start walking, you'll know it. If they do walk, clean the bolts and reinstall with the strongest thread locker short of red loctite

Check the barrel bolt. Torque it down tighter if you suspect there is any play.

Learn how to adjust the stock so there is no play, and it doesnt feel loose when folded

Shoot the gun on gas setting 4 for 300 rounds or so. Dial down after. I prefer gas setting 3 personally, which I find to be more reliable with all ammo than gas setting 2

Learn how to shoulder your weapon correctly because most XCR shooters dont due to AR15 muscle memory. Break those habits ASAP to get the most out of the XCR. It's like people are scared to get the XCR close to their face.

Look at this pic for what cheek weld and stance should look like. If your face is hovering over and off the stock, you're doing it wrong

Thanks for writing that. Regarding the stock, I did notice a very tiny bit of play when it's in the straight (not folded position). Is this normal? If not, which alan screw do I tighten?

-K

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 12, 2008

I guess I'll go and start reading the manual before I ask any more questions. :duh:

-K

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 12, 2008

One last question (for now).

Where can I get a set of rail covers?

-K

variablebinary

· #17 · Dec 12, 2008

Special-K said:
I guess I'll go and start reading the manual before I ask any more questions. :duh:

-K

Go to Youtube and look up the XCR. There is a tutorial on removing play in the stock

TerraShrewsbury

· #18 · Dec 12, 2008

There is a gap adjust screw between the two hinges. You will see it when the stock is folded.

DSM

· #19 · Dec 12, 2008

Special-K said:
One last question (for now).

Where can I get a set of rail covers?

-K

bunch of places, depends on what your flavor is. Folks like Magpul XT and ladder covers. The Tangodown covers are more stout and secure. Midway, BravoCompanyUSA, Del-Ton, even our own AussieArms here could help you out; really any place that sells any kind of AR accessory will have something. Bunch of colors to choose from to fit your taste. You're gonna be looking at $10-15, give or take, per cover.

Special-K

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 12, 2008

TerraShrewsbury said:
There is a gap adjust screw between the two hinges. You will see it when the stock is folded.

Thanks Terra! You Rock! I looked and found it in the owners manual too. Go figure. :duh:

-K

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