[thadbme]

Hi folks,

I've been lusting over getting some flavor of AR15 / M16 style rifle for a good bit now. I've always been a bit fanatical when it comes to M16's and I got my little bit of experience firing them when I was enlisted in the good ole USAF. I got marksman too ! Now that I'm out though I would like to get one of my own mainly for target practice / plinking. Eventually if I could find some opportunities to get into some competition shooting I'd like to do that too, but thats a long way off and I sort of need to get one first! :duh:

Anyways... point being I've been researching for some time now with what type of rifle I'd like to get and I've looked heavily into DPMS to start with. Then I came across the 556 and started researching that. Well one of those lovely threads brought me here eventually with some research, and it seems I've now settled with an XCR. I like the fact of a company that is going to stand behind their product. Also if I want to convert it to 6.8mm and then take it hunting to check it out I can do that.

Anyways, long back story and lets get onto some questions. Having never saw an XCR in person and just with pictures I'm a bit confused about some of the configuration deals. I'm thinking this weekend I'll go to the nearest dealer in Beaufort, SC and check out what they are like.

I'm fairly certain that for my purposes I wouldn't really need a heavy barrel. I dont plan on a great deal of sustained fire, and I wouldn't think I would need one of those. Next question is does anyone have any pictures of the 3 slot muzzle break? I know what the regular A2 looks like. Are there pictures of the different folding stock styles? I'm not sure I'm much on the folding stock and that is something that I would have to hold to see if I like it. I'm one of the people that usually rest their cheek on the stock, and I'm not sure that will work. Does anyone have a folding stock and shoot the same way? Also does anyone have pictures actually looking down the sights that can be installed from factory? Ideally I would want to get an aimpoint or an ACOG since they seem to be the crowd favorites of folks, and I'm sure that many people can't be wrong!

 

[TerraShrewsbury]

Look at the dealer finder on our website. You might find a dealer with a couple XCRs in stock... You could go in, get a feel for once.

 

[SigsRule]

Pictures of all the stocks and muzzle brakes are on Robinson's website, http://www.robarm.com/

I have the light barrel, folding stock version with an ACOG and Troy Industries BUIS. I have no problem getting a good cheek weld on the tube stock. There are a number of ways to add pads to these tube stocks and Alex is about to come out with his own version of a non-tube stock. Here's some pictures of mine.

In this next picture you can see the height of the ACOG above the tube stock. It's more of an upright head position than the canted over cheek weld I have to use on my Weatherby. Bottom line though is that I don't have a problem with it.

 

[gunner69]

Thad, Welcome to the forum. As you browes the various old posts ALL your questions will be answered. Most everone you meet here, on the forum, will help out if you have additional questions. If you reload both the 6.5 & 6.8 are good choices for deer size animals. The XCR is an excellent choice for a platform to shoot in the various callibers available. Unlike the AR, the gas system is adjustable for whatever ammo you come across to shoot. Near all the accessories that fit on an AR will work on the XCR. :toast:

 

[aziator]

Thad, I am down in Savannah and can show you mine if you are in the area.

 

[thadbme]

Thanks folks. I appreciate the hospitality. I had browsed around in some other topics but didn't see the folks specifically seeing the down the barrel questions so I apologize. There are a ton of topics here so that was me being lazy!

I live in Goose Creek, SC so Savannah is a bit away, but I wouldn't necessarily shoot that down if I was wanting to check one out. My intention would be to go to Beaufort which would just be a little over an hour away and check one out. However I'll call first and make sure they have atleast one in stock so I can see.

Also thanks for the info for the 6.5 & 6.8. I was checking into the ballistics of them and people seem to think they are pretty suited for hunting deer. I'll be honest, I'm not much of a deer hunter, but it helps me justify a new toy if I can say its for hunting! Reloading is something that I could find interesting, I'd just have to get a big start on it. Got a house now, so I'd probably want to invest in a bench and a press. What type of area do you reloaders normally work in? Garage is about the only thing I'd find feasable especially with the wifey!

 

[ny32182]

If you ever find yourself the Greenville or Clemson area, you are welcome to check mine out.

The 6.5 is not available yet, and only a small number of the 6.8's are out, I believe. But I am looking forward to the 6.5 release. Both cartridges would be a handloading only proposition for me. I am a new handloader, and right now I am only set up for 5.56 and .308.

 

[SigsRule]

Thadbme, you asked about my iron sights. No, I don't have the ACOG setup so I can simultaneously use the iron sights. The ACOG is a 4x scope and the eye relief is such that I have it set back so far that the rear sight can't be unfolded with the ACOG mounted. However, it is on a mount with two big knobs that would allow easily removing it in the field. Many will say that's not optimum for a combat rifle, but I'm a civilian now. ;D

Other's have reported mounting BUIS with various reddots like the EoTEC and the Aimpoints and are able to co-witness with the iron sights. Check the picture threads and you'll see some.

 

[thadbme]

I have seen some of the iron sight through the AP & EOTech and I liked those, just was not sure on the magnification on there. I think I'll have to see each of the optics in person before I'm able to make a strong case for which I like the best!

And I'm a civilian also, but I never really was a gun toter when I was enlisted

 

[Martens]

All I have needed is the light barrel. Even with the light barrel, I have been able to scope the rifle and pass the sniper quals using cheap ammo. The guns are pretty darn accurate. If you plan to suppress it, then I might look at the heavy otherwise I think the light will meet all of your needs.

I don't know of any magnified optic that will allow you to use the BUIS's with it in place. If you go for a red dot, then it will come down to personal preference and budget. I have been extremely pleased with the performance of the SPOT and have used it in after it has been in heavy rain for 4 hours, freezing temps, and bouncing around daily in a patrol car. It has never let me down, changed zero or done anything that I don't trust it for duty. We even issue them at work. Price played into the original decision but having used them for a couple of years now, there meet all of our needs and nothing that cost mores offers anymore features than the SPOT.

As for stocks, it will probably come down to personal preference. I have tried all three styles that RA offers and am back to the original folder. Here is my take of the three styles:

Original Folder--This stock has a nice slim profile and the padded top is a nice bonus, especially in cold or hot shooting sessions. I would like the rear of the stock to be about a 1/2 taller (more like an M4) as I ride the stock up real high on my shoulder. The rubber butt is very nice and the stock does not slip off of my duty uniform or tac vest. I didn't think this was that big of a deal until I used my HK with B&T stock one day in duty uniform. The hard plastic butt would not stick where I wanted it and slide out to my shoulder. I actually had to concentrate on making a "pocket" to get it to stay put.

I also like the slim profile when using my 3X magnifier as I can get more centered behind the optic than with the M4 tube.

The folding feature is really useful for storage and deplyment of the stock from the front seat of the car. I just used it the other day on a felony stop and it was laid in the front seat. I grabbed it, took up position between the door and A Post and snapped it right open. The hinge is adjustable for tension and lock up and is as rigid as a fixed stock.

Some people don't like the sling loop with this setup but I find it quite useable. I had to use a nylon zip tie to adapt my sling to it, but it works well and gives enough play to transition to the left shoulder using a three point sling. I prefer the end of the reciever mount location for all of my tactical guns with three point slings. The loop works great with a single point bungee sling.

Folding M4 stock--I like the concept but not the execution. With the M4 stock closed, it is as long as the original and I would like at least a 1/2 inch shorter for it to benefit me (6'2 and 205). Since it doesn't really offer an adjustment advantage over the original, it didn't work for me. At least the benefits of the hinge and sling attachment are the same as the original folder if it does work for you. I also did not like the look of the folding M4 stock, particular on the left side when the stock is open. The lines of the XCR are very pleasing to me, and the transition from the receiver to the stock is very awkward looking. If the stock offered me an advantage, then I would overlook it.

Fixed M4--I used this style for a really long time with the Magpul CTR stockk. It was very comfortable, gave me reasonable adjustments that worked well with the difference between duty uniform and tac vest, and looked pretty good. The receiver adaptor is well made and fits the lines of the gun well.

I don't use it for the time being as it doesn't work as well when using my 3X adaptor. It is a little too thick and with the limited eye relief I have on the magnifier, it sometimes hits where my nose and eye socket meet. The original doesn't have this problem. Second, I didn't like the sling options with it. When using the rear attachment points on the buttstock, it was too tight to transition to my off shoulder. If I didn't want to do this, then I really liked that it held the gun tight. It was always at my shoulder ready to come up if needed. I tried the reciever plate but found it very uncomfortable. It RA was not coming out with a new stock or if I don't like it, I have looked at the receiver extension and it looks like there is enough material for a sling swivel stud. I would place it towards the bottom where it would be pointed slightly down. It would clear the charging handle and my nose when shooting and let me mount the sling where I like it.

I hope my experiences can help you a bit in your decision. The XCR is a great weapon and you can set it up in a variety of configurations to meet YOUR needs.

 

[thadbme]

Thanks for that. That is pretty helpful!