Re: XCR info/reviews?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FMJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is a description of the next generation weapons platform. Go to your local gun store and compare all three side by side. This is what I believe you will find.
Of the three weapons platforms they are all modular meaning they are multi caliber and with the correct parts you can configure into a short barreled rifle, a standard multipurpose rifle, or a precision rifle or DMR configuration. They are all side chargers, they all use a piston that dumps the operating gas under the forearm, unlike the M-16 and because they are piston operated they all have an adjustable folding stock. They all have a monolithic rail meaning the upper receiver is one piece with no joint between the upper receive and the forearm. The SCAR and the ACR have a plastic or polymer lower receiver while the XCR has a metal lower receiver.
<span style="color: #FF0000"> Scar and ACR stock have significantly more adjustments and a much more solid lockup than the XCR I handled when they were released, maybe this has changed? Polymer lower is an advantage for my use, however YMMV.</span>
As of yet there are no conversion parts for the SCAR and ACR. The XCR has four caliber conversions you can purchase now. The .556, the 5.45x39, the 7.62x39 and the 6.8 SPC cartridge.
<span style="color: #FF0000">True, however SCAR conversions are now available through a 3rd party manufacturer for 300 BLK with more to come. Remember that it also took robarms many missed deadlines to actually release anything, however they are available now. Whether or not any of this will have an impact on your purchase depends on your use.</span>
The rifles are all ambidextrous with fire controls on both sides. The selector on the SCAR is plastic, has a solid feel and has a short throw of approximately 60 degrees. However, the location of the selector does not fit my hand and I have to adjust my firing hand grip in order to manipulate it. This is a little annoying.
The selector on the ACR is also plastic and has the same 90 degree throw as the M-16 so it takes a little extra push to manipulate it. I don't know exactly how to describe how this feels except to say that it's much like a cheep $200 air soft rifle being plastic and all.
The selector on the XCR is metal and has a short throw of approximately 60 degrees. It's in the correct location and it simply feels great. Maybe the best way to describe it is to mention the proper method of using it. To knock the safety off you always use your thumb, right or left handed. Notice when you do that your thumb is laying at a natural angle to the selector, IE approximately 60 degrees. When you apply the safety you always use your trigger finger, that way your finger is outside the trigger guard where is should be. Simply straighten your finger while lifting up and the safety snaps on. If you're manipulating the selector any other way you're simply doing it wrong.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Everything stated in this section is subjective and purely personal preference, nothing to base superiority on here for any of the platforms.</span>
One of the best features of the XCR is the bolt catch or bolt release. It does both so I guess you can call it whatever you want. Robinson came up with this design over ten years ago on the M96 Expeditionary rifle and every AR style rifle should have this feature. On the M-16 in order to release the bolt you remove your support hand from the forearm, slap the paddle on the left side of the receiver and then grab the forearm to support the rifle. With the XCR you simply depress the bolt release located in front of the trigger guard with your trigger finger. Your firing hand is already on the pistol grip so it's really simple. The SCAR uses the M-16 style paddle that everyone is familiar with. The ACR has copied the XCR design. I understand there is a lawsuit over this and it will years and years before this is ever settled. However, it's obvious that Robinson came up with this design long before the Masada was even a twinkle in Magpuls eye. The Magpul Bad Lever is the AR-15 solution to a trigger finger bolt release as long as you don't mind having strange parts bolted to the outside of your receiver.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Never tried the ACR or XCR bolt release so I can't comment on this, I know however that I like that the SCAR shares that part of the manual of arms with my AR's.</span>
The SCAR has a two position gas valve. standard and fouled. When the rifle is dirty or malfunctions you switch to the fouled position and it dumps more gas into the operating system.
The ACR has a two position gas valve, standard and suppressed. When you're using a suppressor you switch to the suppressed position and it dumps less gas into the operating system.
The XCR has a five position gas valve. The S position is for a suppressor and uses the least amount of gas, next would be 1 through 4 with 4 using the most amount of gas to operate the system. This allows you to shoot low powered ammunition like Wolf on setting 4 or quality ammunition on a lower gas setting. I don't shoot Wolf ammo but this is what I have been told.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Your information here is wrong, the scar has an unsuppressed setting and a suppressed setting. It doesn't need an adverse setting, it will run anything. Five positions does not bring a tangible advantage to the table, in fact I would postulate that if anything it is just more likely to induce operator error by setting the gas to one of the incorrect settings, better to just have the gun run reliably with either or.</span>
The SCAR uses a reciprocating charging handle that can be switched to the opposite side. You need to be careful where you place your support had or you can get smacked by the charging handle.
The ACR uses a rubber covered handle that can be switched to the right side. The charging handle angles to the rear as you grasp it to pull it back, so it feels like you're in the process of loosing your hold on it when you charge it. It also can be switched to right side, Both the SCAR and ACR charging handles are about four inches forward of the work space and they are located much to close to the top rail. If you have a scope or any type of optics mounted on the rifle it's a knuckle buster when you try to charge it.
The XCR uses a charging handle that looks a lot like the FAL and is located about two inches below the top rail inside the workspace so you don't have to reach forward to grasp it. The only thing I can find wrong with it is you can't move it to the right side for a left handed shooter. So a left handed shooter has to reach under the rifle with his support hand to charge it. However, that is a small price to pay for the solid feel of the handle. Pushing in on the spring loaded handle engages the bolt carrier so it's just like a forward assist if you think you need one.
<span style="color: #FF0000">This is a big gripe a lot of people do have with the scar, while I personally like a reciprocating charging handle I do wish that the positioning was a little farther forward. From what I have seen both the XCR and ACR charging handles are well thought out designs.</span>
The SCAR has an adjustable polymer folding stock that that can only be described as very fragile, it even sounds fragile just taping on it with your fingers. It feels good but I'm always afraid to close the stock without first depressing the release button.
The ACR has an adjustable polymer folding stock that looks and feels very solid. They did a good job designing this stock.
The XCR has an adjustable metal folding stock and allows the use of any AR type stock or you can order a wire stock that will fold but you can't easily change it's length. Robinson now has a new metal stock but it's so new we don't know too much about it.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Not sure how the scar stock can only be described as fragile, mine has held up well and I have yet to meet anyone with proof of a confirmed breakage. It is also far more adjustable and has a much sturdier lockup than any XCR stock I have seen.</span>
At my local gun shop the FN SCAR costs approximately $2,300 to $2,400. The Enhanced ACR costs approximately $2,500 to $2,600. The XCR with an AR stock adapter, MOE stock, and Troy Micro Battle Sights cost approximately $1,800. I believe it's a superior rifle for the reasons mentioned above and on top of that it cost less. If you want the best bang for your buck I don't see how you could come to any other conclusion.
<span style="color: #FF0000">For 2.1K you're getting one of the most extensively tested rifles ever to be produced, for 1.8K you are getting a weapon that at least initially suffered from subpar manufacturing, poor customer service and a lack of quality control. Well thought out design suffering from bungled execution. Perhaps things have improved now but color me skeptical.</span>
If you love the AR-15 there is nothing wrong with that. It has been with us for a long time and will be for a long time to come. I own more than one but I haven't shot them since I purchased the XCR. If your interested in the next generation weapons platform then you should look at the SCAR, ACR and XCR. Robinson Arms is a small company but I believe he manufactures a superior rifle. Two very respected firearms instructors have given thumbs up for the XCR. Clint Smith and John Farnham among others. I have taken classes from both of these instructor and in my opinion they are among the very best.
I am not an employee of Robinson Arms but I believe I know a few things about rifles. I also used to be a patrol rifle instructor but I don't think that really means anything. Your opinion may vary based upon your frame size, your hand size, the cheek bones in your face, etc etc. I respect your opinion and you should buy the rifle that you think is best. Good luck! </div></div>
I don't think it's possible to name one "next gen carbine" as the best rifle out there. Even though I love the scar, AR platform is not going anywhere as in general none of these guns offer anything significant over the M4/M16 FOW.