Robinson Armament XCR
| Robinson Armament XCR | |
|---|---|
| File:XCR SBR ACC.gif CQB/SBR version of XCR | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States, Utah |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Alex J. Robinson |
| Designed | 2004 |
| Manufacturer | Robinson Armament Co. |
| Produced | 2006–Present |
| Variants | Carbine, CQB SBR, Marksman (SPR) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.5 lbs |
| Length | 37.75" (Stock Extended); 27.4" (Stock Folded) |
| Barrel length | |
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 6.8 mm SPC, 6.5 mm Grendel, any other calibers that will fit a 5.56 mm envelope |
| Action | Kalashnikov type long-stroke piston/ Rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire |
|
| Muzzle velocity | 975 m/s (2,900 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 550 m (600 yd) |
| Feed system | |
| Sights | Picatinny railing |
The Robinson Armament XCR is a multi-caliber, gas piston weapon system developed by Robinson Armament Co. for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to satisfy the requirements of the SOF Combat Assault Rifle[1], or SCAR competition, but was disqualified on a technicality due to late delivery of blank firing adapters. Robinson Armament continued development and the XCR is now being offered to law enforcement, the military and general public. Deliveries of the rifle began in mid-2006.
Overview
The XCR can be converted to various calibers and barrel lengths within a few minutes due to the highly modular design without the need for a highly trained armorer. Other features include a folding stock which eases storage space consumption and deploying from a vehicle (with optional fixed stock or M4 Carbine style stocks for those who prefer length of pull adjustments), a monolithic top Picatinny rail with side and under-barrel rails, and forward assist in the left-side charging handle. The XCR utilizes a heavy duty bolt and extractor connected to an AK-47 type gas piston. The bolt and extractor are especially designed and patented by RA, and promoted as offering higher performance over M16/M4 type bolts. The first 25 XCRs released to the civilian market featured soft sears and were recalled to prevent slam fires.
Caliber Conversions
The XCR is a multi-caliber weapon system. The base platform is chambered in 5.56x45 NATO. Conversions are easily achieved by changing to the appropriately chambered barrel and bolt, and can be done in two to three minutes with typical household tools. 6.8 Remington SPC is currently the only conversion kit available. 7.62x39, and 6.5 are scheduled for release before year’s end.
The 7.62x39 kit will require a new STANAG type magazine that will utilize the same control layout found in 5.56x45 NATO versions. The operator will not be forced to adopt the inferior ergonomics and reload system associated with AK47 type magazines.
In addition to conversion kits, factory guns in alternate calibers are also sold.
Operating Mechanism
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2008) |
The XCR employs a Kalashnikov type, gas operated action with a large, robust bolt carrier attached to a long stroke gas piston; the gas chamber is located above the barrel.
The proprietary bolt is over-engineered, using a massive three-lug design that locks onto the barrel extension leaving the upper receiver unstressed. There is no need to check the headspace when changing barrels. A steel fixed ejector is attached to the inside of the receiver, held in place by two bolts. Not only is this design impressively reliable, but it provides far stronger ejection than what is offered on the AR-15’s spring loaded ejector design.
Magazines are STANAG 4179 type.
Upper and Lower Receiver
The upper receiver is made from extruded anodized aluminum, and non-stressed. It features a non-reciprocating charging handle on left side which also acts as a forward assist.
The quad rail system is integrated into the upper receiver and compatible with most 1913 picatinny devices. The top rail is monolithic and 17” long, providing a rigid, uninterrupted plane for mounting optics and BUIS (Backup Iron Sights); the 3, 6, and 9 O'clock Position Rails are 8" long.
File:XCR L left.gif
File:XCR L 16 right.gif
Developments
Since its introduction in 2006, the XCR has been refined to address feedback from customers which highlighted areas were the gun needed to be improved.
- The firing pin has been redesigned and made more robust.
- A 2nd generation adjustable gas system has been introduced. Not only is it more reliable because there are less parts to work loose, but it is also tool-less.
- The first few hundred XCR's shipped with YHM back up iron sights (BUIS). The most recent iteration ships either without BUIS or with BUIS designed by Midwest Industries, which are generally regarded as superior in design and aesthetics when compared to their YHM predecessors.
- Robinson Armament is currently researching and developing a stock with similar functionality and practicality found on the FN SCAR. This stock will be unique to the XCR, and will feature adjustments for both length of pull and cheek height/weld.
See also
References
- ^ SOF is an abbreviation for Special Operations Forces.