Some XCR owners got together for a winter shoot and it was awesome. We had 4 XCR’s, 1 LWRC (Mine), an M96, Maddogdan’s kick ass suppressed 5.7 Franken-AR15, Glocks, 1911 and an XD…whew!
Oh, and the M96 freaking KICKS ASS!!!
Looks like y’all had fun and some nice guns to shoot. The setting is also pretty cool, is that public land or does someone in the group own it?
Nice Intifada Chic neckwear. 
So what is it about the M96 you liked?
Is that Tara and her “pink gun”???
Looks like fun VB, wish I wasnt so far away cuz I would have brought the 5th XCR along.
Had a M96, got the XCR in 2006 and never looked back. The M96 was a decent weapon, but it had some issues that I didn’t like. It used a .223 chambering, it lacked a hold bolt open feature, the barrel lockup was not solid(saw a couple of barrels go downrange), the safety lever required chimp thumbs to reach, and it was overall just a heavy rifle for a .223/5.56. I think the XCR is a refinement of the ideas that Alex Robinson tried with the M96 and is really a more advanced evolution.
Not that my XCR had been perfect. Until I installed the updated gas system, my XCR had trouble with weaker ammo like Winchester Ranger SPs and Wolf. Then again, most of our agency M4s would not reliably cycle the Ranger SPs in the deserts of Arizona. With the new gas system which allowed a setting for more gas flow and a more reliable piston design it did quite well after that. About 8k rounds later and not a single training malfuction. Set you gas level to the right level for the ammo and the environment and it will eat anything you feed it…even with older magazines. Another thing I like about the XCR is that the magazine rides higher in the action, and it uses a cartridge guide instead of a typical feed ramp. So, the tips of your bullets do not impact a ramp and become deformed or hang up causing a FTF. A very insightful design which allows you to shoot any bullet design around with no problems. Once all the updates were made on my XCR(which all new production models have), the rifle has been superior to any M16/M4 weapon I’ve ever used. I will give the my Colt M4 a “slight” accuracy advantage which you notice at longer ranges on paper…probably due to the piston action vibrating on the XCR.
The only other issue I’ve heard of with the XCR is the ejector coming loose after 1000+ rounds. The cleaning instructions recommend that you inspect this and use a 1/4" wrench to ensure that the bolts are tight during cleaning. I just put a little blue loctite on the threads after the first 500rds and it has never come loose on me. Blue loctite keeps the nuts in there, but you can still unscrew the bolts fairly easily…unlike red loctite which keeps it on there almost permanently.
cool pics…I would block the CA license plate…u guys got a lot of nice toys. 
…was that in Nevada ?
How so? I know nothing about them other than what you read at robarm. I’m not looking to buy one, just curious as to your impressions.
I own one. I’m not sure it “kicks ass”, but its an interesting design. And that’s mostly why I bought it. I’ve got lots of other “go-to” rifles, but the M96 is just enough different that its interesting.
Mine has worked well and I haven’t had any issues with it. I’m not sure that I’d have too much luck getting it fixed if I ever broke it, but for the way I use it (rarely, when I want to shoot something different), its fine. Plus I’m the only guy I know who has one, and most people have no idea what it is.
Here’s mine
The flip up rear sight that is incorporated into my rail is worthless in that it doesn’t work. I did try contacting Robarms about getting the standard rear sight (like in VB’s pic) but was told they didn’t have them any more. The result is that it really needs the RDS because the sights that came with it don’t align.
I asked about the folding stock too. No go. That’s the breaks of owning a rifle that didn’t see a lot of production and isn’t well-supported.
I’d be interested in why VB thinks it “kicks ass” though.
Here it is next to a fixed stock HBAR AR for size. I does look and feel a little AKish to me.
Nice pics, looks like you guys had fun.
The Kali license plate is killin’ me :D.
I liked the aesthetics of the M96, reminded me of the Stoner 63A, but they had too many issues for me when they came out.
Fed, I totally forgot you got an M96. If you’re looking to part with it, shoot me a PM. No, I am not joking 
As to why I liked the M96, I liked the way it handled and shot. The balance was very good for a steel weapon. Not like an AK or SIG 556. The recoil impulse was a nice push so I was triple tapping targets at 91 yards without issue. I liked the low profile feel as well and the way the M96 felt shouldered
In addition, that M96 was a Robarm T&E/Experimental gun. That gun has had tens of thousands of rounds through it, and is poorly maintained, and is still running like a champ. It was just a loaner, and I didnt especially want to give it back to Robarm. Next time I visit them to pick up parts I will make him an offer to Alex personally
Alex has said he will introduce the M96 this year, on a limited basis most likely. I hope he does. I’d take one over another AR15 at this point, especially since all the value has eroded from AR15’s with the recent price hikes.
a little off-topic- but if you live in california, can you keep an un-assembled AR? as in, lower and upper not attached? wouldnt be too bad… just take it across the international california-nevada boarder and put it together to shoot
We were shooting in Utah. The Kali plate belongs to someone stationed at Hill AFB. The Utah connection is how I have access to Robarm. They are 15 min from where I live. Terra in the photo works at Robarm as a builder and repair person. The pink XCR is hers, and she provided the M96