Robinson Armament XCR - History and Variants

History and Variants

The XCR was designed in 2004 by Alex J. Robinson of Robinson Armament Co. Production of the XCR-L variant of the rifle began in mid-2006.

The XCR-L is currently available in 5.56mm, 6.8mm Remington SPC and 7.62x39mm cailbers. Each of these calibers is available in kit form for converting an existing rifle to one of the other calibers.

The XCR-M .308 was officially confirmed via Robinson Arms email circulation to a public reveal at SHOT show 2011.

The 6.8 Remington SPC variant began shipping in November 2007.

The 7.62x39mm rifles and conversion kits began shipping in July 2008.

In August 2009 Robinson Arms began shipping 3 different sized upper receivers enabling PDW and pistol style variants:

• Standard Upper Receiver - The original length and designed to support barrel lengths from 11" to 18.6".
• Mini Upper Receivers - 15.25" long and designed to support barrel lengths from 9" to 18.6". Primarily intended for barrel lengths from 9" to 10".
• Micro Upper Receivers - 13.25" long and designed to support barrel lengths from 7.5" to 18.6". Primarily intended for barrel lengths from 7.5" to 8".

Variants are also available in "California" versions which are limited to meet the more restrictive State of California firearms laws.

Robinson Armament also produces a 18.6" barrel version for the Canadian market, which makes the XCR "NON-Restricted" which increases its Canadian Market as it is available to holders of the standard PAL (possession and Acquisition License) without a restricted firearm status, needed to purchase handguns and rifles like the AR-15. The XCR rifles intended for the Canadian market are shipped with fixed skeletonized stocks only although aftermarket collapsible or folding stocks are available as an accessory. Also these rifles ship with a single magazine pinned to accept only 5 rounds.

Since its introduction in 2006, components of the XCR have been updated. Most of these enhancements are available to existing XCR owners.

• In November 2006 the firing pin was redesigned and made more durable and robust.
• The first few hundred XCRs shipped with Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) back up iron sights (BUIS). The most recent iteration ships either without BUIS or with BUIS designed by Midwest Industries.
• A 2nd generation adjustable gas system started shipping with XCR rifles in July 2007. The 1st generation gas system required tools (a 5/8" wrench) to adjust. The 2nd generation system can be adjusted by hand.
• The XCR's hammer was updated in July 2008 concurrent with the release of the 7.62x39 rifles/kits. The new heavier design allows the XCR to ignite some newer Wolf 7.62x39 ammunition made with extra-hard primers.
• In early 2009 Robinson began shipping rifles with an integral winter style trigger guard and new paddle style safety. A provision for a quick detachable sling loop was added to the stock mount.
• A two stage match trigger is available which will break at approximately 3.5 lbs. This trigger can be ordered with a new rifle or retrofitted to an older one. The older one was a two stage trigger that was about twice as heavy, and some complaints included trigger slap. As of May 2009, the new trigger has been shipping with all new rifles.
• Ambidextrous mag release was demonstrated at SHOT 2010 and is expected to be made available in the future.
• XCR-M .308 and XCR-L 5.45 calibers have been confirmed for public announcement and display at SHOT show 2011 via Robinson email bulletin <