Robinson's rifles: the simpler the better
The Robinson Rifle subcompact fires! Photo by Robinson Armament Co
right] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to everyone simply and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1: 5 [/ right]
Weapon and firms. Recently, more and more small firms have appeared on the US arms market, which, nevertheless, create very advanced models of small arms. And they not only create them for the civilian market, but also participate with them in army competitions. And why shouldn't they do it? Machine tools and equipment can be leased today. Materials and components to order. The basic model AR-15 is always at hand! Barrels and butts can be ordered from other companies (Magpool will be sincerely glad!). Well, your company will only have to work on ergonomics and ... color options! This is for a start. And then you can do more serious alterations. For example, replace 80% of metal parts with plastic ones. Or, on the contrary, make both the handle and the barrel casing pressed from birch bark, which, as you know, does not cool your hands even in severe frost. Why not? And you never know what you can think of. People are greedy for everything new, something is getting old morally all the time, which means that the main thing is to come up with such a competitive advantage that could be easily and effectively advertised, and advertising will do the rest for you!
XCR-L Assault Rifle Prototype
Here comes the Robinson Armament Co. - An American firearms manufacturer from North Salt Lake City, Utah, followed roughly the same path. Moreover, in 2009 it employed only 15 people. And yet it produces military-grade rifles, including the much-touted modular XCR rifle. But she started with a commercial model - the M96 rifle. However, its debut on the market was not very successful. As it turned out to be quite difficult to move forward with a new "arch" against the background of many old "arches".
XCR-L with silencer and 305 mm barrel
Then the company offered a new version of its weapon: a modular multi-caliber rifle XCR, which it created specifically to participate in a very serious competition for a new model of weapons for the American special forces "SOF / SCAR". However, it did not come to comparative tests. The rifle was disqualified at the very beginning, since it lacked a module for firing blank cartridges. Like the specialists of Robinson Armament Co. "Missed" on such trifles - it is not clear. But they missed! However, there is no such thing as a silver lining. Experts looked at the new rifle and rated it very positively. What ... again matters in market conditions, where a positive opinion of experts is the same advertisement!
XCR-L exploded view
Moreover, the manufacturers claimed that they were able to achieve reliable and trouble-free operation of their sample in any climatic conditions, and the possibility of changing the barrel (that is, reinstalling barrels of different lengths and caliber of cartridges) makes it possible for the owner of the rifle to easily transform it into an assault rifle, "just a carbine" and "Compact carbine", that is, a weapon with a very short barrel. In this case, changing the caliber of the rifle is carried out by replacing only one barrel and the bolt group together with the bolt; the lower part of the receiver, or as it is called in the USA "lower receiver", does not change at all. So the shooter-owner of such a rifle, having a minimum level of knowledge, is quite capable of changing the caliber of his rifle without outside help in less than 5 minutes.
Civilian version of the XCR rifle with a fixed stock
It has been said and very true that it is difficult to do - very simple, but to do it is simple - very difficult. But ask for wisdom and it will be given to you! In this case, the creators of the XCR turned out to be wise enough, or maybe they had an enlightenment from above that they did not get hung up on the AR-15 platform, but took all the best from both the "arch" itself and from the AK assault rifle and the FN rifle. In any case, the working rod of the gas piston was taken from our Kalashnikov. At the same time, the gas mechanism does not in the least interfere with its disassembly and removal of the forend. According to experts, such a design in addition to everything else "significantly improves the appearance of the rifle"(Which, of course, is important, since the weapon should be not only effective, but also pleasing to the eye!) And makes it easier to use the currently fashionable methods of gripping, and also gives more space for various attachments.
XCR with interchangeable barrels and tactical flashlight. Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
All in all, the XCR is a design that's lightweight, durable and reliable, at least in theory. Well, multi-caliberness also adds to its competitive advantages in the market. Robinson Armament offers the XCR in a wide variety of calibers and cartridges. Thus, the XCR-L ("light rifle") is offered in 5,56 mm, .300 Blackout (7.62 × 35 mm), 6,8 mm SPC, 7,62x39 mm and 5,45x39 mm calibers. The XCR-M (Medium Rifle) is also available in .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm), .243 Winchester and .260 Remington.
Rifle XCR-M. Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
The design of both rifles is simple. It couldn't be easier. Automation works due to the removal of powder gases, while the gas outlet unit together with the gas piston is located above the barrel. Since the rifle was developed according to the requirements of the American army, there is no gas regulator in its standard base version. But it is possible to install it yourself. That is, the regulator can be bought separately and, if you have some knowledge, you can put it on the rifle with your own hands. As for the civilian, self-loading version of the XCR, it is equipped with a four-position gas regulator. There are only three lugs to lock the rifle barrel. Apparently, the creators decided not to complicate the design and not to put 7 or 8 stops, as some manufacturers of "arches" began to do.
And the XCR-L is also available in a multicolored design for every taste. There is a "red rifle" (apparently, the rule "fools love red" is popular not only in our country, but also in the USA!). Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
There is a “Competition” rifle painted in a color called “titanium blue”. Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
With a body painted in bronze ... Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
The rifle body is traditional, made of sheet metal by stamping. The receiver housing consists of two halves - lower and upper, which are connected by means of transverse pins.
In a completely vintage black acid green paint ... Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
USM allows you to conduct single or automatic fire modes (of course, in the civilian version, you can only shoot single shots). In this case, the safety lever in the military version is combined with the translator of fire modes, and is located above the pistol grip on both the right and left.
In black-red-gray. It's called Vulverin! Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
Today, not a single weapon can do without Picatinny rail. So the XCR rifles have four guide bars at once, located on both sides of the barrel, under the barrel and also on top of the receiver in its entire length. The upper "picatinny" serves for the installation of various sights, since standard sighting devices are simply not provided on it. The rest can be used to install an under-barrel grenade launcher, additional grip, tactical flashlight, etc. Moreover, the designers even thought about such seemingly trifles as protecting the hands of the shooter, who can grab onto unused guides. To prevent this from happening, they are provided with the installation of special plastic plates.
And finally, in pink! I imagine a girl shooter with this rifle in a pink hunting suit "with epaulettes", a flirty pink beret and ... with the same pink thoughts in her head with bright pink hair! Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
The cocking handle is on the left side. The weapon generally has very few protruding parts, unlike the same AR-15, and this is also its big plus. As already noted, the barrel can be easily replaced with a rifle. Thus, if desired, the XCR-L shooter can be used as a subcompact carbine - with a barrel length of 305 mm, a shortened carbine (using a barrel length of 368 mm), a carbine - 406 mm barrel, and an assault rifle (machine gun) with the longest barrel length 470 mm. The standard length is 406 mm.
Here it is - very short. Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
For firing 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges, barrels with a length of 305, 368, 406, 470 mm can be used; for calibers 6.8x43 mm and 7.62x39 mm - 305, 368, and 406 mm barrels.
Three paint options for the XCR-M-Mini rifle. Photo by Robinson Armament Co.
The length of the rifle in calibers 5.56x45, 6.8x43, 7.62x39 is 959 mm, with a folded stock - 696 mm. Weight with a barrel 406 mm - 3,4 kg. Effective firing range: 400 m. Rate of fire: 550-600 rounds / min. Magazines can be used from a variety of rifles, including the M4 and M16, as well as the drum-type C-Mag. For the 6.8 mm caliber, 26 charging magazines have been specially designed. But it is impossible to use standard magazines from Soviet AK-47 / AKM assault rifles.
The emblem of the Robinson Armament Co.
The rifle has a metal frame stock that folds to the right side. But, as in the case of the barrels, the owner of the rifle can choose the butt for himself, since he has plenty to choose from, and install it on his rifle on his own.
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