With $700 AR15 rifles everywhere, it is hard to sell the American public on more expensive semi-automatic modern sporting rifles no matter how many bells and whistles said rifles may have. As such, the Robinson XCR is a rifle that you do not see too often at the range, and that really is a shame. Our neighbors to the north love them due to their non-restricted status, but shooters here in the USA have never quite warmed up to the rifle. Here at SHOT 2014 is the first time I have been able to play with one for a bit.

The XCR was a competitor in the recent US Military Individual Carbine Competition, and from what I have heard, the soldiers loved the rifle.

Here is the light version, chambered in 5.56 by default but caliber conversions to 6.8 and 7.62×39 are available now:

The rifle handles well and features a non-reciprocating charging handle, familiar AR style controls, and is piston operated.

The rep from Robinson was able to field strip the gun in about 15 seconds too, and this genuinely impressed me (it was “AK” fast).

Robinson is also very NFA friendly, and produces factory SBRs for sale which makes me a happy camper.

Here is the 5.56 version:

Also at the booth was the XCR-M, Robinson’s 7.62×51 rifle. The one on display was an SBR that I imagine throws fireballs into the next county:

I shouldered and manipulated the rifle quite a bit, and to be honest I found it to be very well balanced, at least more so than a SCAR 17 with a similar barrel length:

Alas, my impressions of the Robinson rifles:

• Factory SBRs are a great option
• Caliber conversions are available now (are you listening, FN and Bushmaster?)
• All the features of a modern military style semi auto you should expect
• Cleaning should be painless
• Switching calibers is incredibly easy
• I wish I saw more of these around!