The Robinson Armament Co. XCR is a multi-caliber, gas piston weapon system developed by Robinson Armament Co. for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to fill the requirements of the SOF Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR competition, but was disqualified due to the manufacturer failing to provide blank firing adapters on time. It has been offered to law enforcement, the military, and the general public since 2006.
The XCR utilizes a heavy duty bolt and extractor connected to a long stroke type gas piston. The bolt and extractor are designed and patented by Robinson Arms, and promoted as offering higher performance over eight lug M16/M4 type bolts. Other features include a folding stock, telescoping M4 Carbine style stocks, monolithic top Picatinny rail with side and under-barrel rails, and forward assist integrated into left-side charging handle.
The XCR rifle utilizes a gas-operated action with a long-stroke gas piston, similar to the Kalashnikov design, and the gas chamber is positioned above the barrel.
Its proprietary bolt features a three-lug design, securely locking onto the barrel extension, which helps to keep the upper receiver unstressed. The design eliminates the need to check headspace when changing barrels. The rifle incorporates a steel fixed ejector inside the receiver, secured by two bolts, which the manufacturer claims results in stronger ejection compared to the AR-15's spring-loaded ejector. Ejection pattern occurs at the two o'clock position relative to the operator, with an optimal distance of 15 to 20 feet, depending on the ammunition type and gas setting.
The XCR uses STANAG 4179 type magazines.
The XCR was designed in 2004 by Alex J. Robinson of Robinson Armament Co., with production of the XCR-L variant of the rifle beginning in mid-2006.
One month after the September 11 attacks, Alex Robinson received an invitation from the 5th Special Forces Group to participate in a program to provide a design for the SPRV (Special Purpose Rifle Variant), with the requirement of being able to use common enemy ammunition types such as the 7.62ÃÂ39 and 5.45ÃÂ39 cartridges, in addition to .223 Remington. A full-auto variant of the M96 was built within 60 days, with the gun then sent to Blackwater for trials, where it was received positively. Following submission by Steve Holland from 5th Special Forces Group, alongside Colonel Jack Dills, to the United States Special Operations Command for approval, the SCAR program commenced, with the XCR eventually becoming one of many designs brought forward by a number of participating manufacturers.
The XCR-L is currently available in 5.56ÃÂ45mm NATO, 300 Blackout, 6.8mm Remington SPC, 6.5mm Grendel, 5.45ÃÂ39mm, .224 Valkyrie, 6mm ARC, .22 ARC, .338 ARC and 7.62ÃÂ39mm calibers. 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 6.8mm Remington SPC variant began shipping in November 2007.
The 7.62ÃÂ39mm 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:
Variants are also available in "California" versions which are limited to meet the more restrictive State of California firearms laws.
Robinson Armament also produced an 18.6" barrel version for the Canadian market. The XCR rifles intended for the Canadian market were shipped with the FAST stock (fully adjustable stock), although aftermarket stocks are available as an accessory. These rifles shipped with a single magazine pinned to accept only five rounds. On May 1, 2020, the XCR was reclassified as a Prohibited Firearm and is no longer legal to import or sell in Canada.
Since its introduction in 2006, components of the XCR have been updated. Most of these enhancements are available to existing XCR owners.