M305 A 'Poor Mans' XCR?

[pvtjohnson]

I have had two M305's, the first was a nice one, all tuned up, wearing a really nice wood stock. I sold it like a moron, and regret it. Bought M305 #2, had it for about a week, sold it, and bought a XCR. I get a major horn everytime I shoot it, and look forward to coming home from work to see it. Nothing wrong with the M305, I liked shooting it, but a XCR is a XCR.

 

[pbr streetgang]

The M305 is the dump truck of guns. Crank er over and get to business. It aint perdy but it gets the job done.

The XCR is a bit like a hot girlfriend. It's nice arm candy, but then the guys come around and hit on er right in front of ya. She eventually rubs that in your face and you get sick of the work. Opening the darn car door, fancy dinners, bla bla bla.

Sometimes ya just want to rent a movie and have some popcorn with the M305.

Careful man..before you know it you'll be climbing into bed with it and end up like this dude...

 

[Ravage]

For plinking and zombies I have my Tavor but i'm going to get a .308 semi auto as well I was thinking the XCR-M or now the new modern hunter is a little bit more but it's a custom built gun with high end accuracy. AR's or other restricted are off the table because I would use it for hunting deer or other big game so i'm leaning more towards the modern hunter just have to save up a little more then for the XCR-M. The M305 is cheap but after you trick it out your gonna be pushing up to the cost of an XCR anyways plus with the XCR or modern hunter you can shoot 10 round magazines so a another big check in the plus catagory right after being non restricted

 

[Secondgunman]

This is my M305 I toss the Sadlac Scope mount, Op spring and guide rod, added a M14 rear sight, coswell Bi pod and I have some stock mods that just came in and that USGI sling and cheek rest with a Redfield 3-9x 42 scope with Butler Creek Scope caps.


uploading pictures

 

[Demonical]

I just got back from the range. Blasted off a few 'boxes' with the M305's. Man those are sweet a** rifles. Gotta say I love them.

After reading the comments about the XCR, I'm not so sure I want one...

 

[Darkwater]

XCR, or $3000 rifle with jamming issue and accuracy problem? No thanks. You could get a LRB at that price.

Lol, you've definately never owned this rifle.

 

[Green Skull]

I don't know as I would call the M305 a poor mans rifle. Most poor people I know can't afford to waste $600 like that.

 

[volkov956]

XCR-M Problems during our Field Tests
-Does not fare well to being slammed down while in manuevers *hit the dirt*
-Plastic Charge Handle Major Flaw in Design
-Barrel Retention not pratical comes loose even with proper installation and Loctite or alternative especially under heavy use sitations which can cause FTE FTF and etc.
-Do Not Run this rifle with a dry non oiled Bolt system at all no matter what they advertise or say seen enough XCR-M failures
-Some Failures to FTE FTF and etc require alot more force to clear then other rifles or in some cases grab charge handle slam Butt into ground
-Some random Failures caused due to Different Ammo types and Major Elevation in Terrain aka almost sea level to Mountains

XCR-M Positives
-Nice Recoil easy to get back on target in good time
-Very Good on ground with bipod when engaging multiple targets or when supported on random Obstacles
-very manageable offhand when crouching or standing


M305 Problems
-Dirt/Sand/Mud Cause Action Problems and Feeding Problems
-Some units Gus Plug came loose causing no Auto Feed
-Some Units Retention of OP Rod had to be modified to prevent OP Rod and Spring from coming apart during firing *Stock Spacing Issues

M305 Positives
-Easy to Clear FTE FTF and other Malfunctions Action will clear when appplied with force.
-Running system dried after lots of use works and functions well under conditions
-Didn't seem to care what ammo we fed it and doesn't get effected too much in elevation changes

 

[BadAsMo]

XCR-M Problems during our Field Tests
-Plastic Charge Handle Major Flaw in Design
-Barrel Retention not pratical comes loose even with proper installation and Loctite or alternative especially under heavy use sitations which can cause FTE FTF and etc.

I have no idea why these gun designers F a perfectly good rifle for the sake of a QD barrel.
I've been waiting to find a keymod XCR with a 1:7 barrel in 223, but based on the above, I'm thinking I'll go with Tavor instead. I know it has some sort of QD barrel too, but at least it's proven in battle.

 

[NilRecurring]

I've never been a fan of the XCR, every one I've held felt ungainly and poorly balanced. For black rifles I really prefer ARs.

Sounds exactly like my M305, the thing is like lugging a cinderblock tied to a stick hahaha.

 

[Travis Bickle]

XCR is a rich man's toy. The M305 is the Working Man's gun

Never heard it put so well.
Nicely said Sir, nicely said.

 

[Travis Bickle]

XCR-M Problems during our Field Tests
-Does not fare well to being slammed down while in manuevers *hit the dirt*
-Plastic Charge Handle Major Flaw in Design
-Barrel Retention not pratical comes loose even with proper installation and Loctite or alternative especially under heavy use sitations which can cause FTE FTF and etc.
-Do Not Run this rifle with a dry non oiled Bolt system at all no matter what they advertise or say seen enough XCR-M failures
-Some Failures to FTE FTF and etc require alot more force to clear then other rifles or in some cases grab charge handle slam Butt into ground
-Some random Failures caused due to Different Ammo types and Major Elevation in Terrain aka almost sea level to Mountains

XCR-M Positives
-Nice Recoil easy to get back on target in good time
-Very Good on ground with bipod when engaging multiple targets or when supported on random Obstacles
-very manageable offhand when crouching or standing


M305 Problems
-Dirt/Sand/Mud Cause Action Problems and Feeding Problems
-Some units Gus Plug came loose causing no Auto Feed
-Some Units Retention of OP Rod had to be modified to prevent OP Rod and Spring from coming apart during firing *Stock Spacing Issues

M305 Positives
-Easy to Clear FTE FTF and other Malfunctions Action will clear when appplied with force.
-Running system dried after lots of use works and functions well under conditions
-Didn't seem to care what ammo we fed it and doesn't get effected too much in elevation changes

And the major difference between the cons of the two designs for me is the fact that you can easily fix most of the M305 issues in your basement using the "how to" stickies from this forum.
The XCR-M issues seem to be based in the very foundation of the rifles' design. Why in gods name a QD barrel?!

You can't fix that readily or easily aka "for less than a s**t load of money."

I don't own either rifle any more. I always prefered the M305 though. I tweaked mine myself to get it running and I literally never had a single issue with it after many thousands of rounds and many years owning it.
Kept it clean with nothing more than a little CLP and the issued cleaning kit in the butt stock. It shot accurate, it NEVER failed, it shot consistent and it ate whatever round I put into it and asked for seconds.