Robinson M-96 (M96)
- Thread starter cyclone
- Start date
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
Beautiful rifle. Glad it is getting some recent play on that channel and MAC. Same gun in both vids too.
MAC did a short vid on the Stoner 63 and alluded to an M96 video before he ended up selling the M96 to IV8888.
http://youtu.be/KTt8_a-enBU
MAC did a short vid on the Stoner 63 and alluded to an M96 video before he ended up selling the M96 to IV8888.
http://youtu.be/KTt8_a-enBU
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I almost bought one recently but when I read of the not-uncommon parts breakage and absolute lack of any source for replacement parts I reluctantly declined. From what I read, the last version (with "RA" prefix serial numbers) incorporated the improvement in the design during the rifle's production run and would probably be the ones to look for. I think that if you found a late-production model that had been lightly used, and you didn't intend to shoot it a lot, it'd probably be a fun rifle to own.
its a nice rifle for sure- I have one with 3 barrels (original exped rifle length (20.5"), an 18.6" in .223 and an 18.6" in .300 blackout) - so I have 2 gas tubes, 3 gas blocks & 3 op-rods to go with it. Parts are basically unobtainium, so I grabbed what I could (couple of spare firing pins, op-rod springs, bolts, extractors & extractor springs) back when there was some stuff around. Its nice because its NR & I have enough parts to keep it going forever.
I used to shoot it a lot - spread the rounds over the two .223 barrels (the .300 is under 200 rounds) - haven't shot it in a few years.....that video makes me want to pull it out again though! I might get it out this summer for some mag dumps
cheers!
d
I used to shoot it a lot - spread the rounds over the two .223 barrels (the .300 is under 200 rounds) - haven't shot it in a few years.....that video makes me want to pull it out again though! I might get it out this summer for some mag dumps
cheers!
d
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
Functionally, how different is it than the XCR?
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Totally different.
Supposedly, the primary production problem with the expeditionary rifle was that robarm had problems keeping their stainless welder(s).
Awesome concept, flawed (stoner) design, Ok execution, severely lacking manufacturer support to an abandoned design...
They both usually go bang when you pull the trigger, and they're both piston operated. That's about it??
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
How was the Stoner design flawed?
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
The stock is interchangeable. Nothing else.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
I could have phrased it more clearly:
From looking at photos of the two rifles disassembled, the M96 is quite clearly a Stoner 63 design decendent with the primary modifications being the gas piston and bolt carrier designs, presumably for some real or perceived advantages.
One could suggest it is a flawed version of the Stoner 63 design.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
How about this: "the m96, a fine firearm which only occasionally breaks irreplaceable parts..." ;-(
- Location
- inside a huge cloud of MOSQUITOS
I have had one for quite a few years. Very nice soft shooting accurate rifle.
Very unreliable. My oprod breaks constantly. I've tried everything. No new oprods means make your own.
Found out it uses a regular AR extractor.
The charging handle to op rod interface is the cheesiest thing I've ever seen on a rifle.
Maybe I got a lemon.
Had an XCR-m for a while. It's long gone.
Not a big robarms fan. M96 is really cool though. I guess a guy can just keep tinkerin away.
I miss my Swiss.
Very unreliable. My oprod breaks constantly. I've tried everything. No new oprods means make your own.
Found out it uses a regular AR extractor.
The charging handle to op rod interface is the cheesiest thing I've ever seen on a rifle.
Maybe I got a lemon.
Had an XCR-m for a while. It's long gone.
Not a big robarms fan. M96 is really cool though. I guess a guy can just keep tinkerin away.
I miss my Swiss.
What yukoncoyote said is pretty dead on - due to ZERO customer service, if you break something (which occurs often due to the strange combination of incredibly robust chassis, well built and solid parts like the carrier, gas block, sights etc....and flimsy little keys, weird welded or pinned parts that are in critical areas....) - you are SOL.
On the other hand, very soft shooting & handles great - and quite accurate due to the free float design with an excellent trigger. Looks awesome too.....
In my case - never had an op-rod break, so I still have the original, plus a couple of short gas system ones I made for the 18.6" barrels - but the bolt cracked in half, the little brazed key on the op-rod broke off (I WELDED a new one in its place), the cam pin has a little lip on it that wears out........but its a boutique rifle, not a service rifle - I wouldn't trust my life to it or the XCR.
I'm with YC in that I'd never buy another RA product - and I miss my Swiss as well (its imprisoned in my gunsafe, hopefully it gets a reprieve and I can start shooting it again)
For SR/CQB go with an AR (or swiss when/if they get back on track) - the M96 is nice, its fun for plinking & with the .300 blackout I have lugged it around during deer hunting season. I do like having it, and I think I will shoot it a little more this summer. It really is a cool, retro looking rifle.
-d
On the other hand, very soft shooting & handles great - and quite accurate due to the free float design with an excellent trigger. Looks awesome too.....
In my case - never had an op-rod break, so I still have the original, plus a couple of short gas system ones I made for the 18.6" barrels - but the bolt cracked in half, the little brazed key on the op-rod broke off (I WELDED a new one in its place), the cam pin has a little lip on it that wears out........but its a boutique rifle, not a service rifle - I wouldn't trust my life to it or the XCR.
I'm with YC in that I'd never buy another RA product - and I miss my Swiss as well (its imprisoned in my gunsafe, hopefully it gets a reprieve and I can start shooting it again)
For SR/CQB go with an AR (or swiss when/if they get back on track) - the M96 is nice, its fun for plinking & with the .300 blackout I have lugged it around during deer hunting season. I do like having it, and I think I will shoot it a little more this summer. It really is a cool, retro looking rifle.
-d
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They are nice rifles but they are too expensive and cumbersome to make for a small shop. They were welded by hand and the stamped sheet metal parts are made by outside contractors.
From a production point of view, it is a PITA and the XCR is on the right path.
From a production point of view, it is a PITA and the XCR is on the right path.
