Update me on the XCR

[lawn gnome]

I did have one of the first XCRs to come out.
It seemed like a further development of the Daewoo rifle, only that got fatter and heavier in the process.

Some aspects I absolutely loved, like the ergonomics, the adjustable gas system, the simplicity on strip and assembly.

There were also a few things that I found not so good.
It was blocky being covered in too many rails.
The heavy barrel, though accurate, was very nose heavy.
The butt stock, first the AR tube style and then the replacement were problematic for cheeck welds.
I eventually sold it off with much sadness.

Can some one update me on the current versions and if these have been addressed.
I am wondering if you can explain in simple terms what the keymod and light versions have now done to get around those issues?

 

[CobraGT]

I've owned a few over the years. My recent-production light-barrel keymod is a VAST improvement over the earlier ones IMHO. Gun is very reliable and still reasonably accurate, but is not at all front-heavy. The FAST stock still isn't great, so I swapped mine out for an ACR stock. The newer FAST III stock is a bit different than the original FAST, but doesn't look like much of an improvement to me.

Only areas they still need to work on:
- better stock, but easily remedied with an ACR stock
- crappy barrel retention design

 

[xdmer]

It's seen many incremental upgrades. The keymod models with light barrel dropped the weight and give it a very balanced feel. The fast stock is an improvement over the old tube style, great for a battle rifle maybe, but you can get AR stock adapters to suit your needs and stock choices. Op rods have been improved, of course bolt, carrier and buffer changes.

All for the better, if you ever had issues with slam fires due to soft primers this problem should be gone now. There are improvements in the bolt catch, trigger, gas systems, many natural enhancements that have made it a terrific rifle. No change in barrel retention, but keep it torqued to spec and consistent and you're fine. Accuracy depends on you and ammo.

 

[lawn gnome]

Thanks all.
Exactly what I was wondering.

 

[jiffx2781]

Even the key-mod version with the heavy barrel isn't as nose heavy as the old quad rail version. The key-mod upper receiver itself sheds a lot of weight.
Still the best feeling is the key-mod with a light barrel. Balances perfectly. However the light barrel is extremely skinny and heats up extremely fast. I sold my gun with the light barrel as the accuracy diminished greatly after about 3 or 4 shots. Pie plate accuracy by the time you get through the first magazine doesn't cut it for me.
I have an OD Green quad rail heavy barrel in 7.62x39 and it is heavy enough to sink a ship. I may trade it off one day or just order a new key-mod upper for it. Haven't decided yet.
I have a black key-mod heavy barrel in .223 as well as an OD Green key-mod heavy barrel in 6.8spc. I wouldn't trade them away for anything.
For me the key-mod with the heavy barrel is the perfect comprise between weight and the ability to maintain satisfactory accuracy. Also the slimmer receiver feels so much better than the big fat quad rail. The gun handles way better.
Trigger on the newer xcr's is decent compared to the first gen's. Not as good as a match grade ar-15 trigger obviously but it is surprisingly good.
No function or reliability issues with any of my xcr's.
I wouldn't even be afraid to pick up a slightly used, newest generation off the EE and save yourself a few bucks.

 

[998s]

New tightened up M, w Gen 3 stock and 18.6” hb is a really good shooter. Extremely well balanced and a pleasure to shoot. My preference is to use an Atlas bipod. Recoil is negligible, could shoot it accurately, all day, everyday.