WS-MCR - Ongoing Impressions

[Dexter Morgan]

I think that's a big advantage of the design with steel side-plates.

They can offer three different models of rifle; Without needing to modify the actual receiver.

Just put on different side-plates during the final assembly.

 

[DaveMachine]

If they could make a bolt hold open/release similar to the XCR, the rifle would be pretty solid ergonomically.

 

[Ratzilla]

If they could make a bolt hold open/release similar to the XCR, the rifle would be pretty solid ergonomically.

I'm not sure if a XCR bolt hold open/release button is possible on the MCR but there does exist two aftermarket options: one by Kodiak and one by range warrior accessories. Kodiak's version is almost half the price of RWA and they look very similar. It's approximately the same location of an AR-15 paddle but an up/down lever.

 

[Gatehouse]

Anybody got a large number of rounds through theirs yet? Like 5000 round count?

 

[Ratzilla]

Yeah, no.

All of my double feeds have been standing, unsupported at matches. I wish it only happened on the bench while not on the clock.

I noticed that I can get it to overseat every time if I press the mag release as I am inserting the mag.

 

[308TRshooter]

Has anyone else had their firing pin retaining pin wear out in less than 400 rounds?

 

[yank]

Thats a complaint ive heard before. You can replace them with AR bolt cotter style pins.

 

[Ratzilla]

A roll pin is not a good choice because it's hollow. Replacing it with an ar15 cotter pin is a very cheap thing to do. Annoying that they used the roll pin to begin with though.

 

[andrew3081]

Has anyone else had their firing pin retaining pin wear out in less than 400 rounds?

Got my video review done now as well:

The huntinggearguy review mention about the weak firing retaining pin.

 

[308TRshooter]

The huntinggearguy review mention about the weak firing retaining pin.

I just watched the video. I had all the same issues with mine. I ended up flipping my firing pin retaining pin around to get more use out of it. When it breaks again I'll give the cotter pins a try.

 

[Mark Mags]

I was FINALLY able to get mine to the range yesterday. Using a entry level Bushnell scope sandbag, and a 50m range I was shooting where I wanted. At exactly 327 Rds of AE, my handguard slid off. Not having any tools with me, I had to call it a day.
Except for the handguard, I had NO other issues. The two supplied mags, some metal mags, some plastic beuwolf mags and most importantly, the Cross mags all worked without issue. I strongly support using the Cross mags!

Got home, cleaned it up, tightened the handguard back in place and all is good to go.

However, I do not like the trigger. Really bit into my finger. Probably wouldn't notice with a glove on.

Just my early 327 cents opinion.

 

[308TRshooter]

I had two issues with mine at the range today. The first issue was the magazine catch loosened, causing me to over insert the magazine. The end of the magazine catch stud should have been peened over to prevent this from happening.
One could also improve it by unthreading the stud (left hand thread) to apply red loctite. I put the magazine catch back together and continued shooting. My firing pin failed again near the end of my 232 round shooting session. I hope Spectre reads this thread so that they can get a handle on their quality control.

 

[tetra]

Going to be putting mine through a first shoot this weekend.. will report

 

[Gatehouse]

I have one on the way. I'm sure somewhere on CGN there is a list of parts compatibility with other guns like AR's, but a quick look around didn't turn up anything. What about bolts/extractors/barrels etc?

 

[Sqr]

Mine continues to run fine! I recently dropped a Hyperfire Heavy Gunner trigger in it and it's even better now. The stock trigger wasn't terrible after doing a "paracord trigger job" but the new trigger is a definite improvement. You need to use the original trigger pins tho as the receiver is wider than the supplied AR-pins. It's a little forward heavy compared to my "now a paper weight Ruger AR556". The only other small gripe i have is that i wanted to put my STNGR HWK 15" Handguard on it but it wont fit over the piston/gas block. It loves the metal LAR/pistol mags that i run in it. No ftf's, no issues at all actually. No manual bolt-hold but it's easy enough to poke your finger up into the magwell to manually engage the LRBHO. Shoots really soft, is more accurate than i am, i dunno what else to say. It's great!

Just installed a Hyperfire in mine tonight.

The metal Mags work fine.

 

[Sqr]

I have one on the way. I'm sure somewhere on CGN there is a list of parts compatibility with other guns like AR's, but a quick look around didn't turn up anything. What about bolts/extractors/barrels etc?

I have stripped mine and made videos for my site.

Here are things that will be interchangeable:
Barrel note: must be carbine gas length regardless of barrel length
Barrel nut
Handguard note:some will not work do to gas block clearance
Pistol grip note:there is no safety detent spring
Buffer tube
Castle nut
Locking ring
Buttstock
Fire control group note:some cartridge types will not because of bolt open lever clearance
Magazine catch and button


Parts that are not interchangeable:
Bolts
Bolt carrier group
Recoil springs
Bolt catch
Safety
Hammer pin
Trigger pin

Here is the bolt catch and longer hammer pin

Here is the safety spring and safety assembly which is tied into the bolt catch assembly. The safety has a square end and grove for the spring. Totally different from an AR15

 

[Sqr]

I had two issues with mine at the range today. The first issue was the magazine catch loosened, causing me to over insert the magazine. The end of the magazine catch stud should have been peened over to prevent this from happening.
One could also improve it by unthreading the stud (left hand thread) to apply red loctite. I put the magazine catch back together and continued shooting. My firing pin failed again near the end of my 232 round shooting session. I hope Spectre reads this thread so that they can get a handle on their quality control.

Was it the role pin that failed on the firing pin? I switched to a standard AR15 cotter pin.

 

[Gatehouse]

Thanks. Interesting....

In the videos I've seen the bolt looks very AR like. I would have thought that would be compatible!

I didn't even know there were 18.5" barrels made with carbine gas length. I've never seen one.

Hopefully Wolverine comes up with replacement parts ike the hammer pin/bolt and bolt parts.

 

[Sqr]

Not one issue with metal or poly mags for me

Nor I, but some plastic mag followers are more rounded at the tail to skip past the bolt latch assembly tab. Once that happens I think yanking the #### out of it may bend the bolt latch. I think the AR15 is more robust to slamming empty mags in over the MCR.

 

[Sqr]

Thanks. Interesting....

In the videos I've seen the bolt looks very AR like. I would have thought that would be compatible!

I didn't even know there were 18.5" barrels made with carbine gas length. I've never seen one.

Hopefully Wolverine comes up with replacement parts ike the hammer pin/bolt and bolt parts.

They look similar but are not anything alike except for both fitting into the barrel extension.

I lined up the extractor along with the ejector and you can clearly observe the cam pin orientation is off.

The bolt on the right had 400 rounds on it this weekend and no carbon dirt from the gas piston setup compared to a DI gas system. That I like.