I haven't really seen too many reports, either positive or negative, about the WS-MCR. Most feedback seems positive to date. Most people don't bother posting if things are going right, but please provide in this thread your ongoing impressions of the WS-MCR, even if its as simple as "continues to run fine".
WS-MCR - Ongoing Impressions
- Thread starter Ustauk
- Start date
darkestjedi
Regular
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!
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!
I'm sure there are others, but here are the main differences:
- the most important one is the addition of steel side panels to the MCR. This steel bolt control group runs along internal rails in both designs, but some people had the BCG erode the inside of the aluminium receiver on the WK; this issue will not be present on the MCR. Pour one out for the dearly departed Range Warrior Accessories; their WK and NoDak Spud uppers were the first 180 uppers to include the steel side panels
- a captured take-down pin was added to the back of the receiver, to keep the two halves locked together better. The WK was sometimes noted to have a fair bit of play between the upper and lower receiver, with people even adding an O-ring to snug the connection; the MCR is tight out of the box
- Although they are much rarer, since production as of late has focused on .556 to pump more guns out ahead of any additional OIC changes, the MCR comes in the additional calibers of .224 Valkyrie and 7.62 x 39 , hence (M)ultie (C)aliber (R)ifle
- One perceived negative is some earlier MCR's came with a 3D Printed spacer between the handguard and the receiver. This is not present on later iterations. It remains to be seen if the original 3D printed part causes issues or not.
The WS-MCR is manufactured by Spectre LTD of Ontario, not to be confused with Spectre Ballistics International. Wolverine parted ways with their original partner, Kodiak; although the official reason remains confidential as a point of litigation between the two organizations; concerns with quality control on the WK in concert with an inability to put out enough rifles to cover the pre-order have been seen, and may be related. Wolverine has foregone the pre-order model when distributing the WS-MCR; they instead receive a limited number in shipments every week or two, sell some on their website, and pass along the rest to their partner gun dealers.
Kodiak continues to produce the 180C under their name alone, having recently release a 2nd generation. The rifles have none of the improvements noted on the MCR, and are slightly cheaper then the MCR as a result. It will be interesting to see if this new batch has resolved some of the noted issues, or if it turns out the MCR's changes will give it superior reliability. Only time will tell.
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I have experienced an issue with all my mags over-inserting if I slap them in with any sort of force. Would be bad in a high stress situation.
Yeah, you have to take way more care on an open bolt than with an AR.
Seems more likely to happen with polymer mags for me.
Honestly it is the only issue I have with this rifle. And it reallly bothers me. I was in the market to sell it and get something else, but then Trudeau and Bill Blair happened to us.
Do you mean literally slap or bang them?
Having watched many videos over the years and watched people's range behavior it is something that has always bemused me. Coming from the UK and prior to moving to Canada over a year ago the vast majority of my firearms usage has been in Western Europe. There no one bangs their magazines in, grip tightly and give a firm push? Sure but never bang or smack in like so many North American shooters seem to. I experienced this first hand when some Brits, Germans and American forces were sharing some range time. Brits and Germans pushed in, gave a test tug then went on, many Americans went for a full whack and bang.
I don't know how indicative my experiences have been but perhaps slapping mags in isn't the best idea?
With the WK180C I also experienced magazine over travel but this was in my opinion a failure on my behalf from not removing all pressure from the magazine release which just happens to be where my finger lies when I don't want it on the trigger.
Not one issue with metal or poly mags for me
It definitely happens with a “slap”. But even a firm, positive insertion by hand can and does result in over-insertion. Wether it is due to riding the mag-release (not my experience) or not, it is a design flaw. This does not happen with any other stanag-patterned rifles, the issue seems to be unique to this design.
darkestjedi
Regular
Yeah you definitely don't need to put them in with much force when you have the bolt held open, they'll overseat for sure, but i don't really see this as a problem. To me it just seems like a slightly different manual of arms. I think to myself, "It isn't an AR, so don't run it like one". I don't have any polymer mags, just metal RRA pistol 10/10's and 10/30's and the two kinda crappy 5/30's it came with but I haven't had a single feeding issue with any of them.
I tried my friend mikes last night. And it’s pretty meh for fit and finish, good shooter with a decent stock trigger but he had a LOT of problems with the takedown pins. The front was literally sized in place. it left a small impression in the t6061 reciever when he attempted to massage the pin out whereas the rear seemed ready to fall out. Excellent rig for the value.
Ive had no issues with mine. No malfunctions at all. Thats on about 200 shots so far.
I replaced the stock last night with a Magpul CTR and it actually works so thats nice. Id like a lighter hand guard for it but I'm not sure whats going to be involved in that.
I replaced the stock last night with a Magpul CTR and it actually works so thats nice. Id like a lighter hand guard for it but I'm not sure whats going to be involved in that.
I'll do up a full review and video on my site later after I get some shooting in, but here are some first impressions:
The WS-MCR is heavier than the WK180 (8lbs vs 7lbs) because it's got a heavier barrel profile and a 15" handguard vs 10.5".
The gas block isn't touching the handguard (it does on my early model WK180)
There is no wiggle between upper and lower because of the rear cross pin, not that I care anyways.
The cross-pins are pretty stiff from the factory, which is to be expected. These will break in with use.
I'm not sure if I like the roll pin that's retaining the firing pin in the bolt.
The included trigger was 7lbs from the factory, which would probably break-in, but I have nicer triggers I can use so I'll never find out.
The trigger pocket was just a smidge too high for me to fit my triggertech trigger in it. This could be remedied with a bit of filing.
The bolt hold open lip that engages with the magazine follower was cut a bit too short on mine, so it would not engage with some mags. Worked fine with the included mags. I replaced the factory bolt hold open with an RWA external lever bolt hold open.
All the mags I tried (6 different types) dropped free. The mag catch prevented over-insertion on all mags tested.
The WS-MCR is heavier than the WK180 (8lbs vs 7lbs) because it's got a heavier barrel profile and a 15" handguard vs 10.5".
The gas block isn't touching the handguard (it does on my early model WK180)
There is no wiggle between upper and lower because of the rear cross pin, not that I care anyways.
The cross-pins are pretty stiff from the factory, which is to be expected. These will break in with use.
I'm not sure if I like the roll pin that's retaining the firing pin in the bolt.
The included trigger was 7lbs from the factory, which would probably break-in, but I have nicer triggers I can use so I'll never find out.
The trigger pocket was just a smidge too high for me to fit my triggertech trigger in it. This could be remedied with a bit of filing.
The bolt hold open lip that engages with the magazine follower was cut a bit too short on mine, so it would not engage with some mags. Worked fine with the included mags. I replaced the factory bolt hold open with an RWA external lever bolt hold open.
All the mags I tried (6 different types) dropped free. The mag catch prevented over-insertion on all mags tested.
Roll pin failed after 300 rounds.
If you get a new WS-MCR from this batch, I'd:
-Swap out the firing pin retaining roll pin with something off an AR. The roll pin will fail
-Replace the stock
-Tighten the castlenut and optionally stake it
-Check your mags with the bolt hold open and see if they work. They might be fine.
If you get a new WS-MCR from this batch, I'd:
-Swap out the firing pin retaining roll pin with something off an AR. The roll pin will fail
-Replace the stock
-Tighten the castlenut and optionally stake it
-Check your mags with the bolt hold open and see if they work. They might be fine.
I took my 556 out to the range today and had a blast! It had some issues with my p-mags which could/hopefully be fixed. I'm not too worried about that. It ate all the ammo perfectly without a hiccup with the two mags provided.
Adriel is right. The upper and lower are tight. I had a hardtime separating them but with time it'll be easier.
I found the finish to be a bit sharp in areas and a few little micro nicks here and there which is fine. Its a NR rifle for under $1500 and its going into the bush so it'll get tossed around.
I wanna buy another one if a batch comes out in the future!
Get work Wolverine!
Adriel is right. The upper and lower are tight. I had a hardtime separating them but with time it'll be easier.
I found the finish to be a bit sharp in areas and a few little micro nicks here and there which is fine. Its a NR rifle for under $1500 and its going into the bush so it'll get tossed around.
I wanna buy another one if a batch comes out in the future!
Get work Wolverine!
I like the rifle but there are some parts on it that are too sharp and the finish isn't the greatest. I know its tough times for manufactures, gunshops, and gun owners. There ain't much to choose for semi-rifles. I ain't buying an X95. The MCR is half the price of an X95 and T97's are hard to come by in my town. And who knows if we'll be getting more in my next of the country.
If Wolverine wants to make an improvement with the next-gen of this rifle and still keep it under 2k, by making the upper one complete piece instead of pieces put together. That would be awesome! Also, if they could get some Magpul furniture, proper pins ( parts that broke on your MCR). I would happily pay more for a smoother finished rifle.
Mine still pew pews and I will buy another 556 and 7.62*39 MCR with these improvements. Great review Adriel!
If Wolverine wants to make an improvement with the next-gen of this rifle and still keep it under 2k, by making the upper one complete piece instead of pieces put together. That would be awesome! Also, if they could get some Magpul furniture, proper pins ( parts that broke on your MCR). I would happily pay more for a smoother finished rifle.
Mine still pew pews and I will buy another 556 and 7.62*39 MCR with these improvements. Great review Adriel!
