XCR-L keymod + lightweight barrel, quick review...

[superlative]

Just received my new XCR-L keymod with lightweight barrel, haven't shot it yet. Here are my impressions:

When I first handled an XCR, I dismissed it outright. Too front heavy. I was comparing with a VZ58 with NEA handguards. In a way, because the VZ58 was my first semi-auto rifle, it spoiled me on what the balance of a rifle should feel like.

Just now, I just measured the weight of my XCR-L keymod with lightweight barrel, 3 rails + raised Aimpoint Micro T1 = 3.6kg
VZ58 non restricted with NEA handguards, recoil reducing folding buttstock tube, NEA rails, no optics = 3.5kg

No more front heaviness! No more heavy rifle! And the keymod feature is revolutionary. As fun as it is having rails everywhere, it's even more fun being able to put those rails wherever you want for the ultimate in customization - what a brilliant invention! I'm actually more excited about my XCR than I am about my Tavor!

For my purposes, the ACR doesn't come close. The non restricted ACR is much heavier than the lightweight XCR, and much more front heavy, does not have keymod and is much more expensive.

 

[Steiner]

I handled a keymod XCR at Wolverine two weeks ago. It was slim, well balanced, and not heavy at all. I agree, they really came up with a winning combination in this new XCR model.

 

[TV-PressPass]

For my purposes, the ACR doesn't come close. The non restricted ACR is much heavier than the lightweight XCR, and much more front heavy, does not have keymod and is much more expensive.

Nailed it.

Ms TVPP has been eyeing an ACR for ages, but was disappointing in the DMR demoed at shotshow. I'm curious to put a keymod XCR in her hands and see what she thinks.

 

[cr5]

Nailed it.

Ms TVPP has been eyeing an ACR for ages, but was disappointing in the DMR demoed at shotshow. I'm curious to put a keymod XCR in her hands and see what she thinks.

Don't buy the DMR model, they are definitely going to be a tank.
If I had stopped with just the non restricted 223 barrel and Geissele super ACR trigger I would have around $2600 into my rifle now and they can be found cheaper now than when I bought mine.
The ACR is always going to be more accurate than the XCR due to the design.
I am curious to see how the new model XCR is though, I've always wanted one (shot many but owned none) but never could justify the price with all the reports of QC issues. Warranty service is top notch but I don't like having to send things back to be fixed when they should have just been done right before they left the manufacturer.

Let's see some range reports and see how they do with a few different types of ammo

 

[loki_81]

Just received my new XCR-L keymod with lightweight barrel, haven't shot it yet. Here are my impressions:

When I first handled an XCR, I dismissed it outright. Too front heavy. I was comparing with a VZ58 with NEA handguards. In a way, because the VZ58 was my first semi-auto rifle, it spoiled me on what the balance of a rifle should feel like.

Just now, I just measured the weight of my XCR-L keymod with lightweight barrel, 3 rails + raised Aimpoint Micro T1 = 3.6kg
VZ58 non restricted with NEA handguards, recoil reducing folding buttstock tube, NEA rails, no optics = 3.5kg

No more front heaviness! No more heavy rifle! And the keymod feature is revolutionary. As fun as it is having rails everywhere, it's even more fun being able to put those rails wherever you want for the ultimate in customization - what a brilliant invention! I'm actually more excited about my XCR than I am about my Tavor!

For my purposes, the ACR doesn't come close. The non restricted ACR is much heavier than the lightweight XCR, and much more front heavy, does not have keymod and is much more expensive.

Looking forward to the range report. Fill us in on how the new bolt mounted buffer holds up with a few thousand rounds .

 

[andrew3081]

Don't buy the DMR model, they are definitely going to be a tank.
If I had stopped with just the non restricted 223 barrel and Geissele super ACR trigger I would have around $2600 into my rifle now and they can be found cheaper now than when I bought mine.
The ACR is always going to be more accurate than the XCR due to the design.
I am curious to see how the new model XCR id though, I've always wanted one (shot many but owned none) but never could justify the price.

Let's see some range reports and see how they do with a few different types of ammo

It has been beaten to death... If you want accurate,heavy and very expensive non restricted .223rem... Get Acr.
If you want lighter and cheaper and less accurate NR .223, then get the mew key mod xcr or the old xcr with light barrel.

 

[cr5]

It has been beaten to death... If you want accurate,heavy and very expensive non restricted .223rem... Get Acr.
If you want lighter and cheaper and less accurate NR .223, then get the mew key mod xcr or the old xcr with light barrel.

Beaten to death? with a rifle that was just released as your comparison?
Very expensive? I would say they about the same price plus or minus a couple hundred dollars.

View attachment 10843
View attachment 10844

Ya, it's so heavy.

I like the XCR, I just wish they would come up with a better way to attach the barrel. The new model looks like it fixed a lot of the complaints people had with them but they still use the same barrel retention system.

 

[andrew3081]

Beaten to death? with a rifle that was just released as your comparison?
Very expensive? I would say they about the same price plus or minus a couple hundred dollars.



Ya, it's so heavy.

I like the XCR, I just wish they would come up with a better way to attach the barrel. The new model looks like it fixed a lot of the complaints people had with them but they still use the same barrel retention system.

Let me see, brand mew Xcr is $2350.

Brand new restricted Acr is $2700+$500 to do the conversion (plus the 3 month wait?) That is over $1000 more than Xcr.
The Factory NR Acr is going for $2800. That is still $500 more than Xcr.

I wouldn't say 'a couple of hundred dollars' difference....

The new keymod xcr is almost 1lb lighter than Acr. That 1lb at the front of the gun makes a world of difference.
What complaint did the new xcr fix other than making the front lighter?

 

[mspben]

Looking forward to the range report. Fill us in on how the new bolt mounted buffer holds up with a few thousand rounds .

I have about 960 rounds through mine. Buffer looks fine at this time, and if I remember i'll update at 2000.

Gun cycles well on gas setting 2, and this is the first rifle in awhile that I haven't broken a part on in the first 1000 rounds (though I haven't quite hit that yet, knock on wood). On 2 the recoil is soft, and it is tons of fun.

I wouldn't buy an XCR for the longest time, but I couldn't resist the new keymod version with the lightweight barrel.

Only issue I have had is that I had to retorque the gas block at about 100 or 120 rounds. I haven't had any other bolt issues (barrel retention, ejector, gas block, or otherwise).

Let the loctite jokes begin.

Ben

 

[cr5]

Let me see, brand mew Xcr is $2350.

Brand new restricted Acr is $2700+$500 to do the conversion (plus the 3 month wait?) That is over $1000 more than Xcr.
The Factory NR Acr is going for $2800. That is still $500 more than Xcr.

I wouldn't say 'a couple of hundred dollars' difference....

The new keymod xcr is almost 1lb lighter than Acr. That 1lb at the front of the gun makes a world of difference.
What complaint did the new xcr fix other than making the front lighter?

I can find new ACR's for $2500 and if you are going to replace the barrel anyway then why not buy a used one and get it for $2000-$2200 then the $550 for the Dlask barrel is only about a 1 month wait not 3 months like you say.
Then you don't have a rifle that is probably going to need warranty work within the first couple months. Yes, I know, there are plenty that work fine from new but there are also plenty that have had problems.

The other complaints the XCR has always had is the heavy muzzle and the poor accuracy. The keymod model has at least made one of those issues better.

It's fine if you like your XCR but I think there are better options out there for a price that is close enough that I am willing to spend a little more.

I am very curious to see some range reports and see if the accuracy is improving from generation to generation. I've always liked the XCR but there has always been a better option for me.

 

[andrew3081]

I can find new ACR's for $2500 and if you are going to replace the barrel anyway then why not buy a used one and get it for $2000-$2200 then the $550 for the Dlask barrel is only about a 1 month wait not 3 months like you say.
Then you don't have a rifle that is probably going to need warranty work within the first couple months. Yes, I know, there are plenty that work fine from new but there are also plenty that have had problems.

The other complaints the XCR has always had is the heavy muzzle and the poor accuracy. The keymod model has at least made one of those issues better.

It's fine if you like your XCR but I think there are better options out there for a price that is close enough that I am willing to spend a little more.

I am very curious to see some range reports and see if the accuracy is improving from generation to generation. I've always liked the XCR but there has always been a better option for me.

So you still haven't tell me how a NR ACR is only 'a few hundred' dollar more expensive than Xcr.
An used Xcr can be bought for $1800 to $2000. That is still $1000 price difference. Maybe it's just me, but $1000 is not considered 'close enough'
I am curious to your claim that you can get a brand new Acr for $2500.... Links or store name?
Maybe I can pick one up!

I get it, you love your NR Acr that you spend $4000 on, for that price... One can buy an Xcr and a high end Ar15.
Acr is still front heavy... Did Bushmaster solve that?
Acr has better accuracy than Xcr, but it is also not the best.

I'm not saying there are no options out there, but at least tell people about the real facts.

 

[cr5]

So you still haven't tell me how a NR ACR is only 'a few hundred' dollar more expensive than Xcr.
An used Xcr can be bought for $1800 to $2000. That is still $1000 price difference. Maybe it's just me, but $1000 is not considered 'close enough'
I am curious to your claim that you can get a brand new Acr for $2500.... Links or store name?
Maybe I can pick one up!

I get it, you love your NR Acr that you spend $4000 on, for that price... One can buy an Xcr and a high end Ar15.
Acr is still front heavy... Did Bushmaster solve that?
Acr has better accuracy than Xcr, but it is also not the best.

I'm not saying there are no options out there, but at least tell people about the real facts.

Here are the real facts.

Try IRUNGUNS, they were advertising them for $2500 and Milarm in Edmonton told me they would match that price a few months ago.
I paid $2200 for my used ACR with 12 inch barrel and Geissele super ACR trigger then sold the barrel and bought my used non restricted barrel for $300 difference between the two prices. My friend is a verifier so I got the friend price of $20 for him to fill out the one page of paperwork to have it reclassified as non restricted and he told me he would normally charge someone $60.
That's $2500 to have it non restricted in my hands ready to go.
With a new barrel why waste the couple hundred dollars extra to have a new rifle? A buddy of mine just picked up a used one for $2000 so there are deals out there and the prices are getting better all the time.
So what does that add up to? $300-$500 difference? $700 I guess if you start with both used?

If I had chosen to go with the Dlask barrel it would have been $550 for the barrel and paperwork putting my rifle at $2750 minus what I sold my original barrel for. I can do it cheaper than Dlask so that's the way I went.
My Stainless 6.8SPC barrel was purchased off Questar's site during the 15% Christmas week sale and was well under $400, I've been waiting for my $100 bolt to show up so I can have it machined to work with the cartridge.
My 300 Blackout barrel was custom built by a friend of mine for under $500 complete (Stainless McGowan blank), as soon as I finish building the new op rod guide that conversion will be finished.
I punched some numbers into the calculator and without glass I'm just under $3500 with all three non restricted barrels (add $100 once my bolt shows up). Plus my Glass, mount, and Pelican case and ya just over $4300.
So conversions, although more work to get done can be made for the ACR for less than the cost of the $700 conversions available for the XCR.

I didn't wait for Bushmaster to solve the front heavy problem and simply got a light profile barrel rather than a heavy barrel. I never really thought it was muzzle heavy though but didn't want to make it that way so that's why I jumped on the deal when I had the chance to buy the barrel I got.
Bushmaster is actually doing the opposite and the new non restricted DMR that is coming some day is going to be a tank. I would never pay for one of those.

I don't think there is a perfect black rifle available in Canada, all of them have some negatives and all of them are good in different ways.
I really liked my HK SL8-4 and even though it was more accurate than any other semi auto out there (other than a high end AR) I let it go because the ACR let me swap calibers.
I was never impressed with my Swiss Arms, the accuracy didn't live up to it's reputation and it was way too expensive for the performance it provided.
I actually think that for the money my AR180B was the best non restricted black rifle I've owned. I plan to buy that one back from my buddy one of these days.
I've shot at least 4 different XCR-L's over the years since they were released and I've shot an M as well. I like them but the number of QC issues and the lack of accuracy just won't let me buy one. They do however have some of the best customer support I've seen through Wolverine so even if you do get a problem one at least you know it will get fixed.

 

[Dick Proenneke]

It would be nice if someone would bench the XCR keymod with a 10x or greater scope and run varying types of ammo through it at 100 yds. 5 round groups, with pictures.

 

[supernova]

They tried that. Rifle shot well. CGN trolls couldn't believe it and wouldn't allow it to be truth. Someone broke an ankle in the whole process.

It would be nice if someone would bench the XCR keymod with a 10x or greater scope and run varying types of ammo through it at 100 yds. 5 round groups, with pictures.

 

[superlative]

They tried that. Rifle shot well. CGN trolls couldn't believe it and wouldn't allow it to be truth. Someone broke an ankle in the whole process.

Thread link please? Thanks.

 

[xdmer]

I would really like to see a real assessment of the new XCR in 762x39 and 223 / 556, unbiased.

They tried that. Rifle shot well. CGN trolls couldn't believe it and wouldn't allow it to be truth. Someone broke an ankle in the whole process.

 

[superlative]

I think what really excited me about this rifle was the pure genius in the engineering design. As an owner of a Tavor, RFB, VZ58 - I have a pretty good feel for all the different design techniques used by designers and I love the simplicity of the XCR. It has less parts than an ACR and AR15 and so incredibly simple to piece together, but at the same time has the best ergonomics and features of all my rifles. To me it's like getting a perfect AK47 if an AK47 could be modernized.

Virtually identical to the AK47 in terms of simplicity:

I love the simplicity of the SKS to strip, but I didn't enjoy how unsophisticated it was in terms of accuracy, mounting options, magazine design and ergonomics:

 

[SnoPac]

To me it's like getting a perfect AK47 if an AK47 could be modernized.

Virtually identical to the AK47...

How dare you.

 

[supernova]

Well, there's the SAN, but, well you know. I'll dig up the link to the XCR range report that broke the whole internet and one ankle. It was a heavy bbl rifle but there's no reason the light contour bbl rifles will shoot any different. These aren't high end bench rifles being stretched out to 900m so the practical limitations of the rifles design regarding accuracy far outweigh what effect bbl profile has on its overall accuracy. Accuracy reports with XCRs is always hit and miss, surely due in some part to individual marksmanship skills and RA's famed QC, irons vs. scope, ammo selection etc. Its meant as a fighting rifle first so good accuracy is a bonus if it happens. Only an inconsistency in accuracy is cause for concern.

*EDIT*
Heres the link to the range report I speak of. Click Here

 

[superlative]

Well, there's the SAN, but, well you know. I'll dig up the link to the XCR range report that broke the whole internet and one ankle. It was a heavy bbl rifle but there's no reason the light contour bbl rifles will shoot any different. These aren't high end bench rifles being stretched out to 900m so the practical limitations of the rifles design regarding accuracy far outweigh what effect bbl profile has on its overall accuracy. Accuracy reports with XCRs is always hit and miss, surely due in some part to individual marksmanship skills and RA's famed QC, irons vs. scope, ammo selection etc. Its meant as a fighting rifle first so good accuracy is a bonus if it happens. Only an inconsistency in accuracy is cause for concern.

*EDIT*
Heres the link to the range report I speak of. Click Here

Impressive!! Can't do that with an AK47!