Rifles

Here’s The Legendary M96 Expeditionary Rifle

Published on July 15, 2021

Before we go into the specifics about the M96, I thought a little background on the weapon and it’s origin would be very appropriate.

“The Stoner 63 is a 5.56×45mm NATO modular weapon system. Using a variety of modular components, it can be configured as a rifle, a carbine, a top-fed light machine gun, a belt-fed squad automatic weapon, or a vehicle mounted weapon. Also known as the M63, XM22, XM23, XM207 or the Mk 23 Mod 0 machine gun, it was designed by Eugene Stoner in the early 1960s. Cadillac Gage was the primary manufacturer of the Stoner 63 during its history. The Stoner 63 saw very limited combat use by United States forces during the Vietnam War. A few were also sold to law enforcement agencies.”

The Robinson M96 is a 5.56 x 45mm NATO, semi-automatic rifle based on the Stoner 63 Modular Weapon System. Made by the Robinson Armament Co., the M96 can be arranged in a variety configurations from a standard rifle with a 20′ barrel, to a carbine with a 16″ barrel or even a top-fed carbine with a 17.5″ barrel.

The Robinson M96 is based on the Stoner 63 modular weapon system. It’s chambered for the .223 Remington/5.56 mm NATO cartridge, and uses STANAG 4179 AR-15 magazines. Barrels have 1-in-9 twist ratio as is common for .223 Remington semiautomatic rifles.

The M96 is gas operated, with a fixed gas cylinder and moving piston connected to the operating rod and bolt carrier. All variants are equipped with a gas regulator, which allows fine-tuning for low or high powered cartridges, outside temperature, etc. and is probably unique for a civilian rifle in this caliber.

The bolt carrier has been specially designed for strength and slow cyclic rate for improved reliability. The M96 bolt is a six-lug design somewhat similar to an AR-15 bolt but with larger, stronger lugs. The M96 receiver is stamped stainless steel with a special blackening treatment.

The barrel is parkerized chromoly steel and the stocks are molded plastic. Incidentally, the buttstock is the one part of the M96 that is interchangeable with the Stoner 63.The M96 has adjustable military-type sights (rear aperture and front protected post) and does not have a standard scope mount or Picatinny rail.

If you wish to know more about this rifle you may contact the Robinson Armament Company by clicking HERE