robinson m96 User Guide

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

WARNING! READ THIS MANUAL

CARFULLY BEFORE USING THESE

FIREARMS

M96 Expeditionary® Rifle

M96 Recon™ Carbine

ROBINSON ARMAMENT CO.

PO BOX 16776
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116
Website: www.robarm.com

WARNING!

THE M96 HAS SOME UNIQUE FEATURES THAT
REQUIRE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
FOR SAFE USE. FAILURE TO STRICTLY FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THIS
OPERATOR’S MANUAL COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR
SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO THE OPERATOR AND
OTHERS, AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

READ AND STUDY THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND
RECEIVE SAFETY TRAINING FROM A COMPETANT
FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR BEFORE HANDLING OR USING
THIS FIREARM.

NEITHER ROBINSON ARMAMENT CO. NOR ZDF
IMPORT/EXPORT, INC. SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INJURY TO PERSONS OR ANY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS FIREARM.

THIS OPERATOR’S MANUAL SHOULD ACCOMPANY THE
FIREARM AT ALL TIMES AND SHOULD BE
TRANSFERRED WITH POSSESSION OF THE FIREARM TO
ANY SUBSEQUENT OWNER OR OPERATOR.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO KEEP FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION LOCKED UP, OUT OF SIGHT, AND OUT OF
THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS. SAFETY IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY!

 2002 Robinson Armament Co.

All Rights Reserved

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTON I FIREARM SAFETY RULES …………..4

SECTION II TERMINOLOGY ………………………6

SECTION III SPECIFICATIONS ……………………9

SECTION IV METHOD OF OPERATION …………10

SECTION V BEFORE LOADING ………………….12

SECTION VI LOADING …………………………….13

SECTION VII AIMING & SIGHT ADJUSTMENT …16

SECTION VIII FIRING ……………………………….18

SECTION IX BREAK IN & GAS SYSTEM

ADJUSTMENT ………………….20

SECTION X UNLOADING ……………………...….22

SECTION XI DISASSEMBLY ………………………23

SECTION XII ASSEMBLY ………………………...…31

SECTION XIII MALFUNCTIONS &
TROUBLE SHOOTING…………..38

SECTION XIV MAINTENANCE ………………...…...42

SECTION XV CHILD SAFETY LOCK …………..….44

SECTION XVI ACCESSORIES &

MODIFICATIONS ………………..45

WARNING! THESE SAFETY RULES ARE OF A
GENERAL NATURE ONLY. THEY ARE NOT
INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE NOR ARE THEY
INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER
FIREARMS TRAINING FROM A COMPETANT
FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR.

Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Firearms

must be treated as if always loaded and always firing a steady
stream of bullets. Do not point the muzzle of the firearm at any
thing you do not intend to kill or destroy. Never rely on the safety

mechanism. The firearm is safe only as long as you use it safely.

Never load a round into the chamber until you are ready to fire.
Only load a round into the chamber when you have assumed a
stable shooting position and the muzzle is pointed in a safe
direction.

Never walk with a loaded firearm, put a loaded firearm in a
vehicle, store a loaded firearm, or leave a loaded firearm
unattended. Firearms have been known to accidentally fire when

dropped, struck, snagged, etc. Unattended firearms can be stolen or
misused.

Never place your finger on the trigger or inside the trigger
guard until you are ready to fire. Before placing your finger on

the trigger or inside the trigger guard, make sure that you have first
assumed a stable shooting position and have your intended target
clearly within your sights.

Always assume a stable shooting position and clearly identify
your target and backstop before you pull the trigger. Rifle

cartridges are very powerful, have a lethal range of many miles, and
can often penetrate hard objects such as walls and metal. Before
you pull the trigger, it is vital that you clearly identify your target
and have a backstop behind the target capable of stopping rifle
projectiles. Never fire at hard objects or water, which may cause

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projectiles to ricochet and kill or seriously injure persons and
damage property.

Always wear adequate eye and hearing protection while
shooting. Firearms, upon discharge, are extremely loud, and

violently eject spent cases, hot gasses and particles. Operators and
bystanders must wear adequate eye and hearing protection at all
times while shooting to prevent permanent vision and hearing loss.

Never drop a firearm or allow the muzzle to strike hard objects.
Sharp blows to a firearm my cause it to fire accidentally or damage
it making it unsafe to fire. Always unload the firearm and check

the bore of the barrel to make sure there are no obstructions
after dropping the firearm. Never shoot a firearm which has an
obstructed bore or which has been damaged. If unsure as to the
condition of a firearm, have it examined by a competent
gunsmith before shooting.

Always unload the firearm when finished shooting. While
unloading, always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction,
remove the magazine, empty the chamber and visually inspect it
to make sure no round is present.

Never use a firearm if you have consumed alcohol, or if you are
taking drugs or medication which could alter or impair your
vision, physical responses, or judgement.

Always store your firearms, unloaded, locked up, and out of the
sight and out of the reach of children and other unauthorized
persons. It is your responsibility to make sure that children and

other unauthorized persons do not have access to your firearms and
that the firearms are safely stored out of sight and in a secure place.

SECTION II - TERMINOLOGY

IT IS MANDATORY THAT YOU THOROUGHLY FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF

WITH THE TERMS IN THIS SECTION DESCRIBING THE FEATURES AND

COMPONENTS OF THE M96 AS THESE TERMS WILL BE USED THROUGHOUT

THIS MANUAL.

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M96 Field Stripped Major Subassemblies

1) Operating Rod; 2) Gas Tube; 3) Rear Sight; 4) Receiver; 5) Bolt Carrier; 6) Barrel; 7) Hand Guard; 8)
Magazine Well; 9) Lower Receiver; and 10) Buttstock

SECTION III – SPECIFICATIONS

M96 Expeditionary® Rifle

Caliber:………………………………..223 Rem. (5.56 NATO)
Barrel Length:………………………...20.25” incl. Muzzle Brake
Sight Radius…………………………...21.9”
Rate of Twist:…………………………1 in 9”
Overall Length:……………………….39.75”
Weight (with empty Magazine):…...…8.4 Lbs.
Feeding Devices:……………..………AR15/M16 Magazines
Operating System:……………………Gas Operated Piston
Bolt Type:…………………………….Multi-Lugged Proprietary
Charging Device:……………………..Left Side, Non-Reciprocating
Front Sight:…………………………...Post, Adjustable for W & E
Rear Sight:……………………………Peep, Adjustable for W
Receiver Construction:……………….Stainless Steel
Metal Finish:………………………….Hard Matte Black
Furniture:……………………………...Fiber Reinforced Plastic

M96 Recon™ Carbine

Caliber:………………………………..223 Rem. (5.56 NATO)
Barrel Length:………………………...16.20” incl. Muzzle Brake
Sight Radius…………………………...19.1”
Rate of Twist:…………………………1 in 9”
Overall Length:……………………….35.7”
Weight (with empty Magazine):….…...7.82 Lbs.
Feeding Devices:……………..………AR15/M16 Magazines
Operating System:……………………Gas Operated Piston
Bolt Type:…………………………….Multi-Lugged Proprietary
Charging Device:……………………..Left Side, Non-Reciprocating
Front Sight:…………………………...Post, Adjustable for W & E
Rear Sight:……………………………Peep, Adjustable for W
Receiver Construction:……………….Stainless Steel
Metal Finish:………………………….Hard Matte Black
Furniture:……………………………...Fiber Reinforced Plastic

SECTION IV – METHOD OF OPERATION

The M96 is a gas operated, semiautomatic, sporting rifle. The
action of the M96 Expeditionary Rifle is similar to other gas
operated semi-automatic rifles. The method of operation is briefly
described below.

To begin the description of the operating cycle, it is assumed that the
following operations have been performed: A loaded magazine has
been inserted into the firearm. And a cartridge has been manually
cycled (loaded) into the chamber. The hammer is held back by the
trigger.

As the trigger is pulled, the hammer is released from engagement
with the trigger. The hammer, under the force of its spring, rotates
forward and upward into contact with the firing pin which is
contained in the bolt which is itself contained in the bolt carrier.

As the hammer strikes the end of the firing pin, the tip of the firing
pin is forced to strike the primer of the cartridge causing it to ignite.
The ignited primer causes the powder within the cartridge case to
burn. The burning powder creates gasses that expand under very
high pressures to force the bullet out of the cartridge case and down
the bore of the barrel.

As the bullet passes the gas port in the barrel, some of the gasses are
forced through the gas port into the gas block. Some of the excess
gasses are allowed to bleed from the gas bleed port. The gas block
diverts most of the gasses into the gas tube allowing them to
impinge upon the piston of the operating rod, forcing it and the bolt
carrier assembly to the rear of the firearm against the force of the
recoil spring. As the bolt carrier is forced to the rear, a camed slot in
its side engages the caming lug of the bolt causing it to rotate. The
rotation of the bolt causes the locking lugs of the bolt to rotate out of
engagement with locking lugs of the barrel. The bolt is now
unlocked and may travel to the rear of the receiver with the bolt
carrier.

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As the bolt carrier and bolt travel further to the rear of the firearm,
the extractor which is engaging the rim of the cartridge pulls the
empty cartridge from the chamber. As the Bolt carrying the empty
cartridge passes the ejector, the spent case is forced out of the grip
of the extractor and is ejected from the right side of the firearm
through the ejection port. During the bolt carrier’s rearward
movement the hammer is rotated against the force of its spring into
engagement with the trigger.

As the bolt carrier with its bolt reaches the rear limit of its travel, the
compressed recoil spring forces the bolt carrier and bolt forward.
As the bolt passes the rear of the magazine, a new cartridge is
stripped from the magazine and forced into the chamber.
Simultaneously, the extractor is forced over the rim of the new
cartridge and the lugs of the bolt are rotated into engagement with
the locking lugs of the barrel extension. The bolt carrier continues
forward until it reaches its forward limit.

The disconnect of the trigger catches the hammer so that it cannot
rotate forward. As the trigger is released, the disconnect disengages
the hammer allowing it to be caught by the trigger sear. One
complete cycle has now been completed and the rifle is ready to be
fired again by pulling the trigger.

SECTION V – BEFORE LOADING

WARNING! FIRING THE FIREARM WITH ANY
OBSTRUCTION IN THE BARREL MAY RESULT
IN DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO THE
OPERATOR AND OTHERS AS WELL AS
DAMAGE TO THE RIFLE AND OTHER
PROPERTY.

WARNING! DO NOT LOOK DOWN THE BORE OF
THE BARREL OF THE FIREARM UNLESS IT HAS
BEEN UNLOADED (SEE SECTION X FOR
UNLOADING INSTRUCTIONS) AND THE BOLT
CARRIER OR BARREL HAVE BEEN REMOVED
(SEE SECTIONS XI FOR BOLT CARRIER AND
BARREL REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS.).

WARNING! FIRING AN IMPROPERLY
ASSEBMLED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN DEATH
OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO THE
OPERATOR AND OTHERS AS WELL AS DAMAGE
TO THE RIFLE AND OTHER PROPERTY.

When your M96 left the factory, it was properly assembled, cleaned,
and tested. However, during shipment or in distribution, the barrel
may have become obstructed or the rifle may have been
disassembled and improperly assembled.

Before loading or firing the M96, inspect the bore of the barrel for
any obstructions such as dirt, cleaning patches, lodged bullets,
grease, moisture, etc. Also make sure the barrel and other
components have been properly attached to the rifle. See SECTION
XII for assembly instructions. If you have any questions consult a
competent gunsmith familiar with the M96 or call our service
department: Robinson Armament, Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, Phone:
801-355-0401.

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SECTION VI – LOADING

WARNING! USE ONLY NEW, CLEAN,
UNDAMAGED, COMMERCIAL GRADE
AMMUNITION MEETING SAAMI
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROPER CALIBER
WITH THE RIFLE. DO NOT USE RELOADED OR
REMANUFACTURED AMMUNITION. STEEL
CASED AMMUNITION SHOULD NOT BE USED.
FAILURE TO USE THE PROPER AMMUNTION
COULD CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY TO THE OPERATOR AND OTHERS AS
WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE RIFLE AND OTHER
PROPERTY.

The caliber of your M96 is indicated on the bottom of the muzzle
brake of the barrel. See Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Loading the Magazine

The M96 is not issued with a
magazine. The M96 rifle was
designed to be used with standard
AR15/M16 magazines that were
manufactured to military
specifications. Load the
magazine by taking it in your
hand, while using the thumb of
your other hand to push one live

cartridge at a time into the magazine as shown in Fig. 2.

Continue this process until you cannot easily load any more
cartridges into the magazine. Do not overfill the magazine. If the
last cartridge is difficult to push into the magazine, omit or remove it
from the magazine.

Inserting the Magazine

WARNING! KEEP THE BARREL OF THE
FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
WHILE INSERTING A MAGAZINE INTO THE
RIFLE. THE BOLT MAY CLOSE UPON
INSERTION OF A MAGAZINE AND THE INERTIA
FROM THE FIRING PIN MAY CAUSE A ROUND
TO FIRE.

1. Move the safety lever
to the safe position as
indicated by the letter
“S”. See Fig. 3.

2. Holding the rifle by the
pistol grip, insert a
magazine into the
magazine well as
shown in Fig. 4. Push
the magazine straight
into the magazine well
until the magazine
catch engages the
magazine.

3. Lightly tug on the

magazine to make sure
the catch has firmly
engaged the magazine.

Fig. 3

Fig. 2

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Fig. 4