Nobody (company ) makes products that are perfect all the time. But Fabarm/CG makes pretty good shootin` irons!

My 7/8 ounce reloads were 7.5's @ 1200 fps. And I shot the entire day using a Muller #2. I had the Fabarm #5 (I believe that is a 5/10 which is a U.S. mod choke) in my bag in case I thought I needed it, but the Muller #2 works for nearly all SC targets.

True. I recon it's emotional artistic license.

Has the XLR5 been discontinued? The used market seems to be flooded at the moment with them.

If it has been, Fabarm hasn`t removed them from their website.

I spoke with Fabarm USA about 2 weeks ago trying to find a rt. hand 30" XLR5 FR new - there were not any available that I could find. There were some used ones and one new with a 32" barrel and 1 left handed 30". Fabarm said the model had been discontinued so I purchased a L4S Sporting 30" - glad I did.

I wonder if they only discontinued the FR model, or the entire XLR5 line?

I am sure it is the FR only. For example their Waterfowl model is built on the XLR platform. Just this year they introduced the XLR5 Composite Hunter so it seems that they are not dropping the line.

A quick call or email would give you a more definitive answer than mine. Curious what you find out.

FWIW I just saw this Guiness Book of World Record set by John Yeiser using an XLR5. 64:14 seconds for 25 ATA Trap targets from 16 yards! Old news for some as this was done in 2013 but still impressive IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaQ4uEJZPJo

If it's discontinued easy to see why. I never saw one at any SC competition events. Saw lots of A400,391 and 390's.

Just an observation and question. Do any representatives of ANY gun brands regularly peruse this board and make comments? This is a case in point. A Fabarm representative could easily answer such a question. Same thing could apply for any of the other brands. Just wonderin`.

That makes too much sense!

Not remotely the entire line. Several models are not available in the U.S.:
XLR 5 OILED
XLR 5 OILED ACCURACY
XLR COMPOSITE
XLR COMPOSITE ACCURACY
XLR BULRUSH MAX 5
XLR FOREST
XLR COLUMBA PALUMBUS
XLR WATERFOWLER WESTERN

http://www.fabarm.com/web_eng/macrocategoria.asp?i=2

^^^^^^^^^

As expected it is just the FR version. See response from FABARM below.

"Tom Smith <[email protected]>
2:27 PM (3 hours ago)
to me

William,
I am very sorry for the late response, I am working remotely and your email just popped up.
We just discontinued the FR - replaced by the L4S, we still continue to make the XLR5 in the Composite, LR, AR and Waterfowler.

Thanks. Tom"

This is a joint Guerini Summit Ltd. and Fabarm XLR5 update.

It has been awhile since I've really done some shooting with my XLR5 LR, but today, I went to Joshua Creek for some pre-Nationals practice. I took the XLR5 along with my Guerini Summit Ltd., with which I have accumulated nearly 38k rounds, and planned to use at the Nationals.

I hesitated before packing the XLR5 in my truck as I thought it unwise to shoot it before the Nationals because I was sure my Guerini would continue to be my go-to gun. Why confuse my muscle memory? Why introduce a different feeling gun to my hands and eyes. I new I really shouldn't do it . . . but I did.

And the unthinkable happened - I could hardly miss with the Fabarm XLR5. It felt so good at pointing. I could move it with more smoothness than my beloved Guerini. I felt more confidence with it. This wasn't supposed to happen! One of my shooting buddies (my main "advisor") who I get lessons from occasionally, told me I ought to shoot this gun in the Nationals. He was watching me closely, and said I moved so much better with that gun, that I kept my head on the stock better, and that I needed to commit to it for the big show.

So I think I will and see what happens. I didn't shoot any fast, close crossers today; I didn't shoot any rabbits; There were plenty of teals, chondels, quartering targets, and edgy birds. I could "see" them better than I have for some time. I shot gun down on many shots, so my FITASC event should be OK. I didn't have any pairs that were close/far, where a single choke would have to suffice (I used a Muller 2 for everything, as I have in the past). We'll see. I don't really know what the XLR5's long-term durability will be, but whatever I learn, I'll pass on to y'all.

I will add this paragraph regarding the Guerini and the primary differences in the guns. The Fabarm LOP is about 16 1/4". The Guerini is 15 1/2". I can move my left arm out on the Fabarm fore arm a bit farther - the fore end is much longer. All this may contribute to a more muted but controlled swing of the gun, even though it is lighter. I will try and lengthen my Guerini LOP accordingly and see how it feels. Maybe I'll try and grip the fore arm out further, but that will mean partially getting my left hand/fingers on the barrel, which may feel odd. We'll see and go from there. Shooting is a continual learning and growing experience. I think that's what keep it fun and interesting.

Total shot count for the XLR5 LR = 4040.

Well it's been 3 months and nearly 1000 rounds since I updated this forum on my Fabarm XLR5. I didn't shoot it in the Nationals - but maybe I should have. But since my Guerini has been at Cole's in San Antonio, then Guerini, in Andrew's famous hands, I've been using the Fabarm exclusively.

I do really like the gun, except cleaning it. That I don't like. But I do have a couple of concerns that I will pose here as questions to the group - especially those who shoot Fabarms.

1) The Fabarm YouTube video with Andrew taking the gun apart is not real. After shooting these wonderful guns, they don't separate by simply pulling the barrel out of the receiver. It's in there good! Does anyone have a trick for separating the barrel from the receiver easily?

2) The gas cylinder has a rubber washer/seal that I try to be careful of, but it worries me. Andrew @ Fabarm/Guerini instructs when cleaning the gun to apply a light coating of lubricant to it before reassembly. I dislodged it accidently once during a cleaning and it was tricky to reinstall. Has anyone had to replace this item? Does it's absence or lack of integrity (torn, broken) effect the gun's ability to cycle?

Thanx for any help and advice y'all can offer.

Total shot count for the XLR5 LR = 5010.

The sticking barrel has been reported before. My L4S IH will do it. Try greasing the barrel extension and see if that doesn’t help.

Thanx for the tip Tide. I greased it (choke tube lube) and shot it briefly and had very little trouble pulling it apart. Seems to easy, but I'll add that step to my reassembly routine.

Total shot count for the XLR5 LR = 5085.

Oinodam, your comments on the L4S are probably universal on this model, at least that's basically what I've encountered but over time, my maintenance has come down to this after about 7K rounds total thru the gun:

Wipe down after each shoot - Tub O' Towels cloth to clean the mag tube and the gas system. Dry off with paper towel. Re lube (Break-Free, Slip 2000, or Safari Charlie) on barrel tang extension.

Cleaning - about 4 flats. Complete breakdown and instead of solvent use half Mr. Clean and half Dawn liquid soap with hot tap water, rinse with hot tap water and dry with paper towel. Inside the barrel, Break Free and tornado brush on drill. My chokes basically stay clean and just wipe down.

As you know, when this gun is clean, nothing like them in a gas auto and I've had way too many of them.