Crusader Arms Templar & Crusader 9 Maintenance Tips and Fixes

[u/MacPapRonin]

With more users getting their hands on and shooting the Crusader Arms Templar and Crusader 9, I thought I'd start a thread with information on maintenance and fixes for problems I've personally run into and the fixes I applied. I own the Crusader 9 Dual Calibre Combo, which includes the Sentinel 5.56mm upper and the Liberator 9mm upper, which are interchangeable on the common Crusader 9 lower. To be very clear, I like the gun, and the problems I've had I feel are minor. The operation, maintenance and potential issues with the Crusader 9 Sentinel are so close as to make the Crusader 9 Sentinel and the Templar functionally identical for the purposes of identifying potential issues.

I will list the ISSUE or RECOMMENDATION, WHEN ENCOUNTERED (with round count when possible), FIX/SOLUTION applied, TIME/MATERIALS required for the fix and CURRENT STATUS of fix - that is, how the fix is holding up and whether any additional action was required.

In any case where I did not personally experience the issue described, I have tried to post a link to the location where it was reported.

ISSUE: Crusader 9 Sentinel 5.56mm upper does not hinge closed properly.

WHEN ENCOUNTERED: On initial assembly

FIX/SOLUTION: Remove two hex screws on left and right side of upper near rear takedown plate. Apply a drop of blue Loctite to each screw. Screw all the way in, then back out screws slowly until upper folds and locks in place properly, ensuring tight fit. Ensure that assembly holds properly in place both in open and closed position while being as tight as reasonable while allowing proper opening. Solution as recommended by Spectre Ltd service, via email communications.

TIME/MATERIALS: 5-10 minutes, M10 hex wrench, blue Loctite

CURRENT STATUS: 400 rounds later, no further issue. [UPDATE - March 4, 2024 ] 1300 rounds no issues.

ISSUE: Crusader 9 Liberator 9mm upper has extraction issues - stovepipes, misfeeds, failure to extract. Extractor assembly loose or falls apart.

WHEN ENCOUNTERED: Ten rounds into firing 9mm Para from Liberator 9mm upper

FIX/SOLUTION: Check that extractor assembly on bolt is intact/in place. In my case, the extractor retention pin had slid out, which caused the entire extractor assembly to become loose. I reassembled the extractor assembly into the bolt and shot again, and the pin continued to slide out, about 2mm per 50 rounds. I contacted Spectre Ltd service and they replaced the bolt at no charge. The issue was either an out-of-spec retention pin or out of spec pin hole. From reporting of problem to receipt of new bolt - 4 business days.

TIME/MATERIALS: 3-5 minutes of disassembly and bolt replacement. New bolt provided for free under warranty

CURRENT STATUS: 600 rounds later, no issue [UPDATE] now up to 2100 rounds - no additional issues related to this.

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ISSUE: Bolt release lever loose or falls off on Crusader 9 or Templar lower. I later found the bent e-clip on my rifle maintenance mat. It was clearly bent in a way that made me think this was not the clip popping out due to recoil, but that pressure had been applied to the clip in such a way that it bent.

WHEN ENCOUNTERED: 300 5.56mm rounds, 400 rounds 9mm in - the Crusader 9 lower is used on both the 9mm and 5.56mm upper, and the bolt release lever is located on the lower.

FIX/SOLUTION: check if e-clip which retains bolt release assembly in place is bent or absent. Replace if absent or bent. E-clip is 11/64" internal width. Email communications with Spectre Ltd service had them send me four new e-clips, one to fix, three as spares.

TIME/MATERIALS: 2 minutes with needlenose pliers to bend tension spring back under release lever arm, insert e-clip, press e-clip down into place with small flathead screwdriver or tweezers.

CURRENT STATUS: 150 5.56mm rounds + 200 9mm rounds later no issue. [UPDATE] an additional 200 rounds of each type of ammo after status report above, bolt release lever fell off again. This time, the missing e-clip could not be located. I used one of the replacement e-clips that were previously sent and applied blue Loctite to underside of e-clip before pushing into place. Hopefully this prevents vibration from firing somehow popping the e-clip off of bolt release assembly. [UPDATE March 4, 2024] 750 rounds after second bolt release lever issue, I have been checking the e-clip when maintaining the rifle. It has not fallen off since.

NOTE: It is possible that this is potentially caused by applying too much pressure in the wrong direction when pushing the bolt retention lever (that is, pulling down instead of pushing forward). I will see if this issue occurs again, especially if I am mindful of pushing the lever forward instead of trying to pull down/back. [UPDATE] This does not appear to be the case. I was very careful about the direction I pushed the lever after the first e-clip popped off and was fixed. [UPDATE 2] It seems pretty clear that the concussion of firing the rifle can cause the e-clip to slowly back out. In a few maintenance sessions, I have discovered that the e-clip had slid off a bit. I'll be replacing it with a snap ring in the next maintenance session.

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ISSUE/RECOMMENDED MAINTENTANCE: Charging handle binds or scrapes along charging handle slot. In my case, it was not binding, but it was clearly lightly scraping the charging handle slot. This is a potential issue for both Templar and Crusader 9 uppers.

WHEN ENCOUNTERED: 200 rounds in on 5.56mm upper. Issue not observed on 9mm upper, but fix applied as a preventative measure.

FIX/SOLUTION: Apply gun lubricant with needle-nosed oil bottle to rod, rod retention guide channel along inside of receiver, along bottom of charging handle slot, and top and bottom of charging handle where it comes in potential contact with charging handle slot. Use lubricant sparingly. I did not encounter binding, but one of the Crusader Arms maintenance videos on YouTube ( https://youtu.be/S7ZZj40Ou7g ) recommends checking the hex bolts on the charging handle to make sure they are not loose (and thus allowing "racking" or "pivoting" of the charging handle.

The lubrication of the charging handle slot is now specifically recommended in the Templar manual from Crusader Arms.

TIME/MATERIALS: 2 minutes with needle nose lubricant oil applicator, hex wrench if required.

CURRENT STATUS: No additional binding or scraping encountered, 200 rounds later [UPDATE - March 4, 2024] 1100 rounds after initial notice of issue, wear is minor but noticeable on lower edge of charging handle slot - lubrication as a regular preventative is definitely recommended.

[u/MacPapRonin]

ISSUE: Steel-cased Barnaul FMJ 55gr .223 ammunition experienced multiple failure to fire issues according to one user, u/marston82, reported in this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/13dcg89/comment/jjleso5/

User u/marston82 reported, "It does not like steel cased Barnaul 223. I got numerous failure to fire with a round chambered. i heard a click when I pulled the trigger." User was unable to confirm whether they were light strikes or another issue.

WHEN ENCOUNTERED: When firing steel-cased Barnaul FMJ 55gr .223 ammunition.

FIX/SOLUTION: Avoid firing Barnaul steel-cased ammunition.

TIME/MATERIALS: None, unless you already purchased Barnaul ammo and have to return/exchange it.

CURRENT STATUS: Only reported by one user, but assumed to be correct.