r/canadaguns • u/MacPapRonin • Apr 25 '23
Crusader Arms Crusader 9 Dual Caliber Combo 9mm/5.56mm - Images and 900/500 Round Review
Crusader 9 Sentinel 5.56mm right side
Crusader 9 Sentinel 5.56mm left side
Right side detail and optics mounting - Burris RT-6 1-6x24 LPVO on Burris PEPR and Fast Fire 3 MRDS on TruGlo 45 offset mount
Left side detail, showing bolt catch release lever (above safety)
Optics detail, with chamber locked open and cartridge deflector visible.
Another view, just for variety
Crusader 9 Liberator 9mm upper with SGM 10/33 magazine, right side
Crusader 9 Liberator 9mm upper, left side
Magazine swapped to Glock OEM Gen 4 10 round magazine, Primary Arms SLx MD-25 with ACSS reticle red dot, clone G33 3x magnifier
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Apr 26 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
I believe the Sentinel uppers are identical or nearly so to the Templar. On the lower receiver, the area around the safety and magazine release is somewhat redesigned and the slope of the magwell runs in the opposite direction. The Templar shipped with the F5 MFG ACR-style stock, while there were two options for the Crusader 9, a somewhat generic buttstock similar in style to the Battlelink Minimalist milspec stock, and with the upgrade package, the Magpul MOE stock.
Otherwise, to the best of my knowledge they are functionally identical.
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u/RedTungsten Apr 26 '23
This is the response I received from crusader arms when asking for the difference between sentinel and Templar “ Different lowers, different stocks, Templar takes standard trigger pins and AR selectors and overall is approx 1lb lighter.”
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
Useful info, good to hear (albeit second hand) an official answer. Thank you!
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u/AB_Biker_PistonBroke Apr 26 '23
Really a great Review. Everything a person needs to know to make an informed decision on a purchase.
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 28 '23
I appreciate the positive feedback. This community is very supportive and informative and I like to give back as much as I am able.
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Apr 26 '23
Does anyone know if these crusader 9’s are still being made? Or is everything geared towards the Templar now?
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
I believe the Crusader 9s are no longer being manufactured and everything is geared towards the Templar. To be honest, the Templar is probably a better bet at this point, but I've seen a number of Crusader 9s on gunpost.ca and in other online ads.
But yeah, I think CA is wholly focused on the Templar and the .308 version, the Crux.
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u/MG34owner Apr 26 '23
How’s the accuracy on it with match ammo?
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
Haven't tried match ammo, since I don't currently have a range where I can shoot at 100 yards on a regular basis. Once I do I'll report back.
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u/MG34owner Apr 26 '23
Yessir, because at the price of the combo, it presents a big threat to x95 with 9mm kit, bren, apc and any Canadian made 180. I’ll wait for the report and if it can do under 1.5 inches with at least 5 shots consistently, I’ll buy one and throw 3-5k rounds of basic ammo and 1-1.5k of “precision ammo” though it this summer. My Dillon has been working nicely and my apc needs to rest a bit
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u/MrChadwiz Apr 26 '23
My buddy’s cross mags just fall out in his crusader, no issue with pmags
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
Crusader 9 or Templar? My Cross Industries 10/10 coupled mags seat and retain fine.
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u/MrChadwiz Apr 26 '23
Crusader 9, his firing pin spring also bent after 40 shots. Got a new spring and he’s done 100 shots now no problem
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May 03 '23
Damn great review thank you!! Ive been looking for a possible alternative to a tavor.
Im debating between templar,raven 556, or sterling r18….. decisions decisions…
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u/MacPapRonin May 03 '23 edited May 03 '23
The Templar comes in at $2250 (pre-tax) with the TriggerTech upgrade, which I highly recommend.
The Tavor is commonly $2700-2900, but it can often be found at $2500 on sale.
The Lockhart Tactical Raven with similar features starting at the Premium model and adding TriggerTech trigger, brass deflector and bolt hold open comes to around 2650-2800, depending on other features selected. The Premium model has fully ambidextrous features (rear charging handle, mag release, bolt catch, safety selector), unlike the Templar, where the charging handle can be switched and the bolt release can be manipulated with a different finger.
The R18 is now shipping with TriggerTech trigger groups, but I'm uncertain whether the newest list prices include the TriggerTech-equipped model. Prices are $2700 for the models currently listed at Arsenal force - again, not sure if those are TriggerTech equipped.
Tavor = bullpup, best fit and finish of the four, battle-tested, slightly more difficult maintenance +$250-650 over Templar
Raven = direct impingement, better fit and finish, better ambidexterity, +$400-550 over Templar. Current mid-count reliability unknown
R18 = better fit and finish, better over all build quality, some issues/operational stoppages reported by some users, some issues with some type of ammo reported by some users. +$450 over Templar.
If you're looking for maximum reliability, battle-tested and don't mind a bullpup, the Tavor is your best bet. It's, honestly speaking, the best 5.56mm rifle in the ~$2500 price range in Canada.
If you don't mind spending a bit extra and are looking for operation very similar to an AR15, the Raven seems like very a good choice.
If you're looking for Canadian made, want to save a little cash, generally solid and reliable, and don't mind 0.5-1 lbs heavier than similar 5.56mm carbines, the Templar is a good recommend.
If you're looking for the cheapest, lightest, slimmest option, and don't mind risking a bit on QC/QA issues (warranty returns seem OK so far), the BCL Siberian ticks those boxes.
I would not personally pick the R18 with the other options available, but it's not a terrible option. I would similarly not go for the Kodiak WK180C Gen 2, but it is a cheap, easy AR-180C option if all you're going for is cheap.
If I had $3000, I'd personally go for the Raven right now. None of these other options (Raven, BCL SRV2) except the R18 and the Tavor were available when I got my Crusader 9 rifle (the Templar was just coming out). I don't regret my decision to buy the Crusader 9 as I got both a 5.56mm rifle and a 9mm PCC with a great TriggerTech trigger group for $2600 before tax. If I only had $2500 and couldn't save to get the additional $500 for the Raven, I'd go for the Templar, knowing full well that the Tavor is probably a better overall rifle, just because I like supporting Canadian manufacturers.
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u/WAHLY-_- Apr 26 '23
How do you like the Burris LVPO with the Fastfire. I’ve been looking at them for my X95.
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23 edited Apr 26 '23
I compared the Burris RT-6 and the Vortex Strike Eagle in 1-6x24 magnifications and I found I preferred the sight picture and eye relief of the Burris, personally, but they are very close. I like the sight picture (it feels more generous) and the reticle (less busy). To me, the eye box of the RT-6 feels more forgiving.
Minor quibbles with the RT-6 - the illumination, even at max brightness, is not really enough for outdoor shooting. It's fine for indoors, but it's not really any help in bright light outside. That said, since it's an etched reticle, if you're shooting in bright light you don't really need it illuminated anyway. The magnification dial is a touch stiff for my liking, but maybe that will get "broken in" over time. The battery compartment is a little bit hard to open, but not nearly as difficult as some online reviews make it out to be. Finally, I wish it had an auto-off/shake on option like some newer optics. The way the brightness dial is positioned, it's actually easy to accidentally turn it on when moving it around, and I've killed a battery once with an accidental turn-on, and once from leaving it on accidentally. Accuracy wise, the dials are 0.5 MoA and are very intuitive to dial in. The optic is very easy to zero.
The Fast Fire is nice - there are three settings for brightness - auto-brightness, bright and dim. I sort of wish there was an intermediate range - the auto-brightness setting isn't always enough, the dim mode is almost always too dim, and the bright mode is often too bright. I like it a lot otherwise, as it does have an auto-off function. Sight picture makes it easy to acquire at CQB distances and it works well on the offset mount as I've set up. I tried mounting it on top of the LPVO, but I found it generated such height over bore, especially with the Crusader 9's already somewhat higher than usual height over bore, that I preferred the offset mount.
Overall, I'm pleased with the RT-6 with FF3 combination, and it's a great bargain when you can get it as a combo kit on sale - you save almost $200 CAD over buying the components separately. It's great value for money, if still clearly a mid-to-low range budget option.
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u/WAHLY-_- Apr 26 '23
Hey man, I appreciate the write up. This was more in-depth than some of the reviews I’ve seen. But I think you sold me on the Burris. The vortex was the other LVPO I was looking at, but it would come out the same as the Burris combo once I buy a mount.
Thanks 👍
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 26 '23
You're welcome! I do recommend actually looking at them in person, if you are able, at a friendly local gun store. I looked at both before buying one. I was actually leaning toward the Vortex Strike Eagle until I used it in person.
My shooting buddy went the other way and bought the 1-8x24 Strike Eagle, so I think they're very close, the Vortex is probably a safer bet but I'm happy with the Burris so far.
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u/MacPapRonin Apr 25 '23 edited May 01 '23
Crusader 9 Dual Caliber Combo
In 5.56mm “Sentinel” configuration: Burris RT-6 1-6x24 LPVO on Burris PEPR mount, Burris Fast Fire 3 MRDS on TruGlo 45 offset riser mount, Magpul M-LOK Angled Foregrip, Magpul M-LOK QD sling mount, Magpul MBUS iron sights, Magpul ASAP QD ambidextrous sling attachment point (rear plate), Magpul MOE carbine stock, Magpul MOE-K grip, Triggertech AR15 ‘Adaptable’ trigger group, stainless curved lever version
In 9mm “Liberator” configuration: Primary Arms SLx MD-25 with ACSS reticle red dot, Eotech G33 3x magnifier clone version (I will try to replace this with a real steel magnifier when able), Magpul M-LOK aluminum rail section, 7 slot, Magpul AFG (rail version). Pistol grip, stock and rear sling attachment as above (same lower receiver used)
TriggerTech trigger group, pistol grip and carbine stock were part of the upgrade package offered by Crusader Arms at the time of sale.
Current Rounds fired:
.223/5.56mm – 600 rounds total
PMC Bronze 55gr, PMC X-Tac 55gr, Federal American Eagle 55gr, Hornady Frontier 55gr, Sellier & Bellot 55gr, Winchester “White Box” 55gr
9mm – 900 rounds total
PMC Bronze 115gr, Winchester White Box 115gr, Sellier and Bellot 115gr, Fiocchi 124gr
Stoppages:
5.56mm – no stoppages
9mm – one failure to feed*
* a number of extraction issues occurred during initial break-in when firing the 9mm upper, all related to a loose extractor assembly, which was due to either an out-of-spec extractor pin or bolt carrier hole. Entire 9mm bolt carrier was replaced at no cost by Crusader Arms once issue was identified. Since the bolt carrier was replaced, only a single failure to feed has occurred in 880 rounds.
Magazines tested:
5.56mm: Magpul PMAG Gen 3, Hera Arms H3, Cross Industries 10/10 Cross Mag Coupling AR-Pistol, CPD LAR-15 10 round magazine – all magazines inserted, locked, fed and fired without issue
9mm: Glock OEM Gen 4 10 round magazine. SGM Tactical 10/33 magazine – all magazines fed and fired without issue
Maintenance:
One full cleaning of 5.56mm upper after 100 rounds. Cleaned again after 500 additional rounds (600 rounds total)
One full cleaning of 9mm upper after 250 rounds. Cleaned again after 650 additional rounds (900 rounds total)
Several small operation/maintenance issues were encountered while “breaking in” the gun. All issues documented here: https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/10yxu41/crusader_arms_templar_crusader_9_maintenance_tips/
The imgur link below illustrates the state of the bolt carrier, lower and upper receivers after 500 rounds of 5.56mm and 800 rounds of 9mm fired. I intentionally left the parts uncleaned to document how much fouling would occur after that many rounds:
https://imgur.com/a/mswGQif
Impressions:
The rifle feels solid, and by comparison to many other carbines, heavier. It is not cumbersome or awkward to manipulate, however. Felt recoil is light(er) compared to similar 5.56mm/.223 carbines, probably due to the sheer mass of the rifle. Fit and finish is adequate, if not overly impressive. Small machining marks can be seen at various locations, but no burrs or rough surfaces are present. The upper receiver is monolithic and the handguard cannot be swapped out.
An unusual feature of the Crusader 9 Dual Caliber combo is that it is shipped with two upper receivers, the 9mm Liberator and the 5.56mm Sentinel. Both can be removed easily from the common lower receiver with manipulation of two captive takedown pins, the entire swap taking about 2 minutes and the use of a punch or bullet tip.
With the TriggerTech AR15 Adapatable trigger group, trigger pull is easy even on the heaviest (5 lbs) setting, and extremely light at the lowest (2.5 lbs). Break is crisp and clean, and frankly a pleasure to shoot by comparison to many milspec/stock triggers I have used on AR15s, X95s and other semi-autos. I did not test the baseline milspec trigger for comparison.
Being an AR-180 derivative, there is very little combustion gas released into the chamber when firing the 5.56mm upper, so very little cleaning has been necessary. The 9mm upper is a blowback system, so there is a fair amount of gas being vented, and it can be seen and smelled coming out of the rear takedown plate after rapid fire. When firing 9mm, the 9mm upper becomes very fouled, as does the magazine. As I understand it, this is common for blowback-based PCCs.
The supplied standard A2 compensator does not create excessive muzzle blast, but neither does it seem special in any way. The short-stroke gas piston system did not need to be adjusted for any of my firing, and I have not tightened, loosened or replaced any parts of the gas system. The Crusader 9, like the Templar, uses a non-reciprocating H&K slap-style charging handle on the left. It can be moved to the right side of the firearm for improved ambidextrous-compatibility with simple tools. Yes, doing an HK slap is pretty satisfying.
The bolt catch release lever is on the left and the magazine release button is on the right and cannot be relocated or twinned on the opposite side to my knowledge.
The bolt catch release lever can be used to hold the bolt open if pulled down and release the bolt if pushed forward. Right handed shooters can use their right thumb, left handed shooters can use their left index to manipulate it. I quite like it, once I got used to it (vs. standard AR bolt releases).
Accuracy seems adequate and in line with most other 5.56mm carbines in this price range. While I have been able to shoot adequately at 100 yds, most of my shooting has been at the 25 yard range and I have not had a chance to methodically document 100 yd shooting. Others have started to better document their groupings and MoA accuracy and estimate it as being somewhere in the 1.25 – 1.75 MoA range [edit] with non-match ammo.
Disassembly, cleaning and maintenance is very easy, a bonus for a new owner like myself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGZtDKLFrEQ
Potential For Improvement
The design and positioning of the charging handle on the left side of the foregrip can cause some interference with the mounting of some optics – i.e. the handle cannot clear or be easily grasped with some optic and mount combinations. Care should be taken when selecting and positioning mounts and optics to avoid combinations which have interference with the charging handle. (For example, with my Burris RT-6 on the PEPR mount, I had to be careful about where I placed it to avoid having the optic interfere with charging handle operation).
The magazine release on the right side and bolt release lever on the left side limits the full potential of this rifle for left handed shooters, and I do not currently see any way for the sides to be switched or twinned.
The appearance of the charging handle stop pin as a flathead screw top feels cheap somehow, and might have been better done with a full allen hex bolt
Many early buyers expressed frustrations at delays in shipping and communications with Crusader Arms. While all of my communications with the service team has been acceptable, there is certainly room for improvement. In addition, the Crusader Arms website could be developed considerably.
As shipped, my rifle was simply the cardboard box, the Sentinel 5.56mm upper mounted to the lower and the separate 9mm upper, protective bubble wrap and cardboard inserts, a Hera Arms H2 5.56mm magazine and a Glock OEM Gen 4 9mm magazine. No manual or other parts or accessories were included. While I was expecting a somewhat bare-bones package, the lack of even a manual was little disconcerting. I hope that the Templar is shipped with a manual going forward, or at least with a note indicating that the manual may be downloaded at the CA website.
Conclusion:
While many point to the heavy weight of the firearm as a deal breaker, I have found the Crusader 9 to be a fun to shoot, reliable firearm. It is definitely noticeably heavier than most other firearms in its class and caliber. While certainly not of the same class of quality as the Tavor X95, CZ Bren 2 or B&T APC 223, the rifle provides a .223/5.56mm semi-automatic platform which has so far been dependable and flexible. The Dual Caliber Combo option has provided me with the option to fire either 9mm or 5.56mm and practice firearm manipulation drills and shooting at a much lower cost/round. I enjoy the Crusader 9 and expect that the Templar is very similar in operation and overall feel. If the weight is a dealbreaker, the BCL Siberian SRV2 seems to be a lower mass alternative, but the Crusader 9 and the younger brother Templar may be emerging as among the best of the current AR-180-derived Canadian designs.
Manual (for Templar):
https://www.crusaderarms.ca/manual-download
Specifications (Crusader 9 Dual Caliber Combo)
Sentinel 5.56mm upper
Action: Semi-Automatic
Gas System: Mid-Length
Gas Block Diameter: 0.750"
Barrel: 18.6" (Threaded 1/2"-28)
Barrel Twist: 1:8
Barrel Material: 4140 Chrome Steel
Muzzle compensator: A2 birdcage
Receiver Material: 6061 Aluminum
Handguard Material: 6061 Aluminum
Handguard mounting points: M-LOK side and bottom, Picatinny top.
Trigger Weight: 2.5-5 lbs TriggerTech AR15 Adaptable (this is an factory installed upgrade, I cannot confirm the standard/baseline model milspec trigger pull weights)
Overall Length: 34.75"
Weight 9.2lbs (no magazine, no optics/accessories)
Liberator 9mm upper
Action: Semi Auto Blowback
Barrel Length: 18.6"
Threads: 5/8x24
Receiver Material: 6061 Aluminum
Handguard Material: 6061 Aluminum
Length of Pull: 12.5"-14.75"
Overall Length: 34.75"
Weight: 8.7lb (no magazine, no optics/accessories)