Crusader Arms Crusader 9 Dual Caliber Combo 9mm/5.56mm - Images and 900/500 Round Review

[u/MacPapRonin]

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

[u/[deleted]]

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…

[u/MacPapRonin → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/[deleted] → u/MacPapRonin]

Fuckin eh. Great response right there bro. Thank you