Well, I am not looking for pity but once again I rolled the dice on a Crusader Arms product...I'm not going to lie I couldn't be happier so far. Yes, same Blah packaging, same 6 doubles end 5rd proprietary magazines...Fit and finish is decent across the board, I didn't expect much different in the way of presentation so my expectations were met in that regard as mediocre. With all of that said, and I know it is still early, but I put 335 rounds in her first range trip and I kid you not, not a single issue, no light strikes, no feeding issues, no mag related problems etc..It just ate every round and ran like a rifle in that class should run. To answer anyones questions in advance, no I don't have money to waste, no I am not a gambler at heart, the truth is, When I bought the original Backland Hunter I read the reviews at the time about the company which were not stellar but at the time there wasn't much as it related to reviews on that rifle and I figured I would give it a try. When I experienced cycling issues I thought to myself I am fu#k3d because the customer service reviews were what everyone complained about. However I was pleasantly surprised with the quick reply I got and they paid shipping both ways for me to send my rifle in for repair. All in all the process took about 3 weeks approx. When I got it back it ran fine, with the odd failure to lock back on the last round which to me was not a big deal and likely was mag related.
When they announced the Backland Hunter COMP, I was slightly annoyed because I had bought the standard Hunter rifle not so many months earlier. Still, I really wanted to be able to use my trigger tech trigger from one of my other guns that has just been sitting in the safe, based on my good last experience with Crusader I figured WTF I'll give it a go. Oh and yes anyone looking for the previous model, I have one that will go on the market shortly lol. Even though I bought the COMP to be able to run my Trigger Tech Trigger, I was not prepared for what I got as a bonus with this version, ALL of the ergonomics are just like my AR, I mean ALL, it feels just like it..yeah yeah I know it isn't, but I challenge anyone who has a chance to get their hands on one to see for yourself. My other Backland handled like a shotgun, feels decent like its the only option we have so deal with it. But this COMP version is WAY different in feel, I know it looks subtle but it feels night and day, that and mine runs like a champ so far. I saw SHOC_DVC on instagram (image is a still from his video) running it hard which I then said screw it and decided to pick it up from Bullseye North. Since, I noticed RDSC has started to stock them as well for you Western folks.
OOPS I DID IT AGAIN and so far I couldn't be happier...However I am only 300+ rounds in, so I will report back when I get more rounds downrange. Hopefully Canada Day bash at a friends farm will be my next go at it, we set aside 1000 rounds of PMC 5.56, hoping for the best ..."please don't be a piece of shit.." hahaha fingers crossed.
Yeah it's shit like that that makes me refer to them as "Cringesader" almost exclusively now.
I just realized they're like the Canadian Kel-Tec, but they make bad products instead of wacky usesble ones, and are probably railing meth instead of coke building their rifles out of old scrap yard finds from Manitoba instead of Florida beach plastic lol
The only reason why I would buy this thing is to learn more about firearms and learn how to tinker with more modern ones, I wouldn't buy this firearm any other way. From the reviews and videos i have seen people putting hate towards it, it's not worth spending over two thousand for it. Id rather buy a used BMW that looks like it was squashed by a gigantic hydraulic press.
I was unsure as well, but the fact that I had all my after market parts from my banned guns that are compatible, I figured I would bite the bullet, and I'm glad I did, I honestly couldn't be happier. I mean I haven't had any issues with the mags it came with but I am debating on converting it to be able to take standard STANAG mags because I have so many of the damn things.
I noticed that in the picture as well, mine doesn't seem to have that tint at all, straight black here, but I do notice that the hand guard is a bit darker if im being critical, I don't think they make that hand guard so it's likely finished somewhere else.
Let us know, they reach out to me to start stocking these and I was going to order 1 to have our former german gunsmith/machinist on staff tear apart and see if its any good. (Probably still going to do this)
Thats actually a pretty damn good idea, although the Liberals seem to particularly hate the AK.
But in theory if the Backlander is a new design and meets the laws by using a proprietary mag design, there's no reason a similar AK style rifle couldn't be made to the same effect. That would be super cool.
Let’s hope it sticks and isn’t banned. I want to like this one and given the aesthetics, it’s really one of three possible tactical semi autos we can really choose from (not really interested in the frankengun look of a kitted out alcor unless you keep the wood stock and go full mlok handguard; otherwise I find the tactical version to be then very ugly)
If it ends up being at least mid to decent in the reliability and accuracy department Id be open to it. And before you say “it’s not a $2000 rifle” most tactical offerings are overpriced in this market. ARs in the states can start at $500 so even the alcors and chimeras are a bit of a reach IMO. That said, the lack of a manual and poor mag function are a huge negstive
I too appreciate the effort on aftermarket parts to tac up the Alcor but not my vibe either.
It's also how I feel, everyone complaining on price, when the Alcor is already $1500 before after market parts, then you are in for $2000 anyways, heavy, awkward and fuglly!
Thant was the other thing that sold me on the comp was the weight, nobody really mentions how light and balanced it is compared to the other semis on the market, even with the Makasi and Carmel coming based on what I read they are both heavier and with the 18"+ barrels likely will both be front heavy. I don't know about the Makasi but I will likely still buy a Carmel, I'm a SCAR fanboy lol, even the though the American reviews on it are not stellar.
Ordered mine yesterday. Figured it'll be fun to play with till the Mk15 shows up.
I honestly think they're pretty nice looking rifles. About as close as we can get to an AR, and more AR ish looking than the Mk15 or Carmel.
I contacted Crusader yesterday via email, and received a response today on canada day, shockingly. Extremely fast response.
My question basically was what AR parts are compatible, and it sounds like the bolt (not BCG though), handguard, barrel, trigger are all compatible, and i believe but have not confirmed, the dust cover, changing handle, and safety are also compatible.
The option to swap the barrel to a still commonly available AR barrel is a nice perk.
How heavy is the barrel on your Comp model? From the little bit of info I could find online, it sounded like it uses a heavy barrel, vs a lighter profile on the original Hunter model. I am hoping this is true.
Should have mine sometime next week. Excited to check it out.
I honestly half bought it just for a top charging handled rifle, so I can play pretend AR 15. Just wish it used a straight buffer tube but I understand why they had to go the benelli M4 style stock and buffer, otherwise itd basically just be a Crypto. Oh well.
Honestly, props to crusader for seemingly trying to improve their QC and customer service, and working to actually improve the rifle from its original model. Im stoked to check it out in person soon.
This one doesn't have an FRT right? So you're gambling that the RCMP doesn't figure out that the company is selling this rifle and FRT ban it like they did with the Crypto?
Yes correct, it is however the same rifle that they have been selling since fall of last year so at least its not new and been on the market for a while.
I'm not sure how much these things retail for bit if it's over 1,000 Canuckistani Kopec I'm just going to buy a Makasi, anythjng Cringesader puts out isn't worth more than a grand
I asked about that before I bought mine, they told me that it is a possibility in the near future but didnt' provide any timelines so I said screw it and decided to just buy it. Shot over a thousand rounds so far zero issues, fingers crossed.
I almost ordered one until I seen that the receiver looks nothing like the photos they posted and photos listed on dealers websites. The actual model has those ugly cutouts for an ambi safety so once again crusader blowing smoke up customers asses and can't even post the actual photos of the final product.
I saw that too, but it wasn't a Crusader post it was a post created from a store and reshared.
I can confirm on mine it has a cutout, but I don't think it's ugly so much, It was so that AR safeties can be used. I emailed them about it inquiring originally, and was told this comp is not a new gun, it is the Backland Hunter with a pre-installed AR trigger adapter. That made more sense to me afterwards.
If you go to crusaders instagram they have several photos posted with it not having the cutouts in-fact not a single photo they have posted looks like the release version
I saw that too, pretty sure that was the prototype the cutout is on the other side as is the safety, the production ones have cut outs on both sides to allow for ambi selectors which is good because I prefer ambi options.
I also just bought one, can you run 5.56 in it or just 223, ik they’re the same dimensions just 5.56 has higher pressure so I heard you can’t run it in a gun chambered specifically for 223
Just an update on my Backland comp, ran into my first stoppage, I honestly lost count of how many rounds exactly i'm at, but for sure over 1000. I noticed that the bolt was slightly stiffer to pull back and slower to return to battery when I would release the charging handle or use the bolt release. In fairness I have not run the gun too wet with oil, but it was running great so I figured if it's not broke don't fix it. What it was causing was failure to fully feed. it would feed off the magazine but not go into battery. I field stripped it and took the bolt carrier apart and noticed a fair amount of carbon build up. I thoroughly cleaned and lubricated it and boom I was back shooting without an issue. I put another 200ish rounds through it. Crazy happy as I thought I was witnessing my first issue. For anyone wondering, I have used Winchester white box .223 55grain and PMC XTAC 5.56 55grain only, to be honest it's not the cleanest ammo but it runs great in this rifle and it's cheap lol.
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u/Flashy_Inspector115 27d ago