Crusader Arms Backland Hunter Comp - Crusader getting better?

[u/HappyCan7250]

I saw someone posted the other day that they bought the new Comp model. I frankly love the look of it, minus the M4 style buffer tube. Not much info on the rifle as it just hit the shelves this week.

Decided to order one from Bullseye to play around with while waiting for the Mk15 to show up.

I have heard all the horror stories on Crusader, and ghosting guys and bad support, issues with the rifles.

I am hoping maybe they have gotten their act together and am willing to be a guinea pig on it.

I was pleasantly surprised to get an extremely fast email response from them. I emailed them yesterday evening asking about parts compatibility, and received a reply first thing this morning, on a holiday too. I was impressed by the speed. I had inquired about parts compatibility with the "shall not be named" other platform. They said the barrels, gas block, handguard, grip, bolt (not BCG), trigger, and i believe dust cover are all compatible. I was pleasantly surprised as there should be lots of possible upgrades available then.

Honestly, I really hope this is a sign they've turned the page on the new model. While they've clearly screwed customers in the past, I gave to credit them for trying to get us modern sporting and hunting rifles to Canadians. My first impression of their customer support was great, far better than the horror stories of the past.

Wish me luck with it. I took the chance and will be the next guinea pig for anyone looking at one. I still plan on getting a Mk15 as well, but this will be fun to play with in the time being.

[u/LumberjackCDN]

We're going to bring one in to start. I have a former gunsmith on staff and we'll give it a look through and post a review on here of what we think. Their rep was really pushing their improved customer service to me so we shall see.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/LumberjackCDN]

I think I saw your comment on another post saying this but since they just hit the shelves I figured I'd take the chance.

I heard of issues with the gen1 with the bolt binding up and some sub par materials but it sounds like they rectified it with the Elite model and upgraded some parts. Sounds like the Elites run fairly well.

They advertise the Comp as a further upgrade over the Elite so hopefully they have it dialed in, although I am a bit nervous to be buying the very first batch.

I do love the look of the rifle, in some ways more than the Mk15 or Carmel, although I do think the mk15 and Carmel are likely both better made.

It is nice to know the Comp model basically uses as many AR parts as possible, so if anything is sub par, there is a good chance it can be upgraded

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

Yeah we should be getting ours early next week i think to play with. It sounds good but things have sounded good before.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/LumberjackCDN]

You guys receive yours yet? Had a chancd to open it up? Mine arrives in 5 days, excited to finally have 75% of an AR! Haha.

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

They shipped it thursday so hopefully by thursday next week.

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

Correction they just shipped it yesterday lol so we'll see it next week id wager.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/LumberjackCDN]

I received mine this week. Actually pretty impressed. Bolt was very tight in the BCG but it didn't seem to cause any issue when shooting. 

Put about 100rd through mine so far with one one minor failure to feed on a full mag, tried to slightly double feed. Shoofs great though otherwise, lots of fun! Post back here when you open it up and let us know what you think of yours. I thought the machining was actually pretty good, but maybe my standards are just low after seeing lots of Turkish machining. I honestly love the rifle so far.

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

Yeah ive heard quite a few good things so far. Im excited to have a look at it on thursday.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/LumberjackCDN]

I tried to make a post on here reviewing it now that I've shot it, but it hasn't shown up yet. Theyre honestly sweet looking rifles. I almost like the look more than the Mk15 or Carmel. Slightly purple though when outside in the sun but its not bad enough to bother me. A bit nervous about it having no FRT but I also refuse to base my purchases on fear of the government 

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

Yeah the mods have to approve it. Itll show uop

Thats awesome. I like that its made in country and the most affordable of the 3.

Same but i also am 99% certain the govt is done trying to ban things. They had the perfect opportunity with the montreal shooting.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/LumberjackCDN]

That's sort of the feeling I'm getting. We've had several new semi autos on the market for about a year that have stayed safe. I think they're realized their BS program is destined to fail and are just going to keep pretending it doesn't exist anymore. I think we have partially won already, they just want it to be over with. Im just hoping the RCMP doesn't class it as a variant, even if the LPC doesn't OIC or legislate it. Its pretty damn close to an AR haha

I have been super impressed with Crusaders customer service and the rifle so far. I may even end up giving up my pre-order on a mk15 if this thing keeps running so well. I think the Crusader is a bit overpriced, its not anywhere near as refined as a $2k US AR would be, but im thrilled to have a very modular, ergonomic sporting rifle in my hands finally, just with they could have used a straight buffer tube but i get why they didn't.

By the way, the stock also does not fully collapse up to the receiver which I was a bit bummed about, in its fully retracted position it still sits 1.5-2" back from the receiver.

It does seem like maybe Crusader will offer caliber swap kits at some point, just basing that off a few design choices they've made on the rifle. That would be sweet to be able to swap uppers and have a new caliber 

[u/LumberjackCDN → u/HappyCan7250]

I wouldnt compare it to a 2k US are but like a 1500 dollar one if im being honest. Our dollar sucks. So just keep that in mind is all. But yeah im excited to see this thing now.

[u/thxxx1337]

Friends don't let friends buy Backland Hunters

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/thxxx1337]

That's sort of the feeling I've gotten. Missed the boat on owning any other black rifles, there was a few on the market still when I got my PAL but never got around to one.

I have heard of quite a few issues with the original Gen 1 Backlands but it seems they did genuinely make improvements in the Elite models, so I am hoping they further refined any issues in the Comp.

They do genuinely seem to be making an effort to improve their rifles and QC, and their customer service, so im willing to be the guinea pig on it while I wait for the Mk15 to show up. Last time frame I heard was August 12th they should show up, at least at the shop I ordered the mk15 from.

[u/undercoverinformant]

My condolences in advance

[u/Dill_Pickle_Tears]

I’d say once they got these working out of the box and improved their customer support, you’d be hard pressed to stay with the Turkish semis we have currently (aside from cost) instead of this option.

Though, I can’t speak to accuracy or long term reliability between Turks and the BH

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/Dill_Pickle_Tears]

That's what im hoping, I was amazed how fast they responded to my email on a holiday, and they did make genuine fixes on the Gen 1 to the Elite model, so I am hoping they've further refined it on the Comp.

It also shares a ton of AR parts still, so even if accuracy isnt fantastic, the barrel can be swapped for a quality AR barrel (although for $2300 i would hope they used a quality barrel already on it).

Im willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, as they do seem to be making an effort to improve now.

I also love the look of the Comp model, and the top charging handle. Its the closest thing to an AR on the market, even including the Mk15 and Carmel. I still am getting an Mk15 as well but this will be fun to play and tinker with until then.

[u/brokenringlands]

minus the M4 style buffer tube.

Someone should offer up a AR style buffer tube conversion so it can accept AR style BCG.

At which point.... ta daaa! we're back in business to having AR again. Lol.

[u/HappyCan7250 → u/brokenringlands]

I did actually see in the US there is a company making an adapter that essentially lets you fit a standard mil spec tube over top of the Benelli style tube, but by the look of the kit it wouldn't work on the Comp model but would on the Elite. I do think a standard AR stock on it thought might end up with an odd angle though. 

At least with the stock fully collapsed on the Comp model it should hide the angled buffer tube fairly well. I can also live with the angled buffer to get a 75% AR haha