Bren 2 and Crusader Arms Templar ACR

slushee

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I've been lurking around looking at all the options to replace my AR 15 SBR and my long range M14. I knee jerked a purchase of an 11" Bren 2 after holding one in my local gun store.

While I don't regret the purchase and 3 month wait, the only rifle I've seen that might have given me pause was the Templar ACR

Curious what you all think? I'm setting up the Bren 2 with a red dot and 3x magnifier, but how would the Templar with the longer barrel competed?
 
The Templar doesn't hold a candle to a Bren/Tavor/APC223.

That being said the Templar is a very solid rifle at its price point despite its flaws.
 
The Templar doesn't hold a candle to a Bren/Tavor/APC223.

That being said the Templar is a very solid rifle at its price point despite its flaws.

Agreed 100%. A Canadian AR180 clone will never compete favorably with a real service rifle designed by a professional team of Firearms Engineers. The Bren 2 is a superb service-type rifle in every regard for sure.

As regards the "new" Templar, it appears to be a repackaged WS-MCR if I am not mistaken, right down to the steel insert on the Upper Receiver Wall for the Cam Track. What specific flaws were you referring to with the Templar?
 
Huh I briefly thought you meant the Templar Precision ACR's that have just hit the market in the USA recently and I was confused by the smack talk for a minute.

Anyways I agree, the Bren and all the other service rifle/adjacent rifles are in another league. Dlask still had a couple NR conversions available when I looked earlier today.
 
Agreed 100%. A Canadian AR180 clone will never compete favorably with a real service rifle designed by a professional team of Firearms Engineers. The Bren 2 is a superb service-type rifle in every regard for sure.

As regards the "new" Templar, it appears to be a repackaged WS-MCR if I am not mistaken, right down to the steel insert on the Upper Receiver Wall for the Cam Track. What specific flaws were you referring to with the Templar?

I suppose it could be classified as a variant of the WS-MCR in a sense. I personally wouldn't define it as such due to differences such as monolithic upper, charging handle, bolt release, beefier mid length gas and piston. Certainly doesn't show any signs that it isn't capable of thousands of rounds. The owner of Crusader has said that it is not specifically designed to be parts compatible with WS-MCR. Evolutionary maybe but definitely improved.

Flaws are mostly weight, bolt release is meh, charging handle is meh.
 
How’s a bolt on handguard a monolithic upper?

Good question. It may have started as a "monolithic" extrusion, but once it was cut into a separate Upper Receiver and Handguard it ceased to be "monolithic" in the true sense of the word....

Edited to add: There appears to be some cause for concern among early adopters of the Crusader Arms / Spectre Ltd Templar rifle in terms of the external finish and post-assembly QC. Here: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-Crusader-Arms-Templar-quality-control-issues
 
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Stick with the Bren 2. I wouldn't consider any of the commerical grade AR180 designs in Canada to be anywhere close to the performance and reliability of the Bren.

The 180 designs are ok for range fun and plinking though. I personally like the design and looks of the R18. The Templar is not bad but looks chunky and "put-together".
 
The handguard isn't bolted on. It is monolithic in that the upper receiver and handguard are just one extrusion. The only thing bolted on is the "cover" on the bottom of the handguard (presumably to give access to the barrel nut).

Interesting, the admittedly grainy pics I've seen plus all the little bolts in that area led me to think it was more like a polylithic.
 
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