crusader arms pump action rifle

[Moe]

Trimmed down the back of the spine on the MRX mags about 1/8". That stopped the action being stuck. Of note, the last shot hold open does not engage with these mags. They were made for the BCL bolt rifles and as such the follower does not move up high enough when empty to engage the bolt stop. The follower stops against stops at the front end of the mag body. Not sure if milling away some of the material on the body surrounding the front end of the follower to allow the follower to go higher is wise. Off to the range tomorrow. Will let everyone know here how it went.

Cheers
Moe

 

[Moe]

Well I didn't get to the range with it today. The province of NB has shutdown crown land to everyone due to the fire risk. My club is private and has allowed operations to continue but discourage it's use. Another club (Moncton Fish & Game) states that the province declared ranges off limit but I can't find proof of that from any statements from the province. I am not sure if our club's land is leased from the province or not, or if the road to the club is legally accessible. So for now until we get some rain, I'm staying home and avoiding the attention that I'm sure to bring. Will report back as soon as I get some trigger time with the PND.

Cheers
Moe

 

[Moe]

Managed to get in a range session just before they shut her down for the fire hazard here.

First the negative:

1. It did not like 62gr 5.56mm NATO. The action would seize after firing and had to be mortared or both slide and cocking bolt pulled simultaneously very hard, to extract 32 of 35rds fired.
2. Not awesome accuracy. One 2" group but mostly 3" with a few 4".
3. Had to chase the zero a bit. Not very consistent.

Before you speculate, I have a wall of plaques etc to prove it wasn't me and the scope is a 16x I have used reliably for years that was mounted via a PEPR mount. It was shot on a Harris bipod and the butt sandbagged. Had I remembered to bring more sandbags I could have expected better results from bags only.

The good:

1. With 55gr 223 the gun ran well without any hard extraction. Did not get to check accuracy with it.
2. The BCL MRX 20rd mags only needed about 1/8" removed from the back spine. Once done they worked flawless.

Conclusion. I think for now this would be a good rifle for 3 gun or short range tactical matches. Because I have a quantity of 5.56, It is clearly not the 5.56 rifle I needed but if running 223 you will be fine. Keep in mind that this was only my experience and perhaps not indicative of how other rifles will perform.

Cheers
Moe