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Although Canada’s gun freedoms are slowly being eroded away, there are still a handful of solid gun manufacturers left in Canada, a remnant, so to say. A remnant that will not go silently into the night but will fight the good fight. That will find every possible way to continue to give Canadians the best guns and the best semi-automatic rifles possible.
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CANADIAN COMPANIES
Although there are a handful of semi-auto’s still available in Canada, which can be found at, among others, these sites:
- https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/firearms/non-restricted-rifles/semi-automatic
- https://www.rdsc.ca/firearms-ammunition/semi-auto-rifles.html
- https://www.canadasgunstore.ca/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=browsecategory&department=30&class=FA&fineline=RIFLNR&attr[A2]=SEMIAUTO&refine=Y
Very few of the semi-automatic rifles we see are actually made in Canada by Canadians for the Canadian market. But there are, as I said, a few that are still going strong. These last remaining warriors are:
Each of these companies still produces semi-automatic rifles in calibres ranging from .223 and 300 BLK to 7.62 x 39 and .308.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES
CRUSADER ARMS
TEMPLAR GEN 2
SPECS
- STYLE: AR-180
- CALIBER: 5.56 NATO / .223 REM
- BARREL: 18.7″ (THREADED 1/2″-28)
- BARREL TWIST: 1:8
- GAS SYSTEM: MID-LENGTH
- RECEIVER MATERIAL: 6061 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD MATERIAL:6061 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD ACCESSORIES: M-LOK / PICATINNY
- TRIGGER WEIGHT: 5.5 – 7.5 LBS
- OVERALL LENGTH: 38″
- WEIGHT: 7.2 LBS
- CLASSIFICATION: NON-RESTRICTED
Crusader Arms heard the people and redesigned the Templar Gen 2 with a sleek lower receiver that now accepts standard AR15 parts such as trigger pins, trigger packs, safety components, grips, and stocks.
Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it is an AR18 or AR180 platform that operates using a 3/8″ mid-length gas piston system.
The Templar Gen 2 does not use a buffer tube to cycle the bolt, so Crusader Arms put an ACR folding-style butt stock. It has a non-reciprocating ambidextrous charging handle and an ambidextrous safety selector switch.
Crusader Arms installed a full-length monolithic Picatinny rail on the hand guard and M-LOK connectors in the three, six, and nine positions. The hand guard has a bolt catch, release, and last-round hold open.
The Templar Gen 2 also has notches on the side of the BCG to push forward with another round or multitool acting as forward assist.
BLACK CREEK LABS
SRV2 SIBERIAN
SPECS
- STYLE: AR-180
- CALIBER: .223 WYLDE
- BARREL: 18.5″ THREADED
- BARREL TWIST: 1:8
- GAS SYSTEM: MID-LENGTH
- RECEIVER MATERIAL: ALUMINUM, ANODIZED
- HANDGUARD MATERIAL: ALUMINUM, ANODIZED
- HANDGUARD ACCESSORIES: M-LOK / PICATINNY
- TRIGGER WEIGHT: 5.5 LBS
- OVERALL LENGTH: 36″ – 38″
- WEIGHT: 7 LBS
- CLASSIFICATION: NON-RESTRICTED
Black Creek Labs produces proprietary multi-role rifles meant for everything from hunting in the backcountry to ranch work to the range.
The SRV2 is their version of the AR180 semi-automatic chambered in 223 Wylde, 300 Blackout, and 7.62X39. The action uses a forward-captured dual-spring design with a two-piece short-stroke piston system.
No buffer tube is used; the SRV2 uses a minimalist Zhukov folding stock to help keep the weight down. The SRV2 also has a full-length monolithic Picatinny rail on top with M-LOK on the three, six, and nine positions.
BCL has given the SRV2 an ambidextrous bolt release and safety lever. A left-side non-reciprocating charging handle, a mil-spec trigger, and a steel reinforced rail and QD mounts.
It accepts standard AR magazines.
KODIAK DEFENCE
WK180C GEN 2
SPECS
- STYLE: AR-180B
- CALIBER: 5.56 NATO
- BARREL: 18.7” CHROME MOLY MEDIUM HEAVY
- BARREL TWIST: 1:8
- GAS SYSTEM: SHORT-STROKE GAS PISTON
- RECEIVER MATERIAL: 6061-T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD MATERIAL: 6061-T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD ACCESSORIES: M-LOK / PICATINNY
- TRIGGER WEIGHT: 7.0 – 8.0 LBS
- OVERALL LENGTH: 36.5″ 39.5″
- WEIGHT: 7.25 LBS
- CLASSIFICATION: NON-RESTRICTED
Kodiak Defence made the WK180-C Gen 2 more ergonomic, sleeker and lighter than the Gen 1, giving it increased ability as a multi-role rifle, good for the ranch or the range.
The WK180-C is an AR-180B semi-automatic. It has an 18.7″ barrel and weighs 7.25 lbs. The upper and lower receivers are anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, making the WK180-C extremely strong and durable.
The action uses a forward-captured dual-spring design instead of a buffer tube and spring, with a short-stroke gas piston system.
The WK180-C has a free-floating handguard, a full-length monolithic Picatinny rail, and over fifty M-LOK slots, making the upper receiver completely customizable.
Kodiak finished the WK180-C off with a non-reciprocating charging handle, an ambidextrous safety, an external bolt catch, and an A2 flash suppressor.
LOCKHART TACTICAL
RAVEN 5.56
SPECS
- STYLE: AR-180B
- CALIBER: 5.56 NATO
- BARREL: 18.6″ 416R STAINLESS STEEL THREADED
- BARREL TWIST: 1:8
- GAS SYSTEM: DIRECT IMPINGEMENT
- RECEIVER MATERIAL: BILLET 7075-T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD MATERIAL: BILLET 7075-T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD ACCESSORIES: M-LOK / PICATINNY
- TRIGGER WEIGHT: 3LBS
- OVERALL LENGTH: 34″ – 37″
- WEIGHT: 6.8 LBS
- CLASSIFICATION: NON-RESTRICTED
Lockhart Tactical’s Raven is a highly modular AR-180B style rifle that can be chambered in .22lr, 5.56, 7.62, 9×19, 300 BLK, and 350 Legend.
Made of incredibly tough 7075 aluminum with an anodized coating, the Raven’s body is rated between 150 and 200 times greater in tensile and shear strength than some of the other guns on this list.
The Raven weighs 6.8 lbs, has an 18.6″ barrel, and uses a direct gas impingent system. It has an ambidextrous bolt catch, a magazine release, a safety selector, and charging operations.
It has the lightest trigger pull on the list at 3 lbs and offers a full-length monolithic Picatinny rail with M-LOK slots the full length of its free-floating hand guard.
The Raven’s bolt carrier is crafted from S7 Tool Steel and is coated with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating, making the BCG nearly indestructible.
STERLING ARMS
R18 MK2
SPECS
- STYLE: AR-180B
- CALIBRE: .223 WYLDE (5.56 MM / .223 REM)
- BARREL: 18.6″ THREADED (1/2 X 28)
- BARREL TWIST: 1:8
- GAS SYSTEM: SHORT STROKE
- RECEIVER MATERIAL: 6061 T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD MATERIAL: 6061 T6 ALUMINUM
- HANDGUARD ACCESSORIES: M-LOK / PICATINNY
- TRIGGER WEIGHT: 6.5 LBS
- OVERALL LENGTH: 37″ – 40.3″
- WEIGHT: 7.8 LBS
- CLASSIFICATION: NON-RESTRICTED
Sterling Arms, out of Ontario, Canada, designed and created the R18 MK2. Chambered in .223 Wylde, the MK2 will safely fire all 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington rounds, making it extremely versatile.
It is operated by a short-stroke gas piston, which was made extra strong because SAI went with a thicker-than-average piston to prevent breaking.
Weighing 7.8 lbs, with a threaded barrel length of 18.6″ and an overall length between 37″ – 40″, the MK2 is the longest and heaviest rifle on the list.
The R18 MK2 features an ambidextrous safety and bolt catch, a non-reciprocating charging handle, and a flared magwell flush with the trigger guard for easy and fast reloading.
It comes standard with a partial Picatinny rail and M-LOK slots covering the hand guard. The MK2 is equipped with a Magpul K2 pistol grip and MOE stock.
BUYERS GUIDE: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
PRICE
One of the main things we all must consider these days when purchasing the biggest ticket items is the cost of those items.
What can you reasonably afford? These semi-automatic rifles cost between $1500 and $3000 Canadian dollars or approximately $1100 and $2200 USD.
You need to consider not only the cost you can afford but also whether the rifle is worth the cost. Ask yourself, why is one rifle more expensive than another when they’re seemingly so similar? Are those differences worth the extra money?
A more expensive rifle may be worth the cost if the parts used in that rifle are more durable and prevent it from certain issues or if it has more or better options and functionality.
A more expensive rifle may cost less in the long run if it doesn’t break as much as a slightly cheaper rifle. But it may not be worth it if the cost of a rifle is simply due to the company’s personal assessment of its product.
Ask yourself these questions about pricing, and they will greatly help you.
STYLE
You have to figure out which style of rifle you like best. Overall, they all have the same build. Everyone has an upper and lower receiver, a handle and buttstock, rails, and M-LOK slots.
Even though they all have those same aspects, they all look unique. So you need to decide if you want a collapsible buttstock or a folding one.
A simpler and sleeker upper receiver or a more detailed and intricate receiver, more Picatinny and M-LOK or less, a more modular rifle or a more basic rifle.
While the rifle’s function is highly important, it’s also important to take your time and examine its different aesthetic properties.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Every rifle will have some problems that it deals with and that it’s known for. These problems need to be weighed out in your mind. What problems are you willing and able to deal with? Which problems are you not willing to deal with?
If a potential problem with a gun is common and could lead you to spend more money on it than you wanted, you could potentially go for a slightly more expensive rifle that doesn’t have that problem.
Or maybe a less expensive rifle is known for an issue, but it’s rare, so you’re willing to take a chance with that rifle regardless and deal with the problem if it ever happens with yours.
Know the rifle’s downfalls and figure out if you are okay with them or not.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These rifles were all created by gun-loving Canadians for gun-loving Canadians and gun lovers everywhere.
I would argue that, in the end, you can not go wrong picking any one of these well-crafted Canadian-made semi-automatic rifles. Each one would give our gun-toting brethren to the south a run for their money.
Lastly, one of the largest benefits of buying Canadian-made rifles, made here in Canada for the Canadian market, is that you know from the outset they comply with all local laws and regulations.
Remember, if you don’t exercise your freedoms, you lose them.
