Springfield Armory SAINT

Last updated
Springfield Armory SAINT
Type Semi-automatic firearm
Place of originFlag of the United States.svg  United States [1]
Production history
Designedc. 2016
Manufacturer Springfield Armory, Inc.
Unit cost $919 (MSRP, SAINT)
$1073 (MSRP, SAINT Victor)
$1299 (MSRP, SAINT Edge)
Produced2016–present
VariantsVictor, Edge
Specifications (SAINT Rifle)
Mass6 lb 11 oz (3.0 kg)
Length32.25–35.5 in (819–902 mm)
Barrel  length16 in (410 mm)

Cartridge
Action Gas-operated reloading
Rate of fire Semi-automatic
Feed systemDetachable box magazine
Sights Iron sights; Rail Integration System for optics
References [2] [3]

The Springfield Armory SAINT [lower-alpha 1] is a series of AR-15 style semi-automatic firearms manufactured by Springfield Armory, Inc. [2] Introduced in November 2016, [4] the series includes rifles, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), and pistols. Variants are marketed under the SAINT, SAINT Victor, and SAINT Edge brand names. The series is primarily chambered for 5.56 NATO, while some models are also available in .308 Winchester or .300 Blackout.

Contents

History

The initial SAINT offering was an AR-15 style rifle with a 16-inch (410 mm) barrel and chambered in 5.56 NATO, introduced in November 2016. [5] It was subsequently named the 2017 tactical gun of the year by American Rifleman magazine. [6] In November 2017, a pistol version including a forearm brace was introduced. [7] A pistol model chambered in .300 Blackout was added in April 2018. [8] The rifle offering was updated in July 2019 with an M-LOK compatible handguard and optional flip-up front sight, [9] while a refreshed pistol debuted in October 2019. [10]

The SAINT Edge variant was introduced in mid-November 2017, featuring a modular trigger system, mid-sized charging handle, and muzzle brake. [11] A year later, a pistol version of the Edge was added. [12] Two additional Edge pistols with different braces were announced in January 2020. [13]

The mid-range SAINT Victor variant, in rifle, pistol, and short-barreled rifle offerings, was announced in January 2019. [14] Models chambered for .308 Winchester were later announced; rifle in April 2019, [15] and pistol in January 2020. [13]

Variants

In February 2019, Springfield Armory contrasted the SAINT, SAINT Victor, and SAINT Edge rifle offerings as follows: [3]

SpecificationSAINTSAINT VictorSAINT Edge
Receiver ForgedBillet
Trigger GI-style (curved)Single-stage FlatSingle-stage Flat, Short-reset
Charging handle GI-styleMid-sized
Bolt carrier group M16Enhanced M16
Handguard KeyMod M-LOK (long)M-LOK (shorter)
Sights A2 (fixed front)Flip-up
Safety selectorSingle-sidedAmbidextrous
Weight6 lb 11 oz (3.0 kg)6 lb 9 oz (3.0 kg)6 lb 3 oz (2.8 kg)

As of May 2020, the Springfield Armory website lists three different SAINT rifle offerings, each of which features an M-LOK handguard and M16 (non-enhanced) bolt carrier group; one has flip-up sights and two have an A2 (fixed front) sight. [16] [17] [18] Users of the SAINT have also noted older variants with an enhanced M16 bolt carrier group and no sights.

As of May 2020, there are 24 total variants listed on the Springfield Armory website:

The following chamberings have been made available:

TypeSAINTSAINT VictorSAINT Edge
Rifle5.56 NATO [25] 5.56 NATO [26] / .308 Win [27] 5.56 NATO [28]
Short-barreled rifle5.56 NATO [29] 5.56 NATO [30]
Pistol5.56 NATO [31] / .300 BLK [32] 5.56 NATO [33] / .300 BLK [34] / .308 Win [35] 5.56 NATO [36]

Items in italics have been discontinued.

Notes

  1. SAINT is consistently capitalized by Springfield Armory, Inc., although it is not known to be an acronym.

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References

  1. Kurtenbach, Joseph L. (December 14, 2016). "Springfield Armory Saint Marches In". americanrifleman.org. Retrieved March 25, 2020. It's worth mentioning, though, that the Saint is entirely American-made, with parts coming from Springfield's own Geneseo, Ill., factory, or other U.S. manufacturers.
  2. 1 2 "SAINT AR-15 SERIES". springfield-armory.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  3. 1 2 @springfield_inc (February 23, 2019). "See the key differences between the SAINT, SAINT Victor and SAINT Edge" (Tweet). Retrieved March 23, 2020 via Twitter.
  4. "Springfield Armory Announces the Saint Personal Defense Rifle". springfield-armory.com (Press release). November 1, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  5. "Springfield Armory introduces "The SAINT", a new AR-15 style rifle". all4shooters.com. November 5, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  6. "American Rifleman's 2017 Golden Bullseye Winners". American Rifleman . December 28, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  7. "Compact Powerhouse: Springfield Armory Introduces Saint AR-15 Pistol". springfield-armory.com (Press release). November 1, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  8. "Springfield Armory SAINT Pistol In .300 BLK". springfield-armory.com (Press release). April 30, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  9. "Springfield Armory's New M-LOK SAINT Rifles". springfield-armory.com (Press release). July 12, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  10. "New Springfield Armory SAINT Pistol — Maximum Performance, Minimal Price". springfield-armory.com (Press release). October 14, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  11. "Out-Front AR-15: New Saint Edge From Springfield Armory". springfield-armory.com (Press release). November 15, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  12. "Springfield Armory's New SAINT Edge Pistol". springfield-armory.com (Press release). November 15, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Springfield Armory Announces Three New SAINT Pistols for Spring 2020". springfield-armory.com (Press release). January 17, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  14. "Springfield Armory SAINT Victor Rifles and Pistols". springfield-armory.com (Press release). January 17, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  15. "Springfield Armory SAINT Victor in .308". springfield-armory.com (Press release). April 24, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  16. "SAINT® 5.56, M-LOK® AR-15 RIFLE, PIC GAS BLOCK". springfield-armory.com. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  17. "SAINT® 5.56, M-LOK® AR-15 RIFLE". springfield-armory.com. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  18. "SAINT® 5.56, M-LOK® AR-15 RIFLE, B5". springfield-armory.com. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  19. "SAINT® AR-15 Rifles".
  20. "SAINT® AR-15 Pistols".
  21. "SAINT® Victor AR-15 Rifles".
  22. "SAINT® Victor AR-15 Pistols".
  23. "SAINT® Edge AR-15 Rifles".
  24. "SAINT® Edge AR-15 Pistols".
  25. "SAINT® AR-15 Rifles".
  26. "SAINT® Victor AR-15 Rifles".
  27. "SAINT® Victor .308 AR-10 Rifle".
  28. "SAINT® Edge AR-15 Rifles".
  29. "SAINT® Victor SBR 5.56 AR-15 Rifle".
  30. "SAINT® Edge SBR 5.56 AR-15 Rifle".
  31. "SAINT® AR-15 Pistols".
  32. "SAINT® AR-15 Pistols".
  33. "SAINT® Victor AR-15 Pistols".
  34. "SAINT® Victor .300 BLK AR-15 Pistol".
  35. "SAINT® Victor .308 Pistol".
  36. "SAINT® Edge AR-15 Pistols".