For some time, rumors swirled over a new product coming from Springfield Armory. It’s here now, and to be honest, I’m kind of surprised. The Black Rifle business wasn’t something I expected SA to get into.
Manufactured in their Geneseo, IL, factory, the Saint is the first rifle in their AR lineup. Relying on Bravo Company furniture, it’s a mid-gas carbine with a 16″ barrel.
Here are a couple of shots to give you a feel for the Saint, which will retail at $899.
Tags: Springfield Armory
What strikes me as particularly bizarre is the marketing surrounding the release of this rifle. They are treating it like an idea nobody has ever had before. They even have poor Rob Leatham reading lines given him that would have us believe that this is some new and amazing thing: a version of the AR-15 for civilians, just like their M1 clone is a version of the M-14 for civilians.
It’s a shame that the handguard melted off after 8 magazines were fired in quick succession, and that they cheaped out with a UTG rear sight.
I watched a mag dump video and the handguard was fine. Do you have a link?
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/10/31/revealing-the-springfield-armory-saint-part-1-of-3-event-coverage/
Didn’t some guy post something about the lack of reflective heat shields inside recent AR handguards, just a couple weeks ago..?
All the world needs now is another AR manufacturer. LOL
Who still puts a slip ring on a production rifle? Hey Springfield, 2004 called…
This is a entry level AR. They could put a free float rail on it. But it won’t cost $899.
This isn’t Springfield’s first attempt at entering the AR-15 market. Back in the early 1980s, Springfield and their fraternal sibling Rock Island Armory, Inc. introduced the XM15 line of rifles and accessories. It appears that in 1983, Springfield or RIA tried to export “M16-type” rifles to El Salvador. Colt caught wind of it and unleashed their lawyers against Springfield and their parts suppliers. Springfield Armory and Colt ultimately settled the suit in September 1984.
While the majority of Colt’s patent rights should have already expired by the early 1980s. Colt’s argument was that Springfield and its suppliers were using Colt’s proprietary engineering drawings to manufacture the parts. It is my understanding that Springfield was permanently enjoined from selling their existing XM15 rifles. Moreover, Springfield could not use Colt’s proprietary drawings and information in the future manufacture or sale of AR-15/M16 rifles, unless Colt was later determined to have lost its trade secret rights.
I remember RIA but never connected the dots between the two.
RIA specialized in Title 2 NFA items, while Springfield focused on Title 1.
RIA’s days were numbered after a series of court cases. In 1989, Dennis Reese plead guilty to tax evasion, conspiracy, and filing false statements regarding FMS contracts with El Salvador. There were claims that Reese had conspired with a US military adviser (Col. Juan Lopez de la Cruz, US Army) and bribed him to the tune of ~$70,000 to help grease the skids for a $3.7 million contract. They reportedly falsified claims for $94,600 in sales commissions to a pair of Salvadorans who then kicked back the majority to Reese. He also told the Defense Security Assistance Agency that the Greek-vintage G3 barrels they were selling were of US origin. Reese was granted immunity to testify against the adviser; however, the latter was ultimately acquitted.
In 1990, David Reese and RIA were indicted by a Federal grand jury over the illegal manufacture and transfer of machine guns. The Feds alleged that RIA had sold 148 M60 with serial numbers recycled from transferable Title 2 weapons bought from John Stemple and Kent Lomont,
Word was, during that same timeframe, in a certain southern state there was a small factory making unmarked or mis-marked M-16’s on behalf of a certain government agency, for delivery to certain locations much further south. Word also was that when the Governor of that southern state learned about the operation he demanded and received a cut on every rifle produced. Further word was that one day the Governor went on to much higher political office. But I wasn’t there, so I don’t know if it’s true.
Why go with a melonited barrel and a polymer handguard. Go with ano ALG EMR Handguard.
What’s wrong with melonite?
This doesn’t surprise me, based off election buying alone I’m surprised Glock isn’t making ARs.
Yawn……. Maybe they’re being “courageous” like Apple.
They really need a new PR team.
I really like the melty forend.
So bold
So meh
An adjustable gas block,a suppressor ready muzzle, ambidextrous contols for the same price would be slightly more interesting…..then again, meh
Looking at it from the perspective of more recent industry norms there is nothing extraordinary about the rifle. That being said I like the fact that it is a KISS setup. More important to me is mid length gas combined with a taper pinned forged steel FSP. The last question would be government profile or straight taper under those handguards as like most I don’t ever plan on mounting a grenade launcher on my AR.
Adjustable gas block: rarely a necessity on 5.56 AR-15s. A properly sized gas port matched with buffer/spring makes for a simpler and less fiddly rifle.
A2 Flash Hider works with a wide range of manufactures suppressors.
Bilateral controls can be a matter of preference and most can be easy to install as desired.
I will agree that the polymer handguards performance left a lot to desired. However combat load doctrine dictates that you would be out of ammo well before the handguards gave up the ghost.
I was honestly betting on a line of Crossfit-inspired workout clothes, based on the teaser marketing material.
I thought a YouTube based reality show with shooting and hijinks.
I was quite blase about the whole affair until I hit the MSRP of $899. Street price of around $800 for a pretty decent rifle means it’s a good extra rifle to have around. On balance, I’d save on having to replace the stock and grip. Curious about NiB coated trigger components.
That said, on marketing:
1. “Next generation” rifle, only true for a company hocking M14 and 1911 clones. That being the case, they’re underselling themselves because we’re like what, two? maybe three generations removed from Viet Nam.
2. Releasing the SAINT rifle on All Saint’s Day? Goin after the ol’ Christian demographic, eh? I can appreciate that. I’d appreciate it more with a gold leaf Crusader Cross and stained glass optics.
For under 900 bucks, I welcome a mid-length carbine with what appears to be some decent baseline components. If it holds up to their claim of reliability.
And yes, there IS room for more black rifle makers in the market, particularly if its not junk.
Even if it turns out to be hobby quality, they may sell well to the Fudd/Bubba/gunstorecounterguy demographic due to the name. If it makes the AR even slightly more ubiquitous, I am actually OK with that too.
I think it’s for SA “fanboys”. Because like mentioned in every other forum, most people are starting to build their own, and if not “build” per se? Customize the hell outta the ones they have bought.
heh- my fiance really wants this rifle because she’s got an XDm and XD and loves them. I had an M1A scout for a while- great gun but sold it for an AR. I see BCM stuff on the gun and like it, but really think she’s placing more value in the brand than the actual components. I’d rather get her a BCM flat out.
but “happy wife, happy life”. She doesn’t shoot enough to melt a handguard, so I’m not worried about free floating it. Should allow me to build my own AR next year which would be fun.
It’ll sell because it’s springfield but didn’t S&W/Magpul collaborate to make a mid length AR, with a melonite treated 5R rifled barrel?
They did… Sold well but also MSRP’d at $1259 instead of $899…
So, the question I have, is this a Bravo Company built rifle with Springfield Armory rollmarks? Since Bravo already makes their own rifles it would seem like an easy way for Springfield to get into the AR market without having to invest a lot into manufacturing.