Springfield Armory has just announced a full-on redesign of its popular line of SAINT Victor AR-pattern firearms. The line includes .223/5.56 rifles and pistols as well as 16- and 20-inch .308/7.62 rifle models — all of which now feature upgraded components to create a top-tier defensive line of AR-pattern firearms that look to suit all needs.
The new SAINT Victor guns feature low-profile, minimalist markings and the Accu-Tite tension system for a solid fit between the receivers. They also come with Radian Raptor-LT charging handles, 4150 CMV barrels with a continuous tapered profile and a nitride finish, taper-pinned low-profile gas blocks, and crowned muzzles.
They all also feature new M-LOK handguards attached to the upper receiver by a robust, proprietary mounting system. Plus, the new M16-pattern enhanced bolt carrier group has a nitride finish and a hard-chromed firing pin for extended service life.
The non-pistol versions feature B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD stocks, Type 23 P-Grip pistol grips and polymer trigger guards, 45-degree ambidextrous safety levers, low-profile aluminum flip-up sights, nickel boron-coated triggers, and Gen M3 PMAG magazines. The 5.56mm pistol features an SB Tactical SBA3 brace.
Hook & Barrel contributor Will Dabbs got a chance to test out the new rebooted version of the Springfield SAINT Victor chambered in 5.56/.223 with a 16-inch barrel and a Coyote Brown finish. — H&B Editors
First Look Review: Redesigned Springfield SAINT Victor 5.56 AR-15 Rifle V2 in Coyote Brown
Springfield Armory first introduced the SAINT rifle in November 2016. I was an early adopter and bought one of the very first examples. Since that time, Springfield Armory has cemented their place in the market by offering this bespoke top-quality rifle at a working man’s price.
That first SAINT was an optimized defensive tool. Everything from the furniture to the fire control components to the barrel twist was specifically engineered for maximum performance. With that as a foundation, the mad geniuses at Springfield Armory have branched out explosively.
Nowadays, the extensive SAINT product catalogue contains offerings in 5.56, 300BLK, .308, and 9mm; they offer rifles, pistols, and NFA-registered SBRs (short-barreled rifles). Each new generation is more refined than the last, and that goes for the newly announced SAINT Victor V2 series of firearms that feature a pile of upgrades, including new finishes in new colors.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on the newly redesigned Springfield SAINT Victor 5.56 AR-15 Rifle V2 in Coyote Brown to give it some serious range time before the official release.
A Bit About Not-Black Rifles
The gun industry in America is absolutely massive. We Americans drop around $91 billion per year on guns, ammunition, hunting, and assorted support stuff. I’m proud to play a tiny little part in that. But with all that purchasing, there will inevitably be more variety than every in the gun world. That includes growing arrays of finish colors from practically every gunmaker.
I have no idea who that first Special Forces operator was who checked his weapon out of the arms room and then had the balls to take it out in the parking lot and spray it down with Krylon.
Back when I was an Army officer, my arms room NCO would have eviscerated any of the boys who had the audacity to spray paint their rifles. Then, he would have expected a medal for his trouble.
However, seeing those big hairy dudes tearing about Afghanistan on horseback with camouflaged M4 carbines seems to have ignited a passion in American gun owners. Nowadays, lots of gun nerds spray paint their guns. It looks pretty freaking cool, if I do say so myself. And they also spend plenty on Cerakote finishes in every color imaginable.
Fortunately, we don't have to resort to masking tape and spray cans any longer. The newly revamped line of SAINT Victor line includes two options aside from black: Cerakote finishes in Tungsten Gray, and the model I got for testing, Coyote Brown.
While I was interested to test out the upgraded features on the rifle, I didn't think I would care much about the color. I’m 59 years old, and I’ve been doing guns since I was a teenager. I’m all about reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, and function. What color my gun is should make zero difference to me. Then I unboxed this bad boy, and the angels began singing.
Springfield Armory SAINT Victor Rifle: Details
The upgraded SAINT Victor rifles from Springfield Armory come from the factory with all the bells and whistles. What might be an aftermarket upgrade on lesser guns is now standard here. That means a superb nickel boron-coated fire control group with a flat trigger, a heavy tungsten H buffer, a 16-inch chrome moly vanadium barrel (4150 CMV) with a 1:8" twist, and a set of superb spring-loaded, pop-up iron sights.
The 14-inch and 16-inch guns, like mine, feature a mid-length gas system, and the pistol models have carbine-length systems. The 16-inch model .308/7.62 has an intermediate-length system that falls between mid- and rifle-length, and finally, the 20-inch .308 version has a rifle-length system. Additionally, the low-profile, pinned gas block is optimized for reliability.
The threaded and crowned muzzle on all barrels comes outfitted with a four-prong flash hider.
The receiver set is formed from 7075 T6 Type III aluminum forgings. The lower comes standard with an Accu-Tite receiver tensioning system for a tighter fit and enhanced accuracy. The free-float aluminum handguard has a full-length top rail with T-slot markings, four integrated QD cups, and more M-LOK space than you will ever use.
The new enhanced M16-pattern bolt carrier group is magnetic particle inspected, high pressure tested, and nitride finished. Cut from 9130 carpenter steel, this is arguably the most critical part of the rifle. All this, along with a hard-chromed firing pin ensures reliable operation and long life.
The stock is a B5 Systems Enhanced model from SOPMOD paired with a Type 23 P-Grip pistol grips, a polymer trigger guard, and a 45-degree ambidextrous safety lever.
Rounding things off is an excellent ambidextrous Radian Raptor-LT charging handle that's made of 7075 aluminum and over-molded with high-strength, fiberglass-reinforced polymer.
All the Springfield SAINT Victor models ship with Gen M3 PMAG magazines.
Accessorizing
A gun this awesome deserves some top-flight accessories. That includes an EOTECH EXP-3 Holosight also in flat dark earth. This was the same optic that the Navy SEALs used to kill Osama bin Laden. I can think of no higher accolade.
The EXP-3 feeds off of a standard CR123 battery while offering a wide unobstructed field of view and lightning-fast engagement times.
Mounting up a Streamlight PROTAC HP-X Pro tactical light on the forearm rail reliably displaces the darkness. Most bad stuff happens at night. This 800-lumen beast runs on either two CR123 batteries or an included rechargeable fuel rod. The PROTAC HP-X Pro is just as tough as the host rifle and keeps you reliably prickly indoors or out, day or night.
Ballistic Synergy
Of course it shoots straight and is monotonously reliable. Given this gun’s rarefied parentage, you would expect nothing else. The top-flight 1:8" barrel will stabilize most any bullet weight. The SAINT Victor shoots better than I do out to the limits of the cartridge. It also handles recoil like a .22 rimfire. This gun was an absolute joy on the range.
This is the ideal chassis for the 5.56mm round. The 16-inch barrel coaxes plenty of horsepower out of the zippy little cartridge, while the compact dimensions keep things maneuverable in tight spaces. The superlative furniture from B5 Systems perfectly interfaces rifle to flesh.
The end result is fast, ferocious, and fun. It also looks freaking awesome.
Springfield Armory SAINT Victor Rifle: Ruminations
The United States of America is one of four nations on Planet Earth that enshrine the right to keep and bear arms in its foundational documents. The other three — Mexico, Guatemala, and Haiti — simply ignore it. In the land of the free and home of the brave, however, we take our firepower pretty seriously.
This really is the only place in the world where an evil doer stands a better than even chance of facing an armed homeowner when breaking and entering somebody’s domicile. The new SAINT Victor, in any color, is that perfect home defense tool. And judging by the upgrades on this model, the other SAINT Victor variants will be the same.
Whether you need a rifle for securing the hacienda, training, competition, recreation, or all of the above, the new Springfield SAINT Victor line excels at everything and has an option for everything.
Featuring legendary Springfield Armory performance along with the host of V2 upgrades and finishes, this thing looks as good as it runs. This SAINT is for the home defender who wants to secure their personal space and look fabulous doing it.
Springfield Armory SAINT Victor Technical Specs
Caliber: 5.56mm
Overall Length: 33.25 in/36.75 inches
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Weight: l pound 12 ounces
Furniture: B5 Systems
Sling Sockets: 7
MSRP: $1,249
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