Springfield Armory SAINT revealed (It's an AR)

[Cannibul]

I do not begrudge SA wanting to get into the AR market, either. There is money on the table. BUT....to have had the marketing campaign they did for just another run of the mill AR was almost insulting.

I too was looking for something innovative. Take their trademark platform....slim down the M1A platform/ garand action for the .223 round ... yes, like the Ruger ranch rifle...BUT....make it match grade accurate, and, have it take AR mags. Hunting market, competition market, bench rest shooter market, collector market, AR enthusiast market, AWB state market.

Oh well.

A $1600 Mini-14? No thanks.

 

[tarosean]

The LAST thing they were going to do is make another mini-14. You're talking about a basically dead platform. They were kind of innovative in 1978. Now they're one of the worst rifles in the class.

Except if your stuck behind enemy lines in AWB states.. I.e. still legal in CA, even after the crippling laws that go into effect in Jan...

 

[wojownik]

I don't think this offers anything over the Ruger 5.56 for $200 more money. Springfield is also 2 years too late to the game.

The "rule of 2's"? $200 too much, and 2 years late.

Wish they had taken their own marketing lingo of a "personal defense rifle" further into practice. Caliber choices in the 9mm/.45cal range. More compact form factor like true Personal Defense Weapons.

 

[CoRoMo]

They might owe me royalties or some such compensation... because I suggested that they enter the AR marketplace 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days ago: http://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...y-have-a-good-name.445002/page-2#post-5543493

 

[MechAg94]

The Ruger AR556 has an MSRP of $799 according to their web site. So we will see what the street price is for the Springfield, but they aren't far apart on MSRP. However, that means it is essentially an entry level rifle with a better butt stock and questionable handguard.

 

[chicharrones]

They might owe me royalties or some such compensation... because I suggested that they enter the AR marketplace 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days ago: http://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...y-have-a-good-name.445002/page-2#post-5543493

They should make you a Saint.

 

[Ramey]

This looks to be a solid rifle. If they get the handguard fixed then this is an entry level ar 15 with better furniture than what smith and ruger are offering

 

[Inebriated]

This looks to be a solid rifle. If they get the handguard fixed then this is an entry level ar 15 with better furniture than what smith and ruger are offering

There's nothing wrong with the handguard. Melting after 240 rounds of mag dumps is hardly a concern for any practical use. Plus, it allows use of readily-available light mounts and grip accessories. Already a big improvement over what's on the S&W or Ruger.

 

[Welding Rod]

Looks like a solid offering to me. Mid-length gas, 1:8, Melonite, coated trigger (if BCM they are pretty good - I have several), BCM GF Stock (my favorite stock), BCM buffer tube, BCM Mod 3 grip (my favorite grip), BCM hanguard, come with what is supposed to be a pretty nice flip up rear sight.... for the price over a SW or Ruger I would be on it.

 

[wally]

Centerfire Systems has an Email special on the SAINT, "only five available" for $850 each, and entry level ARs for $500, so the price of the SAINT does not appear to be totally out of line.

 

[Varminterror]

Another angle to consider - XD's are approved duty weapons almost everywhere, by offering an AR type carbine, they improve their access to a portion of their existing customer base. Contracted LE sales are often a pretty substantial portion of firearms manufacturers bottom line - but only for those MF's who have access to contracts. Get the product out in the civilian market, make a splash, and grab a few contracts to ride on the back of standing duty pistol contracts... Pretty easy way to drive volume in a specific and unique market to which not all of your competitors have access. Glock doesn't make rifles, Ruger's pistols aren't as broadly accepted, Cold doesn't make a proper duty pistol, so it's kinda between S&W and Springfield to arm wrestle over this market approach - good pistols AND good rifles all under one roof. Not to mention, they have the M1a standing as a DMR type for LE sharpshooter applications, nice capability to bundle multi-application contracts.

Outside of that angle - in the civilian market, there is probably plenty of room for Springfield, the tide is turning away from some of the lower volume shops in the AR game it seems, consumers are kinda looking more for reputation and longevity of service/warranty coverage, so I think Springfield has as much access at the right timing to feed upon that turning tide.

But as I agreed before - the crossfit marketing campaign was dumb. It DID successfully draw a ton of attention, so I guess "mission accomplished," but a campaign should really have more substance than boobs and a rifle.