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]
As of May 2020[update], 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[update], there are 24 total variants listed on the Springfield Armory website:
^SAINT is consistently capitalized by Springfield Armory, Inc., although it is not known to be an acronym.
References
^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.
