In 2017, the Springfield Armory Saint rifles hit the market as a great introductory AR-15 platform, first revealed in the January 2017 issue of Guns & Ammo gaining traction for the value proposition of the rifle’s components versus it’s price point of sub-$1000 for most of the line. Later, in 2019, the Saint Victor rifles were released as another step on the price ladder, working as a middle ground for shooters who wanted a rifle that was above a budget build, but avoided the screaming high cost of an expensive pre-built AR. Now, in 2025, the new line of Saint Victor rifles has arrived to keep this mid-range price point up-to-date and still a great value, with an average MSRP of $1,279 for AR-15 models and $1,649 for AR-10 models.
In all, 16 configurations have been made available all at once, with different options for color, barrel length, state compliance, and chambering in 5.56 or 7.62 NATO. Given this extensive launch, I requested two rifles from Springfield for this review: A 16-inch barrel AR-10 in 7.62, and a 14-inch pinned and welded AR-15-style rifle in 5.56.
Key Features
An easily noticeable change to the new Saint Victor is the furniture. The new line features Enhanced SOPMOD stocks, Type 23 pistol grips, and polymer trigger guards from B5 Systems. Additionally, the “SAINT” logo can no longer be found on the lower receiver, while the classic Springfield Armory circled cross cannons can still be found on the opposite side.
On the topic of the lower, it’s clear that Springfield wanted to start from a solid foundation. As it is forged aluminum, it is hardcoat anodized. Fitment between the upper and lower on both samples was excellent, which Springfield credits to its “Accu-tite” tension system.
Advertisement
The free-floating aluminum handguard features M-Lok mounting slots and differs from earlier models by now including a full-length top Picatinny rail with T-slot markings. Four integrated Quick Detatch (QD) cups mate the handguard to the upper receiver.
The 4150-chrome moly vanadium (CMV) barrels have also been updated to a new tapered contour profile that acts as a hybrid between a pencil and heavy barrel. The gas block is taper pinned to the barrel on all variants. My 14-inch rifle sported a mid-length gas system, while the 16-inch 7.62 has an intermediate-length gas system that bridges the gap between mid- and rifle-length. The pistol versions utilize carbine-length systems, and the longer 7.62 uses a standard rifle-length system. The bolt is made from 9310 Carpenter steel while the bolt carrier group is nitride coated, and features a properly staked gas key to improve reliability.
All new Saint Victor rifles feature flash hiders, which is a departure from the muzzlebrakes found on other Saint Victors. On the pistol variants and rifles with barrels longer than 16 inches, the barrel is threaded (1/2×28 for 5.56 and 5/8×24 for 7.62) and the flash hider can be removed. As the flash hider on the 14-inch barrel version is not removable, it qualifies as part of the barrel and counts as 16 inches, avoiding the SBR designation and the resultant tax stamp.
Advertisement
I had heard from some Saint owners that while the muzzlebrake did its job at reducing recoil, it gave a distinctive sharp bark that could become unpleasant after sustained shooting, especially in an indoor range. The new flash hiders are a four-prong design, and unlike the muzzlebrake, don’t need to be precisely timed to work properly. This made it easier to install a suppressor on the non-pinned-and-welded rifle, and then reinstall the flash hider when finished.
The nickel-boron coated, single-stage trigger is flat faced and both rifles triggers broke cleanly at around 3 1/2 pounds. During testing, I felt a consistent and distinct click each time the trigger reset, and found only a few millimeters of creep. I find that it’s easier for me personally to maintain a balanced trigger pull on a flat face, so accuracy testing and sighting in these rifles went quite smoothly.
At the Range
For accuracy testing on both rifles, I installed a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×28 FFP scope, which required removing the flip-up sights. Luckily, this only required a Torx wrench, and they popped right off. The Strike Eagle is going to stay on the 7.62 rifle, while on the 5.56 I reinstalled the flip-up sights to act as backup for a Vortex Crossfire on an elevated mount.
I’m someone who for the longest time had only quad rail Picatinny handguards on my AR’s. The M-LOK handguards on both SAINTs gave me a chance to work with several attachments and workshop what worked. On the 5.56, a B5 vertical grip that matched the rifle’s furniture was installed, while on the 7.62 I placed a Spartan Precision universal bipod mount. The Spartan Precision Javelin bipod that pairs with this mount uses a MagnaSwitch mounting system, where a strong rare earth magnet simply pops the bipod into place.
For both rifles, I tested a range of ammo that covered various .223 and .308 loads, including NATO rounds. All versions of 5.56/.233 and 7.62/.308 performed beautifully, and there should be no worries about what kind of round is fed through these rifles. Regarding accuracy, I was able to get sub-1-inch groups at 50 yards with the shorter barrel AR-15, and similar-sized groups at 100 yards with the AR-10.
The 14-inch AR-15 configuration performed well on paper, with Hornady’s V-Max varmint rounds making a strong case for this rifle’s effect on coyotes. Additionally, when the test optic was replaced with a shorter-range red dot, the rifle went through several magazines of CBC 5.56 while at rest, standing, and braced on cover. In all scenarios, the rifle was easy to control and kept rounds on target, including rapid fire.
Meanwhile, the performance exhibited by Federal’s 150-grain Fusion hunting rounds convinced me that the 16-inch 7.62 Saint Victor would make for an excellent deer or hog rifle—or both—as it dumped an average 2350 foot-pounds of kinetic energy on target in excellent groups. Modern AR-10s make for much softer shooting than a bolt action, in my opinion, and the 16-inch barrel isn’t too unwieldy for stalks or maneuvering through trees. Hornady’s heavy 178-grain Match rounds performed admirably as well, as did the CBC NATO cartridges.
The only problem experienced during testing was when I used older generation PMAGs. While the Gen M3 mags provided with the rifle seated and fed extremely well, Gen M1 and M2 magazines consistently had trouble seating when the bolt was closed, and produced a couple failures to feed when loaded to max capacity. While they seated fine when the bolt was open, I would recommend sticking to Gen M3s when going to the range or the field.
A Steady Pace
The redesigned SAINT Victors have been subject to many tweaks and feature adjustments that work to elevate the platform. On top of this, the rifles maintain a mid-range price point that place them well above a “budget build” while also staying significantly under the price tags of higher-end ARs, for both the AR-15 and AR-10 versions. Those new to the AR platform may find that going for a midrange rifle such as this will pay off in the long run, as it will last longer, shoot tighter, and make for an overall smoother experience. Similarly, veteran shooters may be looking for the next step onward from their budget gun, or a workhorse rifle that can handle extended time in the field.
Springfield SAINT Victor
- Type: Direct impingement, gas operated, semiautomatic
- Cartridge: 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem
- Capacity: 30
- Barrel: 14 in.; Continuous taper, 1:8-in. twist, CMV
- Length: 32 in. (collapsed), 35.25in. (extended)
- Weight : 6 lbs., 12 oz.
- Stock: B5 SOPMOD
- Grip: B5 Systems Type 23 P-GripFinish Type III hardcoat anodized (aluminum)
- Trigger: Nickel-Boron coat, 3 lbs., 7 oz. (tested)
- Sights: Low-profile manual flip-up, aluminum
- Safety: Two-position selector
- MSRP: $1,279
- Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, 800-680-6866, springfield-armory.com
Springfield Armory SAINT Victor AR-10
- Type: Direct impingement, gas operated, semiautomatic
- Cartridge: 7.62 NATO/.308 Win
- Capacity: 20
- Barrel: 16 in. (tested); 20 in.; Continuous Taper, Nitride, 1:10 twist
- Length: 34.5 in. (collapsed), 37.75in. (extended)
- Weight : 7 lbs., 11 oz.
- Stock: B5 SOPMOD
- Grip: B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip
- Trigger: Nickel-Boron coat, 3 lbs., 14 oz. (tested)
- Finish: Type III hardcoat anodized (aluminum)
- Sights: Low-profile manual flip-up, aluminum
- Safety: Two-position selector
- MSRP: $1,649
- Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, 800-680-6866, springfield-armory.com
Read the full article here
