New Springfield Saint Edge ATC Elite rifle

[AlBeight]

Springfield just announced this new rifle, looks like their version of the SCAR-L. Meant for precision, it looks interesting to me, even though I typically don’t think “precision” and “5.56/.223” in the same sentence. I’d prefer a 7.62/.308 version (maybe that will be available later?). Checking the specs, they’re not advertising this as a heavy barrel, so probably no bueno in Marylandistan. The barrel is referenced in respect to lending itself towards its guaranteed sub-moa accuracy, so maybe a new press release can fix that for us. Also, the lower is part of the long handguard, with the upper being completely drop-in and free floating, which should make the parts not interchangeable thus eliminating being a “clone” casualty.

Who knows, once these get let loose in the wild, maybe MSP will review and rule favorably for us to get our grubby little hands on them. Is anyone else liking this or am I the only one? I particularly like the silhouette of the rifle, somewhat HK looking with that forend.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/saint-series/saint-edge-atc-ar-15-rifles/

 

[hamburglar79]

Just saw that email show up in my account, kinda limited on the 15 platform so totally agree on a 10 version.

 

[smokey]

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-complete-18-6-5-grendel-match-grade-upper/#reviews-tab
cool, but this exists and can shoot half MOA for $800. I notice nothing mentions the weight on this big sumbitch. It's cool to have another product out there to meet the needs of people, but I'd be snatching this larue in 6.5 grendel every day of the week and twice on sunday if it was between it and that edge atc... especially if for long range precision shooting or hunting.

 

[camo556]

Not sure why we are calling this "their version of the SCAR-L" since SCAR is a short stroke piston. This is DI.

One long lower including the handguard. Not compatible with a Colt AR15. Looks like you cant put a standard AR15 upper on the lower. Should be legal. Other DI rifles are legal with fewer differences.

 

[AlBeight]

Not sure why we are calling this "their version of the SCAR-L" since SCAR is a short stroke piston. This is DI.

One long lower including the handguard. Not compatible with a Colt AR15. Looks like you cant put a standard AR15 upper on the lower. Should be legal. Other DI rifles are legal with fewer differences.

Springfield isn’t marketing this as their “SCAR”, I’m referring to that more or less allegorically and maybe even a little ironically. The gas operating system aside, I just find the unique full length polymer lower a little bit similar to the mostly non-AR pattern characteristic of the SCAR upper and lower, and of course the available all over FDE appearance. It’s platform is similar enough to the AR platform, but with a slightly more unique and non-traditional approach. I find that to be reminiscent of the SCAR’s construction, I’m not looking to define a new generation of weapons.

I agree that its parts won’t be compatible with AR-15 parts, so that should give it a chance to be MSP approved. We shall see about that once it gets released.

I have a terrible weakness for buying (or wanting to buy) new and interesting rifles. As I said before, they’re pushing this as a very capable precision rifle, though I’m not sure a 5.56/.223 platform is the best host for that moniker. Other than fun range toy I don’t know that I could find a role for this in my collection, not that this has very often stopped me from purchasing a new rifle. Will it be a good 1,000 yard competition rig - no. Would I hunt with it - no, not with 5.56/.223 (except for coyotes and fox perhaps). It would probably be a bunch of fun shooting targets to 500 yards or so from a bench or a cornfield.

Though I really do like what they’re doing here, I definitely would like to see a 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel version, even a 6.5 CM or 7.62/.308 version for actual deer-sized game hunting and or DMR roles. Right now I’m not confident that shooters are going to pay that kind of money for what I believe to be a fairly limited platform. I’m sure opinions will vary widely.

 

[smokey]

Springfield isn’t marketing this as their “SCAR”, I’m referring to that more or less allegorically and maybe even a little ironically. The gas operating system aside, I just find the unique full length polymer lower a little bit similar to the mostly non-AR pattern characteristic of the SCAR upper and lower, and of course the available all over FDE appearance. It’s platform is similar enough to the AR platform, but with a slightly more unique and non-traditional approach. I find that to be reminiscent of the SCAR’s construction, I’m not looking to define a new generation of weapons.

I agree that its parts won’t be compatible with AR-15 parts, so that should give it a chance to be MSP approved. We shall see about that once it gets released.

I have a terrible weakness for buying (or wanting to buy) new and interesting rifles. As I said before, they’re pushing this as a very capable precision rifle, though I’m not sure a 5.56/.223 platform is the best host for that moniker. Other than fun range toy I don’t know that I could find a role for this in my collection, not that this has very often stopped me from purchasing a new rifle. Will it be a good 1,000 yard competition rig - no. Would I hunt with it - no, not with 5.56/.223 (except for coyotes and fox perhaps). It would probably be a bunch of fun shooting targets to 500 yards or so from a bench or a cornfield.

Though I really do like what they’re doing here, I definitely would like to see a 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel version, even a 6.5 CM or 7.62/.308 version for actual deer-sized game hunting and or DMR roles. Right now I’m not confident that shooters are going to pay that kind of money for what I believe to be a fairly limited platform. I’m sure opinions will vary widely.

I don't see where the polymer use is. The entire lower is a big ass chunk of aluminum. It's why this thing weighs 9lbs 8 oz. It's an interesting idea, but traditional ARs, like the larue I posted above, can hold half minute groups without all that weight. Larue's handguard mounting solution is way better.

 

[jrumann59]

there is a lot of points of failure in the design when Jimbo buys it and can't shoot to the specs, tensioning screws, BA barrels which I like do not scream extreme accuracy, big ass chunk of aluminum that is the lower also throws in thermal induced accuracy issues as it pertains to the upper. Also it is kind of ugly AF.

 

[AlBeight]

there is a lot of points of failure in the design when Jimbo buys it and can't shoot to the specs, tensioning screws, BA barrels which I like do not scream extreme accuracy, big ass chunk of aluminum that is the lower also throws in thermal induced accuracy issues as it pertains to the upper. Also it is kind of ugly AF.

Agreed (except for the ugly part - I think it looks kinda good like an HK G series in a way), the non-traditional aspects could be its own downfall to market success. I was thinking about that huge aluminum lower/fore-end too, but for the weight. The overall weight of this rifle is stated in the video at about 9.5 lbs, while a “typical” AR-15 is usually less than 7 lbs more or less. That’s a pretty significant weight increase due to that huge lower assembly, which I assume should lend itself to some improvements in accuracy, but could also provide a weird and uneven balance to the platform.

People don’t like change, and this concept is certainly enough change to the standard AR platform that many will curmudgeonly poo-poo it from the start simply because that’s who they are and they need to take a break now and then from yelling at clouds and chasing kids from their lawns. I’m still interested in this rifle, quirks and all, but I’m still curious to hear from those who prefer precision-type or more accuracy driven rifle shooting (including but not limited to long range guys). I’m really wondering if the 5.56/.223 chambering will hamstring this offering right out of the gates. I’m still of the belief that the way this is being marketed, seemingly to guys exactly like me, that a better caliber more capable at distance would be more appropriate. Maybe a law enforcement sniper or DMR role? You can only get so much from a 77 grain .22 caliber bullet.

 

[camo556]

I don't see where the polymer use is. The entire lower is a big ass chunk of aluminum. It's why this thing weighs 9lbs 8 oz. It's an interesting idea, but traditional ARs, like the larue I posted above, can hold half minute groups without all that weight. Larue's handguard mounting solution is way better.

Holy protein shake Batman! I did not see the weight.

 

[jrumann59]

Agreed (except for the ugly part - I think it looks kinda good like an HK G series in a way), the non-traditional aspects could be its own downfall to market success. I was thinking about that huge aluminum lower/fore-end too, but for the weight. The overall weight of this rifle is stated in the video at about 9.5 lbs, while a “typical” AR-15 is usually less than 7 lbs more or less. That’s a pretty significant weight increase due to that huge lower assembly, which I assume should lend itself to some improvements in accuracy, but could also provide a weird and uneven balance to the platform.

People don’t like change, and this concept is certainly enough change to the standard AR platform that many will curmudgeonly poo-poo it from the start simply because that’s who they are and they need to take a break now and then from yelling at clouds and chasing kids from their lawns. I’m still interested in this rifle, quirks and all, but I’m still curious to hear from those who prefer precision-type or more accuracy driven rifle shooting (including but not limited to long range guys). I’m really wondering if the 5.56/.223 chambering will hamstring this offering right out of the gates. I’m still of the belief that the way this is being marketed, seemingly to guys exactly like me, that a better caliber more capable at distance would be more appropriate. Maybe a law enforcement sniper or DMR role? You can only get so much from a 77 grain .22 caliber bullet.

I guess those prairie dogs better stay in their holes now.....

 

[SkiPatrolDude]

the Springfield of today is not the Springfield of yesteryear. I'd argue that, besides their 1911's, Springfield is mostly junk. Fine, the XD is not junk, per se, but it's a cheap, rebranded Croatian import and better can be had at the price point.

Their original SAINT AR and AR pistol line are rife with issues.

Who knows how this new design will turn out, but considering the other proven alternatives, why even bother. All I am reading is marketing BS.

 

[camo556]

to be fair, 9.5 lbs would make sense in a big long range caliber for bench shooting, where the 9.5 lbs would absorb a lot of recoil, and you are not lugging it through the field or a competition.

9.5 lbs makes no sense for 5.56.

All I am reading is marketing BS.

Not impressed by the 20 round PMAG lmao

 

[Racer Doug14]

the Springfield of today is not the Springfield of yesteryear. I'd argue that, besides their 1911's, Springfield is mostly junk. Fine, the XD is not junk, per se, but it's a cheap, rebranded Croatian import and better can be had at the price point.

Their original SAINT AR and AR pistol line are rife with issues.

Who knows how this new design will turn out, but considering the other proven alternatives, why even bother. All I am reading is marketing BS.

While I disagree on SA being junk. I really wish they would produce the XDM in the USA.

 

[smokey]

to be fair, 9.5 lbs would make sense in a big long range caliber for bench shooting, where the 9.5 lbs would absorb a lot of recoil, and you are not lugging it through the field or a competition.

9.5 lbs makes no sense for 5.56.



Not impressed by the 20 round PMAG lmao

Yeah... the reason for the aluminum was supposedly to "free float the handguard off of the barrel nut". Meanwhile, here's larue's solution that does the same thing by just bolting a flange on the handguard to a flange on the upper. There's 1000 different ways they could have securely mounted a handguard to the upper, or even the lower, without adding a foot and a half of monolithic lower.

There's a good chance it'll shoot well, but there's other designs that are less radical that also shoot well within or under that price point.

 

[camo556]

F1 Firearms, Troy, and some others besides Larue have all done this to "free float the handguard off of the barrel nut". Some makers just have tabs under the pic rail to prevent rotation. I think some also either have a crossbolt or tabs that hug the lower to prevent rotation.

Springfield basically solved a non problem with 3 lbs of aluminum.

 

[camo556]

also the whole free float handguard issue confuses me insofar as legality.

The Colt HBAR and AR15 use a completely different barrel nut, most makers don't use it to free float the handguard. Everyone is proprietary barrel nut now. Theoretically any rifle with a non-Colt barrel nut ought to be not banned. And yet. I see rifles requiring a heavy barrel for some of these.

 

[rbird7282]

I’ve built one that will shoot sub MOA with factory ammo and it looks a hell of a lot better than that abomination. Cheaper too (discounting the painting on mine.)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ammo Jon]

Waiting for the 7.5” pistol version, see how much further I can take it out with their proprietary system.

 

[jrumann59]

Waiting for the 7.5” pistol version, see how much further I can take it out with their proprietary system.

you will need an 8 inch suppressor

 

[Ammo Jon]

you will need an 8 inch suppressor

8.5 P&W and I’ll have a rifle