SAINT Edge ATC Precision Rifle Video Review & Spec Analysis

For more than 60 years the AR platform’s very construction limited it accuracy potential. Better barrels, better ammunition, and the correct twist rates have been developed, but the rifle’s construction has remained the same. Forged and billet receivers have been developed and tweaked, but the basic methods of holding it all together haven’t been improved until now. The new Springfield Armory SAINT Edge ATC delivers a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. Springfield achieved this by changing the way it builds the AR platform.

Springfield Armory SAINT Edge ATC

The Achilles heel of AR accuracy has been the inability to truly free float the barrel. The problem rests not within the operating system, but the handguard. As long as the handguard is attached to the barrel nut any force applied to the handguard is transferred to the barrel nut. The longer the handguard and further out on the handguard that force is applied the worse it gets. If you don’t believe it there are plenty of simple drills you can experiment with that demonstrate how applying a load to your handguard impacts the point of impact even on heavily-built rifles.

Springfield challenged the classic build style and solved the load issue by creating a truly free-floated system. Rather than a conventional upper with handguard pinned to a conventional lower, Springfield created a chassis (Accurized Tactical Chassis, or ATC). Much like the chassis rifles you’ve seen in precision bolt gun competitions, the action is secured by a piece that extends out under the barrel to effectively serve as a lower handguard. The “upper handguard” then attaches to that chassis. Any force, such as a bipod or human hand, applied to that chassis may be applied to the action, but does not apply to the barrel. The barrel is finally, truly, free floated. Finally, we can truly find the accuracy potential of a barrel and load combination.

Modular Compatibility Retained

If you’re like me and immediately thought of some favorite barrel makers fear not, as long as the handguard is removed, and the barrel nut fits the chassis, you can run the barrel of your choice in the Springfield SAINT Edge ATC. We’ll have one in hand soon for a further review in an upcoming issue of Tactical Life Magazine. You can expect a thorough test in that article, including some hopefully new accuracy records with various loads, and possibly some results of other upper and barrel combinations tested as a conventional AR, then again in the SAINT Edge ATC.

A monolithic lower receiver, the Accurized Tactical Chassis, enables the free-floating of the barrel on the Springfield SAINT Edge ATC.

We got a first glimpse at the SAINT Edge ATC at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and we’re ready for more. For even more info, please visit springfield-armory.com.

Springfield Armory SAINT Edge ATC Specs

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Color: Black
Barrel: 18-inch Ballistic Advantage, Melonite, 1:7
Sights: N/A
Upper Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Forward Assist, M4 Feed Ramps
Lower Receiver: ATC Chassis, Machined 6061 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, QD Mounting Points
Bolt Carrier Group: M16 With Carpenter 158 Steel Bolt, HPT/MPI, Melonite
Gas System: Direct Impingement Mid-Length, Low-Profile Pinned Gas Block
Handguard: Integral to ATC Chassis, M-LOK
Stock: B5 Systems Enhanced SopMod
Trigger: Flat Modular Match
Muzzle Device SA Muzzle Brake
Receiver Extension: Mil-Spec
Receiver End Plate: QD
Buffer Assembly: Carine “H” Heavy Tungsten Buffer
Charging Handle: GI Style
Safety Switch: Single Side
Trigger Guard: Integral to Receiver
Grip: B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip
MSRP: $1,549

Springfield Armory SAINT Edge ATC Elite Specs

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 18-inch Ballistic Advantage, Melonite, 1:7
Sights: N/A
Upper Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Coyote Brown Cerakote H-250, Forward Assist, M4 Feed Ramps
Lower Receiver: ATC Chassis, Machined 6061 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Coyote Brown Cerakote H-250, QD Mounting Points
Bolt Carrier Group: M16 With Carpenter 158 Steel Bolt, HPT/MIP, Melonite
Gas System: Direct Impingement Mid-Length, Low-Profile Pinned Gas Block
Handguard: Integral to ATC Chassis, M-LOK
Stock: B5 Systems Coyote Brown Precision Stock
Trigger: LaRue MBT Flat 2 Stage
Muzzle Device: SA Muzzle Brake
Receiver Extension: Mil-Spec
Receiver End Plate: QD
Buffer Assembly: Carbine “H” Heavy Tungsten Buffer
Charging Handle: GI Style
Safety Switch: Single Side
Trigger Guard: Integral to Receiver
Grip: B5 Systems Coyote Brown Type 23 P-Grip
MSRP: $1,899