Springfield Armory Goes Carry Handle Retro: Meet the New SA-16A2
Grab your woodland camo and early K-Pots, Springfield Armory has a new carry-handle 5.56 NATO AR that is a faithful ode to the now-classic M16A2 rifle.
The new SA-16A2 is not a member of the company's Saint series of modern black rifles, but instead stands alone as a new entry in Springer's catalog for 2024. Teased at SHOT Show earlier this year, it officially launched this week, and we have one on hand for a better look.
First off, the SA-16A2 seems to be right from the circa 1985-2000 period where the M16A2 reigned supreme in U.S. Army service, sandwiched between the older Vietnam-era M16A1 and the newer sandbox-familiar M4. Fielded during the Reagan-era Cold War twilight, it entered service alongside early PASGT Kevlar helmets and vests, the M9 bayonet, the Humvee, and the M1 Abrams/M2 Bradley tracks.
An 82nd Airborne Division radio operator holding an M16A2 rifle kneels near an M998 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle during Operation Golden Pheasant, in March 1988. Note the M9 bayonet on his web gear. (Photo: U.S. Army/NARA 30-CFD-DA-SC-89-11605)
Sure, American depots are no doubt still packed with these guns, but they have been increasingly rare post-9/11. With the rifle largely phased out of frontline service some 20-25 years ago, the design has now passed into throwback territory and Springfield is here to scratch the itch for those wanting a legit carry handle AR with a full 20-inch barrel.
The SA-16A2 runs forged 7075 T6 aluminum receivers, a 20-inch chrome lined barrel, round handguards, a full-length fixed stock, and a fixed A2 carry handle. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The carry handle includes an integrated rear sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation along with a dual aperture. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The lower receiver features "Government Property" rollmarks as well as a non-functional "Burst" selector marking in an ode to the M16A2. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The GI-style round, ribbed handguard of the SA-16A2 includes integral aluminum heat shields. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Speaking to the barrel, it runs a full 20 inches in length, is chrome-lined with a 1:7” twist, and uses M4 feed ramps as well as a rifle-length gas system with an F-height block. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
When it comes to the bolt carrier group, the SA-16A2 features an M16-pattern BCG, with a Carpenter 158 steel bolt and staked gas key. It is high-pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected (HPT/MPI). Besides Springfield Armory's logo, it has a phosphate exterior with a hard chrome-lined interior. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The A2-pattern front sight assembly includes a functional bayonet lug (we tested with an M7 and M9) and a sling swivel. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
As expected, it rocks a true A2-pattern “birdcage” flash hider with no slots at the lower 6 o’clock position to aid when shooting in a prone position. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The GI-style A2-pattern fixed buttstock, the latter with an integrated trapdoor storage compartment that stands ready for a cleaning kit, or Skittles. It also has a fixed sling swivel. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The hollow GI pistol grip, mil-spec trigger, and standard charging handle are right out of the ZZ Top era. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
A single aluminum-bodied 30-round magazine is included with each rifle, but we have tested it with several other models without issue. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SA-16A2 ships complete with a nice rifle bag that includes a three-cell mag compartment. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
And we found its ability to fully open to serve as an ersatz shooting mat to come in handy. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
In initial testing, we have put 200 rounds through the SA-16A2 with no issues, mostly Federal American Eagle 55-grain FMJ with no jams, misfeeds, hang fires, or misfires. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SA-16A2 has some upgrades to enhance performance that the 1980s M16A2 never did, including an Accu-Tite tensioning system to cut down on the slop between the upper and lower receivers and M4 feed ramps.
On our way to a full 2,000-round review, we have put about 200 rounds through the SA-16A2 thus far, using several different magazine styles and factory loads, and have had no issues to report. Ejection has run in the 3 o'clock to 4:30 range relative to the user, which is generally seen as perfect, and felt recoil, befitting a 20-inch AR with a rifle-length gas system, has been mild.
Check the below with the included aluminum mag, followed by a beat-up Magpul banana, each loaded with a few dissimilar rounds.
The concept behind the gun, as noted by Steve Kramer, Springfield's VP of Marketing, is that "The SA-16A2 takes what made the A2 upgrade of the M16 rifle so great and adds some subtle — but significant — enhancements for today’s shooters. If you want a rifle that exudes classic appeal yet delivers modern performance, the SA-16A2 is the right choice."
The ask on the SA-16A2 is $1,249, a price likely to be lower at retail. Compared to similar offerings such as Bushmaster's new XM15A2 20-inch fixed carry handle ($1,296 MSRP) and the Harrington & Richardson M16A2 clone ($1,299), the price isn't crazy.
Stay tuned for a full-length review of the SA-16A2 in the coming days.
It's easy to forget just how fun a full-length AR is to shoot – and carry.
