SAINT Pistol – Handling

Dec 8, 2017
The muzzle device diverts the considerable blast of the .223 round forward of the 7.5" barrel.
When we first examined the Springfield Armory SAINT pistol – a pistol by federal regulations that has the configuration and operation of an AR-type firearm – it was from a bench at distance. I figured that the most likely use of the piece would not be off a bench at longer distances but up close and in a hurry. Still, it would prove little to step up to seven yards and hammer out buckets of ammo into a target – with a slightly-under-six pound, over-26-inch long firearm. There are drills and exercises that are in use for the AR carbine (and others), but this is something "intended to be used as a pistol." I wasn't going to shoot the Modified Navy Qual with it nor the NRA Instructor Patrol Rifle Course, but it would serve little purpose to shoot "The Test" or some of the other handgun standards. After some consideration, I thought a modified Asym course would tell me what I needed to know: what I need to work on to get good gunhandling and accuracy standards with this configuration of firearm. As I was to find out, it was easy to make it "too hard." The advantage is that it gives me something to work on. The idea of the asymmetric qualification is something I blatantly stole – and modified – from something that Downrange TV's Michael Bane had done. He wanted to stretch his skill level with carry guns to hit a target the size of an armed criminal offender from fifty yards with a requirement to make a hit to the "head box" from 25 yards.
Starting a drill with a loaded magazine under the chambered Hornady Rapid Rack device allows one to practice with the gun as it'll be used.
I decided it was three hits to a target the size of a B/C zone of a USPSA target from fifty yards with a single hit to the 6x6" head box at 25 yards. Anything off the target at either distance was a "fail," something I've done too often. Remarkably, I've passed with guns I though unlikely to work, like the S&W Shield. I've failed with larger guns that I've had more experience with. For this monster, I elected to use the NRA Timed/Rapid size bull's-eye target, B-8. I have a supply of repair centers and thought that working that target at 50, 35 and 25 yards would do. The test was two hits from 50 yards, two hits from 35 yards and a single hit from 25 yards. All are shot from guard (low ready). The aim is to keep all hits in the black center of the target. Numeric scoring, with 50 points being possible would require dropping less than five points to pass, 45/50. The inaugural run saw me use American Eagle 62 grain FMJ fed from a Magpul 20-round PMAG. I had the Hornady Rapid Rack in the chamber over a loaded magazine. I had one of two of the first hits go over the target at fifty yards, followed up by a miserable performance at 25 yards. The last three rounds were in the black, but the complete miss put me five points out of the running.
It was obvious to me that it was my handling of the gun that caused the problem. I had a partial box of Liberty Ammunition's Silverado 55 grain hollow-point ammo and did some work from fifty yards. This confirmed some of my problem as five rounds went into a horizontal string about 1 ½" below the black. Had I held for that load at that distance, 4/5 would have been inside the 9+ rings, a pass from fifty yards without even moving up. The next step is to make that performance repeatable which simply requires practice. After that, it's time to ascertain par times. Is it likely I'd employ any gun like this at those distances? Frankly, no. It'd be far more likely to be used at home or in a place in which I'd be staying and the distances would be far closer. While being concerned about mechanical offset at the closer distances – a real consideration – the lion's share of my time would center around precision at this longer distance. If I can make the hit from "out yonder," being closer is of small moment, offset excluded. The Aimpoint Micro-T2 makes this a very doable exercise. Varying between the back-up sights by TROY and the optic would make for interesting range exercises as well. Starting with the Hornady Rapid Rack in place makes good sense as well. I think I'll change this up by loading magazines with two rounds and three rounds. With the Rapid Rack in place over the two-round magazine at fifty yards, load and fire the pair in whatever par time. Recover the Rapid Rack and replace it in the chamber over the magazine loaded with three rounds. At thirty five yards, repeat the fifty yard stage in a shorter time. Assess and apply the safety. Move up to 25 yards for the last round in a relevant par time. For those wondering about the Hornady Rapid Rack, it's an updated chamber flag. It chambers like a cartridge with a red lever protruding from the chamber. Lower the bolt over the Rapid Rack and insert a loaded magazine into the magazine well. When it's time to shoot, grab the lever and pull straight back, dropping the Rapid Rack and allowing the action to chamber the top round. As the SAINT is based on the AR-15, it's appropriate to keep that chamber empty until it's needed. The SAINT pistol is a lot of fun to shoot and I found the exercise to be enjoyable. It could certainly be a force multiplier compared to small handguns. Like very small handguns – and the current wave of NFA-inspired "firearms" – muzzle discipline is profoundly important. That's a lot of power in a very short package. That 'power in a short package' is part of what makes it fun to shoot too. I've found nothing not to like about the SAINT pistol but I still have to show it around to some other people. I want to get the take of real pros on this one. And I'll keep you posted. - - Rich Grassi