I am a fan of retro/classic firearms based on 20th-century designs. Springfield Armory’s SA-16A2 is a remarkable addition to the retro firearm market, catering to enthusiasts of classic military-style rifles. Retro firearms, like the SA-16A2, replicate the look and feel of their historical counterparts. However, these guns have incorporate a range of contemporary modifications, such as converting fully automatic military designs into civilian-legal semi-automatic versions or modernizing safeties. Retro arms vary from near copies to simply hints or styling cues from an original firearm.

Springfield Armory has a long-standing history of producing these retro arms. In 1974, Springfield Armory produced the M1A, a semi-auto version of the U.S. Army’s M14, followed by mil-spec 1911 .45s. And then there’s my favorite Springfield handgun, the SA-35, a modern take on the P-35 Browning Hi-Power that was introduced in 2022.

The Springfield SA-16 Series

The SA-16A2 is Springfield’s latest homage to military rifles, closely mimicking the M16A2, a rifle that played a key role in U.S. military history. Although semi-automatic only, it features a faux burst setting on the selector switch, paying tribute to the original M16A2’s three-shot burst capability. The M16 pattern rifle and carbine is the longest-serving rifle/carbine in U.S. military history, having served in one form or another from 1964 to the present. Introduced in 1983 at the request of the U.S. Marine Corps, the M16A2 incorporated several key updates to improve performance over its predecessor, the M16A1. These changes included a lengthened stock, a heavier barrel with a faster 1:7 twist rate to stabilize bullets weighing more than 55 grains and more user-friendly rear sight adjustments.

The M16A2’s enhancements addressed the limitations of the M16A1, making it more effective in long-range engagements while retaining the rifle’s historical identity. Springfield’s SA-16A2 captures this legacy, offering civilians a chance to own a semi-auto version of this iconic military rifle.

Built to mil-spec and blending nostalgia with modern functionality, the Springfield Armory SA-16A2 stands out as a perfect choice for collectors and shooters seeking a piece of history with practical updates.

Springfield Armory SA-16A2
Caliber 5.56×45 NATO/.223
Sights M16A2
Bolt carrier group Enhanced M16 w/ carpenter 158 steel bolt, HPT/MPI, phosphate
Stock A2 fixed
Receiver extension Mil-spec rifle length
Grip A2
Overall length 39.5 inches
Color Black
Upper receiver Forged 7075 T6 aluminum, type IIIhardcoat anodized, forward assist, M4 feed ramps
Gas system Direct impingement rifle-length, A2 pinned gas block
Trigger and trigger guard Mil-spec
Safety switch Single side 90 degree
Magazine GI aluminum 30-round (one included)
Barrel 20″ 4150 CMV, chrome lined, 1:7
Lower receiver Forged 7075 T6 aluminum, type III hardcoat anodized, Accu-Tite™ tension system
Handguard A2 polymer w/ integral heat shield
Muzzle device A2 flash hider
Carry handle Fixed
Buffer assembly Rifle
Bayonet lug Yes
Weight 7 pounds, 8 ounces
Price $1,249

 

AR-15 Rifles vs. M4 Carbines

If you’ve never fired a full-size AR-15 rifle, you’re not alone. Back in the early 1980s, the full-length AR-15 was more common, but today, the compact M4 carbine has taken over in popularity. The M4, like Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor MLOK Rifle, is shorter, lighter and more adaptable for optics, making it the go-to choice for many shooters. For comparison, the Saint Victor has a 16-inch barrel, an overall length of 35.5 inches (with the stock extended) and weighs 6 pounds, 11 ounces. AR-15 pistols and short-barrel rifles are even more compact.

So why consider the SA-16A2 with its 20-inch barrel and slightly heavier build? Here’s why I think the SA-16A2 holds some advantages over M4 carbines:

  • Ballistic performance: The SA-16A2’s longer 20-inch A2 barrel allows the full advantage of the 5.56mm’s ballistic potential. For example, the 55-grain 5.56 has a published factory velocity of 3,200 feet per second. That velocity drops down to around 2,900 feet per second or less in a shorter 16-inch barrel.
  • Long-range accuracy: The heavy 20-inch barrel also offers greater stiffness and stability, improving accuracy, especially when using heavier projectiles.
  • Smooth operation: The longer gas tube in the full-length SA-16A2’s direct impingement operating system is less abrupt in operation than the shorter M4 system, resulting in a smoother shooting rifle. This also helps keep the rifle cleaner due to more efficient powder burn before the gas enters the bolt carrier.
  • Increased stability: The heavier weight of the SA-16A2 provides a more stable shooting platform from a braced position.

While the M4’s compactness and versatility are appealing, the SA-16A2’s longer barrel and heavier build offer real advantages in terms of performance and accuracy.

Shooting Springfield Armory’s SA-16A2 Rifle

I brought my neighbor who had been in the Special Forces along to test the Springfield Armory SA-16A2. Having used M4 carbines during his Army service, he was used to the lighter weight and compact design of the M4 but enjoyed getting reacquainted with the full-size M16A2.

We set up for prone shooting on a mat at 25 yards, using 62-grain Hornady TAP (Tactical Application Police) ammunition, ideal for law enforcement duty or property defense in any AR-15 with a 1×7 or 1×9 barrel twist rate. We aimed at Springfield Armory 12-Inch Bullseye targets.

AR15s and M16s with “tower” front sights and “carry handle” rear sights are factory set to shoot dead on at 100 yards. However, as you advance closer to the target with the 100-yard zero, the shots you fire strike progressively further below your point of aim due to the sights sitting so far above the bore axis. This means you have to aim above the point of the target you wish to hit. Flat-top rifles with optics or zeroing the rifle in for 25 yards can reduce this holdover issue, but we kept the sights as-is to avoid re-zeroing the rifle afterward.

The first group, shot slow-fire from a naturally supported military prone position measured 2 inches, landing 2 inches below the center of the bullseye and ½ inch to the left. Another 10-round group measured the exact same: 2 inches, landing 3 ½ inches below the bullseye and also ½ inch to the left. Using a backyard range later in the day, we were mindful of neighbors and didn’t shoot extensively. But the Springfield SA-16-A2 ran flawlessly. In fact, I’ve never experienced a single malfunction with any Springfield rifle or pistol I’ve tested—a testament to the brand’s reliability.

SA-16A2: Performance and Reliability in a Classic Design

The Springfield Armory SA-16A2 is an excellent and versatile rifle, built with remarkable attention to detail. This civilian-legal battle rifle can truly be multi-purpose, from Civilian Marksmanship Program competitions or target shooting to extended-range property defense and sport shooting. Whether using the iron sights or mounting an optic on the carry handle, the SA-16A2 is adaptable for precision shooting at reasonable distances.

Springfield’s SA-16A2 would really shine as an emergency survival rifle, being reliable, durable and easy to maintain. As I mentioned in a recent Concealed Carry Magazine article, a good survival rifle should be low-maintenance, rust-resistant and not reliant on batteries, with easy-to-find spare parts and ammunition. The SA-16A2 checks all these boxes, making it a solid choice for anyone preparing for uncertain situations.

The Springfield Armory SA-16A2 is a wonderfully rendered, historically accurate civilianized version of the M16A3 rifle. It is built with the same strength as its predecessor, the M16A2 and would make a great addition to any collection or as a dependable home-defense arm.

Springfield Armory: Springfield-Armory.com