Springfield Armory SA-16

Springfield Armory SA-16

By: Guy Coursey

Some things never go out of style

It’s a bit hard for me to accept, but I am now officially old. I can remember things clearly from over 40 years ago that have younger people giving me blank stares when I reference them. I was alive when the Vietnam War was going on, when gas was less than a dollar, phones still had cords, TVs had aerials, and the only digital things were at NASA. But, in Vietnam, most American troops were armed with what was at the time a truly revolutionary, space-age rifle — the M16A1. Made of aluminum and synthetic materials, the M-16A1 used direct-impingement operation to fire a high-velocity bullet in .22 caliber and was very light compared to its predecessors. It was effective in jungle combat but had problems, mostly ammunition and training related, but some with the gun itself.

For a touch of period-ish correct authenticity, we mounted a 3.5 power Trijicon TA11 ACOG to the rifle’s carry handle via Trijicon’s mounting screw/washer kit. Although it sits relatively tall, its height-over-bore is consistent with the “skyscraper” red-dot mounts that are prevalent on today’s defensive carbines. As a bonus, the rifle’s iron sights can be co-witnessed through the ACOG’s base.

By the time I was in high school in 1983, the U.S. military, led by the U.S. Marine Corps (who else?), had developed an improved version – the M16A2. Though superseded today by multiple variations of the M4 carbine, with over eight million copies the M16A2 has become one of the iconic small arms of history. For those who like to collect historical small arms but may have a hard time locating or affording the real thing, you are in luck because Springfield Armory has come out with a nearly identical clone of the M16A2, the SA-16A2.

The SA-16’s 20-inch chrome-lined barrel gets a 1:7 twist rate and is fitted with an A2 front sight post, A2 flash hider, and ribbed-style handguard; only an experienced eye would be able to decipher the differences between the SA-16 and an Authentic M16A2. B&T USA’s (www.bt-usa.com) new Print-X SC suppressor — part of an entirely new 3D printed, HUB-compatible lineup — is shown threaded in place of the flash hider.

As the rifle I initially trained on as a Marine back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I have a particular affinity for the M16A2. Only a very experienced eye would be able to distinguish between a genuine M16A2 and the SA-16A2, either in aesthetics, quality, or performance. The semi-auto SA-16A2 is a faithful reproduction of the M16A2, with very minor differences. While space prevents a full review of its pedigree, some things should be mentioned. As noted earlier, the M16A2 is an improvement over the M16A1. Outwardly, the A1 can be recognized initially by a triangular forward handguard, a three-prong flash hider, and a pistol grip less the finger bump now standard. All of these were replaced in the A2 by the familiar round ribbed handguard, “birdcage” flash hider, and Mil-Spec pistol grip with the finger bump between the middle and ring finger. On closer inspection, one will also note the thicker barrel forward of the sight tower, the modified forward assist plunger, and the brass deflector aft of the ejection port to make life easier for those operators unfortunate enough to be wrong-handed. Like the M16A1, the A2 has an aluminum lower and upper receiver with a fixed carry handle. However, the A2 carry handle has an improved set of aperture rear sights with finger adjustable turrets, versus those that needed a bullet tip or tool to adjust, and an A-frame sight tower which has a four-position adjustable sight tip for more refined adjustments. Rounding it out, the SA-16A2 has a fixed stock, which, like the M16A2, is 5/8” longer than that of the A1, made of stouter synthetic material, and contains a butt trap for a cleaning kit (or smokes, or pogey-bait …). Markings on the left side of the receiver show the SA logo with a “Property of US Government” stamp, and markings near the safety that include “Semi,” “Safe,” and the non-functional but true repro 3-round “Burst” function, which replaced full auto in the A1.

Effectively combining tradition with modern manufacturing techniques and materials, out back, you’ll find the familiar (to those getting up there in years anyway) A2 fixed buttstock and A2 handgrip. Ultra-strong and utilitarian, what they lack in modern adjustability and features they make up for in durability and period-correct looks.

Internally everything in the SA-16A2 is nearly the same as a standard M16A2, including the 20-inch, 1:7 twist chrome-lined barrel and chamber, which was an important upgrade due to lessons learned the hard way with the M16A1. The few differences between the SA-16A2 and the genuine M16A2 are there, but minor; an SA logo on the receiver and bolt, M4 feed ramps to facilitate better operation with different types of ammo, and an Accutite tensioner in the rear receiver to assist with accuracy. The SA-16A2 comes in a quality SA-marked soft case with one 30-round aluminum magazine, cable lock, and manuals.

The SA-16 is a nearly 100-percent faithful reproduction to the original M16A2, with the obvious exception being that the go-fast position (burst) on the safety selector cannot be engaged, although it is labeled as such (hidden behind the selector lever in this pic.) Controls are all Mil-Spec and operated smoothly and reliably.

Based on my previous experience with the real thing I knew almost exactly what to expect from the SA-16A2, with one exception. Back in the day we used iron sights. Our initial zero was set at 300 yards and we were taught to adjust the turrets and apertures as necessary. This usually worked fine at distance when firing from a fixed position in decent weather with a target that was cooperating, such as on the known-distance (KD) course of fire. But times have changed, and now everyone has an optic on their service rifle.

Nothing earth-shattering to see here, just quality Mil-Spec bolt-carrier group components. One deviation from the original blueprint is the adjustable Accu-Tite tension system, which ensures a tight fit between the upper and lower receivers. One 30-round aluminum Duramag Speed magazine is included with the rifle.

In 2009, we were issued four-power Trijicon RCOs before a journey to the mountain paradise of Afghanistan. These optics are force-multipliers at distance, so I was gratified to receive a Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 with a green BDC reticle on my copy of the SA-16A2.   Less gratifyingly, it was mounted by necessity to the fixed carry handle on the SA-16A2 versus on a Picatinny rail on upper receivers of most modern AR-type rifles. This arrangement placed the optic over an inch higher than was optimal. Added to the problem was the fixed stock, which is great for shooting with irons from prone at cooperating Dog or Echo targets on a KD range but much less so with a magnified fixed-power optic due to difficulty obtaining good eye relief in average-sized humans such as myself. Therefore, I knew that despite my best efforts I would be fighting the rifle to an extent to get the best intrinsic accuracy. All that said, the SA-16A2 performed well.

The SA-16 laid down respectable performance from 100 yards using non-match military-issue ammunition and only 3.5 power magnification from the ACOG.

A sniper rifle it is not, but it is perfectly capable of shooting 2-4 MOA with most types of military-issue 5.56 NATO and .223 ammo, which is what I used. This included Federal and IMI 55gr M193, Federal AE 5.56 x45 green tip, Federal AE .223, and some Freedom Munitions 55 gr FMJ reman. Firing from a rest, with the mil-spec single-stage trigger breaking at a hair under six pounds, the winner was Federal XM193 with a five-round group at 2” at 100 yards, with the best four at just over an inch. Just to see how things would go shooting a bit faster under slightly more realistic conditions, I got into prone ala the KD course, and using the 30-round mag to monopod from, I shot 10 rounds (actually 11) in just over 10 seconds on an IDPA target. The result was a 3.5” group smack in the high center chest area, printed with a mil-spec trigger, sub-optimal cheek weld, and neck straining for proper eye relief on the ACOG. Not bad, and certainly enough to give bad guys pause inside 500 yards downrange. Reliability with the SA-16A2 was flawless throughout, using both metal and several types of synthetic magazines.

10 shots in 10 seconds on an IDPA target at 100 yards from the prone position using the 30-round magazine as a monopod yielded this 3.5″ group.

The M16A2 was and is an effective infantry rifle. For collectors who want to wax nostalgic with iconic firearms from the “old days”, you would do well to consider the Springfield Armory SA-16A2 if your historical collection must include a near exact yet improved copy of the M16A2. Check out the SA-16 ($1249) at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Springfield Armory; Tel.: (800) 680-6866; Web: www.springfield-armory.com.

If you’ve been around ARs long enough or spent time behind an M16A2 in the service, shooting the SA-16 will feel like old hat. Its proportions, balance, and rifle-length gas system make it a joy to shoot, mitigating recoil and muzzle rise in a way that a shorter M4 can’t compete. While adding modern gadgetry is undoubtedly more challenging, that’s not what this rifle is about — it’s a trip back to a time when things were a little more simple. Long story short, some things never get old.

Specifications:

Caliber: 5.56 NATO

Action Type: Direct Impingement Gas Operated

Trigger: Mil-Spec

Rate of twist: 1-7

Barrel: 20-inch 4150 CMV, chrome lined

Finish: Black anodized

Handguard: A2

Grip: A2

Magazine/capacity: 30 rounds

Sights: Adjustable A2

Overall Length: 39.50”

Weight: 7 pounds, 8 ounces

MSRP: $1,249