I’ve shot each SAINT rifle obtainable. I’ve had the pleasure of operating every of the SAINT, SAINT Victor and — my private favourite — the SAINT Edge rifles, placing hundreds of rounds downrange with them. And what have I realized from all this? Every runs exceptionally effectively, and every comes properly outfitted from the manufacturing facility in relation to their respective pricepoints.

What occurs whenever you pair two wonderful manufacturers — Springfield Armory and Midwest Industries — in a customized AR construct challenge? Learn on to seek out out.

It’s no secret that in case you’re looking for a implausible AR proper out of the field, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a higher worth than any one of many rifles within the SAINT line. However what in case you’re a tinkerer like me? What in case you like altering out components, attempting new configurations, and many others.? Then, the SAINT — the lowest-cost rifle within the line-up — makes for a fantastic choice. You get a stable basis, and have some cash left over in your pocket for including on some new components or gear.

Let’s be frank, that’s one of many biggest appeals and advantages of the AR platform — the modularity and limitless customization potential that the rifle’s design and interchangeable elements current to customers. I’ve constructed (and torn again down) greater than my share of AR-15’s over time, so I used to be thrilled when Mike Humphries, editor-in-chief of The Armory Life, reached out to me with a possibility.

“Would you be serious about taking a SAINT 5.56mm and kitting it out with a choice of Midwest Industries, Inc. gear?”, he requested. Evidently, I jumped on the likelihood as I’m an enormous fan of their merchandise.

Sourcing In…

Per the corporate’s web site, “Midwest Industries (MI) was based in 2003 by two companions within the precision machining trade, united by a lifelong perception in American-made merchandise, American values, and the Second Modification.”

original saint rifle before upgrades — The writer used a SAINT 5.56mm as the muse for his customized AR construct with the Midwest components.

Whereas their product line has developed to incorporate elements and equipment for quite a lot of platforms and for a big selection of manufacturers, they received their begin with AR components. And it was in that part I used to be wanting. My purpose was to make the most of the strengths of the core SAINT platform, but additionally check out some fascinating enhancements for it from Midwest.

After quantity of analysis on their website (and a substantial amount of enjoyable doing it), I chosen the next components for this challenge:

Drop-In 3.5-Lb. Single-Stage Flat Set off
Enhanced Black Nitride Bolt Provider Group
Fight Rifle Sight Set
Fight Rail One-Piece Free-Float M-LOK Handguard
Low-Profile Gasoline Block
Two-Chamber Muzzle Brake

Now, earlier than we go any additional, I wish to level out that the SAINT comes outfitted and able to exit of the field with virtually each characteristic you want. In reality, I extremely advocate the SAINT line to my family and friends, having personally gifted just a few rifles to a number of the folks closest to me.

I’ve personally entrusted the SAINT line and Springfield Armory as a model for house protection, for competitions just like the Tactical Video games, and for coaching all through the years. So, the underside line is the gun doesn’t actually want any of those modifications. However, I’m a tinkerer, and it’s not all the time about what we want, is it?

midwest industries parts upgrades — The SAINT rifle proved to be straightforward to interrupt down and prep for the construct with all the brand new Midwest components.

So, what knowledgeable my selections? I chosen some elements, just like the Midwest Industries handguard and the flat-faced drop-in set off, out of non-public and stylistic preferences. For instance, whereas I actually do like the looks of the B5 Techniques SAINT’s commonplace M-Lok handguard, I desire M-Lok throughout as a lot floor space on an AR’s handguard as I can get for equipment. There have been additionally another tweaks I needed to make.

The precise mannequin of SAINT I used to be working with for this construct got here from the manufacturing facility with the A2-style entrance sight/gasoline block system. Once more, I’m a fan of the long-lasting and basic look of the A2-style sight, however in observe on the vary or for a house protection platform, it wouldn’t be my traditional desire when equipping an AR at this time.

As I’d be together with the Midwest Industries’ Fight Rifle Sight Set on this construct, I selected to swap out this factory-installed system for the Midwest Low-Profile Gasoline Block, which additionally accommodates the Midwest Fight Rail One-Piece Free-Float M-Lok Handguard I had chosen.

Midwest Industries’ status for high quality is well-known within the firearms neighborhood.

As for the set off, I used to be very curious to check out Midwest Industries Drop-In 3.5-Lb. Single-Stage Flat Set off with included anti-walk pins, as I desire a flat set off nowadays. Don’t get me flawed, the usual SAINT’s factory-installed nickel boron-coated curved set off is a stable system, however bear in mind, we’re tinkering right here. Additionally, I completely love the Modular Match Set off that’s in my SAINT Edge, and I needed to really feel how the Midwest drop-in set off in contrast.

I used to be additionally curious to see how a lot the sizable Midwest Two-Chamber Muzzle Brake would assist tamper down muzzle rise in comparison with the traditional A2 flash suppressor on the SAINT. And lastly, I chosen the Midwest Enhanced Black Nitride Bolt Provider Group. This one was extra of an “apples to apples” comparability, and I used to be curious how it might carry out.

The Construct

For individuals who have constructed AR’s from a wide range of aftermarket elements, you most likely know that in idea every little thing ought to match collectively with out an excessive amount of bother. However, as with every little thing, it’s all the time good to watch out and cautious. I’m certain lots of you will have realized in the course of the course of constructing AR’s that “Mil-Spec” doesn’t all the time translate to “precision tolerances”, however that components are produced inside an accepted vary of tolerances.

installing new gas system in saint rifle — Putting in the brand new low-profile gasoline block from Midwest on the SAINT barrel was an easy and easy course of.

One of many main advantages of choosing nearly all of elements from a single producer, notably a extremely respected and high-quality producer that precision machines and high quality checks their elements like as Midwest Industries, is that you’ve got a a lot larger likelihood of finishing a profitable construct with none points. And doing the identical with the bottom rifle — choosing a good producer like Springfield — can be a sound transfer.

Hitting the gun bench, the construct was truthfully one of many smoothest I’ve ever undertaken. This was partially due to the aforementioned precision-machined elements from Midwest Industries merely becoming and pairing fantastically with the SAINT’s high quality elements. My efforts have been additionally tremendously aided all through the method by having a collection of Actual Avid’s distinctive gunsmithing instruments on the bench with which to work.

After visually and bodily inspecting and security checking the chamber to make sure there was no ammo within the rifle, I broke down the SAINT and eliminated the whole higher meeting from the decrease. Beginning my work on the higher, I eliminated the clamshell-style M-Lok handguard, which was comparatively straightforward.

The Actual Avid Accu-Punch Grasp Set got here in useful when punching the pins out of the A2 pinned gasoline block/sight system. The Actual Avid Grasp Gun Vise with the articulating jaw and Grasp-Match Crowfoot Wrench Set was a blessing to have readily available to then take away the Delta Ring so I may acquire entry to the uncovered barrel.

Putting in the brand new Midwest Low-Profile Gasoline Block in alignment with the gasoline port within the 12 o’clock place on the barrel went easily. Becoming the included barrel nut over the barrel and mating it with the higher offered no problem, after which sliding the Midwest “Fight Rail” over the barrel and in alignment with the SAINT’s higher was a really clean operation.

installing the midwest industries trigger in the saint rifle — Because of the standard of the bottom SAINT rifle and the Midwest components, the customized construct challenge ran fairly easily for the writer.

From there, I dropped the Midwest Enhanced Black Nitride Bolt Provider Group into the higher with ease, and after verifying headspace ensured I used to be good to go. The final touches for the higher improve included threading on the Midwest Two-Chamber Muzzle Brake and putting in the sturdy and easy-to-manipulate Fight Rifle Sight Set, which was so simple as placing them into the right place on the highest rail and turning the screws. These phosphated low-profile metal sights have been fairly spectacular and well-made.

With my efforts on the higher accomplished, I turned my consideration to the set up of the Midwest Drop-In 3.5-Lb. Single-Stage Flat Set off. When eradicating a set off in an AR, all the time put on eye safety and maintain a magnetic dish for small components readily available when working with components below rigidity.

Putting in the drop-in set off was very straightforward. Because the identify implies, it drops into place. After the set off and housing have been dropped in, I reinstalled the security after which put in the included “anti-walk” pins utilizing the 2 included Allen keys that can help you torque down the pins on both sides concurrently. I added a little bit of included orange thread locker for extra safety.

Full Bundle

Connecting the newly revamped higher and decrease gave me a rifle that appeared acquainted and glossy, and likewise appeared as a hybrid that match someplace between the SAINT Victor and Edge rifles, with the Midwest Industries elements bringing it collectively in a brand new really feel all of its personal. The rifle appeared implausible, but it surely was time to place it to the one take a look at that really issues: Does it run?

range testing the midwest industries parts — The writer ran the reconfigured rifle on the vary and was impressed with the efficiency of the bottom gun in addition to the Midwest components.

I loaded up the truck and took off to the vary. Loading up mags with Remington UMC ammo, I stepped as much as the firing line, assured that my gasoline port alignment was true, my torque settings have been utilized correctly, and that no “jiggle” or “wiggle” can be felt throughout firing.

Taking intention, flipping off the security and urgent the newly put in Midwest Industries drop-in set off, I used to be delighted that the gun ran — and ran extraordinarily effectively. Generally, it felt nearly as good as my SAINT Edge when it comes to responsiveness and rock-solid construct traits.

I ran half a dozen mags by it and loved it completely. The brake completely crushed the perceived recoil and diminished muzzle rise, the set off was nice, and most significantly to me — if just for my very own insecurity as an novice gunsmith — it had no points or malfunctions in any way.

Conclusion

I’m completely satisfied to report that with the Midwest Industries elements I chosen, I obtained precisely what I hoped for throughout this construct with the SAINT rifle. I can wholeheartedly say that after this construct I belief the standard and functionality of Midwest Industries elements in equal measure to the SAINT rifle, and would advocate this firm to anybody looking for distinctive elements for an improve or full construct themselves.

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