Springfield Saint Victor Pistol Review: A Proficient 5.56 AR Pistol

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Over the last few years, I’ve managed to work my way through the majority of the Saint line. From the Saint Edge to the Saint Victor PCC and down to the base model Saint chambered in 5.56, I’ve had a blast testing them.

Some of them I’ve purchased, some were loaned to me, and some were sent out to review by Springfield (like this Saint Victor Pistol was), and I have to admit that out of them all…this one is my favorite.

It checks almost every box that I would expect and look for in an intermediate-level AR-15, and given its shorter barrel, it makes it that much more versatile to transition from the range to your home defense firearm with ease.

We typically strive to put a minimum of 300-400 rounds through a firearm before reviewing, but this one has been a ton of fun, and I’m sitting just over the 500 mark at the time of writing this. I’m assuming that will be much higher by the time some of you read this!

In case you missed our first look and impressions article, which we published a little over a month ago, here is a recap of the pistol’s features as it came from the factory.

At the heart of the pistol is a direct impingement gas system featuring an adjustable gas block and an HPT/MPI-tested BCG, which ensures optimal reliability.

The 11.5-inch CMV barrel allows you to still realize solid performance from your ammunition while being short enough to maneuver around tight corners with ease.

Springfield went with a B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip and trigger guard, then finished the furniture with an SB Tactical SBA3 brace.

Thankfully, there is also an ambidextrous 45-degree safety selector, which is one less thing you’ll have to change (I always suggest an ambi safety even if you’re right-handed).

The pistol also comes with Springfield’s flip-up sights and, of course, a 30-round PMAG. A nice surprise was the small handstop that came pre-installed. With the shorter barrel, I always appreciate a hand stop.

As I mentioned, I just crossed the 500-round mark before sitting down to write this review, and I’m happy to report that I haven’t had a single failure.

From crappy steel case ammo to budget-friendly PMC Bronze to a wide variety of more premium Hornady offerings (Black, Varmint Express, and Superformance Varmint), it happily ate it all.

Pulling back on the Nickel Boron coated trigger reveals a nice crisp break and relatively quick reset, just like many of the other Saints. It’s a smooth pull that’s very consistent and repeatable, which helps keep your follow-up shots on target.

I would have preferred a flat trigger like the Saint Victor 9mm Pistol has, but this one definitely gets the job done without complaints.

From shooting within defensive distances indoors to letting the Saint stretch its legs a bit outdoors, it not only ran like a champ but proved its accuracy quickly and easily.

I worked to dial in the flip-up sights in case my optic ever failed, and once I installed the Holosun AEMS, I had no problem quickly transitioning between several randomly placed 6- and 8-inch gongs at around 50 yards.

One thing to note is that the handguard became hot rather quickly, but not to the point of requiring gloves. However, a couple of mag dumps in a row may prove otherwise.

By including things like the flip-up sights, handbrake, and magazine, Springfield does a great job of ensuring the pistol is ready to go out of the box.

I started my testing by keeping the pistol exactly as it came, and I had zero complaints. However, I did choose to make a few changes and additions.

First things first, I added a Holosun AEMS. I almost always run some sort of optic on my firearms, and the AEMS fits the build perfectly. With the multiple reticle options, Solar Failsafe, and Shake Awake technology, it’s a hard optic to beat for the price.

I then replaced the SB3 brace with the newer SBA5.

This was largely a matter of personal preference, but I find the SBA5 to fit much more comfortably in the shoulder, and it makes the overall setup feel much more sturdy. And in my opinion, it looks better too!

Last but certainly not least, I wanted a more substantial handbrake and opted for the Emissary Handbrake X. It features a built-in front and rear barricade stops, and is sized perfectly for a smaller build like this one.

The texturing is fantastic and provides just enough grip without being irritating. I’d definitely recommend trying one out if you want a beefier handstop.

If I had to choose one Saint rifle or pistol, this would be the one I would choose. The versatility is simply unmatched within the line, and it delivers a ton of features at a solid price. Even though you can find some pistols cheaper, they likely don’t come with the upgraded components, furniture, and accessories that the Saint Victor does.

I can envision a few more tweaks in my future for the rifle, such as an ambidextrous charging handle and a weapon light, but aside from those, the main components will likely remain stock.

At the end of the day, the Saint Victor Pistol is positioning itself for some serious market share, and if you’re looking for a reliable and compact 5.56 pistol, I highly suggest you take a look at this one.

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.