Springfield SAINT Edge PDW: 2020 Reader’s Choice for ‘Best AR Pistol’

The end of Ballistic’s Best 2020 Reader’s Choice voting means the winners are here. We’re up to the “Best AR-15 Pistol” category.

2020 Reader’s Choice for “Best AR-15 Pistol”

The nominees for our 2020 Reader’s Choice “Best AR-15 Pistol” were:

• BCM RECCE-11 MCMR
• CMMG Banshee MK4
• Daniel Defense DDM4 V7
• Falkor Phantom
• Rock River Arms RUK-15
• SIG Sauer SIGM400 TREAD
• Springfield Armory SAINT Edge PDW
• Wilson Combat Protector
• ZEV Technologies CORE Elite

Before we get to the winner, here are all of the categories in our 2020 Reader’s Choice voting:

• Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
• Compact Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
• 1911 — Winner Here
• Revolver (DA/SA .357 Magnum) — Winner Here
• Tactical Pump Shotgun — Winner Here
• AR-15 Pistol
• Semi-Auto AR-15 Rifle — Winner Here
• Semi-Auto AR-10 Rifle — Winner Here
• Bolt-Action Rifle (6.5 Creedmoor) — Winner Here

In total, there were 12,569 votes for the “Best AR-15 Pistol” category. Grabbing 45.27 percent of the vote, the winner is the Springfield Armory SAINT Edge PDW.

Springfield SAINT Edge PDW Details

Here’s what our experts had to say about the PDW in their testing for the 2020 issue of Ballistic’s Best:

“Four out of the nine guns are marked at what I consider average pricing for AR pistols, between $1,500 and $1,800 MSRP.

“The gun that really stood out in this price range was the Springfield Saint Edge PDW. I have been a huge fan of this gun since I first laid eyes on it at SHOT Show. Springfield really got innovative and stepped outside the box with this thing. The PDW was the only gun tested that utilized the Maxim Defense SCW brace, which collapses down so far that the gun is only 18.75 inches long when collapsed. Even extended, this pistol is shorter than most on the market when they are collapsed at under 24 inches in total length. The Reptilia CQG grip along with the 20-round Magpul PMag keeps the height of the gun down also. However, with these unique features comes a shorter BCG and recoil assembly.”

Springfield Armory SAINT Edge PDW Specs

• Caliber: 5.56mm
• Barrel: 5.5 inches
• Overall Length: 18.75 inches
• Overall Weight: 5.5 pounds (empty)
• Brace: Maxim Defense SCW
• Sights: None
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Finish: Hardcoat anodized
• Capacity: 20+1
• MSRP: $1,777

Also, if you want to see all of the official winners, grab a copy of Ballistic’s Best 2020. Both print and digital subs are available now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.