Springfield’s EVAC and takedowns in general

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Y’know, in just about ever sample of survivalist fiction there is that scene where the hero is forced into some situation where all that stands between him and obliteration is whatever goodies he craftily packed away for just such an eventuality. For people who envision this sort of scenario, Springfield announced the appropriately named ‘Evac’ takedown AR ‘pistol’.

Takedown AR’s arent really anything new. Heck, for a little while even Ruger was making one. But, as best I can tell, this is the first time someone has mated the takedown capability to an AR ‘pistol’. (And, yeah, air-quotes around pistol because we’re all adults here and know whats really going on.)

For some reason I have always been fascinated with takedown guns….some guns are inherently takedown, like the Thompson Contenders, and some are purpose built, like the Ruger 10/22 Takedowns. But, for some reason, they’ve always had an appeal to me.

I suspect that a gun such as this one Springfield is introducing will have a major attraction to the person who has to work in a …unpermissive…environment but wants to have the option of something with a bit more horsepower than a pistol if things go south. Imagine, for example, the guy working in an office in L.A. when the Rodney King riots started. Be nice to be able to reach into the bottom drawer of your desk, pull out a little PDW and have something to keep around ‘just in case’.

Would I buy one? I dunno. Dealer on them is showing about $1500 which makes it about the same price as a PTR MP5K copy (which, with a sidefolder ‘brace’ might be a handier option), and is twice the price of a similarly configured CZ Evo. Honestly, at some point I suspect Ruger will make a version of the 9mm PC takedown with a 10″ barrel and a folder ‘brace’ which would be pretty sweet.(And if Ruger doesnt pick up the ball and run with that idea I am sure the aftermarket will at some point.) .223 out of a stubby barrel like that doesn’t really offer any tremendous advantage, in my opinion, over a 9mm carbine in that same barrel length.

Interestingly, if you can be serious for a moment and not reflexively dismiss it, the .22LR guns that are out these days have some potential for being a super-subcompact PDW-style tool. Ruger makes a takedown version of the Charger pistol and with the right combination of parts you can make a pretty compact little gun that still has the utility to keep people from charging up the stairwell to your office. And 1000 rounds of ammo fits in your briefcase.

When it comes to guns, it often (but not always) does not pay to be an early adopter. While the Springfield Evac looks interesting I’ll wait a little while for some actual shooting reviews to come out, and for the inevitable bugs to be worked out. But…I like where Springfields head is at.

 

17 thoughts on “Springfield’s EVAC and takedowns in general”

  2. SOCOM testing has shown a drastic dropoff in reliability when 5.56 barrel length is less than 11.5. Springfield would have done better to use a round designed for shorter barrels. 300BLK anyone?

  3. With a slew of good options in 9mm that cost a lot less than the Springfield, I don’t see the point of this.

    • Well, I suppose there’s a logistical attraction…same ammo, mags, and parts compatibility with your main carbine.

  4. I worry about critical small parts being exposed. A CZ Scorpion or a folding stock AKM gets pretty small.

    Or for that matter take down an AR and it will get into a tennis racket bag.

  5. The Ruger takedown SR-556 with it’s piston instead of DI gas system has become my favorite AR. Broken down, it’s not much bigger than the Springfield.

  6. It is all interesting. But the rule is to always have a gun. The one you have is always better than the one you don’t have. None are perfect just some are marginally better than others. The gun you have in your pocket is always better than the gun in your glove compartment. End of story.

  8. This is nice, but I’ll stick with my Ruger 1022TD.

    For those who would dismiss the .22LR, consider this. 75% of the Russain soldiers killed during the Chechen wars, died from wounds inflicted by the .22LR and that the majority of wet work carried out by various intelligence organizations like the Mossad is done with the .22LR. The .22LR is quiet, the soft lead makes ballistics all but impossible and you can carry a heck of a lot more .22LR than .223/5.56…

  9. Dawg gone it, it would be nice if FIXED pistol stocks would be legalized. One of those telescoping stocks on a Glock of your choice would give you options – pistol or carbine. A small red dot sight on that little booger would sweeten the pot.

  10. I like it. However, as noted above by CZ and others, the 5.56 chambering doesn’t do a lot for you at that barrel length. I’d be interested in a .40 caliber version of the platform.

    Regards

  11. A major problem with those short barrels is the muzzle blast. Going from 20″ to 16″ is painful outside, and horrendous inside. The shorter ones are stunning without ear protection, and lots of it. Consider them to be the equivalent of firing a belt of flash-bangs inside your home.

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