ARTV Preview: The Springfield Armory M1A/M14 ; CrossBreed ST2 IWB Holster ; Springfield Armory M1911

by
posted on August 25, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
In this week's episode of American Rifleman TV, we take a look at the history and development of the Springfield Armory M1A and M14 line of match and service rifles introduced in the late 1950s. Reviewed this week is the CrossBreed Holsters Hybrid ST2 IWB holster for concealed carry constructed of both leather and Kydex. In 1911 the U.S. Army officially adopted the John Browning semi-automatic handgun design, the Model of 1911 in .45 ACP. A provision was added into the production contract with Colt where plans and schematics were shared with the U.S. Springfield Armory for M1911 production, which is one of the rarer manufactures of M1911 service pistols..

Shooting a more recent production Springfield Armory M1A, the semi-automatic version of the M14.
Shooting a more recent production Springfield Armory M1A, the semi-automatic version of the M14.

The M14 service rifle debuted in 1959 as a select-fire magazine-fed adaptation of John Garand's design. The M14 was the U.S. standard issue service rifle for a short time before being overshadowed by the M16 in the 1967. The M14 has continued to see service to this day in more limited roles, particularly as a marksman rifle. Springfield Armory produces a semi-automatic version of the M14, the M1A, which still holds a place in long-range semi-automatic match and NRA high-power rifle competition.

The CrossBreed Hybrid ST2 IWB holster in the color options of black and brown leather.
The CrossBreed Hybrid ST2 IWB holster in the color options of black and brown leather.
   
CrossBreed Holsters has earned a reputation for comfortable concealed carry through its hybrid holsters constructed of hand-fit Kydex pockets and premium cow-hide or horse-hide leather backers. One of the flagship lines of the holsters offered by CrossBreed is the ST2 series of inside-the-waste-band holsters, which can be configured to the user's preference. The use of Kydex for the pocket insures the holster securely retains the pistol while the leather backers provide comfort to the user. 

An example of a U.S. Springfield Armory produced Model of 1911 service pistol.
An example of a U.S. Springfield Armory produced Model of 1911 service pistol.

When the U.S. Army contracted Colt to produce the semi-automatic Model of 1911 service pistol after its adoption, a provision was inserted into the contract that the company provide drawings and production schematics to the U.S. arsenal of Springfield Armory to also produce it. The U.S. government did not want to put all the demand of manufacture for the new pistol on one manufacturer. This resulted in one of the less common manufactures of the M1911 service pistols seen today, marked with Springfield Armory stamps.    

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Ruger American Gen2 Patrol 1
Ruger American Gen2 Patrol 1

Review: Ruger American Gen II Patrol

Ruger's American rifle line represents a good balance between cost and performance, and the latest generation offers many welcome upgrades, as seen on this Gen II Patrol model in 5.56 NATO.

SOG Knives Celebrates 40 Years in Business

SOG Knives, which was established by Spencer Frazer in 1986, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.

The History of Repeating Arms Gun-Control Groups Don’t Want the Courts to Know

This episode of NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast refutes one of the biggest false claims gun-control groups and the politicians they support repeat ad nauseam by asserting that the Founding Fathers could not have imagined the AR-15.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Kuna

Initially designed by Croatian manufacturer HS Produkt to fulfill a military contract, the Kuna has since arrived on U.S. shores through Springfield Armory as a semi-automatic, large-format handgun chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.

All-American AK: The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-47

North Carolina’s Bear Creek Arsenal makes AR-15s, 10/22s and handguns, but new for 2026, it is introducing its first AK-pattern firearm with the BC-47.

Review: TNW Firearms ASR 1911

Reliable pistol-caliber carbines, especially with quick-caliber-change capability, are fun, and the ASR 1911 from TNW Firearms is one of the most unique of the bunch.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.