Project: Break my SIG 556!!
- Thread starter Greg Bell
- Start date
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A trip to the range
Well, I tinkered around with the 556 quite a bit this weekend. I put 300 rounds through her total this week. 200 rounds of Federal 55 grain, and 100 rounds of Monarch. No problems out of any. I was happy to see that my Larue mount held zero so well after being taken off and put back on about 100 times this weekend. It shot perfectly 2.5 inches above zero, which is were it was last week. Although, it must be added, the Monarch ammo is generally less accurate (and about 33% cheaper).
I have not been able to zero my Larue BUIS and Troy front sight. I am at a loss. It shoots left nomatter how far right I moved the rear sight (weird). I am really at a loss.
The 556 hasn’t choked yet, and it shoots as accurately as my AR with cheapo Federal 55 grain and Monarch. The trigger, it must be said, is really, really excellent, and I think that the 556 would be a wonderful gun to set up a “marksman’s rifle” on. When 20 inch barrels become available, I will look into that.
I would also like to find a 552 upper and build an SBR 556.
520 rounds
Monday, May 28, 2007
Well, I tinkered around with the 556 quite a bit this weekend. I put 300 rounds through her total this week. 200 rounds of Federal 55 grain, and 100 rounds of Monarch. No problems out of any. I was happy to see that my Larue mount held zero so well after being taken off and put back on about 100 times this weekend. It shot perfectly 2.5 inches above zero, which is were it was last week. Although, it must be added, the Monarch ammo is generally less accurate (and about 33% cheaper).
I have not been able to zero my Larue BUIS and Troy front sight. I am at a loss. It shoots left nomatter how far right I moved the rear sight (weird). I am really at a loss.
The 556 hasn’t choked yet, and it shoots as accurately as my AR with cheapo Federal 55 grain and Monarch. The trigger, it must be said, is really, really excellent, and I think that the 556 would be a wonderful gun to set up a “marksman’s rifle” on. When 20 inch barrels become available, I will look into that.
I would also like to find a 552 upper and build an SBR 556.
520 rounds
Monday, May 28, 2007
I have really enjoyed my 556 thus far. My next project is to clamp on my Kahles scope and run some match ammo through it.
I would say the 556 is as nice as any Colt AR I have seen. Plus, this gun is basically set-up like a very expensive Colt unobtanium piston gun.
The "problems" with the guns so far have been that some people are mad because the upper and the lower are different shades of black (the lower is aluminum and the upper is steel). This is silly, as this is A. absurdly cosmetic, and B. the nature of military style finishes on differing metals. I guess SIG could have spent a lot of time matching the paint, but I guess they didn't. Damn. The other big problem has been rail "cant." I have seen 6 of these rifles lately and none had cant. Some of the early guns did have this problem. Keep in mind though, the whole problem is really just a mismachined piece of rail bolted on the top of the gun. Not a huge deal.
The gun itself is fine. And keep in mind, the rail on the top is an afterthought, the real 550 does not have one as a standard feature. But, SIG has addressed this and the problem has been going away lately.
Of course, ARs have problems like this all the time. Mismanufactured rails, finish problem, etc. Just sit around ARF.net for a while.
IMHO, SIG made 2 mistakes with this gun. (1) whether or not they came standard, they should have had sights out now or within the first 60 days of putting these guns out; (2) they should have ignored the purists and went with the original ergo grip, so there wouldn't be a gap behind the trigger guard.
None of this should take away from SIGARMS achievement in bringing this rifle to market.
I would say the 556 is as nice as any Colt AR I have seen. Plus, this gun is basically set-up like a very expensive Colt unobtanium piston gun.
The "problems" with the guns so far have been that some people are mad because the upper and the lower are different shades of black (the lower is aluminum and the upper is steel). This is silly, as this is A. absurdly cosmetic, and B. the nature of military style finishes on differing metals. I guess SIG could have spent a lot of time matching the paint, but I guess they didn't. Damn. The other big problem has been rail "cant." I have seen 6 of these rifles lately and none had cant. Some of the early guns did have this problem. Keep in mind though, the whole problem is really just a mismachined piece of rail bolted on the top of the gun. Not a huge deal.
The gun itself is fine. And keep in mind, the rail on the top is an afterthought, the real 550 does not have one as a standard feature. But, SIG has addressed this and the problem has been going away lately.
Of course, ARs have problems like this all the time. Mismanufactured rails, finish problem, etc. Just sit around ARF.net for a while.
IMHO, SIG made 2 mistakes with this gun. (1) whether or not they came standard, they should have had sights out now or within the first 60 days of putting these guns out; (2) they should have ignored the purists and went with the original ergo grip, so there wouldn't be a gap behind the trigger guard.
None of this should take away from SIGARMS achievement in bringing this rifle to market.
Bob R
Member
#3. Not anticipating the demand and rolling it out before they were ready to meet demand, and not being able to ramp up production to meet demand.
bob
Eightball
Member
Hey, Greg--two questions for you, that are actually of utmost importance to me and a buddy (helps determine what he buys):
1. How does the trigger of the 556 compare to, say, a stock "from the factory" regular AR trigger (weirdly longish stiff trigger pull)? To an AR "match" trigger (breaking a glass rod)?
2. What MOA have you been able to consistantly achieve? I know you say it's a consistant 2.5" above POA @ 100, but the MOA of THAT group is what I need to know.
Reason being, a buddy and I shot a Colt HBAR 20" (standard factory non-match trigger); He and I was disapointed with the trigger, and it only managed to get a 3" group @100, as compared to the .75' we were getting with my buddy's Weatherby (just to prove that yes, I DO know how to shoot, and yes, I CAN make rifles do sub-MOA, so don't say "you weren't shooting the AR right"). There's a place that has the 556 on sale for abouts 1,099, and it's looking mighty tempting for my buddy, but would like to know how it stacks up to that sadly-performing HBAR.
1. How does the trigger of the 556 compare to, say, a stock "from the factory" regular AR trigger (weirdly longish stiff trigger pull)? To an AR "match" trigger (breaking a glass rod)?
2. What MOA have you been able to consistantly achieve? I know you say it's a consistant 2.5" above POA @ 100, but the MOA of THAT group is what I need to know.
Reason being, a buddy and I shot a Colt HBAR 20" (standard factory non-match trigger); He and I was disapointed with the trigger, and it only managed to get a 3" group @100, as compared to the .75' we were getting with my buddy's Weatherby (just to prove that yes, I DO know how to shoot, and yes, I CAN make rifles do sub-MOA, so don't say "you weren't shooting the AR right"). There's a place that has the 556 on sale for abouts 1,099, and it's looking mighty tempting for my buddy, but would like to know how it stacks up to that sadly-performing HBAR.
bl4ckd0g
Member
Go feed it a steady diet of old Wolf lacquered ammo on a minimal cleaning schedule then get back to us.
The SIG trigger is much, much better than a stock AR. Some won't like the take-up, but the trigger breaks cleanly and is quite light. Also, the reset is short and positive.
I have not measured them yet, BUT, I should have some comparison info for you this weekend. I just got a mount for my 2-7 power Kahles scope, which will allow me to test my 556 for accuracy.
Rokman
Member
I saw one of those at Sportsmans Warehouse for $1250.00. Is that a competitive price?
Eightball
Member
Awesome timing.
How much take up IS there, compared to an AR trigger? And, how many pounds of pull to tip it off?
Do a "glock style" test on it and then I'll be impressed. Until then, this is just a normal shooting regimen. 
I know of a guy who put 5k rounds through a Bushmaster AR without cleaning, without any problems whatsoever. It's not that impressive a benchmark of quality, IMO.
I know of a guy who put 5k rounds through a Bushmaster AR without cleaning, without any problems whatsoever. It's not that impressive a benchmark of quality, IMO.
cslinger
Member
I have lots of praise for my 556 but I must say that my ARs in 1 in 9 twist shoot lighter ammo 40-55 grain more accurately then my 556. My 556 does good enough for gov. work but seems to need heavier ammo to shine.
Chris.
Chris.
MarshallDodge
Member
Greg, I have been following your thread and appreciate the info and the feedback on how the gun is doing.
I handled a 556 at a gunshop a few months ago and was very unimpressed with the fit, finish, and trigger. Today I was at another gunshop and handled a newly arrived 556 and it was much nicer and I really like the trigger.
The trigger reminded me of the one on my M1 Garand, alot of very light takeup and then just enough weight to stop it for the second stage.
I think a 556 is in my future.
I handled a 556 at a gunshop a few months ago and was very unimpressed with the fit, finish, and trigger. Today I was at another gunshop and handled a newly arrived 556 and it was much nicer and I really like the trigger.
The trigger reminded me of the one on my M1 Garand, alot of very light takeup and then just enough weight to stop it for the second stage.
I think a 556 is in my future.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
You might try feeding the rifle better ammo to get an idea of its accuracy capability (and larger group sizes - say ten rounds). Federal 55gr is pretty much 3-4MOA ammo no matter how nice a rifle you fire it out of... the same rifle that did this 5rd group:
also shot about a 3.5" 15rd group of Federal XM193PD on the same day.
also shot about a 3.5" 15rd group of Federal XM193PD on the same day.
MisterPX
Member
200 rounds a week is your idea of a torture test/break my rifle?
Do something like 15K rounds no cleaning, tossing your rifle into water, and whipping it across a field.
Do something like 15K rounds no cleaning, tossing your rifle into water, and whipping it across a field.
kcmarine
Member
Throw it into a bag of sand. Pour in water. Leave it there for a month. Go to the range, load some Wolf, and go through 1000 rounds with no more than 3 seconds in between firing.
Autolycus
Member
So Greg Bell, I have to ask as others have asked, do you like to break everything you buy?
Have fun. I am buying my first rifle soon and will watch this eagerly.
Have fun. I am buying my first rifle soon and will watch this eagerly.
bl4ckd0g
Member
If you run out of ways to break your SIG 556, I'll offer to run it over w/ my F250.
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