What's wrong with the Sig 556?

[nwilliams]

The problem is Sig took the sexy rifle that was the 55X series, and turned it into the botched AR15 abortion that is the 556 . I am sick of seeing AR telestocks on non AR guns. The 556 could have and should have a sidefolder. Also factory iron sights, as well as standard non-railed handguards would be nice. I have grown tired of all firearms manufacturers having the "how many rails can we fit on it, and how tacticool can we make it" contest.

Amen to that!

Although to be honest I certainly won't say that a 556 will never be a memeber of my gun family, but I won't rush out and buy a new one for $1300. Overtime as these begin to hit the market used for less money, I'll be more likely to consider one.

I think also if alternate handgaurd and stock options come start being produced I'll be more tempted. If someone started making handgaurds that were a little sleeker and option to replace the telescopic stock with fixed or folding stock I would be more interested.

If I could modify a 556 to look more like this (without using Photoshop to do it) I would buy one in a second.

 

[Correia]

The main problem with the Sig? They can't deliever them fast enough to the dealers.

I've sold three so far. The people who've bought them have reported nothing but good. One of them is very pleased with the accuracy. I'm waiting for like 8 more right now.

I'll agree with El T on the grip. It is too short, and it abrades your 2nd finger if you're holding it for very long. They're changing that to a new one.

The people who talk the most about how awesome the 550 and 551 is in comparison, usually haven't ever actually shot one. The stock on the original? Eh... It looked cool, and it folded. Whoop. For actual practical use the telestock makes more sense. But what do I know, I actually like to shoot the hell out of my guns, and not just talk about how pretty they are.

They did it wrong though. The stock tube is not milspec size, so aftermarket stocks like the Magpul or the Vltor don't fit. I've not checked to see if the threads are the same size to swap out a milspec tube, and also if it will take a single point sling adapter there.

Overall, I'm going to buy one. Yes, yes, I know that it costs more than such and such brand AR. But I already have ARs, and AKs, and I had an XCR. I still look forward to getting the Sig.

 

[col_tapiocca]

Quote:
NOTE: These are all SigArms, NOT Sig Sauer products..........

SIG (Schweizerische Industie Gesellschaft) Swiss Industial Company.
don't make fire arms anymore.
The new company in Switzerland named SAN SWISS ARMS AG
Link: http://www.sigarms.ch/
Producer of Swiss army assault rifle. Still swiss quality

SigArms = subsidiary of SAN swiss arm in the USA. Make stuff for US market with US labor and material.

SigSauer = Are German, they only make Pistol. SigSauer P22x

 

[accomplice]

You can put the sleek, 551 hand guards on the 556. Many folks have 556s set up that way. One of the first two that I bought got the 551 treatment. The 556 that I just bought a week ago is getting an Ace side folder. The commercial stock on the 556 can be yanked in favor of any mil spec AR tube & stock option.

 

[phaed]

the issues that i've heard so far:

-canted rails on low serial numbers.
-a batch that made it through without any stamping on metal pieces besides serial #.
-accuracy issues
-handguard doesn't fit correctly (people crack them during reassembly)
-differently toned uppers
-loose stock that doesn't use first or last positions
-charging handle causes scratched fingers if larger optics are used on the rail
-front heavy

i have one. it has the stamping missing, and i don't really like the stock. it has no accuracy issues. i love the way it shoots and feels. it's MUCH easier to maintain than an AR-15/M-16 (i'm a U.S. Army soldier since 1990), and i suspect much more reliable (unproven). basically the bolt remains very clean compared to an AR. if the gas tube gets too gunked up, you turn a switch to adjust the pressure and she keeps on firing until your next cleaning. there are also fewer parts on the bolt with less complex operation.

 

[ancient_philosophy]

im shocked nobody has mentioned SEVERE reliability problems.....i cant count on 2 hands the people who have reported the gun to be a JAM O MATIC


cant keep em in stock???? local dealer has three...........NOBODY is buying them....theve been there now for almost 2 months.

why? because far too many reports of reliability problems.

B: its no improvement over the AR15, except the piston....which is hardly a consideration.

99% of all 556's sold is from the "i gotta own one cause its new and ill be the 1st on my block to have one" folks.

 

[hrgrisso]

Custom 556

I've heard a few people mention the mods to the 556 about the 55x handguards folding stocks etc. So my simple question is this.

WHERE?!?!

I can't find anyone carrying aftermarket 55X series parts that I could swap them out on my 556 for. I prefer putting aftermarket sights on my AR's so I don't care about that.

I don't own a 556, YET! I've shot one, loved it and I'll be coming back for my own.

 

[accomplice]

I've read most 556 related posts on most of the gun boards since the 556 has come out and I have yet to see a post from a single owner of a 556 saying that they've had any reliability issues let alone "severe reliability problems" can you post links to some of those threads?

"im shocked nobody has mentioned SEVERE reliability problems.....i cant count on 2 hands the people who have reported the gun to be a JAM O MATIC


cant keep em in stock???? local dealer has three...........NOBODY is buying them....theve been there now for almost 2 months.

why? because far too many reports of reliability problems.

B: its no improvement over the AR15, except the piston....which is hardly a consideration.

99% of all 556's sold is from the "i gotta own one cause its new and ill be the 1st on my block to have one" folks."

 

[Correia]

Ancient, okay. Please post your dealer's name, that has had these for a couple months. Put me in touch and I'll buy them today.

I've got customers waiting.

 

[Outlaws]

I handled one at a local shop a few weeks back. The cheese grater front stock didn't seem all that uncomfortable for the few moments I held it. The telescoping butt stock I recall needed to be fully extended for me, but fit me well at that length. The new Magpul UBR or PRS would be an awesome replacement if they fit. The trigger was just awesome...reminded me of an MP5 style pull and just felt good and clean. The action was fun to work.

But I didn't hold it for an extended period of time, and more importantly, I didn't actually shoot the thing. They wanted $1500 and that was not going to happen. But overall I liked it.

I can't speak for fit and finish because that is not something I look at too closely when all the main areas appear good.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Canted rails on low serial numbers? Nope. I was going to buy the first 556 my dealer got in. Two months ago he got one in and called me. I went there with money in hand, then I saw the rifle. Terrible. The rail was seriously canted to the left. The rail itself is an obvious after thought. Good luck with that charging handle and an EOTech sight.

The front handguards are garbage. They have stubby rails on them, but the handguards move around with very little pressure.

The gun I inspected and rejected was a recent manufacture and had the all black finish.

No thanks, I'll pass.

 

[Eightball]

FWIW, while at a gun store today, I ran into a SIG rep--he said that they're working on both fixing any problems with the design, and with working on a version of the rifle that comes from the factory with earlier 55x series furniture.

So, yeah, hold your breath--they're working on it.

 

[Sniper 1500]

What a bunch of haters!!

I had to register just so I could post a reply to all the mis-informed haters, working on hearsay and what they read on other boards [primarily ones that are giddy about their AR's].

As an owner of a Colt AR-15 [10+ years] and a new Sig 556, I can't figure out how there are so many who feel so qualified to comment on a 556, based on the impression they got from holding one at the local gun shop. Most I would bet have not handled one more than 5 minutes, let alone spent any time on the range with one.

Well I have and my initial impressions are this. Appearance is in the eye of the beholder, so enough about what you think they look like. Mine SHOOTS GREAT!! No problems to report so far. I have only had enough time for 500 rounds in the three weeks I've owned it, but it has performed FLAWLESSLY with every type of ammunition I have tried. I have installed an Aimpoint Comp M2 with an Aimpoint 3x Magnifier and accuracy in my tests at practical distances of 10-100 yards has been excellent! The factory 2 stage trigger is great and I think the fact I can use my existing AR mags is smart design.

Now to my ONLY complaint thus far...my B.U.I.S. is on its way, but I'm still on the waiting list for the front sight. I agree that a rifle in this price range should ship with sights...I had mine for almost a week before I could even shoot it while I waited for my optics and mounts to arrive.

As far as it not living up to the 55x's legacy...we'll see, its a little early to judge that. I would love to have heard some impressions of the M16/AR's when they were just released. They have been refined into what they are today over the last 40+ years!!!

More to follow after another couple thousand rounds.

 

[Correia]

Yeah, I'm still waiting for the name of that dealer that can't sell his.

I'll be glad to take them off his hands.

 

[Warbow]

Yeah, I'm still waiting for the name of that dealer that can't sell his.

I'll be glad to take them off his hands.

I think he was banned, so you're out of luck.

 

[Therapydude]

I've had my 556 for about a month now; no reliability problems to report. The way a firearm feels is a very subjective thing. When I first picked up a 556 at my local gun shop, it just felt right for me. I love the trigger, feel so-so about the stock. For optics, I chose an Eotech 512 with a GG&G accucam. Granted, the width of the Eotech does make it a little bit difficult to cycle the action. As easy as it is to remove the bolt carrier operating handle, I could definitely see an extended version as a viable after-market accessory. Field stripping the rifle is relatively easy and makes cleaning much less laborious than on my AR (I replaced the front pivot screw with an Aurora pin to make disassembly easier). I have a Magpul commercial CTR on its way to me right now. I've heard some people swapping out the buffer tube for a mil-spec version for the CTR. I'm hoping that the commercial stock will fit the rifle as-is. I've heard mixed reports on this, though. In all honesty, I usually don't purchase brand new models of firearms, but I had an opportunity to trade for the 556. So far, I have no regrets in that trade.

 

[atblis]

I am sure it was said

It's too expensive!

The problem is Sig took the sexy rifle that was the 55X series, and turned it into the botched AR15 abortion that is the 556 . I am sick of seeing AR telestocks on non AR guns. The 556 could have and should have a sidefolder. Also factory iron sights, as well as standard non-railed handguards would be nice. I have grown tired of all firearms manufacturers having the "how many rails can we fit on it, and how tacticool can we make it" contest.

Amen

I'll stick to my Daewoos.

 

[TOU]

Slight detour....sorry.

I'll stick to my Daewoos.

Amen to that...man-o-man. About the closest thing to it IMHO is the XCR...but I'm not willing to go there yet and may just pick up a spare DR-200 instead. I do wish they still imported these as I know the aftermarket crew could do a ton for them. It's actually my favorite 5.56 of all time....if we could only get the carbine version eh?! Here is a picture of the one I recently aquired.

 

[accomplice]

Mine got the Ace folder today...

 

[Wes Janson]

The people who talk the most about how awesome the 550 and 551 is in comparison, usually haven't ever actually shot one. The stock on the original? Eh... It looked cool, and it folded. Whoop. For actual practical use the telestock makes more sense. But what do I know, I actually like to shoot the hell out of my guns, and not just talk about how pretty they are.

Yeah, you're probably right Correia, but it still looks damn sexy. I've shot both, and I still think the 550/551 was an all-round more interesting weapon for the features it came with. Since I don't particularly plan on using them extensively in combat, I'd prefer to spend ~$1300 on a rifle that looks halfways decent and is moderately comfortable.

 

[MarshallDodge]

The first one I handled must have been built by someone that's color blind because the fit and finish left a lot to be desired. Sigarms definitely rushed it out the door.

Recently I was in FBMG and handled one that must have been from a newer shipment. Finish was nice and the trigger was awesome. The only thing keeping me from getting one is the price, I have spent too much on guns already this year. Now if I could just get them to grow on trees.....