Arsenal AK in 5.56 or Sig 556 Classic

Status
Not open for further replies.
I

InkEd

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
2,575
Location
Parts Unknown
I have narrowed it down to these two rifles. (Please no other suggestions)

Which would you guys suggest for just a range toy.

FWIW the AK is about $700 and the Sig is about $1000.
I can't decide if the extra money is worth it.
 
I would go arsenal, Its cheaper, and has the AK reliability. The 5.45's and 5.56's are actually quite accurate too. Plus IMO there is no better looking gun then an AK. Ive been considering an SGL-31 personally.
 
For a range toy, just plinking and blasting downrange, I'd go with the Arsenal - cheaper rifle, cheaper ammo.

For a bit more accuracy, though, the Sig 556 is said to be better. Do you already have an AR? To be honest, I've been wrestling over the 556 classic since they've dropped the price, but between my AKs and ARs, I think I'm pretty well covered.
 
More fun factor with the SIG but the Arsenal is also a good choice. The SIG has come down a lot in price recently so it's a best buy.
 
5.56 AKs are not the most reliable AKs. The main problem is magazines They can be very hit or miss. I am not a hige fan of the Sig 556 but of the 2 it is a better option.
 
5.56 AKs are not the most reliable AKs. The main problem is magazines They can be very hit or miss.
Click to expand...

Only if your buying **** mags. It's circle 10 or nothing...and if you buy circle 10s then you will not likely have any problems.

Both rifles are reliable platforms and a better choice then an AR15 IMHO.
 
Yeah not an AR-15 fan.

I plan to go and fondle them both at the large store in town. They probably won't have any Arsenal AKs but for overall ergos, I think I can get a good enough idea.

I really want to do something in 5.56 but Ive heard about 5.56 AKs not being the best reliablity. Is this a problem with the higher quality ones like the Arsenal or more of a Century Golani type issue?

My concern for the Sig is the magazine release (shoot lefty) being awkward. The AK is very lefty friendly.

Still looking for owner feedback about both guns. Likes and Dislikes?
 
Well definitely not the SIG, to me it looks like an AR/AK hybrid and offers no real advantage over an AR in that price range.

I'd be interested in the Arsenal because I love my 7.62x39 AK but at that price for 5.56mm I'd rather kick in a couple hundred for a good AR. Sorry, I know you don't like them but I do. :D
 
InkEd said:
I really want to do something in 5.56 but Ive heard about 5.56 AKs not being the best reliablity. Is this a problem with the higher quality ones like the Arsenal or more of a Century Golani type issue?
Click to expand...
Well, Century is responsible for this (is that a surprise?).

They shipped thousands of SAR-3s and WASR-3s with East German 5.45x39 magazines that had been painted and had their floorplates stamped ".223".

Unfortunately, it takes more than paint and a stamp set to overcome geometry, as stuffing 5.56x45 cartridges in a 5.45x39 magazine will lead to failure every time.

The above snafu is single-handedly responsible for the ".223 AKs suck" myth floating around, IMHO.

As Gelgoog pointed out, if you use quality magazines designed for .223 ammo, you'll not have any issues.

On another note, statistically 5.56x45 is less reliable in an AK due to the shape of the cartridge. This statistic is interesting, but doesn't effect real-world usage.
 
5.56 AKs are not the most reliable AKs. The main problem is magazines They can be very hit or miss.
Click to expand...
The 556 AK mags were never standardized like the 545 or 762x39 mags were. So they don't all interchange.
Either way if it is an Arsenal you have to use bulgarian spec mags. So cry once and get the nice bulgarian waffle mags. The bulgarian rifles did have teething issues when they came out. The current mags are 3rd generation. Long story short they are much more reliable now.
My 106FR has been a great rifle. I would definitely get another if I didn't have the one I have now.
My concern for the Sig is the magazine release (shoot lefty) being awkward. The AK is very lefty friendly.
Click to expand...
It's pretty easy to work the mag release with your right thumb and strip your mag with your right hand.
 
Sig to the best of my knowledge doesn't give money to Harry Reid. That is enough to sway me apart from any other considerations.

I like AKs but would rather have the Sig. It is the better rifle IMHO. Even if I decided I was going to get an AK over the Sig I wouldn't get the Arsenal.
 
I had a SLR106FR (5.56 Arsenal AK) that I sold only because

1) 7.62x39 ammo is ½ the price of 5.56 ammo.
2) Buddy offered me crazy money for it.

The SLR106FR is a very nice rifle. If I needed another 5.56 rifle it would be high on my list. I agree about only buying the ((10)) mags for it. Other are going to be hit or miss.

My only reason for dismissing the Sig rifle is (from what I've read on the interwebs) is that Sig too a proven military design and tried to see how cheaply they could make it for the US civ market. The SLR106FR is very close (just lacking FA capability) to the rifle Arsenal Bulgaria makes for countries that want 5.56 AK rifles.

BSW
 
Everyone eventually buys a Lemon.
I got a Lemon Sig 556 Patrol Swat. It is at the Sig Shop and it has been there for about 3 weeks. The essential question is why it left the shop Q/C in the condition it was.
Buying a Sig hasn't been a highlight of my Rifle shooting.
I havent got a message back from Sig, but I did get an offer to buy Sig magazines for almost twice what I would pay for a better quality AR magazine.
I left this for the Sig big wigs.

Mr. Lavertu;
I am having serious issues with my Sig 556 and it is currently back with your armorer. I contacted Sig with a list of items for repair and to be honest I'm not your happiest customer right now.
Before sending me an offer that would cause me to spend more money, fix the rifle I had to send back to you that should have never left the factory Q/C.
Thanks
Averageman
 
I personally would get the Sig. It's because I don't have an AK and would want my first to be a traditional AK caliber, such as 7.62x39 or 5.45x39. Kind of like buying a 9mm 1911 before getting a .45.

Also, keep in mind that the Sig is selling for insanely low prices right now. Buds has price drops of $400 plus in effect. What I'm saying is that the Sig is on sale, and there's no guarantee it'll stay this low.
 
FMJMIKE said:
Arsenal AK in 7.62 X 39 would be my choice. Lots of mags and relatively inexpensive ammo too.
Click to expand...
You're kidding, right?

The SIG uses M16/AR15 mags.

. . and the "inexpensive ammo" is only inexpensive until the Zero signs the appropriate piece of paper.
 
Flip a coin or buy one of each, you can't go wrong with either choice and as far as accuracy is concerned the AK isn't going to be that much less accurate than the Sig. The advantage of the Sig is that it's a better platform if mounting an optic is in your game plan.

I really love my Sig 556 Classic. Got it brand new from Buds a couple weeks ago for $971 and it came with the rear diopter sight and red dot, a smokin' deal I think.

However I love my Arsenal SLR-95 as well, both guns have a very different feel ergonomically and I shoot the AK differently than I do the Sig. While the Sig 55x platform is very similar to an AK they are two very different guns which is why I plan to keep them both.

sig556-8.gif
 
Got both, would buy both again... My only regret, not waiting until the Sig dropped in price. Who knew?

Circle 10 mags for the 106 and P-mags for the Sig; can't beat it.
 
I would say SIG 556 because an AK just has to be 7.62x39 for me. It would be like getting the 556 in .308 or something like that. It's just not right.
Besides, the SIG is a very sweet AK dressed up nice and pretty and shoots the 5.56/.223 round..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

klover
  • Locked
Sig 556 or Adam Arms upper on AR 15?
Replies
0
Views
375
klover
klover
T
  • Locked
sig556 russian or arsenal?
Replies
18
Views
1K
Quick Shot xMLx
Q
U
  • Locked
SIG 556 Classic and 552LR
Replies
20
Views
1K
Uncle Mike
U
TanklessPro
  • Locked
7.62x39 Arsenal vs PTR 32 vs Sig 556R
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
wally
wally
nwilliams
  • Locked
Sig 556 holo sight?
Replies
8
Views
4K
Eyesac
E
Back
Top