Arsenal AK in 5.56 or Sig 556 Classic

[nalioth]

OneIOns last concern is the Sig556 doesn't have a chrome lined barrel. How big of a concern is that?

What barrel does it have?

Chrome lining is something purists holler for, cuz Uncle Sugar (and the Comrade Chairman) uses'em.

If you plan on shooting corrosive ammunition and/or leaving your rifle out in the back yard pig waller and never, ever cleaning it, then yeah, you might want a chrome lined barrel (along with a chrome-plated rest-of-the-gun).



On another line of thought . . .

. . . why are you dissing SIG? They don't produce junk by any means.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I'd go for the SIG myself, and as for the concerns about not using a chrome lined bore and chamber keep in mind that SIG uses cold hammer forged barrels. That process tends to result in a pretty hard, pretty durable barrel. SIG may also be nitride treating the bore interiors but don't hold me to that.

 

[InkEd]

Well, I will be heading to the store later today. I want to handle both before making a final decision. I am convinced both will be excellent. The Sig mag release is probably going to be the deciding factor.

 

[wojownik]

+1 on handling them both in person. I did the same thing earlier today (this thread got me all motivated).

Handling the Sig 556 was the deciding factor ... I just did not take to it.

Let us hear your impressions after you handle both...

 

[InkEd]

I felt the exact opposite. Rifle felt great to me. Now the proud owner of a Sig 556 Classic with Red dot and Rear Rotorary Sight.

The only thing that doesn't just impress the heck out of me is the magazine. Not a huge deal because it will accept standard AR mags!

Will give a range report in a week or two when I'm off work on a Saturday.

 

[wojownik]

Congrats on your new purchase! Enjoy!

 

[Averageman]

Oh and as an update, I called Sig today and they claim to have only had my rifle for 9 days and havent got to it yet. They asked for two to three more weeks.
Hmmmmmmm now aint that special...?
I dunno, I like the whole idea, maybe I just got a lemon, but there have been more than just mine turn out that way.
Sig 556 has it's own forum, take a look.

 

[InkEd]

I've heard a few problems BUT it seem to mostly be with older
models.

Also, I bought mine locally (cost a whole $9.01 more than the best online
price) and checked it out for any of the QC issues I read about that could be noticed with a visual inspection.

Rifle seem extremely well made and the fit and finish are excellent.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Also keep in mind that internet forums are going to be places where people go to kvetch about a product that is not living up to their hopes or standards. You see a lot of complaints on forums from those seeking advice on what they feel to be unsatisfactory products, for every one of them complaining there are probably several hundred that don't.

Take for example my own kvetching about the Cooper Model 52 I purchased last month with a slightly bead blasted bore interior near the crown of the muzzle. A simple little slip up in manufacturing happened when the rubber plug used to protect the bore interior wore out or came loose. An honest mistake that almost never ever happens, I just happened to get one where it did. Now I'm waiting on a re-barrel after owning the rifle for less than two weeks, and one of those weeks was spent with the nice folks at UPS.

I'm ticked off about it. Big time. So I'll complain about it loudly to all who will listen until the issue is resolved to my satisfaction.

If Cooper turns that rifle around in time for deer season, and it shoots like it should (1/2 minute of angle guaranteed) then I'll praise their customer service until I'm blue in the face to anyone who will listen. Heck I'd even write an endorsement for their website about how they make things right should a problem arise. Until then, complaining is what I'll be doing....