I am new to rifles...Taking a hard look at SIG556DMR and/or SIG516Patrol..thoughts?

[inSight-NEO]

These two weapons have caught my eye as I may soon be in the market for such a weapon. I have looked at others, such as M&P, Ruger and Rock River. These are all nice, but the SIG rifles seem to offer a bit more. Am I wrong?

Any thoughts on the two mentioned SIG models? Any thoughts on the other makes vs the SIG?

Oh and as far as use? To be honest, I simply want to own an "assault" rifle (I hate using that term..I prefer the term "special purpose").

Of course, I am looking for a high quality, accurate, easy to maintain/modify, "feature rich out of the box," and proven assault rifle. Yes, I will be putting plenty of rounds through the gun.

My budget is roughly $1200 to $1500 max. So far, the SIG rifles seem to appeal to me the most. A buddy of mine owns the 556DMR and swears by it. Of course, I also have a few friends who swear by the M&P, as well as the Rock River.

It seems as if choosing a rifle is quite a bit more of a chore vs choosing a handgun. It is, actually, quite frustrating.

 

[bpl]

I have not shot the Sig556, however I have handled a few and my first thought was that they were heavy compared to an AR-15. Extra weight from the piston system, I guess. Seemed nice enough though.

I personally would get an AR-15/M4 pattern as I prefer to have an established system with widely available parts and accessories. Its so easy to modify, customize, buy new uppers for, etc. For the cost of the Sig556, you could get an AR with two uppers, one an M4 16" and another a DMR 18" or target/varmint 20", or whatever you want. You could even get a piston upper for the AR if you want. Finding replacement parts in the future could be a problem for the Sig556, much easier with an AR.

But, if you really want the Sig556, go ahead and get it. I'm sure its a quality rifle.

 

[230therapy]

They have their supporters. I recommend serious research if you are going to get one. Take a very close look at problem reports on The SIG Forum and determine the outcomes. If anything looks weird (such as discontinuing the model), then move on.

I'm more "traditional" in that I want a debugged design. If you don't know what to get, either get a FAL, Colt 6920, Colt 6940 or an M1A. Krebs Custom makes AK-47s and Arsenal makes higher end AK's. Check out Top Gun Supply for Colt 6920s.

I just went though this process in my search for an AR-15 and I ended up getting the Knight's Armament SR-15. It's about $500-600 more, but it comes with every modification you could want except for a more ergonomic grip. When I added up the mods for a 6940, the price exceeded that of the KAC SR-15...so I bought the SR-15. The SR-15 has a few design changes in the bolt which supposedly make it more robust.

I hear good things about the Robinson Arms XCR, but again, it hasn't been carried by troops.

 

[bpl]

I hear good things about the Robinson Arms XCR

My buddy has an XCR and its a damn nice rifle! I'd probably buy one of these rather than a Sig556, myself.

 

[nwilliams]

I really like the 556 Patrol, I almost bought one a few weeks ago but decided I needed to put money towards bills instead.

 

[Tirod]

Aside from the veil of being Swiss, it's AK vs. AR. Flip a coin, try one. If you don't like it, it will sell. Try the other. They use the same mags and ammo, you won't be out money on the switch.

 

[Hatterasguy]

The 516 is a joke, I don't know why Sig is wasting their time on an AR.

Get a proper Sig, sadly your budget won't allow for a 550 but a 556 or DMR is pretty close. You get the best of both worlds with these rifles. AR ergonomics, with AK reliability, and Swiss precision and quality.

IMHO the Swiss made Sig550 is the best 5.56 carbine made.

 

[SHvar]

The weight difference between the AR design and the 556 are far more differences than just the piston assembly. Piston assemblies weigh mere ounces. The weight difference is the entire rifle design.

 

[lloydkristmas]

Get the 556 and an ACOG and youre set

I see the SIG 55X series as the perfect compromise between AR precision and AK reliability

The 556 did its best to carry on the tradition of the famous 550/551/552 series rifles, and while its not quite as good, its still an improvement over the AR (In my opinion).

The only other comparable rifle in 5.56 that I could suggest would be the XCR or SCAR. The SCAR is too expensive, and the XCR isnt as mainstream, but its still the next best choice. Invest in some locktite though

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Plus 1 for the XCR. Nice rifle, great service from the company, and it accepts most mods available for the AR platform short of triggers and bolt release systems. Its a very modular platform that will allow you to change calibers, and have a adjustable gas system.

AR accuracy, with AK reliability.

 

[Carter]

Last time I checked those SIGs are outside your price range...
They are usually $1600 to $2300 or so for the DMR. But if you know something I dont..please inform me.

The SIGs are about the most reliable ARish rifle around. The DMR has a heavy barrel for extended accuracy but all other models have light barrels. May not be a problem for you but its a show stopper for me. SIG isn't too accessory friendly from what I've seen because there isn't a market for it.

The rock river arms is always a nice choice. But if you want a proven rifel the LWRC is a good one (LAPD SWAT uses it).

However within your price range I'd go for a tricked out RRA or a colt. Possibly the SIG if you don't mind a light barrel.

 

[Salty1]

We sell a lot of the 556 models of various configurations. They are great rifles and put my AR-15 to shame in every catagory. Of course you pay more for them so they should. My favorite is the Patrol SWAT version, I like the quad accesory rail so all the toys can go on it, although the classic is also very nice and extremely popular and comes with a red dot..

 

[DAdams]

No doubt about it the SIG556 SWAT (model 556302) is really nice I handled one for about 30 minutes yesterday while the knowledgable salesmen (he owned on) did his pitch. A few features that run the price up but are an appropriate value IMO, gas piston, rotary diopter sight (impressive), folding stock, AR mags with integrated connecting feature for multiple magazines, two stage trigger, interchangeable, extra butt pad two thicknesses, quad rail covers and a real case. About $1700 was the one I slobbered all over.

I found it somewhat front heavy and it felt "bulky" and I would probably add the STL 300J Stoplite light foregrip for support and laser which is a good deal for around $300, laser, 700 lumen LED light with multiple settings/strobe etc.

The 556 Classic is in your price range probably a stripped Patrol too.

Patrol and Patrol SWAT being the lightest at 7.5 and 7.7 lbs.

Also Handled:

I liked the feel, balance and apparent/balance/weight of the S&W PSX. Also the DPMS LAR in .308.

Thanks to Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, GA for captivating me for two hours. I left with credit card intact, but it was a real challenge, especially when you can walk out the door with long guns. They had a real nice Benelli M2 which is on my bucket list too.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

Hatterasguy What makes the 516 a Joke? I haven't even handled one yet, I haven't seen a place that has one in stock. All the reviews are good. It uses a similar system to the new Ruger AR and seems to be a better gun. I've been waiting for months ever since the reviews started coming out in all the shooter magazines.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Sig makes it, Sig shouldn't be wasting their time with an AR. They already have a better platform. Sig could really expand the 5XX platform and IMHO the AR doesn't hold a candle to that design.

For starters they have the 556 which is just OK; what they need to do is dump the AR features on the 556 and replace it with a proper 550! Also they need to come out with some other versions like a good DMR, not the Americanized version, a 552 to replace the patrol version, and a 542 and 510. Sig already has amazing rifles in Europe, if they simply brought them over hear they would make out.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

Why not all of the above? I agree with you on every point, except everybody wants an AR15 for some reason. I personelly do not own one. I have been thinking about it because it would fill a hole in my collection, and the .223 is a relativly inexpensive round comparativly speaking for semi auto rifles.

 

[SHvar]

I personally prefer the AR15 design, to me its light, accurate, easy to maintain, made like a lego set for modifications, has far more aftermarket support than any other rifle in the world, and just feels so much better to hold, carry, and shoot.
Im skeptical of the sig 556 actually being any improvement in any way, aside from comparing reliability in the extremes of dirt and mud, or dust, but then again I dont worry about that, I have a gas piston AR.
Sorry the sig just doesnt feel right, I also know the AR design works in combat, I have personal experience with that.

 

[rangerruck]

My boss has both a 556 and the 22lr model; they both are rock solid, eat anything, very accurate, very reliable, and come with plenty of rails and other goodies. I am not 100% sure on this, but I think you can ambidex the controls on them as well... another plus if you are lefty.

 

[happygeek]

I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but my Sig 556 SWAT patrol has been dinging up 70 to 80% of the brass. It also ejects the brass anywhere from straight left of you to about 45 degree off of straight ahead in a fan shape. The brass'll fly a good 4 or 5 lanes off to the right on the covered range I go to or it'll fly up and hit the roof and bounce back down 1 or 2 lanes to the right. Doesn't really bother me because I'm shooting mostly Wolf (which feeds just fine), but might be a concern to a reloader.

I picked up that Sig 556 SWAT patrol back around Oct. 09 for $1500 even. I like it a lot. I mostly got it because I'd heard nothing but good things about Sig and it wasn't an AR. Not that I hate the AR, I just wanted something different and I already had a CMMG 22LR AR.

With Wolf it shoots more accurately than I do. I'll get some sort of magnified optic for it eventually (really want to get an Aimpoint with the 3x magnifier once I can afford it) and then maybe my accuracy will catch up.