New SIG 556...predictions??? Two days left.

[Greg Bell]

Guys,


The scuttlebutt is that the new SIG rifle is a SIG550 series with (1) a sixteen inch barrel; (2) AR (style) six-position stock; and (3) AR style mags.

The above is pretty much accepted as being true (so I incorporated it into my mock-up).

Rumors have it that the Stock will be more SCARish than M4ish. Other rumors are that the lower will be made of plastic and that the mags, though AR-style, will be made of plastic and have the 550 mag linking system.


Here is my cheesy photochopped mock-up:

 

[TexasRifleman]

I predict I get mine before you do

 

[Greg Bell]

I hate you.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

HAHAHA!

What are the MSRP predictions?

 

[Greg Bell]

~1400

 

[TexasRifleman]

OK, I hate me too. So, rather than gloat I'll contribute.

I think you're pretty close, but I do think we'll see some of the SAPR, especially the rail system. Since SIG already is selling this it makes sense to see a continuation of it. I'm not crazy about it actually, but I think it will be included.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

What is the advantage of the Sig over an AR?

 

[Deer Hunter]

The name.

 

[Greg Bell]

In absolute terms the major advantage of the 556 is probably reliability since it is a highly refined AK type design. There is a reason why so many of the AR manufacturers are switching to piston designs. Further, It should be at least as, or more accurate than the AR if the 550 design is carried over. One of the complaints has been that too many concessions (weight) were made in the name of accuracy (shooting is said to be the Swiss national sport). The trigger on the 550 series is also very nice. Hopefully the sights will be carried over unchanged, since most who have used the SIG sights agree they are superior to standard AR sights.

In fact, the only advantage the AR might have is weight and gadgetry. And, given that the 556 is supposed to have a full complement of rails, even the gadget angle may be moot.

Of course, if the AR is your definition of perfect, the 550 will do nothing for you. For those of us who find the AR lacking, the 556 may be the next step.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Greg, I once had a man tell me he couldn't think of anything as good as an AR-15. Not anything better, anything as good. By his definition, everything else was inferior. A few gun types out there (ARs, 1911s in general, Colts, Glocks, and a few others) seem to have a group of supporters that are very ardent indeed...

 

[cslinger]

Can't say anything about the 556 being better then the AR series since it is a new and likely unproven firearm. Yes it may be based on a very good firearm but based on the rumors it will have quite a few new/different features.

All that being said I am a SIG guy and would like a SIG rifle.

 

[Lee F]

I would like to believe it will be more accurate than the AR15 but what facts do we have to document this claim? Are you saying more accurate than a rack grade M16 or a rifle capable of hanging with a NM floated barrel AR?

 

[Deer Hunter]

I honestly do hope it blows the regular AR market out of the water. Maybe that will make the prices go down and I might be able to afford one after my FAL purchase.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Personally? I like diversity. I'd like to see more Sigs, HKs, AUGs, SCARs, FN2000s, you name, out there in the hands of the public, instead of every 5.56 shooter having to choose between an AR or an AR.

 

[KriegHund]

Personally? I like diversity. I'd like to see more Sigs, HKs, AUGs, SCARs, FN2000s, you name, out there in the hands of the public, instead of every 5.56 shooter having to choose between an AR or an AR.

Theres only 3 .223 i can think of right now-

Mini-14
AR
AK (variants)

 

[HPJeep]

Will this come in .308 too? I need another .308 battlerifle!

 

[Deer Hunter]

Forgot the M17 and pistol varients.

If sig makes it, you know people will buy it just for the name. They look nice, I have to give them that.

 

[TexasRifleman]

What is the advantage of the Sig over an AR?

A choice. Up until now the AR has had no competition in that space.
Of the 3 mentioned above: AR, Mini14, AK, only the AR has done well
in the market. Minis and AKs can't really compete with ARs. No LE
agency in the country is going to choose an AK for it's patrol rifle
So by default the AK is always going to be small production and a nich market.

No rumors of .308 unfortunately. THAT would be something!

You have to remember what this rifle is for. SIG isn't producing this to keep us
gun nuts happy. SIG wants in the lucrative patrol rifle market. It's clear there is
money to be made there or else you certainly wouldn't see S&W doing an AR.

 

[Greg Bell]

Deerhunter,

The name.

If sig makes it, you know people will buy it just for the name

Gotcha. No need to keep repeating the insult.

 

[jeff-10]

I really wish it would come from the factory with the traditional side folding stock.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Isn't there a version of the SIG 550 in .308? I could've swore I remember reading about that somewhere.

Waitaminute! That rifle in the TexasSIGMan's first picture has a magazine that looks suspiciously .308-esque! What is that rifle?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Isn't there a version of the SIG 550 in .308? I could've swore I remember reading about that somewhere.

Yes, that's the SAPR pictured above, but we can't import it here and there is no rumor of a domestically produced version

 

[Deer Hunter]

Sorry Greg, just a mistake due to an insufficient amount of sleep.

Any chance of these rifles being chambered in 6.8mm SPC?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Sorry Greg, just a mistake due to an insufficient amount of sleep.

Any chance of these rifles being chambered in 6.8mm SPC?

Doubt it. Not from SIG anyway. The money is in the LE market. 5.56 is doing extremely well in that role, so I doubt there will be any other chamberings. Purely speculation on my part though. Who knows what the aftermarket crowd will bring.

My hope is that the 556 will sell well enough that there will be plenty of aftermarket choices like the AR enjoys.

 

[Greg Bell]

If it can be modified and re-chambered into a .308 it should be a snap to make it a 6.8.