questions about STG 556

[ShootAndHunt]

I saw the STG 556 in a Gun store and was attracted to it immediately. I want to have one. The price is very steep ($1700). I searched on line and found some sold less than this, but they don't have the forward assist as I saw in the store. I searched on this and it seems that the STG 556 without forward assist is from the early production run and has some ammo feed problem? Is this true? I live in CT, does the STG 556 come with a flash hider or muzzle brake. We still cannot have the flash hider here in this state.

Any other AUG clones available in the market? Quality better than this STG556?

Thanks,

 

[Gladius]

Actually, it's the other way around. The earlier runs of the MSAR featured the bolt forward assist, the current versions dispense with it. The earlier rifles could only feed from MSAR proprietary mags; the current ones can also feed from Steyr mags.

AFAIK all MSAR barrels feature a flash hider (may there be a CT legal version? I dunno...)

The MSAR isn't the only AUG-alike out there. There's the TPD AXR (http://www.tpdusa.com/index.php), said to be of good quality (better than the MSAR? That's a new debate!), and is unique in that it feeds from AR15 mags (although, MSAR is coming out with a lower that uses AR mags as well). Anyway, I've never seen one in the flesh, so it's vaporware to me...

But for the most interesting twist, the latest company to come out with an AUG-alike is... Steyr! Well, Steyr USA, anyway. They are coming out with a new model AUG, made by a contractor in the USA. I don't know if these have hit the market yet: http://www.steyrarms.com/

 

[Girodin]

I haven't handled the TPD but IMO the microtech offering compared vary favorably to a steyr in terms of quality.

Gladius is correct on the forward assist issue. I have only ever seen them w/ brakes but one could contact the company and see if they come without it.

I'd not hesitate to buy microtech.

 

[iamkris]

As stated, Gladius is correct. FA is for the early models. Later models (Gen III and Gen IV I think) do not have FA.


He is a little out of date on the MSAR E4 (the model that takes AR mags) It has been shipping since the early summer. Plenty of them out there...in fact, I have one. Here's my podcast on my saga of the search for a bullpup.

http://gunreviewpodcast.com/category/long-gun/rifles/

You are being gouged at $1700 for an early model. They are selling down nearer $1100-1200 now. The later models are $1500-1600. E4's are going for $1700-1900. Any more and you aren't looking around hard enough.

Frankly, the best place I've found to learn about them (and other bullpups) is over on the AR15.com forum, Bullpups section

http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=6&f=43

The TPD is one of 3 current mainstream manufacturers out there. They haven't shipped many compared to MSAR and Steyr.

MSAR has about 10,000 rifles under their belt. Their early ones had some teething issues...not uncommon for any new product. They seem to have the bugs worked out and have built and excellent reputation for quality, customer service and new product introductions. Given that the company is the firearms division of Microtech blades, they aren't "fly by night" and have some longevity.

The Steyr product seems to be of good quality but they aren't coming out with product intros / improvements quite as fast as MSAR.

I chose the E4.

Positive

• Compact
• Handy
• Less muzzle rise (because of the geometry -- smaller cantilever)
• Longer barrel for same overall length

Negative

• Triggers not as good (long linkage)
• Slow mag changes
• Harder to make ambidexterous (except with the forward / bottom ejectors like the FN2000 or P90)

In general, these rifles do have some advantages, especially for CQB. They will not, however, make me give up conventional configurations.

 

[Gelgoog]

one thing that got real annoying in my E3 MSAR was how carefully you had to change the mag. If you just slammed it in like normal the top round would pop out of the mag and cause a double feed. So you have to slowly turn your weapons 45 degrees onto its side and insert it carefully.

They are very nicely built rifles, but not my cup of tea. I will stick with the traditional rifle configurations.

 

[iamkris]

one thing that got real annoying in my E3 MSAR was how carefully you had to change the mag.

That is true with ANY AUG-based magazine system. Not an issue if you get the AR15 mag compatible models.

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Thanks guys for your kind assistance on this!