Ruger SR556 or Sig 556?

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ColtraneM3

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I'm trying to decide on a new rifle, I'm currently in school to go into law enforcement, and whatever I wind up buying will end up being a career gun; I'm in it for the long haul.

Before anyone answers, let me make a few things clear: I know all about the actions, how the guns are assembled, and how they work. I do not want a DI gun, and I already own an AK. I've seen lots of forum discussions end up with quibbling over all these rabbit trails and not getting to the issue I really want to hear discussed, which is why I came here to post:

Which gun do you personally think feels/shoots better or is a better value for the money you'd spend on it?

If you want to clarify that, that's fine, I would just really like direct answers to that question.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
The Sigs have been around longer so they have some history behind how they perform. I don't know what it is. There is no way to know at this point how the Ruger's will hold up long term.

In general, I like the Sig pistols that I own and consider them to be very well made firearms. If I had to choose with no other info I'd go with a Sig. I'm curious as well to see what people have to say.
 
Suprisingly, I haven't seen much user review about the Ruger. Unless I heard more about the Ruger's durability/reliability I say go with the SIG for now.
 
I've handled the Ruger and it seemed to be well built, but I have not had the chance to shoot one. I own a 556 and have had zero problems with it.
 
Ruger. The ergos on the Sig are bad. If you thumb isn't about 1" long than most people's, you have to shift grip to reach safety. Granted, that's the ONLY critcism of the Sig I can think of. Really nice trigger on them.

But the Ruger also has more commonality of parts and is American made.
 
I've got an SR-556. I'm a newb to rifles, so take my opinion as you will. First, if you are going to be a LEO, you need to make sure what you get is approved by the dept where you want to work. Most have lists of approved gear and you can't use stuff not on the list.

That said, if you like all the Troy industries gear on the Ruger, I don't think you can build a rifle for the price of the Ruger. You should be able to get one for less that $1500.

I added an EOTech XPS and EOTech 3x magnifier and I can get 1" groups at 50yds and 3-4" groups at 100yds if I'm careful. I'm sure somebody with some experience could do much better. The adjustable gas valve is really nice. I can adjust it so brass goes where I want it to and collect it all.

The build quality, fit and finish all looks really good and tight. I would say it's 90% or so fit and finish of my HK pistols if that give you a ballpark idea.
 
I really want to like the Ruger. And I do like Ruger stuff in general. But I've read several reports of bolt carrier tilting and gouging out the recoil tube.

The SIG does not have this issue. The recently released "classics" are pretty nice, especially with the HK type diopter sight you can get on one.

For the money, regrettably, I'd chose the SIG.
 
Do you think Ruger is still going to support their rifle in 20 years?

Ask the guys with Rhino kits on their ARs where they get parts from.

If I was buying (and had to get a gas piston gun) I'd be looking at the FN SCAR, FN FS2000, or the Sig 556 you mentioned.

BSW
 
Wait it out, for this purpose. Your department will likely issue you a rifle. If you use your own rifle on patrol, it will get seized as evidence, and then you're out the rifle.

If you just want opinions on the rifles in question, I can recommend the SIG 556 without hesitation. Its trigger is better than any custom (and especially stock) trigger I've felt on an AR platform. It shoots cleanly and reliably and doesn't use a buffer tube. You will need to put a good sight of your choice on it, though.

I've not shot the SR556 and don't know anyone who has. Several similar designs are going to be available soon or are available now, though, such as HK 416 and the SIG 516.
 
Sig 556 is actually built to be a piston gun, not a modified/compromised DI design with a piston slapped onto it.

The other thing I'd note is the same kind of stuff Nick Nasty touched on -- your future department may issue you a patrol carbine, or they may have an approved list that may or may not include the long gun you buy now.
 
The Ruger. Made in the USA, there are many parts that will interchange with the AR-15 platform, plus you are getting AR-15 Ergos. That being said... why not just go with a proven platform like the AR-15?
 
I havent heard a single negative remark, or report from anyone who has ever fired, or owned a Ruger sr556. Not one complaint or note about carrier tilt either. In fact the only carrier tilt complaints Ive ever read about were a few "gas piston retrofit kits" on a few old worn rifles, no more than a few cases total.
Ive heard and read complaints about the sig556 and the quality of a few parts, also the time/effort required to get the problem fixed. I believe it was one model, not all of them.
I dont doubt the sig556 is great to shoot, and it seems to be a very nice rifle, like anything else it just takes time to get used to the differences.
 
I'd go with the Sig. I know a dealer who got two of the Rugers in, function checked 'em and immediately put them both up on Gun Broker. He was not impressed.
 
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