Sig 556 Range Report

[accomplice]

I just got back and I've got to say that I love the 556! It ran like a top (about 25 full mags of Wolf). There were no hiccups. Not a single fail to fire or eject the entire morning. And I don't think that I got as much of the factory lube (gunk) out of the gun as I should have on the initial cleaning. The bolt hold open device did fail to catch on the last round of one mag today.

I couldn't get the front sight dialed in enough to do any better than a bit low of center at the max adjustment. I learned that you have to be careful where you grab around the front of the gas piston assembly when you're fumbling for the front sight (I have a nice blister now).

I tweaked/ fired/ tweaked the Eotech and quickly walked the shots in to POA. The hand guard mod that I did didn't create any extra heat from the vents that were left after the rail was removed. I shot it enough that the front end was smoking at some points but no discomfort was passed on to the shooter. There is so little recoil and what impulse there is is so minimal that this gun just gets right back down on target for incredibly quick follow up shots. It is a lot like the VEPR-based Krebs KTR-03V in that respect. We attached 3X5 cards all the way around the target stand and took turns criss-crossing the stand to tag the cards as fast as we could. It was insane how so many shooters could so quickly nail most or all of the cards rapid fire. We mostly shoot rapid fire going from low ready at these multiple small targets at short (legally defensive) distances of about 10-25 yards. I have no doubt that this gun would outshoot me at 100+ yards. My only knock against it might be the weight but that is what is making it the quickest follow up shot placer I've used. The pistol version turned SBR is going to be insane. I just got 'er home and sprayed some CLP down the bore twice followed by the bore snake and she's good to go. Did I mention that I'm loving this rifle? I really am floored by how good it runs. I put some black duct tape behind the port to skip cleaning the 'brass kisses' off. I can see that it would've had a pile of them if not. I want to run a carbine class with this thing ASAP. It is boringly good.

 

[TheDisturbed1]

is this a class III?

i havent seen any sig rifles anywhere on the market

 

[accomplice]

It's not class III. Sig released a US made rifle (the 556) early this year. Check gunbroker.com and you'll see a bunch for sale.

 

[Shipwreck]

Kewl - I've bene wanting one of these - thanks for the review!

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Yeah the Sig has been out for a while now... I handled one(not shot), and was unimpressed, but glad you like the new toy. Thanx for the range report, but you realize you just broke the unwritten rule of posting a about a new firearm, and not including pics right? ...

 

[Rokman]

Thanks for the report. I to like the previous poster have handled but not shot. I was not impressed with the lack of front site as compared to the cost of the rifle. Keep having fun with your new blaster.

 

[Evil Monkey]

I want to ask, how is the mag release button on the 556? I hear it's too far forward for some people. Is this true?

 

[cslinger]

Mag release is a "tad" bit to far forward for small hands but nothing like an HK91.

I too very much like my 556 and I too went in with a bias as it was not a semi auto 551 and it did not come with iron sights, which is a horrible oversight, but at the end of the day I love my 556.

Chris

 

[rosco22]

Let us know when the charging handle goes flying . Design flaw making it a gun not to trust in a SHTF .

 

[accomplice]

I think that the flying charging handle incident was with a 551 or 552 at a carbine course. The 556 uses a different handle. I can tell you that if it isn't seated properly upon reassembly after cleaning, the one of the 556 could fly off. You just have to know to pop it in properly after cleaning. It takes about 1 sec to slide it to the proper depth and hear the 'click' as it seats properly. No biggie. If everybody who held a 556 and was unimpressed got to shoot it, they'd be inclined to take on home. They are that good.

 

[karnaaj]

The missing sights were a negative but not enough to stop me from buying the rifle. My main interest is in seeing how much more reliable it might be over an AR given the different gas arrangement.

 

[Bob R]

If everybody who held a 556 and was unimpressed got to shoot it, they'd be inclined to take on home.

If the supply could have kept even close with demand there would be a whole lot more out there by now.

After waiting 2 years, and still not knowing when, if ever, I would get mine I took the money and turned it in to an XCR.

Hopefully down the road I can still get the 556, but it is not somethig I am going to worry about any more.

bob

 

[Catapultam habeo]

SIG 556, the mediocre substitute of SIG 550…(Grin)

I like the upper of 556, the long flat top picatinny rail gives lots of opportunities to test different sights. Still, I have to say once again that the standard 550 iron sights are the best I have ever tried.

But one thing that I can never forgive to Swissarms is that they built the aluminium alloy lower around AR magazine. The butt stock is also suspicious but maybe acceptable. But Those mags! It’s blasphemy like replacing a Ferrari engine with chevy truck power plant. It’s a sin!

Anyway, the heart is good. AK-style gas piston mechanism and excellent barrel. 16” barrel is a bit short for my taste and 7” twist rate needs a bit heavier bullets as standard 55gr. The swiss army PG90 is loaded with 64 gr boat tail bullets and they work fine also on longer ranges. I load my own ammo with 68 gr Hornady BTHP, and the accuracy is easily sub MOA.

But those mags; AR rifles are not unfamiliar to us up here as they are today most common competition rifles in three gun shooting. (Yours truly has two AR:s, a Bushmaster modular carbine and an OA-10) And AR:s are most likely to jam. Of course most of jams are originated on all that “smart” tuning that the owner has done on his rifle (adjustable gas key, light follower, match grade light weight trigger mechanism with weak springs etc.) But by my experience I’d say at least half of the malfunctions are caused by the crappy magazine.

If I was in your position where SIG550 is not available, I’d buy SIG556 and then I’d put my best effort to get SIG550 trigger housing (Abzugsgruppe) and the original folding stock (Klappschaft-Garnitur) and of course those original trouble-free magazines.

 

[rosco22]

I think that the flying charging handle incident was with a 551 or 552 at a carbine course. The 556 uses a different handle. I can tell you that if it isn't seated properly upon reassembly after cleaning, the one of the 556 could fly off. You just have to know to pop it in properly after cleaning. It takes about 1 sec to slide it to the proper depth and hear the 'click' as it seats properly. No biggie. If everybody who held a 556 and was unimpressed got to shoot it, they'd be inclined to take on home. They are that good.

Same design , I have fired a 556 . Its fair . The way the handle goes together was a warning the first time we stripped the weapon .....Shoot it hard and we shall see.

 

[Catapultam habeo]

Hi rosco! If the gun in your picture is commercially available version of 556 (stamped trigger housing, original 55x magazines that attach the gun AK style) I’ll take back all bad words I posted about Swissarms.

Ever thought mounting original butt stock?

 

[rosco22]

Aint mine , as you see it is a FA ...............