Sig 556 vs Stag model 8
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Hatterasguy
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For starters the Sig isn't an AR. It uses an AK operating system with a Fal like gas block.
Personaly I think the Sig 5XX series are the best 5.56 carbines made. They have all the reliability of an AK, but are made to higher standards and are more accurite than AK's.
The downside is they weigh a bit more than an AR, and are more front heavy. Which is good for shooting, not as fun to carry. Its not to bad, but its not a rifle your going to want to mount a quad rail on with a ton of crap. 550 handguards are recomended.
Personaly I think the Sig 5XX series are the best 5.56 carbines made. They have all the reliability of an AK, but are made to higher standards and are more accurite than AK's.
The downside is they weigh a bit more than an AR, and are more front heavy. Which is good for shooting, not as fun to carry. Its not to bad, but its not a rifle your going to want to mount a quad rail on with a ton of crap. 550 handguards are recomended.
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If you'll be using it mostly for stationary shooting from a rest, the extra weight is a good thing. A few people have shot my Sig 556 and all commented that the recoil was noticeably less than an M4/AR15. It is front heavy as mentioned. I have yet to do any CQB drills with it, when I do I'll see how that weight affects handling for me. I'm sure other out there on the interwebs have already written reviews on how it handles though.
I just got mine recently (after the price dropped a lot
) and have only shot it about enough to familiarize with it. So far though, it seems easier to clean than an AR. There's just a bolt carrier and a bolt, not a bunch of subcomponents of the bolt. The chamber stays pretty clean, most of the gunk ends up on the gas plug, piston, and inside the gas tube. The chamber is a lot easier to clean than an AR's chamber, for me anyway. The gas plug and piston aren't hard to pop out and clean either.
Also, mine doesn't seem to mind the cheap Wolf ammo.
One thing you should be aware of is that mine has a habit of dinging the brass up a bit. If you're reloading 5.56, that might be a huge negative for you. Mine ejects it's brass rather wildly. I've seen it throw casings 4 lanes to the right on a covered rifle range, up into the rafters, 10 to 15 yards downrange, etc. I was spoiled by how nicely my M1A put the brass almost within arms reach of my position. Mine also did not like a bunch of the old aluminum STANAG mags I had laying around. It's been fine with the P-Mags I picked up.
I got mine specifically because it wasn't an AR and I hadn't heard anything bad about Sig. Overall, I like it a lot.
I just got mine recently (after the price dropped a lot
) and have only shot it about enough to familiarize with it. So far though, it seems easier to clean than an AR. There's just a bolt carrier and a bolt, not a bunch of subcomponents of the bolt. The chamber stays pretty clean, most of the gunk ends up on the gas plug, piston, and inside the gas tube. The chamber is a lot easier to clean than an AR's chamber, for me anyway. The gas plug and piston aren't hard to pop out and clean either. Also, mine doesn't seem to mind the cheap Wolf ammo.
One thing you should be aware of is that mine has a habit of dinging the brass up a bit. If you're reloading 5.56, that might be a huge negative for you. Mine ejects it's brass rather wildly. I've seen it throw casings 4 lanes to the right on a covered rifle range, up into the rafters, 10 to 15 yards downrange, etc. I was spoiled by how nicely my M1A put the brass almost within arms reach of my position. Mine also did not like a bunch of the old aluminum STANAG mags I had laying around. It's been fine with the P-Mags I picked up.
I got mine specifically because it wasn't an AR and I hadn't heard anything bad about Sig. Overall, I like it a lot.
I'm looking to but some sort of " Assault Rifle" I knew that the SIg wasn't a AR but I'm curiuos on which one is the better buy now. If both are abou the same price with in $200 of each other which one would you consider ? Reliabilty wise are they about the same ? Cleaning wise it sound like SIG is better set up. How much are mags for the sig ? Thanks
Trigger
I don't own a SIG and have not shot one, but the price and incentive was worth a look. Nice features on the SIG, but the trigger was too mushy (typical SIG trigger) vs. an AR w/ a trigger job.
Of course, if there were somebody that could fix that trigger, then why not the SIG?
I don't own a SIG and have not shot one, but the price and incentive was worth a look. Nice features on the SIG, but the trigger was too mushy (typical SIG trigger) vs. an AR w/ a trigger job.
Of course, if there were somebody that could fix that trigger, then why not the SIG?
Broken11b
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My Sig's trigger is excellent, no mush at all.
For reliability, Also going with the Sig.
They both use the same mags.
If you can get the Sig, go for it. You wont be disappointed.
For reliability, Also going with the Sig.
They both use the same mags.
If you can get the Sig, go for it. You wont be disappointed.
Foxtrot427
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Both are gas piston. But stags gas piston upper isnt as renowned for its reliability quite yet. Just sort of new. But it does have the pro of being a familiar design with a nice aftermarket for accessories. Its also more compact.
Hatterasguy
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I don't know much about the Stag, but the Sig556 is pretty much a 550 with an ARish lower pinned on. The system itself is proven, the Swiss army has been using it for years.
I have only had mine for a year, but I have about 2k+ rounds through it and its been 100% reliable. The only problems I had at first were with the POS Sig mags. With Pmags its flawless.
They are a heck of a lot faster to clean than an AR because the bolt and carrier is simple, its an AK system. No surprises. After a trip to the range shotgun it open, pop the bolt and carrier out, wipe them down, install. Should take about 2 minutes.
The trigger is awsome. I have never shot a Stag but its better than a Colt and LWRC.
I don't mind the extra weight up front, it helps keep you on target.
I'm keeping track of the rounds I put through mine and I'm hoping to have it over 10k in a few years to see what breaks. Sig rates the service life quite high so I don't forsee having to replace anything until 15k rounds. For example the barrel is rated for 15k rounds under "hard use" and 30k under normal. Hard use is defined as automatic fire.
I have only had mine for a year, but I have about 2k+ rounds through it and its been 100% reliable. The only problems I had at first were with the POS Sig mags. With Pmags its flawless.
They are a heck of a lot faster to clean than an AR because the bolt and carrier is simple, its an AK system. No surprises. After a trip to the range shotgun it open, pop the bolt and carrier out, wipe them down, install. Should take about 2 minutes.
The trigger is awsome. I have never shot a Stag but its better than a Colt and LWRC.
I don't mind the extra weight up front, it helps keep you on target.
I'm keeping track of the rounds I put through mine and I'm hoping to have it over 10k in a few years to see what breaks. Sig rates the service life quite high so I don't forsee having to replace anything until 15k rounds. For example the barrel is rated for 15k rounds under "hard use" and 30k under normal. Hard use is defined as automatic fire.
Zerodefect
member
I found the 556 trigger to be weird feeling. And it was less accurate than an Ar for me. A little nose heavy.
But the Stag is a piston Ar. Pistons have no place on the end of an Ar's barrel IMO. They belong in the carrier where they were originally designed to be. So far the piston Ar and especially the piston conversion have been less reliable and a hair less accurate than the gun they were supposed to improve.
Stag seems way outside of the loop. Like they aren't paying attention. Thir 6.8 lacks proper feed ramps, and thier 5.56 barrels are 1/9 twist. Should have designed a 16", 1/7, rifle length railed, Reece style, upper instead.
So I would pick neither. But of those two, I'd pick the 556. It's a proper piston gun. Not a fad Ar piston frankenstien. Don't forget to check out the Robinson XCR if your into new piston guns. I feel it beats both the 556 and Stag.
But the Stag is a piston Ar. Pistons have no place on the end of an Ar's barrel IMO. They belong in the carrier where they were originally designed to be. So far the piston Ar and especially the piston conversion have been less reliable and a hair less accurate than the gun they were supposed to improve.
Stag seems way outside of the loop. Like they aren't paying attention. Thir 6.8 lacks proper feed ramps, and thier 5.56 barrels are 1/9 twist. Should have designed a 16", 1/7, rifle length railed, Reece style, upper instead.
So I would pick neither. But of those two, I'd pick the 556. It's a proper piston gun. Not a fad Ar piston frankenstien. Don't forget to check out the Robinson XCR if your into new piston guns. I feel it beats both the 556 and Stag.
I didn't know that before buying but I sure hope mine lasts that long without needing parts. I'm looking at having to replace things on my 22LR M4ergy probably in the not too distant future.
They both have the same rails, fire the same ammo, take the same mags. Honestly, I'd say the choice between Stag and the Sig comes down to personal preference. Do you want an AR or do you want a cool and different 5.56 that has the bonus of using M4 mags? Like I said, I bought the Sig specifically because it wasn't an AR.
Siggie
Member
I have a SSG 551 LE where the trigger is great. Over here they are sold according to the official military specification, with only the "Automatic" capability removed. So no trigger tuning still it breaks clean.
As for the brass damage:
I did overcome this with fitting a little piece of double sided foam tape just behind the ejector port. Whilst this prevents damaging the brass and leaving stains on the upper receiver, it does not stop the brass of flying almost as far as the bullets
... For this I am constructing an easy case deflector from a pieve of wire and a fishing net.Ar.
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