jae011
Member
what would be the pros or cons of a sig 556 vs a ar15
sig 556
- Thread starter jae011
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Some 556 pros -
Folding stock
Less muzzle rise/felt recoil with its piston system
Very clean running
Doesn't heat up as quickly
Different ergonomics - I prefer the side charging handle
Some AR pros -
More common parts
Can change caliber or barrel length by changing the upper
More aftermarket accessory choices (although lots fit 556 too)
May be lighter weight depending upon the model
In my opinion they're pretty close. I don't regret buying any of my ARs or my 556 SWAT model.
Folding stock
Less muzzle rise/felt recoil with its piston system
Very clean running
Doesn't heat up as quickly
Different ergonomics - I prefer the side charging handle
Some AR pros -
More common parts
Can change caliber or barrel length by changing the upper
More aftermarket accessory choices (although lots fit 556 too)
May be lighter weight depending upon the model
In my opinion they're pretty close. I don't regret buying any of my ARs or my 556 SWAT model.
Tommygunn
Member
Sig 556;
Accurate
Reliable -- based on the AK design with some changes to the recoil spring & piston.
Takes AR mags. It comes with Sig mags which are considered to be cr@p in many Sig circles --- and I don't doubt it.
They are heavier than the AR design, and the full length versions, especially so. The Patrol and SWAT Patrol versions have a short piston system and these are somewhat lighter, but not as light as the M4orgery style ARs.
Some people have had problems with the Sig 556's "pencil" barrel.
The Picatinny rail is a separate piece on the 556, and a few rifles have had problems with canted rails.
The folding stock system is not as robust as some people like. Mine---I have never had any of the above problems.
AR-
Many more aftermarket add on options. You can mix-match uppers, lowers, assemble your own guns, many of the holographic sights and red dots work better on the AR and are easier to co-witness in the AR system.
The bad is the Direct Impingement gas system. This means you ...."theoretically" ... have to clean it out thoroughly. Really, though, any rifle should be maintained well, and the DI system in the AR is unfairly maligned. I have heard too many stories of people shooting the *** out of an AR, even dry, and had it just keep on going.
Yes, any platform can have lemons. With ARs the high end at this point seems to be Noveske, Colt, Daniel Defense. These are said to be superfantasmagorically reliable. They are absolutlely the best -- and the price reflects this.
Bushmasters are nice too.
The things to "worry" on the ARs mainly are the gas key, which are often improperly staked on the lesser brands, such as the above mentioned Bushmaster. This can be corrected. Also, the buffer may be wrong in the carbine versions, you may need an "H" or "H2" buffer.
The Sig 556 uses a 1:7 twist barrel which is good for the heavier bullets (longer, really, but longer usually means heavier)
Most ARs seem to have 1:9 twist. Noveske might have 1:7 and Colt. 1:9 barrels work best with 55 grain bullets which are very common.
Accurate
Reliable -- based on the AK design with some changes to the recoil spring & piston.
Takes AR mags. It comes with Sig mags which are considered to be cr@p in many Sig circles --- and I don't doubt it.
They are heavier than the AR design, and the full length versions, especially so. The Patrol and SWAT Patrol versions have a short piston system and these are somewhat lighter, but not as light as the M4orgery style ARs.
Some people have had problems with the Sig 556's "pencil" barrel.
The Picatinny rail is a separate piece on the 556, and a few rifles have had problems with canted rails.
The folding stock system is not as robust as some people like. Mine---I have never had any of the above problems.
AR-
Many more aftermarket add on options. You can mix-match uppers, lowers, assemble your own guns, many of the holographic sights and red dots work better on the AR and are easier to co-witness in the AR system.
The bad is the Direct Impingement gas system. This means you ...."theoretically" ... have to clean it out thoroughly. Really, though, any rifle should be maintained well, and the DI system in the AR is unfairly maligned. I have heard too many stories of people shooting the *** out of an AR, even dry, and had it just keep on going.
Yes, any platform can have lemons. With ARs the high end at this point seems to be Noveske, Colt, Daniel Defense. These are said to be superfantasmagorically reliable. They are absolutlely the best -- and the price reflects this.
Bushmasters are nice too.
The things to "worry" on the ARs mainly are the gas key, which are often improperly staked on the lesser brands, such as the above mentioned Bushmaster. This can be corrected. Also, the buffer may be wrong in the carbine versions, you may need an "H" or "H2" buffer.
The Sig 556 uses a 1:7 twist barrel which is good for the heavier bullets (longer, really, but longer usually means heavier)
Most ARs seem to have 1:9 twist. Noveske might have 1:7 and Colt. 1:9 barrels work best with 55 grain bullets which are very common.
AR (and I am assuming you are going to buy a top tier AR):
More Accurate: My Noveske is sub MOA a Sig 556 is more like 2 MOA (which may not matter one bit depending on how you use it.)
Most carbine courses are AR-centric so good instruction on how to run the weapon is more readily available.
AR gives you the ability to swap uppers.
Lighter
Better Balance, Sigs tend to be a bit front heavy.
Parts and accessories are everywhere
Pros for the sig:
Folding stock
AK-esque operating system. As an aside I believe a quality AR is a reliable weapon. The big issue with them seems not to be whether they are clean but rather whether they are lubed.
Unique: sometimes people like to have something a little different and if you are that type of person then you might like having a sig more.
Price: The sig has dropped dramatically in price recently. It is not an advantage per se vis a vis the AR. You can get a good AR for around $1K. The fact the 556 is no longer $1600 makes it a closer horse race between the two.
In sum, both good rifles someone could probably be pretty happy with either one for most tasks. I think the higher end AR has a slight edge but that is for how I use my gun. I shoot with people that have Sigs and I wouldn't mind owning one. It would be a nice compliment to my AR and my 5.56 AK.
What do you plan to use it for?
More Accurate: My Noveske is sub MOA a Sig 556 is more like 2 MOA (which may not matter one bit depending on how you use it.)
Most carbine courses are AR-centric so good instruction on how to run the weapon is more readily available.
AR gives you the ability to swap uppers.
Lighter
Better Balance, Sigs tend to be a bit front heavy.
Parts and accessories are everywhere
Pros for the sig:
Folding stock
AK-esque operating system. As an aside I believe a quality AR is a reliable weapon. The big issue with them seems not to be whether they are clean but rather whether they are lubed.
Unique: sometimes people like to have something a little different and if you are that type of person then you might like having a sig more.
Price: The sig has dropped dramatically in price recently. It is not an advantage per se vis a vis the AR. You can get a good AR for around $1K. The fact the 556 is no longer $1600 makes it a closer horse race between the two.
In sum, both good rifles someone could probably be pretty happy with either one for most tasks. I think the higher end AR has a slight edge but that is for how I use my gun. I shoot with people that have Sigs and I wouldn't mind owning one. It would be a nice compliment to my AR and my 5.56 AK.
What do you plan to use it for?
i have a sig 556 & i can recommend it highly. nice gun to shoot,very low recoil,i bought it about 2 years ago off a friend for 1100 & i thought that was a good deal. when it was 1600 i couldnt see spending that much,but for 1000-1100 its well worth it...
Evil Monkey
member
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- Jun 26, 2006
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- 1,486
There's no pros to the SIG556. It's one big con. Owners of this rifle system have noted QC issues rampant, poor ergonomics and control layout for such a high dollar rifle, etc.
If you have money to buy a sig556, then the same money can be used to by a high quality ar15 rifle.
Do it right the first time.
If you have money to buy a sig556, then the same money can be used to by a high quality ar15 rifle.
Do it right the first time.
I found the SIG556 a bit disappointing for a couple of reasons.
1. Not as accurate as I had been led to believe. Not bad, but not up to a tuned AR. It is very easy to get the latter to shoot sub MOA
2. Felt loose. particularly the buttstock. I bought mine when the price was still fairly high and it seemed a little cheaply out together.
All that being said, mine was a solid, reliable rifle and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I wanted something 'different'. Just understand what it is and isn't. It's a nice semi-auto copy of a military rifle.
Other posters have pretty much hit on the big pros and cons.
1. Not as accurate as I had been led to believe. Not bad, but not up to a tuned AR. It is very easy to get the latter to shoot sub MOA
2. Felt loose. particularly the buttstock. I bought mine when the price was still fairly high and it seemed a little cheaply out together.
All that being said, mine was a solid, reliable rifle and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I wanted something 'different'. Just understand what it is and isn't. It's a nice semi-auto copy of a military rifle.
Other posters have pretty much hit on the big pros and cons.
Carter
Member
I about bought a Sig 556, got an XCR instead. Its a better rifle all around.
That said, you could get a great AR for less.
That said, you could get a great AR for less.
nwilliams
Member
Comparing the Sig 556 to an AR is no different than comparing an AR to an AK. In fact you'd do better to compare the Sig 556 to an AK than you would to an AR since the 55x line of rifles have more in common with an AK than it does with an AR.
I really like my Sig 556, however I think ever since the price came down on the 556 is more appealing to me. For $1,500 or more I think there are much better options out there, however for around $1,000 I think you get a great gun for reasonable price.
If I were going to choose between the Sig 556 and an AR-15 for around the same price I would go with an AR. The AR is a more customizable platform, more accurate and lighter. As for reliability I would say they are about equal but it really depends on which AR brand you are talking about, some AR brands are more reliable than others.
If you can't decide between the Sig 556 and an AR-15 the simple solution (although not the cheapest) is to just buy one of each. Both guns feel very different and are in fact two very different guns.
Here's my Daniel Defense and my Sig 556, I like them both for different reasons and wouldn't give up one because I have the other.
I really like my Sig 556, however I think ever since the price came down on the 556 is more appealing to me. For $1,500 or more I think there are much better options out there, however for around $1,000 I think you get a great gun for reasonable price.
If I were going to choose between the Sig 556 and an AR-15 for around the same price I would go with an AR. The AR is a more customizable platform, more accurate and lighter. As for reliability I would say they are about equal but it really depends on which AR brand you are talking about, some AR brands are more reliable than others.
If you can't decide between the Sig 556 and an AR-15 the simple solution (although not the cheapest) is to just buy one of each. Both guns feel very different and are in fact two very different guns.
Here's my Daniel Defense and my Sig 556, I like them both for different reasons and wouldn't give up one because I have the other.
MTMilitiaman
Member
For me it would come down to whether I thought a little weight and a folding stock was worth it compared to a piston AR.
InkEd
Member
With the Sig you get a robust rifle than is not a target rifle like the AR. It is a workhorse more like an AK. Think more super-refined AK more than lightweight target rifle like the AR. I love my Sig556.
rd2007
Member
I'd listen to the actual owners of 556s and they, for the most part, are in agreement that it is a good rifle. This is especially true now that the price has come down quite a bit. I had wanted the Classic SWAT for quite a while, but couldn't justify the price. I'm glad the price came down because it is a very sweet rifle. I especially like its AK qualities.
It is a bit heavy, but solid as a tank.
It is a bit heavy, but solid as a tank.
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