Sig M400 or Sig 556?

[inkinskin]

I have been approached with a trade offer and want some advice. I currently own a Sig M400 Enhanced MOE Rifle and am happy with it. I mostly just bench shoot recreationally from 100 - 200 yards.

I was recently approached with someone who is offering to trade me a Sig 556 Classic Swat. It has a low round count and from pics seems to be in very good shape. I am happy with an AR but I like the idea of an accurate piston system rifle other than an AK or an AR. (I have an AK to just for the record)

Now I have done my research online and found good and bad remarks when it comes to Sigs QC on these rifles. People say the gas piston system is awesome, and they are accurate rifles but they some of them have feed issues. My M400 has been outstanding with no failures of any kind and I bought it last year.

My question is does anyone else own one of these, and if so what are your experiences? If there are problems are they specific to a date of manufacturing? Just trying to get a little more knowledge before I commit to the deal.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Everyone.

 

[happygeek]

Go into it knowing that the front rail doesn't hold zero, and may not line up 100% with the rail on top of the receiver either.

It does field strip and clean up nicely, and in a way it's kinda like an AK that has an upper & lower receiver and a rail on top of the upper for optics. It also takes standard M16 mags, so that's a bonus if you already own a bunch.

They were going for around $1,000 before the panic. I'm still kicking myself for being an idiot and buying one for $1,500 in late summer/early fall 2009. If I'd have waited a year I could have had the 556 and a Sig 522 for the same money. Considering the Sig 522 uses the same Black Dog mags as my AR 22 I really wish I'd have waited. :banghead:

 

[Walkalong]

The 556 is very nice (I have a Classic), but I do not know if I would trade the 400 for it. I would try to keep it and get the 556, but if you prefer it, and a trade is the only way to acquire it within reason, go for it.

My 556 Classic is really sweet, and I do not see it going anywhere. It is so easy to shoot well, even folded.

 

[bluekouki86]

I also own the Sig M400 Enhanced. I have been a life long AK guy, and I'm very pleased with the rifle. Like you, I've had zero failures with the M400. In my eyes its a keeper and I wouldn't let it go. If you want the 556 just make more room in the safe and find the funds else where.

 

[kimberkid]

I don't have a M400, but I have a couple very reliable AR's ... Nor do I have the 556 classic swat, but I do have a 556 classic and a 556 pistol which is SBR'd.

What I can tell you is that since 2007 when I got my first SiG-556 my AR's have taken a permenent back seat ... the main reason is handling. The SiG doesn't have the muzzle rise and a great two-stage trigger right out of the box.

I guess what I'm saying mirrors bluekouki86 advise ... make room in the safe and find the funds somewhere else.

 

[Sapper771]

In my eyes its a keeper and I wouldn't let it go. If you want the 556 just make more room in the safe and find the funds else where.

This.

A friend if mine had a 556 classic. He asked me to help him zero it because his last attempt didn't go too well. This friend is no stranger to rifle marksmanship. The best he and I could get the rifle to do was 3" at 50 yards. We tried several different loads ranging from 52gr to 69gr with the same results. This is just my experience with ONE sample, YMMV. I liked the rifle though. It functioned well and the trigger was decent.

 

[henschman]

Sapper, I would be sending that rifle back. That's 6 MOA... worse than my sewer pipe barrel Mosin, or my buddy's K98 using old ammo, half of which were hangfires. Something is wrong.

 

[JustinJ]

I bought a very early 556 Swat and deeply regretted it, especially at the cost I paid. With the long quad rail the thing was just way too front heavy and had to go back to Sig due to feeding issues. I hear the current ones are better and the price has gone down significantly. However, if I got another one i'd probably go with the shorter gas length version due to weight. I do like the design of the gas system and it shot well after the feeding issue was resolved.

I read a blurb in the back of a gun magazine about Sig releasing a version with a removable barrel but that didn't seem to materialize.

 

[Fishbed77]

I am happy with an AR but I like the idea of an accurate piston system rifle other than an AK or an AR.

I would be very surprised if the piston-driven SIG was more accurate than the DI M400.

 

[YZ]

Inkinskin

All theory aside, if I were you, I'd shoulder and dry fire both, side by side.
Which one feels more balanced in your short/long/average hold?
How high is your line of sight over the bore axis, and how well your preferred optics will fill the gap?
How is the trigger?
Are you happy with the length of pull on the 556 compared to the telescopic AR stock?
Are you ever going to use a suppressor?

Not given a chance to test fire, you can still make a well informed decision. (I love being in your position. It's a good life)

Once done, you owe it to all of us to post a shamelessly biased range report!

 

[JustinJ]

All theory aside, if I were you, I'd shoulder and dry fire both, side by side.
Which one feels more balanced in your short/long/average hold?

Good advice. Also you might want to check the different versions of the 556, short and long gas system and then with and without rails.

Are you happy with the length of pull on the 556 compared to the telescopic AR stock?

I don't know if they still do but the 556 was available with a telescoping stock. Mine was adjustable, telescoping and had different sized butt pads so there were quite a few different length of pull options.

 

[inkinskin]

The one that is being offered to me has the telescoping as well as folding stock. He has also upgraded the quad rail to a Troy rail. He is also throwing in a Sure fire light, and a custom Pelican hard shell case.

I have read some posts stating the rails not matching up, but I plan on mounting my optics on the receiver part & not the forend so that shouldn't be a problem.

I have read and seen videos of people being happy with accuracy. Some have had complaints but after further reading were resolved after sending it back to Sig. Most of the feeding issues I read about were on the 556R models that shoot the 7.62X39 cartridge. I am aware that the front end is heavier with the quad rail, and the overall weight is more. I actually don't have a problem with the extra weight. I will mostly be shooting on the bench with a sandbag or a bipod. I plan on meeting up this Saturday and handling the rifle and making sure it is comfortable and what I am looking for.

I will post my decision after Saturday and let you know if I bring it home or not. Either way I will have a quality dependable rifle so I win either way lol.

Thanks for the comments and feedback. Much appreciated!!

 

[inkinskin]

Well I went and checked out the 556 today. Felt good and solid in my hands, & I love the trigger so I made the trade. Unfortunately I did not make it to the range yet. I am going to try to make it in the morning so we will see. Will post range reports soon. For now here is a pic.