What do you know about the Sig 550/551

[j.wise]

I'm interested in the 550/551 line of rifles by Sig. I've never handled one and I doubt I would buy one given the chance, but I'm a bit curious.

Are they all machine guns, or are some classified (per ATF) as semi-auto?

Did the '86 machine gun restriction, or the '89 import ban stop their importation?

Are they available to law enforcement as individual officer rifles, or only to departments (like the MP5s)?

What is the action? More like an AK/Galil, or more like the AR?

To those of you who own one, or have shot one, how did you like it compared with other EBRs?

Sorry so many questions, but the website for Sigarms I found was only in German (the English side was still under construction.)

 

[Schuey2002]

and I doubt I would buy one given the chance

You do realize that these pups run 8-10K+, right?

 

[Triad]

There are some semi auto versions in the country that civvies can buy legally.
The '89 ban is what killed the importation of them.
I believe the action is basically the Swiss interpretation of a Kalashnikov.
I can't answer the rest of your questions, but someone who can should be here shortly.

 

[Correia]

I got to play with one of the few legal ones out there in Vegas a couple of years ago. Seemed really nice.

The person to ask is Kobun, a Norwegian member of this forum, he has one. And he seems to like it alot.

 

[j.wise]

I was aware that some of the 550/551 rifles sell for $8-10k, but I wasn't certain if those were full-auto or semi-auto.

Regarding the police department getting 552s, the rifles must still be imported in some configuration. Are they only being imported as machine guns for LE agencies, or are they also being imported in semi-auto configurations for individual officer sales?

 

[Schuey2002]

but I wasn't certain if those were full-auto or semi-auto.

That is the price for the semi-automatic models..

Are they only being imported as machine guns for LE agencies,

Yep. They are only being imported for military/ LE agency sales ( Individual officers can't go out and buy one.)

 

[El Tejon]

jwise,

1. it was the Bush edict of March '89 (expanded the January '89 ban) that prohibited further 6s;

2. importation of fully automatic firearms, for us serfs, was prohibited by the SSA of '68;

3. SOTs import both semi-auto only and select fire versions for LE agencies (or militree) only.

 

[j.wise]

Interesting... Would it be fair to compare a Sig 551 to an M96 Expeditionary Rifle? Or would the two be in completely different classes?

They appear similar to me, not being intimately acquainted with either one.

 

[swingset]

Interesting... Would it be fair to compare a Sig 551 to an M96 Expeditionary Rifle? Or would the two be in completely different classes?

Not really much about them that's similar, other than the caliber and purpose. I believe the M96 is heavier by quite a bit, too.

As much as I love the looks and ergos of the 550x series, I have to say that with the relative cheap cost and outstanding performance of AR's nowadays, not to mention the infinite configurations, there is very little appealling about the SIG design given it's cost.