Sig Sauer 556 swat - recommended?

[ohBehave]

I like the AK and the AR, the Sig 556 seems to have some of the best of both....reliability and accuracy.

I guess I am asking: Am I correct on that judgement?

There isn't a lot of chat re: the Sig 556.

So what's the scoop?

There is a lightly used one (very new condition) with all the bells and whistles available in my area for $1,500. Surefire pistol grip with associated surefire flashlight, plenty of mags, and several hundred rounds.

What are the pros and cons of this weapon. Right off the bat, I can only think of one con.... and that is that this is a somewhat uncommon rifle making parts slightly less available than the usual AK and AR.

[Herd Sniper]

YouTube has some videos of Sig 556 rifles over there. Go to YouTube.com to see what they find out about the Sig 556. You may be in for a rude surprise because at least one poster does NOT recommend the Sig 556.

[ohBehave]

thanks...

I'm noticing that online conversations about the Sig 556 lead to further discussions (and recommendations) on the LWRC .308 and the FN.

[lildrestl3]

I like mine alot, I can get on target fast and the mussel drops right back on target..... Easy to Take apart and clean... Well Made Gun

[BCWoods]

I have one and think it is a good rifle. I don't shoot it much only because of the caliber.

[Forster]

I've seen some and read reports on 556 passing and failing 1.5k round courses, all failures were Quality control issues.

[Gladius]

While not the 5.56mm version, here's my experience with the new 556R 7.62x39.

YouTube - Review: Sig 556R 7.62x39 rifle

YouTube - Sig 556R Malfunctions

Of the rifles I've seen, they have spotty quality at best. The stocks on both the 556 and 556R are nothing short of toyish and what I would consider to be "bad". They are flimsy and poorly made. The red dot sight is a poor quality Chinese knock-off that honestly, I can't believe Sig would even include with their rifles. I would rather have quality open sights than a cheap $20 red dot.

YMMV

[Conquerordie]

A buddy of mine had one, says the stock was really wobbly, got rid of it for that reason. Could have been a bad egg, but I've read that complaint on a lot of the forums. The stock is a pretty important piece, so any complaints about it's design would make me look real hard. Then again, with the after market parts available, you probably would be able to solve that. In the end, if you like, get it!

[Regular Guy]

Originally Posted by ohBehave

AR, has the best of both....reliability and accuracy.

FTFY. AR-15 are reliable. Please stop with this stupid myth.

[fuggit]

I F1 this Sig 556p. Sig made this so it was easy to make into an SBR. One of my favorite rifles to shoot. Very well balanced and accurate.

[556]

A used 556 for $1500 is too much. The prices on the basic model have dropped recently to under $1000. Cheaper than Dirt had the swat version new for $1092. The thing I like about mine is that it is very, very reliable. From 55 grain steel-cased cheap Russian to 75 grain match ammo, it never malfunctions. The bolt carrier group stays relatively clean after hundreds of rounds. All of the operating parts are heavy-duty. The piston rod is robust enough to use as a club. The things I don't like are the cheap sights, some of the stocks and forends, etc. I've spent a few hundred bucks replacing those things, which I would have likely done with any AR.

[chillin]

I bought my Sig 556 about a year ago and love it. I have put a couple thousand rounds through it and have never had a malfunction. (knock on wood) Very accurate. I would replace the red dot scope most come with. Not very good. Invest in a better one and get some good iron sights if it doesn't come with them. Very easy to take apart and clean. I could see where some people would complain about the stock. I personally don't have any issues with it but if I had the extra cash I would maybe think about swapping it out for something more sturdy, but it's not high on my list of things to do. Save the $$ and get a high quality scope for it.

Bottom line is it is a good quality rifle for the money in my opinion.

[DaveinCT]

I have a SIG556 I bought from my buddy a the gun shop, he needed money to buy his SCAR. It has a troy rail, Lazer and many other extras and I got it for $1200 with an eoTECH too!! In the end he gave me the custom fit foam case for it and a 100 round drum too..

So far I love it, my son likes it so much I basically gave it to him as his very own. I too like the the AK/AR style mix up to these guns and they are easy to clean.

She throws a nice fireball too, a pic of my son shooting it..

[kef3stlmo]

Originally Posted by fuggit

I F1 this Sig 556p. Sig made this so it was easy to make into an SBR. One of my favorite rifles to shoot. Very well balanced and accurate.

Nice rifle!

How is that ACE socom stock treating ya? I've been running one for years, love it....except that the neoprene sleeve likes to tug facial hair!

[fuggit]

Originally Posted by kef3stlmo

Nice rifle!

How is that ACE socom stock treating ya? I've been running one for years, love it....except that the neoprene sleeve likes to tug facial hair!

No problems with any part of the platform including the stock. I don't have a beard, but I know what it feels like to yank nose hairs. It's a good way to lubricate dry eyes.

My rifle shoots nice groups at 100 yards even though it only has the 10.25" barrel. With the suppressor, it's fun to shoot and easy to carry around with or without a sling.

[Spirittrakker]

I have a Sig 556 classic that my uncle left me when he passed away. It had never been fired until I took it out for the first time. I also have a DPMS AR-15. Although I prefer the AR due to weight and overall size, my Sig is dead-on and very sturdy. I understand the complaints about the folding telescopic stock, it has some play in the mechanism, but it doesn't effect the accuracy of the weapon. I would never consider parting with it considering where it came from. With that in mind, I have only run a few hundred rounds through it, but have yet to experience ANY failures. The complaint seem to be more about the freeplay in the stock, than mechanical failure. I'd trust it with my life, and my family if it came to it.

[flyboy1304]

Originally Posted by ohBehave

I like the AK and the AR, the Sig 556 seems to have some of the best of both....reliability and accuracy.

I guess I am asking: Am I correct on that judgement?

There isn't a lot of chat re: the Sig 556.

So what's the scoop?

There is a lightly used one (very new condition) with all the bells and whistles available in my area for $1,500. Surefire pistol grip with associated surefire flashlight, plenty of mags, and several hundred rounds.

What are the pros and cons of this weapon. Right off the bat, I can only think of one con.... and that is that this is a somewhat uncommon rifle making parts slightly less available than the usual AK and AR.

I wouldn't get one.... Propriatary parts only thru SIG. I hear all this BS everywhere about AR's being un reliable. I've even run test- and there are many videos and test about the AR vs AK reliability out there and Pistol VS Gas. I've done 3 combat tours to Iraq. My M4 has NEVER malfunctioned in Combat.

leave the safety/dust cover open on an AK and burry it in the dirt or sand it will fail. 1 shot off then it will not operate.

Leave the dust cover open on an AR bury it, then fire it... it will fire the whole mag.

There are many videos out there to prove this.

Back to the SIG 556. Decent weapon system, Too expensive for what you get. You can build an VERY VERY nice AR for far less. Hell you can Build TWO AR's for the price of 1 SIG 556. If you are a collector, and already have an AR and AK, the a SIG is a nice rifle to add to the collection. But there is nothing wrong with an AR GAS driven Carbine... The piston crap is not necessary.

[rambo66]

I have one I like it very much. I picked it up new it was 1250. has the sig rear sight looks like H&K style. I like my 556 SWAT better than the first 556 I had with the plastic frunt grip and that cheep flip up rear sight and AR type stock. It is heaver than most of my ARs and my BushMaster ACR but I like it.

[snowdog650]

I've had conversations with several LEOs from multiple agencies about the Sig 556. Basically, they all said that their repesctive agencies were getting rid of all of their Sig rifles because of the expense to maintain and repair them. They stated that under heavy use (like a LE agency would place on a rifle), they simply don't keep running like the traditional M4 configuration rifles do.

[strokes762]

Originally Posted by Gladius

While not the 5.56mm version, here's my experience with the new 556R 7.62x39.

YouTube - Review: Sig 556R 7.62x39 rifle
YouTube - Sig 556R Malfunctions

Of the rifles I've seen, they have spotty quality at best. The stocks on both the 556 and 556R are nothing short of toyish and what I would consider to be "bad". They are flimsy and poorly made. The red dot sight is a poor quality Chinese knock-off that honestly, I can't believe Sig would even include with their rifles. I would rather have quality open sights than a cheap $20 red dot.

YMMV

I had a chance to shoot the 556R and after that day I don't think I'll ever buy a Sig product ever. If I want an AR I'll buy an AR, AK I'll buy an AK, hybrid I'll buy a PTR32. Handguns I'll go CZ or Springfield Armory. I was very disappointed in its overall quality as well as its ability to function. If their rifles are so crappy I don't think I'll buy one of their new handguns, maybe an older P226 or P228/9, maybe.