Gunfighter

Tac · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Arizona

Anybody got any experience with the Sig 556 rifle? I have been looking at them lately, and becoming more and more interested in one. I am looking for an "op rod" system rifle in 5.56 that takes AR style magazines.

If this rifle is anything like their pistols, I am assuming it is probably a good shooter.

If you have any experience with this rifle system, good or bad, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,
Tac

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Seattle Metro Area

See my post to the POF thread.

markb · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: WA

You asked about the SIG 556.

I can tell you that the sigs are a great rifle. They beat the AR's and almost any other rifle hands down. Here are some of the reasons for this claim.

More reliable, SIGs are famous for reliability, work in any environment, ice, sand, water etc. Sub MOA accuracy out of the box, better trigger, come with a two stage trigger that is state of the art. Better eurgonomics with one exception. (bolt charging hangle is on the right side of the rifle, can cause stoppage if it strikes an object during operation). All the usuall toy attachments can be added to the 556. Sigs are heavier than most AR's coming in at 7 pounds. More front end weight which is because of the piston system. AR's are now moving towards the piston recoil system, "case in point HK 415, Barrett, POF, etc". Just a better, more reliable system.

I own both the 551 and 556 systems from SIG and a whole lot of other weapons, I would take the SIG over all of those other rifles with the exception of the Rem. 300 WM. (different ideas)

You will not go wrong with the SIG's, you need to shoot them to appreciate the platform. The felt recoil is totally different than you would expect. Hammer double taps are sooo easy with the SIG's and accurate!!.

Great rifle, the only thing I don't like is the bullet, its too light.

Any questions please let me know. If you lived closer I'd let you shoot the beasts.

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Seattle Metro Area

I have shot the SIG rep's AR. Frankly, my next "AR" will be a 556.

Tac · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Arizona

Well here is an "update"....

I took the plunge and picked up a Sig 556 the other day. I am planning on T&E'ing it for a while, and am looking at this system as a possible candidate for a "patrol rifle" program at my department.

I topped it with an inexpensive red dot sight (mostly because I ran out of money after the rifle purchase), and zero'ed it with the dot sight and the flip up back-up sights.

I then put about 10 thirty round magazines through it, all loaded with mixed brand ammo ranging from mil-spec Federal ball ammo, off the shelf Winchester, some Hornaday TAP duty ammo, Remington soft point hunting ammo, Federal Hollow Points, and some steel cased Wolf ball ammo.

It digested every bit of it without any issue. I was amazed at how close the POA/POI was for all of the various ammo. It liked the Hornaday TAP the best, as far as accuracy went. I got a 5 shot group that was about 1/2 in at 50 yards, with 4 rounds touching, from the bench, using the 55 grain load.

I also ran 4 mags through it as fast as I could, while still keeping all shots in a 6 inch circle at 25 yards.... Boy is this rifle SMOOTH and FAST.... And it gets HOT! I had smoke boiling off of that front end! It still never skipped a beat!

Once I was done, and let it cool down, I pulled it apart and was amazed at how clean the internals were. Even the op-rod and piston/chamber were no where near as dirty as I expected. Other than the oil on the bolt, and the slight brass marks on the bolt face, you could not tell that it had been fired by simply looking at the bolt or the lower reciever/trigger group! This is still shocking to me, as I am a long-time AR shooter who has been using/teaching/carrying/maintaining/repairing the AR pattern black rifle for about 20 years now.

To say the least... I am impressed.

I plan on another range day with this rifle tomorrow.

I will post updates as the progress of my T&E continues.

Semper_Fi

Good 556 report Tac and I believe we'll see more tactical 5.56 shooters picking up SIG 556s.
The SIG 556 accepts standard AR magazines and many AR rail components can be moved straight to the 556.
Piston systems are indeed replacing tube systems and SIG made a good move when they chose 1:7 barrel rifling for the 556 which keeps heavy 5.56 rounds stable at long distances.

Have you tried Militec lubricants www.militec1.com ?

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

I can tell you that Mark B shot his Sig 551 (similar to the 556 and actually the rifle I covet) in the Washington Tac Rifle class under extreme dust conditions (see De-brief Tac Rifle Washington) and it was pretty much flawless. I would like a folding stock 556 for a car gun and an underarm rifle. I really like the rear sight. Like an Hk it rotates to the particular aperture required for the shot.

Tac · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Arizona

Well, I am still running this rifle throuh it's paces... I took it with me to last monday's "Sniper shoot". It was a night shoot with about 8-9 local PD snipers from 3-4 agencies. After we were done with our drills, we each took some time with the 556. We even attached a NVD to the rail and saw what it could do at 100 yards with nothing more than an IR illuminator... It kept a 4 inch group, fired from the standing unsupported with the NVD at the 100 yard line!

Had a couple of flash issues with the NVD, but that is an ammo problem not the gun's fault.

All together everyone who shot it was impressed. The same comment was heard over and over, it's muzzle heavy. I agree, but after having fired it rapid fire, I actually appreciate the location of the weight, as it settles the front sight and reduces muzzle jump greatly.

So far we have about 850 rounds through it and it has not been cleaned or further oiled. It has not shown one sign of slowing down yet.

As a side note, this thing FLINGS the brass. Very positive ejection. It throws the brass about 2 foot forward and 6-8 feet right. For those that have to shoot on-line with a group during qualification/training, this feature is an added bonus..... no more hot brass down the collar.

Haven't shot it with anything but the 55 grain ammo as of yet, mostly due to that being all I generally have access to. I am working on getting some heavier Black Hills stuff to run through it.

I'll keep you posted.....

Semper_Fi

Tac,
Excellent SIG 556 update. The NVD flash situation is powder related as you mention, and as the SIG 556 has 1:7 rifling you may wish to evaluate the Black Hills 77 grain MK BTHP moly-coated round for carry ammunition. Black Hills supplies this round to Spec Ops Teams plus the 75 grain Heavy MHP moly-coated round as well.
The stopping power and accuracy of these rounds lead the .223 category.
Thank you for your service...

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 136 Location: inside the loop

There are lots of Sig556 vids atm but this one really shows the brass forward ejection that Tac mentioned and rapid fire looks very good on it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJU_ox7fWX0&mode=related&search=
Click on little grey box far right-hand corner for full screen (20secs)

markb · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: WA

The sig 556 is a great rifle no doubt. If you are looking at accessorizing the rifle, Yankee Hill Machine builts (get this) a adjustable side folding stock that easily mounts to the rifle. Cost is $300.00 ouch, but worth every penny. They also have a lot of flip up sights for back up.

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Good to know Mark, the folding stock is one of the reasons that I have been wanting the 551. BTW do you have your SpecRail Gear strapped on and ready for anyrhing?
Hoff

markb · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: WA

Yes, and lovin' it. I really like the general location where the pistol and mags sets body wise. Much easier access. Have not tried it out yet at the range but will do it my next 5 days off. The sig mags fit good though and are easily accessible. Can't wait to put it through the paces. Really happy with the rig and the layout. Well worth the wait. Thanks again for your great efforts.

By the way, the sig 556 and the 551 have a similar feel when shooting. The 556 is slightly heavier, (have not weighed them yet to know exactly the difference) The side fold stock is a left hand fold not right hand so the bolt release is covered when folded. That should be OK since one should get use to operating the bolt handle anyway. I do like the adjustable stock over the 551 folding stock since you can adjust for vests and other equipment.

The AR mags are fine in the 556, but I really like the rock and lock of the 551 mag. To me its just as quick to change mags but that positive snap with the 551 mag lets me know that its seated and ready to go.

Both weapons have the ability to add on equipment, and sig is coming out with a SBR version of the 556, so those wishing CQB can get there wishes. (don't know when). Otherwise the internals are all the same.

I'll try to make it to another class of yours soon, and if you like I'll bring the 556 and 551 down so you can try them both out if you want. Let me know if the department would like to demo them and I believe I can ship them down direct to your PD.

On another note since I've got you here, have my 300 win mag up and running so I'm keeping my eyes open for your long range scout class thats coming up. Thanks again for everything.

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

You bet, thanks for the good info.
Hoff

Semper_Fi

As the industry knows, SIG is severely back ordered and it took 7 months for a 556 SWAT to arrive.

After firing 1,000 rounds through the weapon, and having stripped the weapon down several times to learn its design and operational intricacies, I have to say the SIG is very impressive.

Beyond solid construction, very smooth trigger and tight, tight 100 yard groups out of the box, the 1:7 rifled 16" barrel delivers highly accurate long shots (300 yards) with 75 grain ammunition. The simply designed piston system allows for a thorough cleaning time of 20 minutes as compared to 45 minutes for gas system AR-15's.

Excellent combat 5.56 system...