Sig 550 Sniper vs AR-15

[gixxersixxer]

How does the Sig 550 Sniper compare to the AR-15? I have shot the AR but only recently discovered the Sig 550. Are the Sig 550 legal for civilian use? Since it's a Sig I assume the accuracy of the gun would coincide with the AR. What would be the negatives of this rifle? Also the intended use of the rifle would be for coyote/varmit hunting if that helps.

 

[cslinger]

Well

Since the SIG 550 was a victim to the 89 ban on non-sporting firearms and the fact that there are only around 50 or so in the country expect to pay in the neighborhood of $13,000.

Now I am a SIG guy. I mean SIG is the epitomy of firearms manufacturers to me. I love both their handguns and rifles. I feel the SIG 55X series is a much better weapon than the AR-15 so much so that it would justify a premium over the cost of a good AR-15.

Now that being said. $13,000 is friggen ludirous, crazy, out of control. You could buy multiple versions of the best ARs in the business and still have access to the cheap magazines.

Right now the way the political pendulum swings AR-15 no questions asked is the way to go. ARs are great guns for your intended purpose.

I WILL OWN A SIG 55X SOMEDAY. Oh yes it will be mine.

Chris

 

[Jack19]

If I remember right, the Sig 550 is in the many thousands of dollars price range.

You'll kill'em just as dead with the multiple ARs you can buy.

 

[gixxersixxer]

Dang I was afraid of that. As soon as I saw the picture I knew it would be a very sweet gun to have.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

There was one on GunBroker.com about a month ago; starting bid $12,500 as I recall.

NIB never fired.

I must have killed about 10 minutes looking at the pictures... it was hypnotic.


I believe Kobun on this board has a shorty 550... but he's in Norway and they do thinks different there.

 

[Charley]

In Canada we can get something called the 'Swissarms' rifle. Depending on color the names are 'black special', 'green classic', blue star'.
They have basically Sig 550's with flash suppressors and built in (but removable bipod in forearm) and folding stocks too. P&D Enterprise in Edmonton, Alberta carries them. Price is $2999 Canadian which works out to be about a little over $2000 US. I don't know if they can be imported to US but you could check out p&d's website and contact them.

$12,000 US is almost $17000 Canadian!!! WAY too much for any gun in my opinion.

 

[Telperion]

If the AWB dies, I'll get down on my knees and beg SIGarms to start domestic production of 55x rifles.

 

[cslinger]

There is much talk at SIGARMs about a domestically produced version of the 55X series. I think alot hinges on the AWB. Basically I don't know if it would be in their best interestes to move or build tooling here, and have to screw with the design so it accepts something like an AR-15 magazine. I would be willing to bet they looked at the lack of sales of the HK-SL8 and figured that much of that was due to the compromised needed in order to import the firearm.

Should the AWB go away they could easily build a domestic version and be able to produce the magazines for it that everybody would want. Right now with the AWB there simply is little competition for the AR-15 / AK-47 since there are a gazillion cheap pre ban magazines out there. As much as I would like a SIG 55X I don't think I would want a gelded one.

Those are my thoughts.

Chris

 

[Wildalaska]

Hi Ive shot 550s and 551s both semi and full. They are accurate and well made. They arent any better than an AR15, and not much better (except in fit and finish) than an FNC...They are rifles designed for the target range and not for battle. IMHO

WildtheswissstillpolishtheirbayonetsAlaska

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I've shot one at the SOF match when the sig guys were doing a live fire demo, and i liked it. it fit me pretty well.

 

[Chipperman]

A friend has one. Very fine workmanship, slick smooth action.
Is it nicer to shoot than an AR? Yes.
Would I pay that much? No.

 

[Kenneth Lew]

Since the SIG 550 was a victim to the 89 ban on non-sporting firearms and the fact that there are only around 50 or so in the country expect to pay in the neighborhood of $13,000.

Your a little off.

http://www.fjvollmer.com/vollmer1/7/sig_550__nib.htm
Sold for $8,995

http://www.fjvollmer.com/New_page_27.htm
Sold for $6,195

Another in FFL in the Houston area asked $7,995 for one. It did not last long.

Kenneth Lew

 

[swingset]

They are rifles designed for the target range and not for battle.

Ahhh, as if the Swiss just engineer for lazy summer days at the range....

Take a look at their test data and endurance trials for the 550 sometime (I've seen them online). They stood up to some ruthless testing, just as the PE57 and K-31's before them did. Ironically, both those guns too were called "too nice for the battlefield".

You have to remember these guns are not made, nor were they designed, to be drug through the sand of the Sahara. They were meant for one purpose - to defend Switzerland.

It's kind of a shame their guns never got the real-world testing that would have silenced so many critics, but then again that's just the way the Swiss want it - design their military so well they never have to use it.

 

[Wildalaska]

Take a look at their test data and endurance trials for the 550 sometime (I've seen them online). They stood up to some ruthless testing, just as the PE57 and K-31's before them did. Ironically, both those guns too were called "too nice for the battlefield".

Seen that stuff, been to the SIG facility, shot their guns, stand by the statement.

And the k31 nor the PE57 would never have made it in a real war...the 550 would stand a modest chance

And Id give the Swiss about two weeks standing up to a modern army (read us)...

WildnicelyengineeredisokbutsoisanakAlaska

 

[max popenker]

to Wildalaska
Oh, yeah, the US empire troopers will conquer all...

but then, remeber that Swiss is't anythin like big and flat Iraq. just imagine that every bush, every cave and every building can hide a marksman far, far more advanced not only than any Iraqui or Afghani "warrior", but than any average US grunt, and farm more deticated to its "job". Most swiss are great shooters, and every home contains many guns, including assault rifles and plenty of ammo.

dare to fight against nation of partisan marksmen? Hah.

and you simply can't bomt any mountainous country into the stone age before you march your G.I. in. Especially if that country can hold you by most painful thing - your financial balls.

But, returning to topic - SIGs are overpriced, yes. But are they any worse than AR15? Nah.

 

[Kobun]

The "all conquering americans" would have big problems after the first weeks of bombing in a country that isn't flat desert.
After all the bridges are blown (we still build them with holes to place explosives), you couldn't get your tanks through the main roads.
Try to send in engineers to build something?
Can you say "long range sharpshooter"?
I still don't see you having the whole of Iraq under full controll, so I guess a few (even unexperienced) men with rifles can make the life difficult for the "all conquering americans".
Sure, you have the planes, the bombs, the tanks, the men, the technology etc, but do you have the will power to see man after man being sent home in a box? And for what reason?

I think those of you "great" Americans that beat your chests and say that you can invade anyone, any time should pause for a minute and think about WHY wou would want to invade someone.
Would it really be worth it, just to prove you can?

 

[cslinger]

Would it really be worth it, just to prove you can?

Ahh but there is that wonderful chocolate and we could loot those bank accounts and then we could rule the world....BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH BHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Sorry bout' that my evil, meglomanic side gets the best of me from time to time. Just let me take on of my pills and I will be fine.

Geez, I like the SIG 550. I don't want to invade anybody. Heck I'd be happy if we all got along and our guns were just toys for pleasure. How'd this turn into a let's invade Switzerland post.

Back on topic. AR-15s are great, SIG 550s are great. You could by a bunch of ARs for the cost of a SIG 550 in America. People shooting at other people is usually bad for one or both parties no matter the platform.

..............but mark my words those damn Swiss will pay.......Oops sorry it happened again. Usually takes a few minutes for the drugs to take effect.

 

[KMKeller]

??? Man! This thread went south in a huge hurry!

 

[cslinger]

Don't push us Kobun............

Norway is next on my list.

Man, it looks like I may have to up my dosage.

Just kidding.

How do you like your 55X. You have a 551 or 552 correct? No need to post pictures I try not to drool on my work keyboard.

Alright post a picture if you have one handy.

Chris

I wonder if Sheslinger would understand the $7000-$13000 for a .223 rifle. Let's see reasons for needing it.

Help the economy.
Defend against the Swiss in case they go on the offensive.
Mutant Ninja Grizzly Undead Bears.
CUZZZZZIAWWWWANNNNTTTTTIITTTWAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Because the snob appeal of a $10K SIG is almost unimaginable.
Because why would we need 10 AR-15s?

Mmmmm one of these has to work.

 

[Kaylee]

Kobun, chill... it's nothing personal, we're just awful jealous of the Swiss and their "full auto issued rifle in every closet" idea.

Now, before we get into a "My Dad can beat up Your Dad" dust-up... how's about we all get back to the rifle, eh? *ahem hint hint*

-K

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Wildalaska: The sg550 series is sixteen times the gun the AK series is.


It has damn fine sights, the safety is in a non stupid location, and at least on the sample i shot, the trigger was something on the good side of terrible.

 

[Kobun]

cslinger, you have to wait in line to get us.
I guess our SF in Afghanistan did a little (read: alot) more than being "forward air observers".

I have a SG 552, and I did not have a new image ready, so I had to go and take a few. Just for you guys.

Kaylee, I'm cool. Just get a little sick of the "we are best, allways" mentality that one sees from time to time.
The Swiss have rifles issued allright. So much so that Swiss Arms has problems selling the 55X in Switzerland, cause why pay for something when you allready have one? Not good for business.
But the Swiss can't have ammo floating around.
They have a sealed 20rnd battlepack, serial numbered...
If they want to shoot, they have to go to the range, and then buy the ammo there. Can't bring it home!
This is what I have heared, but the rules are enforced a bit different in the different regions.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Kobun-

Well that's just about the coolest thing I've seen all week.

edit- hey what's the thingy right under the flash suppressor? Laser?

edit AGAIN- I think I figured it out; either bayo-lug or more likely bi-pod mount.

 

[cslinger]

Ok here is the plan. We need to come up with a sport or hunting expedition that specifically calls for these types of weapons.

Assault Skeet.
Instead of Cowboy Action Shooting......Mall Ninja Tactical Target Games
Deer wearing body armor. We could get PETA behind this one.

That is about the coolest semi auto .223 in my book. I ain't sayings it's better or worse then anything else and don't want to start a pi%#@#$ match but boy that 552 would be just fine for me.

Thanks for the pic.
Chris

 

[Kobun]

QBG, yes its a bipod mount for a Versapod / Parker Hale.
Maby a bit silly on a 8.9" barrel (7" rifling), but better to have than not have.

Sorry I didn't get the whole scope in the pic, but now its raining and getting too dark to take a new one.

Some time when it is sunny, and the tide is a bit higher, I'll dump the rifle on the beach and take some pics.
Guess I'll have to wait untill there ain't anyone fishing right next too me then.