A dealer offered me a decent deal on a SIG 556 today. I'm thinking about trading in my Bushmaster A2 for it. Does here anybody have a 556? If so, how accurate is it? How does it compare to an AR?
SIG 556 opportunity
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nwilliams
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I wouldn't do a trade-in, you will always loose more money that way. You are better off selling it outright or putting it on consignment at your local gun shop. Right now people seem desperate for AR's and are willing to pay top dollar for them. I sold my Bushmaster M4gery for $1200 after the election, I paid $900 for it new less than two years earlier and it sold within a week.
As for the 556.....
I absolutely love my 556! I'm a huge Sig fan so of course I had to buy a 556 eventually, once I learned that you could install traditional 551 style handguards I new it wouldn't be long until I had a 556. Just tonight I ordered the Aurora 55X style rear sight which is copy of the traditional Sig 551 rear sight, I can't tell you how excited I am to get it on my rifle!
Anyway I used the money I got from selling my AR and bought a 556 folder. The gun is everything I hoped it would be, especially after replacing the heavy, clunky looking handguards. It's accurate, comfortable to shoot and very stylish. My only real complaint is that I wish the mag release button was a little further back, either that or I wish I had longer fingers. The only other complaint I have is that it only came with one mag and its a very crappy one at that. However that was an easy fix, I simply bought five Lancer mags
Anyway I wouldn't say that the 556 is better or worse than your average AR, it's just different. In reality the gun is closer in design to an AK than an AR, the bolt is very much like a standard AK bolt. In the end you are really comparing apples to oranges when you compare the 556 to the AR platform. People who own the 556 tend to love the gun and people who are staunch AR fans will say stick with that. My feeling is that if you want something a little different for your collection then you could do a lot worse than a 556. Is it better than an AR? depends on the AR in question and also depends on what the shooter is looking for in a gun.
Good luck with your decision and btw welcome to THR!
Or you could save a LOT of money and get a Saiga in 223. Convert it to whatever floats your boat.
I think you'll like the 556. I've had mine going on 6 months now, and it's one of my favorites in the ol' arsenal, so to speak. It's accurate, and so far very dependable. I've done nothing but boresnake the barrel with some Hoppes after every other range session, grease the lugs, and it still performs like a champ. The only mods I made on mine were the addition of an Eotech, and mounting a verticle forend grip on the underside rail. Oh, and I upgraded the iron sights for backup. Toss on a 3-point sling, and the 556 is the bees knees, IMHO.
I own several Sig handguns and really like them.
The only disadvantage to owning the 556 as I see it is you will be more constrained in sourcing parts etc. With the AR15s, you have a zillion sources.
Having said that, I'd love to own a 556.
The only disadvantage to owning the 556 as I see it is you will be more constrained in sourcing parts etc. With the AR15s, you have a zillion sources.
Having said that, I'd love to own a 556.
I wouldn't trade. Personally I find it very ugly and it is less accurate (though I suppose most people will never notice).
I kinda dislike the SIG 556 though, it's a cheapo version of the "real" SIGs like the 550/551/552s
I'd love a SIG 550 myself.
I kinda dislike the SIG 556 though, it's a cheapo version of the "real" SIGs like the 550/551/552s
I'd love a SIG 550 myself.
Thank you folks so much for your help, especially nwilliams and wesson smith. I welcome all opinions on the matter.
Here's another question: Where is a good source for 556 parts? I found a company called samson mfg that makes quad rails and a better front sight, but where else is a good place to get parts? (I googled it and not much came back)
Here's another question: Where is a good source for 556 parts? I found a company called samson mfg that makes quad rails and a better front sight, but where else is a good place to get parts? (I googled it and not much came back)
nwilliams
Member
Lots of parts here:
http://www.cogunsales.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Most parts are interchangeable between the 556 and the 551 the two rifles are closer than most people think.
Here's another good site, I ordered my new handguards from these folks:
http://www.topgunsupply.com/parts-sig-sauer_parts-556-rifle-accessories/
As far as stocks go, you can use any AR stocks you want.
http://www.cogunsales.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Most parts are interchangeable between the 556 and the 551 the two rifles are closer than most people think.
Here's another good site, I ordered my new handguards from these folks:
http://www.topgunsupply.com/parts-sig-sauer_parts-556-rifle-accessories/
As far as stocks go, you can use any AR stocks you want.
Alright! Thanks! Couple more questions...because I forgot to check the rifle at the dealer....is there a lot of play between the receivers of the 556? Also, are there any modifications that you have done to your 556 that you feel greatly improved the rifle?
Generally, I say never, never, never sell any gun unless you absolutely hate it. Of all the guns I've sold over the years, only one was never regretted for one reason or another.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the biggest difference between an AR and a Sig 556 is direct impingement versus piston operation. For long hard use, the piston may offer some advantages in terms of reliability. For the typical weekend user, the 556 will give less dirty operation while being heavier and have less parts availability.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the biggest difference between an AR and a Sig 556 is direct impingement versus piston operation. For long hard use, the piston may offer some advantages in terms of reliability. For the typical weekend user, the 556 will give less dirty operation while being heavier and have less parts availability.
nwilliams
Member
There is some play between the upper and lower but not enough that it really bothers me.
The best modification I made was replacing the handguards with the traditional 551 style. The weight decreased, the ergonomics improved and it improved the look of the rifle greatly I think. This is pretty much the biggest change I've made to the rifle. I'm still waiting for my Magpul MOE stock to arrive which is pretty much the only other change I decided to make to the design of the gun.
Here is my 556 in it's current state, I'll post another pic once I get my Magpul stock and Aurora rear sight installed.
If I get it (and right now, I want it) I'm gonna do Samson Mfg rails and the Sig front and rear diopter sights. Anybody have any feedback on those?
PS nwilliams...nice set you have there. What kind of groups can you get with your 556?
PS nwilliams...nice set you have there. What kind of groups can you get with your 556?
the one i shot was a great gun. Was it worth 2 grand. Not to me but then there isnt an ar thats worth 1500 to me.
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