Sig 556 Rifle

[DocGanz]

Can anyone tell me what is up with Sig? I was all set to purchase the new Sig 556R until I compared it to my original Sig 556. Take it from me, the new Sig 556 line up are not of the same quality like the original 556 I purchased! I'm sad to report this, but it's true. The upper and lower have been cheapened. Don't take my word for it, get on YouTube and see for yourself. Sig was hoping that law enforcement agencies and militaries would purchase the original rifle, but for whatever reason did not warm up to the 556. So I suppose Sig figured why should they build a battle-ready weapon when the market is weekend shooters only. That's my guess, which disappoints me in Sig who never goes cheap on anything until now. We consumers/shooters need to get on Sig's website and email our opinions on the new 556. Let Sig know that you don't purchase second best. They will most definitely listen.

 

[youngda9]

You had me until "They will most definitely listen."

 

[Walkalong]

Since they are selling like hot cakes, I am not sure they will change anything. I shot one recently and now have a hankering for one.

 

[briansmithwins]

The OP's observations do not match my experience with the Sig 556. If you peruse the varous gun boards you will see a whole lot of complaints about the early Sig 556 rifles when they were introduced. Those complaints kinda taper off sometime in the 2010-2011 timeframe.

The early rifles were crap: hokey 'fish gill' front handguards, crappy AR15 stocks, canted rails, and bolt carriers that battered themselves on the trunnions.

Sig seems to have gotten their act together last year with the 5.56 rifles. They are now shipping with better handguards, Swiss stocks, the rails are on straight, and the mechanical parts are, for the most part, right.

The 556R's needed more work like steel reinforcement for the mag well, a stronger hammer spring, and a larger ejection port so they now handle military primered Pact 7.62x39 ammo. I believe Sig USA is reworking/upgrading early 556Rs to the new standard.

I reviewed a older 556R and what I saw impressed me enough that I bought my own 556.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=647001&highlight=556r

BSW

 

[DocGanz]

I respect all of your opinions; however, my experience with my original 556 has been nothing short of perfection. Fortunately, I have not had any of the problems described here. So far I've shot five cans through it, that's 2,100 rounds, and have not had any problems at all. As far as the front stock, I upgraded that right after I purchased it with quality aftermarket furniture. It's very accurate and is built like a BSH! For the Shirleys out there who found the original 556 too heavy in weight, my words for you are "man up and beef up!" Anyway, I found this video on Youtube that I agree with from my observations of the Sig 556R at the gun shop. This guy read my mind. Best to you all. Doc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoLuUoYUcTw&feature=fvsr

 

[HoosierQ]

It almost sounds like you have an older pre-ban 550 which are rock solid...I doubt you do but that was my first impression on reading your post. I know the few 550s that were sold before they were banned are fantastic.