Sig 556 Rifles *BOUGHT IT 9/5*

Someone school me on these. I have opportunity to pick one up at a decent price but don’t really know if there are any gotcha or particular issues to look for.

All I know is that it has folding stock and HK style iron sights. Full length rail on top. Factory box, manual and 2 sets of iron sights.

I have always heard good things. Piston operation like an ak with ar ability for sights etc.

Piston gun with quite a few proprietary parts on a discontinued carbine. Very good barrel but also on the heavy side.

They also seriously maul the brass when you shoot, so no reloading anything shot in it.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Which specific model are you talking about? They have some good variants, and they have some turds. I'll try to steer you through the minefield.

I had the Sig 556 XI and enjoyed it but it did have some flaws. I was just getting into the suppresor game when I got rid of it so I can't speak too much towards that, shot average accuracy wise may have been able to shoot better with someone else but good for me, was a bit heavy, didn't care whether ammo was brass or steel but dented all the brass so don't expect to reload, the folding stock is nice for transportation purposes. I got rid of it shortly after Sig dropped it, left a bit of a sour taste of the brand after that but that is a rant for another time.

Parts are pretty limited and aftermarket support are even more limited. Best thing I did was pick up a buffer tube attachment to where you could add a buffer tube and stock instead of their stock, pretty sure it was double diamond tactical or something like that.

Quick break down of what NOT to buy. First gen MCX, it's not bad, but they do not accept all parts and accessories from the gen 2 (i.e. handguards). The Sig 556 line of rifles were mostly turds, the gas operating system made the rifle incredibly front heavy. The only worthwhile variant to purchase was the Sig 551-A1 variant, and even better if you can find it in SBR format.

If you really want a 550 series firearm, JDI Imports is your best bet for current production units, directly imported from Switzerland. You're looking at a minimum of $3500 per rifle.

I have 2. Love them. Only complaints are, 1. they aren’t direct copies of the Swiss Sigs they are based on and 2. They don’t make them anymore.

They aren’t super heavy if you are used to AKs.

I’ve shot thousands of rounds through the little one. Neither has ever malfunctioned, even with the worst steel case ammo I could find.

Apparently Sig Usa will still service/fix them if they break down. I don’t know, mine haven’t given me any problems yet.

I had 2 of them (1 NJ compliant, 1 Free world compliant). First one went back to Sig for a barrel replacement since it couldn't hit within a dinner plate at 50 yards - new barrel was MUCH better. Second one was OK. Didn't care about after market parts. Rifle was HEAVY compared with my DI ARs. Sold it and purchased a Sig M400 (and then a PM400). Both have been flawless. In my humble opinion, for the price, there are equal (and more flexible) if not better piston-driven options out there.

My 2 cents.

Well, I done did it. At a price that won't hurt me if I decide to flip it in this market. It's a 2012 vintage "Sig 556 Patrol SWAT" variant. Came with box, docs and a couple sets of iron sights.

Put a grand total of 5 rounds through (Mr. $$ Bags!!) this afternoon with 12" gong hits from sitting at 125 yards. Recoil impulse and that trigger needs some getting used to. Not nearly as front end heavy as I expected. And the folding stock will be a plus if this pulls 'truck gun' duty as I plan. Overall I think I really like it.

I'm thinking I'll keep the iron sights on it. I slapped on a 1-8x with an AMD QD mount, but did not shoot with it. Again, if it pulls truck gun duty, I'd rather have an aperture sight I think.

Tim said:

Well, I done did it. At a price that won't hurt me if I decide to flip it in this market. It's a 2012 vintage "Sig 556 Patrol SWAT" variant. Came with box, docs and a couple sets of iron sights.

Put a grand total of 5 rounds through (Mr. $$ Bags!!) this afternoon with 12" gong hits from sitting at 125 yards. Recoil impulse will and that trigger needs some getting used to. Not nearly as front end heavy as I expected. And the folding stock will be a plus if this pulls 'truck gun' duty as I plan. Overall I think I really like it.

I'm thinking I'll keep the iron sights on it. I slapped on a 1-8x with an AMD QD mount, but did not shoot with it. Again, if it pulls truck gun duty, I'd rather have an aperture sight I think.

View attachment 244898 View attachment 244901

Click to expand...

You can just hold on to it for me...haha. I would say it is a good purchase. I have always wanted one of these. I just like the styling and the fact that the stock folds.

Tim said:

Well, I done did it. At a price that won't hurt me if I decide to flip it in this market. It's a 2012 vintage "Sig 556 Patrol SWAT" variant. Came with box, docs and a couple sets of iron sights.

Put a grand total of 5 rounds through (Mr. $$ Bags!!) this afternoon with 12" gong hits from sitting at 125 yards. Recoil impulse and that trigger needs some getting used to. Not nearly as front end heavy as I expected. And the folding stock will be a plus if this pulls 'truck gun' duty as I plan. Overall I think I really like it.

I'm thinking I'll keep the iron sights on it. I slapped on a 1-8x with an AMD QD mount, but did not shoot with it. Again, if it pulls truck gun duty, I'd rather have an aperture sight I think.

View attachment 244898 View attachment 244901

Click to expand...

nice. That’s the same model I have. I just cut down the barrel and put a Swiss lower receiver on it. That one is a little over gassed. Chucks the brass into another county.

I remember when these first came out. I went to pdhsc in raleigh and they had one for 1000$. I had the cash in hand ready to buy and the guy said you wanna hold it? I figured why not. When he handed it to me, it was loose as all get out. The upper to lower fit was bad...really bad. I told him ive had a few loose guns before but not this bad and especially not 0n a new gun for 1000$. He went in the back and brought out 4 more, they all were equally as loose. I changed my mind and the guy at counter said he couldnt blame me. Those of you that have a good one, i envy you.

I've got a pair of 556 and 552 swiss style stocks and they've been good guns.
Love the little 551 or whatever clone a few posts up. I want one of those but could never find one in stock when Sig was selling and the imports lately have been out of my fun money range with other stuff I've been doing.

One that I should have held on to.

Mr. Bggs said:

I remember when these first came out. I went to pdhsc in raleigh and they had one for 1000$. I had the cash in hand ready to buy and the guy said you wanna hold it? I figured why not. When he handed it to me, it was loose as all get out. The upper to lower fit was bad...really bad. I told him ive had a few loose guns before but not this bad and especially not 0n a new gun for 1000$. He went in the back and brought out 4 more, they all were equally as loose. I changed my mind and the guy at counter said he couldnt blame me. Those of you that have a good one, i envy you.

Click to expand...

Mine are kind of loose. Slap a mag in and it’s tight.

WadeWatts said:

Mine are kind of loose. Slap a mag in and it’s tight.

Click to expand...

i admit i never got that far.

I have the 556 and the 556r