The SIG 556 is the epitome of development of the AK Platform, and the 516 is the same for the Stoner Platform. There! That should be worth at least ten pages of Gabe-hate at one of those wannabe forums. (I hope they, at least, spell the name right this time).
This is what SIG's ad says, "The Sig 516 is the fullfilled potential of the AR15 / M16 platform. One of the most tested and proven weapons systems in the world achieves ultimate refinement with the introduction of the SIG516 rifle. With its ambidextrous selector switch, chrome-lined, nitride-finished, military grade barrel and adjustable, three-position gas regulator, the SIG516 incorporates all of the most desirable mechanical improvements. Add to these a free-floating quad rail forend and barrel, and you have the most advanced, versatile AR-based rifle available."
OK...we got a SIG 516 and began working with it. Some guys will say that I am not an AR guy, since I have been the main mover of the AK system here in the USA. Well, I would point them to the book - Tactical Rifle from Paladin Press, which dates back to the previous century. I am not an M4 guy, but not an AK, or FAL, or FS2000, or anything else "guy". I look for quality and efficiency and results. If a platform provides that, we look at it seriously. Moving on.
The SIG 516 is so good that it would make an AK-centric man want to use an M4. Funny how it takes a Swiss company to make the AK more accurate by making it more M4-like and the M4 more reliable by making it more AK-like. Wonderful!
SIG has partcipated in a recent test that will be revealed soon. An undisclosed government group wanted to update its rifles and the SIG SAUER 516 soundly beat several "big name" American AR systems, as well as the HK416 rifles, and decisively in all areas. You heard it here first.
The SIG 516 is so good that one large M4 maker even sued (and lost in court) SIG for making a better rifle than theirs...for less. The funniest thing is that there was all manner of news spread on the internet about "this company" suing those evil SIG people, yet not a single word about them losing the suit.
SIG 516 Features:
Gas piston operating system, three-position gas regulator, 5.56 x 45mm NATO, free-floating military grade chrome lined barrel, M1913 picatinny flat top upper, 7075-T6 Aircraft grade aluminum upper & lower receiver with hard coat anodize finish, Overall Length: 39.5 in, Weight: 7.6lbs, Barrel Length: 16.0 in, Rifling:1 in 7in - Number of Grooves: 6, Features: Advanced pushrod gas system.
This from an industry insider. The 516 is a shameless and improved copy of the HK416. It was designed and built by the same people...some of them anyways...that designed and built the HK416. These guys were hired away from HK - paid more, and told to make the best rifle they could with all their experience, and without the working environment they came from. The result is in my opinion, the pinnacle of M4 development.
Some videos of the SIG516 in tests with the Royal Thai Military -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV-Zh...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDqy5...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-N_KEhIw74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-sswkxNp3k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y32fEQlGqL4
In my opinion, mo matter how good someone says a DI M4 is, the piston system makes it more like an AK. And with quality magazines, the reliability issues are virtually eliminated. Our studies and research have shown to us that the pinnacle of the M4 Piston development is the HK 416 (that rifle is so far advanced over anything the various M4 companies make, that it is laughable that they want to argue the point). And the SIG516, is an improved version of the 416, developed by the same people that designed the 416 for HK, but in an environment bereft of the HK politics....and for about 1/2 the price.
d'oh....I just bought a Colt M4 SOCOM......if I had known I would have picked up one of these SIG rifles instead....
Posted by: TheRiflemanNextDoor | 09/24/2012 at 13:29
I'd like to know your evaluation of the Para TTR? I own both a SIG 556 and a Para TTR. Like you have previously stated, the SIG 556 is absolutely Outstanding, second only to my AUGs (2 semi and 2 select fire, in constant use for the past 27 years.) I would expect the SIG 516 to also be outstanding, but I'm wondering why the SIG engineers didn't take the golden opportunity they had in their hands to make an extremely compact rifle by doing away with the buffer tube assembly and putting the recoil spring(s) under the forward hand guard. Then SIG could have installed a folding stock on the 516, instead of the collapsing stock and its minimal compactness. That's what PARA did with the TTR. That's why I am curious as to your opinion of the TTR.
Posted by: Milton Schick | 09/24/2012 at 15:15
The Sig 516 is a great rifle. I've owned mine for almost a year and I've never had a single issue. Although I don't have as many rounds downrange as I wish, this gun has impressed me all the way. The Sig 516 is a reliable, soft shooting, accurate rifle that can take the abuse of the world.
Current Config:
- Sig 516 Patrol
- Modified Magpul ASAP Sling Mount
- Battle Arms BAD-ASS Selector
- Single Point Sling
- Eotech 512
Posted by: Danielglass0806 | 09/25/2012 at 08:57
The Sig 516 AR rifle AK reliability. I used mine for 3 gun competition. I only buy cheap ammo and no issues yet. The rifle is heavier than the standard Ar very well built solid. Easier to maintain and clean.
Posted by: JJM | 09/25/2012 at 15:05