Sig 556R--Taking another look.

[MountainRaven]

Am i wrong in thinking that Rifle Dynamics uses Arsenals as a base for a lot of their builds? (I do not know a lot about AK's just the impression i got)

I believe they and Krebs both start with freshly imported Saigas.

[Doc. Holiday]

I believe they and Krebs both start with freshly imported Saigas.

That's what I was lead to believe as well.

[jesuvuah]

Not to make you feel like you have a target on your back in this thread, but this comment doesn't make sense to me either. You said that Arsenals weren't great, and that RD AK's were better. Why? Because of a feature set that can be added to an Arsenal. That's like saying Nissans are better cars than Hondas because they come with shinier aftermarket wheels, or cooler seat covers. Stuff that can be added later. It hasn't got anything to do with the quality of the gun / car. You understand? Again, not trying to be a jerk but it appears that you are confusing features that can be added with build quality. It's probably just your wording, I'm guessing. Anyway, enjoy your RD guns. By all accounts I've read they're excellent.

I think that certain features such as better triggers, deburing components, and better finishes do in fact make them better rifles. Sure you could do that to an arsenal, but at that point how much does the arsenal cost. Is it still going to be cheaper then a sig?

[jesuvuah]

And with that, I think I will be done with the conversation. I think most now have an understanding of my intention of my post. The fact is aks can be a crapshoot, no matter who you buy them from. I love the ak 47. But after years of owning them and fighting them I left them, and that is probably why my coments may seem biased. I have owned many an AK and handled even more. I have seen high end aks that had issues and seen wasr-10 that were actually good. At the same time I the oposite is usually true (wasr not good). I cannot comment on the sigs quality control, but I have heard from people that the new ones are in fact better. If the qc was there, I would buy one in a heartbeat over an ak, but that is just me.

THat being said I love all guns, but one always has to pick the best tool for the job and figure out what suits there needs the best.

[doro19]

I'm still waiting for a unbiased, honest, and thorough review on the 'improved' version of the Sig 556r. Maybe Sturmgewehre can do a second review on them. I really don't trust reviews done by anyone that has a finacial interest in pushing the gun. I'm really digging the looks of the 556r, and I like Sig. Until an unbiased review can be done, I'll pass. If it's as good as some say, I'll get one before Xmas.

[Belloc]

Edit.

[Mauser KAR98K]

It seems that when I go looking for any threads of why AK mags have dried up (good ones, that is), I find my "second look" thread has been brought back, and actually, in good timely form.

I have since put in over 700 rounds with my Sig 556r, mostly with Wolf and Brown bear FMJ's and JHP's, and thus far I have had no issues. I have also been running RPK 40 round mags too. I had one RPK mag seat very tight, but a little shaving on the back tab with the grinder solved the problem. The other one I have has worked flawlessly out of the box.

I have also been running this gun hard and hot. No malfunctions, and no issues with accuracy.

Since the initial review, I have placed a Yankee Hill flash suppressor on it (lengthening the weapon, but oh well) and the initial recoil and muzzle climb with the A2 birdcage has improved. The Sig feels to have the recoil of a M4 with a little noticable muzzle climb. I am considering of ordering a Battlecomp for 7.62 to see what the difference would be. Overall, recoil control and rapid fire is on par with an M4 carbine. For a .30 cal type weapon, this is great.

The fit and finish, however, is taking a beating. The right side near the ejection part has the black paint chipping away from cassings hitting the side. Also, the mag well has small exposed spots where the paint has chipped away. My Noveske/LMT hybrid that is my main weapon has similar spots, but my Noveske/LMT has been shot and used and abused a lot more than the SIG, yet the signs are just beginning to be noticeable, while the SIG has its "aging" spots early. Overall, the paint and finish could be a lot better to hold up to this weapon and what it is meant for. (A shell deflector would also be nice).

The top torque screws on the optic rail have loosened to the point in the one to the front I can thumb tighten with the pad of my thumb. I could thread lock the suckers, but I am considering either getting the TROY rail system for it, or the Samson rail system. Which leads too--

The hand guards are flimsy in feel, and yes they do move and wobble. But I have not had an issue of the hand guards getting hot after a 2X 40 round mag dump in secession. AND YES I KNOW THE FRONT RAIL IS ON BACKWARDS...and it works rather well in this position with the Magpul vertical grip. It acts like a crude AFG in this regard, and is quite comfortable with my slender guitar fingers.

I have yet to:

Run it at over 50 yards to see groupings. i did a 25/300 yard Army sighter target and punched the inside of the silhouette target out, this is just with the mag as a monopod, and at the coming twighlight. Before this I was getting nice three to four round clover leafs on a five shot string.

Run it at a 3-gun match. With my current observations, I surmise accuracy and target engagement times will be on par if I'd run my M4, maybe a tad slower due to the muzzle climb of the 7.62X39. Reloads are a given to be slower.

What I wish SIG would have done is shipped the thing with iron sights over this poor excuse of an Aimpoint micro copy. It has held zero for the past 300 rounds, so that is a plus, but it is hard to sight through in low light, the eye relief is horrible for a red-dot optic, and the battery life sucks. Plus, SIG does not include a base mount to bring the optic up from the receiver. This SUCKS while shooting in the prone position because of the bad cheek wield, and the rear sling mount slams into my nose. I love red-dots, but irons would be much better suited for this rifle out of the box.

yes, i bought mine from Suarze International, but they did my a favor by: having one in stock at a pretty decent price, and put a real steel magazine instead of the Sig issued magazine. At this point, though, that has been the only dealing I have had with OST, probably will stay that way.

The only financial interest I have with this rifle is shooting cheaper ammo, and to have a 7.62X39 chambered weapon that accepts AKM mags. Thus far it has fullfilled my goals, and then some. Out of the box I did not have to buy and heavily modify the weapon to accept American optics (though some of the Russian optics and mounts are actually pretty good), or to get a rail/handguard set that would let me get close to shooting the new modern techniques. The Sig has a nice long forearm that is very comfortable to have my hand way out in the front (just beware of the gas piston system), plus it came optics ready at the rear.

I plan on not cleaning it until i get to the 1200 round mark and see how it has done. I have cleaned it at the 200 round mark, that was also to inspect the parts and give a proper grease and lube rather than the factories.

Overall, I am pleased. If Sigs quality control track record was a lot better, I would highly recommend this rifle over an AK out of the box. Even with the crappy optic and the bad excuse of an AK magazine Sig sends you, and the chipping of the paint this early in its shooting life, the rifle as a whole conquers these flaws. Price wise to customzie to make the rifle better, does the AK beat it in this light? I'm not sure. An extra $300 for a new rail forearm system, and another $100-$200 for BUIS, and an extra $300-500 for a good quilty optic; how much would these same things cost for an AK to put together (minus the BUIS). I will go so far to say the SIG is probably more accurate than the AK. Zeroed in, and with a better optic, I am positive this thing can post some nice groupings further than 100 yards over a standard AK.

[BTL BRN]

Not too suprised about the finish, I was in a class with a student who had a 556 and after about 500 rounds the side was pretty scuffed; the lack of a shell deflector is a bit odd.

[SteyrAUG]

Not too suprised about the finish, I was in a class with a student who had a 556 and after about 500 rounds the side was pretty scuffed; the lack of a shell deflector is a bit odd.

Happens on real SIGs, FALs and HKs too.