now that Sig has a 300.00 rebate i found a classic w/red dot at a shop nearby, talked them into keeping the sig red dot & knocking off 100.00 so after rebate it’ll be 1127.00 total. for the same money i can get an MSAR with scope. which is the better rifle & why? the sig ar mag -vs- msar proprietary mag issue is meaningless to me so throw that out.
I don’t own either, but a SIG 556 doesn’t really do anything that an AR doesn’t.
The MSAR however is a totally different design, and when it comes to CQB, it’s hard to argue with the compactness. Also, I would consider the E4 stock with a flat top. AR mags and your optic of choice.
I agree with castillo. In fact, I’d go a bit further. Esoteric collector cool factor aside, I find the Sig rifle a rather wanting surrogate for an AR type. While I don’t go for bullpups, I find the Steyr AUG design to be a particularly elegant example of bullpup, and would definitely go for the MSAR over the Sig.
I own them both and prefer the MSAR by a mile. The SIG 556 is very front heavy, and doesn’t balance well IMHO. The MSAR it handy, compact and accurate. YMMV.
Not a bulpup fan, but between those two I would go with the MSAR. I already have an AR for anything that I would use the sig for
Both have their issues and advantages.
The MSAR weakness is a recent production rifle that still hasn’t worked out all the CQ bugs. The SIG 556 suffers from the same, the design has issues with the modification to accept AR mags and SIGs recent “budget approach” to production.
A quality AR15 should be purchased prior to either if you are looking for a practical carbine.
This. However, MSAR has exceptional CS when dealing w/problems.
Tomac
I’ve been fortunate enough to have good luck with both my 556 and MSAR, despite the fairly frequent problems I’ve read about with both guns.
If I had to choose only one, it would be the MSAR. SIG is no longer the company it once was, and the cheap accessories on the 556 are evidence of this.
I think SIG knows the 556 is pretty much a polished dog turd. Why else would they be looking to produce a piston driven AR that will be in direct competition with it?
I’ve got one of the older guns and have never really been happy with it. The upper and bolt are very nice and exude workmanship and quality but the US lower is blocky and clubby. The anodizing on the aluminum parts is different color all around. The Tapco furniture is totally out of place on a $1,300 firearm and the integral BUIS are all but worthless.
If the SIG was $900, I’d say it was a good rifle for the money. But, with rather poor ergos and a mix-n-match approach to parts, I think your money is better spent elsewhere.
It is really a shame. SIG had a chance to set the black rifle market on fire but they blew it.
YMMV
I’m going to disagree, I think its a great rifle especially if you swap out accessories to your liking. I’m not a Sig fanboy by any means (I own many guns from many different companies) but I love mine.
Like I said; for $900 it would be a good rifle and you could ditch the Tapco stock or the afterthought back-up sights. But these things are as much as–or more than–a Colt 6920. While some customization is always expected, SIG should have tried to make this thing GTG out of the box.
I was extremely disappointed by the SIG 556.
Lack of practical irons sights (the flip ups are both useless).
Craptastic buffer tube stock on a gun that requires no buffer tube.
Cheap feeling furniture.
A finish that is very lacking when you were expecting something close to the Swiss original.
No rear sling attachment point.
Add to that the AR magwell and the associated problems and I decided to simply pass on the whole thing.
I eventually bought a Limited Edition SG 551 but you shouldn’t have to cough up $4k to get a correct rifle. And even that one still isn’t quite the same as a Swiss original.
You’re comparing it to an AR, if you want an AR…just buy an AR. I’ve got an AR and a Sig
SteyrAUG, where did you get your 551?
I have a Sig P556 that I SBR’d. I got it in the fall of 08. I haven’t had any of the QC difficulties that we’ve read about, like the bolt wear issue or the barrels that won’t shoot strait, canted rail, etc. I’ve called and e-mailed Sig customer service with some questions, and they are anything but helpful:rolleyes:. That being said, my Sig 556 SBR has never jammed and always shoots well. Has accepted and dropped free al AR mags I’ve tried. The trigger is not that bad (it has a lot of take up), but needs a little getting used to. The Sig 556 as a rifle and SBR is front heavy (compared to ARs), but follow up shots are easy with little muzzle rise. I would actually buy another, but I have been discouraged by the many reports of QC problems as of late. The $300 rebate may change my mind. It may not change my wife’s though:eek:
Sig has disappointed us all in not offering quality accessories, and a rifle that is not like the 550/551 original.
I’ve only shouldered a MSAR, so it’s hard for me to compare. I can say for certain, evidenced by the many posts across forums, that MSAR’s customer service is awesome. If you have a problem, they will take care of it and fast.
Either way you go, good luck. Post a range report and pics.
Ah thats where i thought you got it. Looks like a nice rifle, how does it shoot?
Don’t know about accuracy yet, so far all I’ve had time to do is a quick one mag function test.
I have a Sig 556 SWAT and a MSAR STG556-E4 = " takes AR mags."
Ones a rifle, ones a bullpup. The trigger pull on my Sig is perfect. The MSAR is the best fitting rifle I have ever had.
Ignore what ignorant people say and buy what you want !!!
Had a Sig 556 and just recently acquired an MSAR E4.
My impressions of the Sig were that, while a very well machined weapon, it was far too front heavy, and the ergos could use some revision. In other words, the mechanical actions felt extremely smooth, and the trigger was sweet, but the ergos were lacking.
Just acquired an E4, have NOT shot it yet. First impressions: weapon needs to be broken in. Extracting mags were a b*tch, as the mag release was very rough. In addition, I found myself tugging at the charging handle to make it charge. A hit of silicone rectified the two aforementioned problems.
However, the Ergos of the E4 are far superior to the Sig556 I had. It balances well, and I like the built in VFG.
My .02 and as always, YMMV.