Review: MSAR STG556

General Firearms Other Semi-Automatic Rifles
1

The STG556 is a US-made clone of the famous Steyr AUG: battle rifle of choice for the Austrian, Australian, and Irish armies. This is high-tech stuff, my friends and the AUG was WAY ahead of its time. Steyr engineers pioneered the vertical grip and the bullpup rifle. As a child, I considered the AUG one of the most fascinating weapons in the world. As an adult arms dealer, that fascination remains. Now I finally own an AUG, albeit an American-made one.

For only $** edited for MAP pricing rules**, it’s a bargain in the world of piston-driven battle rifles. The STG556 fires 5.56mm NATO rounds (hence, it’s name), but pistol caliber carbines are also in the works. So, be sure to have some of those 33rd Glock 9mm stick mags on hand for that joyous day when the MCSs start shipping!

Despite being rather fond of the classic integral optics on the original AUG, I opted for the more modern Picatinny-railed edition. This model affords shooters a full 9 inches of real estate for mounting whatever accessories your heart desires. For the review, I wanted to shoot groups at 100 yards, so I chose a Trijicon ACOG 4x32. Since then, I have grown to appreciate the AUG’s extraordinary ability as a CQB weapon and I’ve transitioned to an Aimpoint COMPM2.

At the range, we started out shooting at 50 yards to confirm zero. Even though the ACOG was mounted on an LWRC M6A2 before, it was pretty close-- only a few inches right and low, which is close enough for me! So, I held over on the right tip of the 200yd hash mark and sent it to the black. At 100 yards, the STG556 is a surprisingly capable weapon. I was able to attain 1-2MOA groups thanks to the full-length 16in fluted barrel even though I was using a mix of XM193, Federal American Eagle, and Wolf loads. These groups would tighten up if the trigger were better. Truthfully, that’s the AUG and STG556’s only weakness. The trigger is terrible. But that’s the nature of the beast when you’re shooting a bull-pup rifle, I guess.

The STG556 functioned flawlessly, save for a small issue with the trigger: The AUG trigger is predisposed to sticking. If you squeeze the trigger back and hold-- the trigger has a tendency to stick. Perhaps the action with smoothen over time. Otherwise, it’s not a big deal. I think the STG trigger needs to be slapped. This rifle wants to get down and rock and roll!

Takedown on the AUG/STG556 is amazing. The Austrians are genius. This thing is built like a spaceship-- completely modular and high tech. Microtech is known for their beautiful blades, but let me tell you-- with this kind of fit and finish, they’re going to be known for their impeccable firearms very soon!

Cost of ownership is low and it’s going to get even lower when the E4 model debuts. It will accept standard AR15 mags, so it will give you one less reason not to take the plunge into the world of AUG. STG556s start out at $edit for MAP pricing. The Modular Carbines in 9mm, .40sw, .45acp, and 10mm will start out at $*** according to MSAR, these will be about $1000-1200 MSRP***

Have a good one and God bless.
– Evan





2

I’ve never experienced AUG triggers sticking, and I probably have over 10k rounds through various versions of the Steyr and maybe another 3k-4k through the MSAR & TPD versions.

3

Not saying that it might not happen, but I’ve never experienced it or heard of it.

4

So you’re saying your MSAR shot under 2 moa with XM193, and wolf? Wow. That’s fucking outstanding. None of the ones I’ve shot were that accurate. The internet really is a magical place. Everybody’s weapon is moa capable with surplus ammunition!

5

Of course, results may very, but 2MOA isn’t a very high bar to reach. I don’t know why you’re so surprised. This is benched fire. Unless you’re a pretty lousy shot, these results are attainable with surplus ammo. XM193 is pretty good stuff and would be my choice for shooting this particular rifle in a COF. In this economy, I’m not going to put tons of Hornady or Black Hills down range-- especially in a bullpup service rifle.

The internet is a magical place-- a place where anyone with a keyboard can be as profane and as sarcastic and negative as they want to. Thanks for posting, Steve-oh.

Ed: I’ll have to keep an eye on this trigger issue. If the results are atypical and if it keeps sticking, I might need to send it back for service. Thanks for your feedback.
– Evan

6

You’re right, I’ll check my tone at the door. But I’m just very skeptical of those results. I also worked in firearms sales right after I got off active duty. I had a standing offer to replenish anyones ammo who could shoot sub moa on our range with wolf. I never saw anyone get close. We also didn’t notice any remarkable accuracy out of the MSAR, but as you noted - I’m not a great shot.

7

Steve-oh: no worries, my friend. To clarify: Wolf performed the worst out of the ammo we were shooting, but we still kept it around 2MOA. With the right finger on the trigger, 1-2MOA was consistent with XM193 and Fed American Eagle 55gr. Not saying we didn’t have any fliers or piss poor groups though. Operator error happens to all of us. The best groups were 1-2MOA. Have a good one. – Evan

8

If a gun is experincing trigger sticking problems, be it a steyr or an MSAR, I would send it back to the company for repair pronto. All I know is we fired over 1000 rounds through an MSAR that I had for eval and a friend has one with over 1000 rounds and we never saw any evidence of trigger sticking.

I’ve fired a bunch of different Steyrs other than the ones I owned and never saw evidence of this. If this was a tendency of the design or gun, it would be better known the gun would not have achieved the level of popularity that it has.

9

Isn’t the OP the same person who posted a somewhat questionable review of a Para-Ordnance 1911 pistol a couple of months back? Just saying.

10

I missed that one. I checked prior posts and you’re right.

Still, the person raised a question and I addressed it.

11

My roommates STG556 had the same issue with the trigger but I had him lube the hell out of it and he stopped doing it.
Pat

12

Nice pics & review, thx!
I have personal experience w/4 STG’s. The only trigger problem encountered was when I briefly experimented w/a Trigger Tamer. Removing the TT corrected the problem.
Tomac

13

Roger that. I said I loved the new Expert GI from Para. Guess that makes me full of sh*t as a Christmas turkey in your book.

14

I’m not IG and he certainly doesn’t need me sticking up for him, but let’s keep things historically accurate. You put up a post saying the Para Expert GI was just about the greatest thing ever to happen to the 1911 without ever having fired a round through the gun.

I don’t know you. I’m not questioning your ability to evaluate a firearm. But M4C is a bit different from most “gun forums” and folks here are going to be extremely skeptical of anyone’s claims about a gun that hasn’t been fired and tested.

If you want to stay butt hurt over it, that’s on you.

edited to add: As an aside, I do appreciate the review on the MSAR. I’m thinking about getting one myself.

15

Well I guess Todd summed it before I had a chance. I am not saying that you are full of shit- you did. What I did say is that you posted a review which was questionable and made a decision or evaluation without having fired the weapon. If you can’t understand why people would then be a little skeptical then I don’t know what to tell you.

16

Being skeptical is a good thing, guys-- and the trait certainly isn’t limited to M4Carbine.net. Butts not hurt and not looking to start a pissing match. The Para Expert GI is the best thing since sliced bread… and that’s my opinion. Not claiming to be an expert. Just throwing info out there. You can take from it what you will.

BTW, the Para GI did perform really well. So, it is a great weapon. However, the timeless debate over cast vs forged frames will remain, but that’s not something that is worth my time to engage in. That’s like arguing religion or politics.

In aggregate, you guys are a good bunch and I enjoy my time reading the forum.

17

Thank you for the very favorable review. I work for MSAR, and I’m glad that my fellow shooting enthusiasts are enjoying the products that I play a role in the manufacturing of.

18

Tell us why, tell us about your experience with the pistol.

19

I’m not against the Para GI. I think you have me confused with some else.

20

FWIW, I think he’s also the guy that went around touting the “Colt” .22 caliber M4 as being a marvelous thing as well, also without having even seen one, let alone fired one.

I detect a trend.

At least in this case there appears to have been hands-on AND shots-fired! We’re making progress!