Curious if anyone knows of an article on the 556? I haven’t seen one. Seen several for the Masada, but zero on the Sig 556. Is it just the fear of a magazine cover without an AR variant on it (every month, same rifle…)?
Very good question- part of it if I were to venture a guess is serious SIG SG 550 series assault rifle enthusiasts are, as a whole, very disappointed with the gun - I have 1 SG 550, and 2 different barrel length 551 SIG’s; I also have a 556 but just for my reference collection
In my opinion SIG could have made that gun much better than what it is - I know some of the guys involved and even offered to help provide some input early on-all to no avail
I did have one in a class in Michigan earlier this year and it functioned fine - however I see very little reason to choose it over a good AR
regards
Larry Vickers
I think Larry is right in that the original fan base was very disappointed in what was delivered after all the hype. What people wanted was a true 550 series gun and what they got was a bit of a bastardized version of it, with generally no real explanation as to why Sig chose to put out a whole new gun rather than just do what people wanted, sell the 550s here.
I also agree that it doesn’t seem to offer anything over and above a regular AR. If pressed to choose another 5.56 rifle other than an AR there are still other platforms I’d be inclined to choose before the 556 (like the XCR if they can get some kinks worked out).
I know I saw it on a few covers though when it was first introduced. I wouldn’t know how to find them now though.
I know I’d like the 556 better if it were closer to the original 550 series. The only change that I don’t mind is the fact that it uses AR15 mags. If have plenty AR mags and there are lots of good AR mags out there to be had at very good prices.
TS
I got one recently and like it fine, but it wont replace my ar’s. For me it is just something different to shoot.
I hope sig or some other company will offer 551 furniture for it sometime.
I got to fire one back in April, and it didn’t have any “wow” factor at all for me…
It seems kind of bulky compared to an AR…
My findings exactly! I did a write up on it over at weaponevolution.com.
Accuracy and function were good, but it falls way short of a good AR in many other areas.
I agree on all points. I was at the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot a few weekends ago, and I saw a dozen or so 550/551/552 rifles. I kept thinking that if they had just made a semi-auto version of those that took AR mags it might have been an interesting weapon. However, I also saw several 556’s and it kept reminding me what a mindblowing miscalculation they made. They bastardized the 550 series and added all of that weird, cheap-looking Tapco-esque Chinese airsoft furniture (presumably in an attempt to appeal to AR fans and get a piece of a huge market, but with apparently no idea of what appeals to discerning AR owners) which only served to alienate the market they already had waiting. Now that it’s clear that AR users aren’t embracing the 556 in any significant numbers, SIGARMS seems to be reassessing things (and backpedaling a bit) and I’ve heard some talk of them producing kits to retrofit the weapon to look more like the original. Plus, the 556’s that I’ve handled (admittedly only a few) were disappointlingly rough in their overall build quality, and seemed somewhat cobbled together. Not at all what I would expect from SIG, but I have heard that the newer ones are much nicer.
I really wish they had listened to Larry Vickers and not to the guys on Sigforum when they were looking for input…
Derek
I think they listened to neither.
I was a member of that forum when the rifle was in development. One of the marketing guys from SIGARMS (I forget his name) was actually posting pics of early versions. Guys were saying “Change this or that…” or “Make this different…” and stuff like that – and 99% of them had never even seen the real thing, let alone handled it or fired it. Their “recommendations” were based purely on how it looked. Obviously, I’m basing my statements purely upon my personal memory of the events, but I recall seeing “revised” versions paraded on the forum for their approval. It certainly seemed to me like there was someone at SIGARMS listening intently to what the forum members had to say; but I don’t recall much attention being paid to the guys who were saying things like, “I just want a semi-auto 550 series.”
Obviously, many forums (like this one) have many knowledgeable, expert professionals on board (as well as people like me 
) but I’m not sure that’s a good way to go about developing a new firearm. Perhaps my memory of the events is skewed, but that’s how I recall it. Either way, I see the whole thing as a huge marketing blunder by SIGARMS.
Derek
All I can tell you from my fondling is that the 556 is a heavy SOB next to a m4gery.
Yep I agree.
I was all gung-ho about it.
Until I handled one in person.
All SIG needs to do is replace the CAA stock with a traditional SIG 55X-series stock and put a more slimline handguard. If they would just replace the stock, the handling would be very much improved. I think they thought that putting an M4 stock on it, like Tapco did with AK’s and SKS’s and other companies did like with Remington 870’s and Mossberg 500/590’s. Doing this was, and still is for a large part, “the thing to do”. Everyone wants to M4ize weapons.
TS
Some disclaimers:
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I have not handled a Sig 556.
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I think Swiss weapons are very interesting and would like a 550 or 556 myself.
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The collapsible stock and tri-rail handguard on the 556, despite having grown on me a bit, still look a little odd.
That said, I have to disagree with the some of the Sig bashing.
First, as long as your design takes AR buttstocks, magazines, and Picatinny railed accessories, your accessory market is already developed without you having to lift a finger. I think it was a smart play on Sig’s part.
Second, people gripe about the Sig 556 not being a purebred 550, and maybe the griping is severe enough that Sig is considering a 550 clone. I predict such a clone will be an underwhelming seller. Lotsa people say they want one, but only a dedicated few will pay the big bucks for an iron sight 5.56 with no provisions for optic or accessory rails.
Third, some have commented on the weight and balance of the 556 compared to the AR, but I have to wonder if it is any worse or more awkward than a piston-driven AR, all of which seem to spec out with a substantial weight gain.
I’d like to have a SIG that is actually a SIG. As I said, everything else can be had with an M4 stock on it. There would/could be ways to add an optic to a more traditional styled 55X. I have a POF and it really isn’t that much more heavy out front, with a smaller rail the POF would be much better weapon… [/hijack]
TS
One thing that amazed me with the the 556’s I have held was the poor build quality. The stamped steel upper (I assume that’s the correct term) was no where NEAR the quality of assembly and finish of my PTR-91 (which seams to be similar in construction) which was $400 cheaper and included diopter sights.
I agree that the Tapco-esque features are just terrible. If they had done three things differently:
- Included diopter iron sights
- Used standard 55x furniture.
- ensured that the POS bolt-on rail was not canted and was in spec dimensionally
… they would have fared better, IMO. It’s not any of these items are a stretch by any means.
But the fact of the matter is that there is no reason that the US produced rifle has to be “big bucks” - the Swiss rifles are expensive because of availability and a certain snob-factor. I don’t see anything about that rifle that would cause it to be expensive to manufacturer. It’s a pretty under-whelming design from a technological standpoint. Not to say it’s not a good design (the original 55x series) but certainly nothing to justify “big bucks.”
Why should a US-produced 55x clone cost more than a good quality AR rifle with similar sights and furniture features?
Me too. I was hot to trot for one until I fondled one at a local gun shop. I thought it was not ergonomic and surprisingly front heavy. Not to mention the 1400 bucks the thief behind the counter wanted for the rifle.
That’s what the guy I know paid! Oh well. He’s happy with it.
Having a fair amount of time behind the SIG 551 / 552 series, I was hoping that the 556 would be a fix to some of our biggest gripes:
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The 552 stock, while of excellent quality, is much too long LOP, especially all jocked up. A squared off stance is difficult to impossible. Don’t care if its a folder or collapseable, just want it shorter.
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Use of readily available, inexpensive, AR type mags. The really expensive, super duper, “indestructable” SIG 55X series mags aren’t so indestructable, and they are expensive / hard to get. I could go either way with about the push / pull or rock and lock method as each has its advantage and disadvantage and I don’t find a huge time difference between them.
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The winter trigger guard sucks… It tends to fold out of the way whenever you don’t want it too. Almost to the point we are going to find a welder to spot weld it in place.
Everybody complains about the weight, but if you put one next to a fully decked out AR platform, with rails, lights, etc, there isn’t that much of a difference, particularly considering its a piston weapon, with a lot more steel in the front end.
I haven’t any experience with the 556, but if it has the same innards as the 551 / 552 series, I wouldn’t complain. The machining and plating of the bolt, carrier, and gas system is impressive and would cost a lot more if made in the US. If all SIG had done was to make a 55X series that took AR mags, they’d have hit a home run, but the rifles probably would have cost a lot more than they are charging.
I am very happy with my 552 as its handy and uber reliable. For reference though, just put together my personal AR with a Noveske / VLTOR VIS 2 upper. Shoots very sweet.