New Member, Looking At a 556...Any Info?

319 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by kwb377, 1 d ago

kwb377

A semi-local LGS has a 556 listed on their website, haven't seen it in person yet. I've been reading through the forums gleaning as much info as I can so far...just wanted to see if there was any more info the experts could offer.

I'm assuming this is an ER model. From what I've read, some of these came with a ribbed plastic buffer tube while some came with steel....which ones came first (and from what I've seen this one should have had the ribbed FAB Defense buttstock)?

I've seen mention about "visible welds" on the upper receiver? I don't see any obvious welds, but I'm also not keen on what to look for.

Any obvious signs if this is a "Swiss parts" gun?

Price OTD w/ tax would be @ $1425.

Any other info y'all can give is greatly appreciated.

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LKY13

· #2 · 9 d ago

Sorry, this is not an ER. By what is visible-- the gas block is US, so is the carrier. Everything else says base mid-model run of the mill 556. Nothing wrong with that. Just, not an early release. Good luck.

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kwb377

Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 d ago

LKY13 said:
Sorry, this is not an ER. By what is visible-- the gas block is US, so is the carrier. Everything else says base mid-model run of the mill 556. Nothing wrong with that. Just, not an early release. Good luck.

What features would distinguish an ER from a mid-run model? I may have misunderstood, but from what I'd read and watched in videos, the fishgill handguard, magwell ribbing and screw pivot pin were indicators of an earlier model.

Thanks again!

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LKY13

· #4 · 8 d ago

For very early, early models (confused yet?) the upper receiver will be grey-- with a charcoal, or blue lower. It will have 4 bolts securing the top 1913 rail to receiver (vs the standard 3). From what I know; serial number will be JS 005999 and under (approx). I believe JS 006XXX to 007XXX to be transitional models (fewer Swiss parts). This is true of what I've personally seen in samples. Just not sure on exact number sequences for beginning and end of runs. Again, transition rifles will have a black (not grey) upper, and much lower Swiss part count (again, just what I've seen).

Swiss parts (pre transition) can include (up to) upper receiver stamping (finished stateside) trunnion (proof mark), barrel (not always proofed, but both barrel and trunnion are Swiss, with final machining done stateside-- confirmed per Mishaco and some others. Just not sure if threads match Swiss or US rifles?) fire control group (proof mark), gas block (proof mark), piston, bolt (numbered/partially polished) carrier (numbered).

Hopefully that helps. The fishgill handguard was around long past ER versions. Same with the screw pivot and magwell ribbing.

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kwb377

Discussion Starter · #5 · 8 d ago

LKY13 said:
(confused yet?)

Definitely! I thought I'd almost figured these things out...

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kwb377

Discussion Starter · #6 · 4 d ago

I went by this past weekend and took a look at it...it looked to be in very nice condition with little use. SN # was JS 10xxx. I dropped a deposit on it for them to hold it for a few weeks, as I'd already burned through my gun funds for this month on a couple other things.

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stonekhold

· #7 · 3 d ago

kwb377 said:
A semi-local LGS has a 556 listed on their website, haven't seen it in person yet. I've been reading through the forums gleaning as much info as I can so far...just wanted to see if there was any more info the experts could offer.

I'm assuming this is an ER model. From what I've read, some of these came with a ribbed plastic buffer tube while some came with steel....which ones came first (and from what I've seen this one should have had the ribbed FAB Defense buttstock)?

I've seen mention about "visible welds" on the upper receiver? I don't see any obvious welds, but I'm also not keen on what to look for.

Any obvious signs if this is a "Swiss parts" gun?

Price OTD w/ tax would be @ $1425.

Any other info y'all can give is greatly appreciated.

View attachment 6085

View attachment 6086
View attachment 6087

Try bargaining and buy, these are already hard to find and very reliable.

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kwb377

Discussion Starter · #8 · 3 d ago

stonekhold said:
Try bargaining and buy, these are already hard to find and very reliable.

I already tried bargaining...unfortunately, they understood how scarce these are too.

Even at @ $1400 OTD, I don't feel like I got hosed...it looks like it was a safe queen.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks to pick it up. Now trying to decide between ordering the Samson F/R sight set or an MFI rail/diopter w/ front sight.

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LKY13

· #9 · 2 d ago

I'm not a fan of either the Samson or MFi sights. The Samson's are too high/goofy and the MFi's are cheesy. I'd leave the front folding post as-is and spend the funds you were going to drop on sights for a Romeo4A and perhaps a nice magnifier 'n call it a day. Just a thought. Congrats on your new rifle. The 556 is very fun to shoot-- if a bit heavy.

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kwb377

Discussion Starter · #10 · 1 d ago (Edited)

Went ahead and picked it up this morning...

Stripped it down and cleaned it...the gas regulator was stubborn due to carbon, but everything else looked good. Judging by the lack of wear on the bolt/receiver and the left over (now dried) white grease that Sig likes to use still in the receiver, I'm guessing this thing was fired when it was bought new and stuck in a safe until recently.

I swapped the commercial tube for a Milspec one and added an SB Tactical folding adaptor. I experimented with a few stocks and decided to use the BCM off my Colt and it looks the least "M4-ish" compared to my various Magpuls. Also used an old AK web sling I had in the sling box...looks more "European military" than the nylon MS1 I normally use on most rifles.

I also tried out my LPVO off one of my AR's...the mount is obviously too high, but I may swap it over eventually with a different mount...for now, I decided to mount the Romeo 5 off my PCC. I'll take it out tomorrow and zero the dot and verify the irons.

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