[psuminer]

OK. I looked through this entire line of threads and didn't see anything addressing my question so I hope this has not been addressed elsewhere. Also, this may be one of those silly questions I mentioned might come from me.

My question is: I'm about to buy my first Sig 556 and was wondering if there are any major differences or concerns that I should take into consideration when choosing my new rifle relating directly to the following key topics:

- Year of manufacture for a new rifle? Is there a particular year of manufacture that I should avoid?

- Classic vs. Swat? I can see the appearance differences between the Classic and the Swat but are there also functionality (is that a word?) differences that make the Swat truly worth a few hundred bucks more than the Classic?

- Does anyone have any information on the new Sig 556 "Patrol" rifle? (Recently seen on Gunbroker)

Looking forward to your feedback. This is a one-shot deal for me so I want to make sure I make the right one the first time. Thanks all!

P.S. I apologize if this is a re-post.

 

[Sarge1998]

Only my opinion but I'd start with the Classic, less front end weight. If you need a tac light the Classic does come with rails you can add on. As for the average patrol officer I just don't see an advantage to the Patrol model they began offering, I'd also like to hear some feedback as to the long term use and it's effect with the gas system.

 

[pistol fixer]

first 556

I have a classic swat and a registered classic SBR.
the first thing i did to the classic was add a Swiss 551 folding stock in place of the collapsing one which came on the classic.

this stock seems to be a lot sturdier .
the classic swat is very front heavy, i will be removing the quad rail and adding a 551 style forearm.

my SBR is just like the patrol rifle sig is selling.
except for the 16" barrel. i am very happy with My SBR.
the advantages of the Patrol rifle over the full size classic is, the Patrol rifle will ballence better.
Ullie has stated that he believes the short gas system will wear faster than the long one. I'm sure he is correct.
however IMHO the better ballence out weigh the shortened life span.

I believe that most people will never shoot on enought to wear it out.
if i did'nt have two Sig 556's i would buy one of the Sig 556 Patrol rifles.

I teach LE patrol rifle school with my SBR and would not trade it for anything.
i have it equipted with an Eotech 552 and a AAC MK4-2008 suppressor.
standing off hand i can keep all shots in the head of a Q target at 100 yds
about as fast as i can pull the trigger.

The Sig 556 are not a 1/2 moa rifle, but the are a very fine Battle rifle.
just my .02
good luck with what ever you get
Rick

 

[Zeus]

Personally if I had to do it all over again I would still buy the base model like I did and modify it with high quality stuff from Troy and other manufacturers. The SIG rails are not great, sights are not great, folder is not great etc. Now they are making some great add on stuff for the 556 and the money and time you save not having to garage sale all the extras from SIG is well worth it. I would get a base standard rifle, add the Magpul CTR or comparable stock, 551 handguards, a nice set of Troy BUIS, Magpul extended trigger guard, some Pmags or D&H mags with Magpul followers, and a high quality folder such as Ace has. I like the tube type instead of the classic because your options for different stocks and sling plates are plentifull with the standard tube. Then you'll have a kick ass rifle of the highest quality. Quad rails look cool and everything but how many people really need all that extra weight and crap on the gun. For instance I bought a green laser because it looked cool. What a retarded mistake on my part. It's $100 paper weight that sits in my locker. I could have added that to a nice optic or iron sights. A great durable rifle with good sights and a good optic, along with a quality light is all you will ever need. The other stuff is just window dressing and will cause you fatigue carrying it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ullie]

- Classic vs. Swat? I can see the appearance differences between the Classic and the Swat but are there also functionality (is that a word?) differences that make the Swat truly worth a few hundred bucks more than the Classic?

- Does anyone have any information on the new Sig 556 "Patrol" rifle?

This is a one-shot deal for me so I want to make sure I make the right one the first time.

...my thoughts...

...i would find an earlier model such as the "optics ready" model or a 556006 ER model and dress her up your way...i would recomend adding AR height folding front and rear sights or go with an Aurora diopter set...i would change out the fishguill handguards and install a "Swiss 551" handguard set to reduce front end weight by about eight ounces....i personally would pass on a folder...and go with either a non-folding CTR buttstock or a SOPMOD stock...then choose your optic wisely !

...as far as a SWAT...or RAS system...ie Troy or Samson...it only adds weight...and what in the world do you want to hang on it...the 556 is a carbine...keep it light and nimble...

...as far as the Patrol Carbine...here's a copy and paste of my opinion...from 12 October 2009...



...why would you want a pistol length gas system on a carbine?...

...using a short gas system *significantly* increases the peak port pressure...the gas velosity flowing through the gas port...the volume of gas due to the increased density of the gas (due to the compressive nature of gases)..."just to name a few"..the longer barrel will increase the duration at which the hot high pressure gases containing the by products of combustion flow through the gas port...gas block and gas valve etc...and there are many other negative factors..

...just a "few of the effects" will be an accelerated rate of the erosion of the barrel's gas port...the ports in the gas valve...the entire operating system will be subjected to greater loads...including the bolt lugs...you will have an increase in cyclic rate reducing the smooth operation of the weapon...if fact...the service life of the entire weapon and almost all of its components will be shortened...as an added benifit...the weapon will be more ammunition sensitive and less reliable...honestly...the effects are so many that it's not within the scope of a reply...what is Sig thinking ?

...the P556 suffers from the same effects less that of the longer barrel...your best bet is to get the carbine with the carbine length gas system !

...hope that helps put things in perspective a little...spend your money wisely based on your needs...

 

[SGT_geardo]

ullie... I love you!

Even though I have practically nothing to say on this subject you blow everyone out of the water with your wisdom.

You have helped me more than once indirectly and once directly with your knowledge. I should start a "i love ullie" thread!

 

[restoring]

ullie... I love you!

Even though I have practically nothing to say on this subject you blow everyone out of the water with your wisdom.

You have helped me more than once indirectly and once directly with your knowledge. I should start a "i love ullie" thread!

I think there are several we love ullie threads

Ullie makes yoda look ignorant - LOL

 

[psuminer]

Thanks to all of you for your input! I will print this out and get to shopping! Thanks again for the great advice! Wouldn't it be great if every big purchase we make has a forum like this to educate us prior to the purchase?...

 

[samnev]

556 Options

I followed Ullies advice and bought an as NIB early optics ready model sn 3xxx. Put Magpul CTR stock, 551 hand guards, Sampson quick flip front and ARMS 40lps rear, Magpul mags and could be happier. All for a lot less $$$$ than a classic. Follow Ullie's advice and you will be as well.

 

[Buck Rogers]

It all depends how you want to set the rifle up.

The classic will not allow you to use AR stocks of any kind, and the trigger guard is not of the same dimensions as the other sig rifles, which use AR spec. trigger guards.

So, the classic significantly limits your after market options, but it allows you to use the stock thats on it, or the original swiss stock. I think there are adapters that let you use the swiss style stocks on the AR stocked sigs as well.

If you're planning on spending the bucks to do a full 551 conversion, and won't be using any part of your lower, then just get the cheapest, the ER.


My rifle started out as what is now called the ER, back when I bought it I think they just called it the standard or something, because the only other model was the swat. Mine has been very reliable and accurate. I wanted a "short DMR" so I put a magpul spr stock and 551 hand guards on it, and it handles great.

 

[psuminer]

Range Report: I finally got my new Sig 556 to the range this past weekend and absolutely LOVED it! 100 rounds thru it without a hiccup! I was flinging spent casings at least 3 lanes over. Not sure how many new friends I made...

I do have one question with regards to cleaning and that is, how the hell do you remove the firing pin? I've read thru the manual but can't seem to depress the spring enough to break it loose. Do I need to actually use a punch to depress the notch in the assembly? Looking to utilize experience over experimentation here...

 

[ullie]

I do have one question with regards to cleaning and that is, how the hell do you remove the firing pin? I've read thru the manual but can't seem to depress the spring enough to break it loose. Do I need to actually use a punch to depress the notch in the assembly? Looking to utilize experience over experimentation here...

...no...you shouldn't have to use a "punch and hammer"...you should be able to "push" the stud out using a punch without tapping the punch with a hammer...try pushing it out with the lug on the bolt shaft ( below the bolt head) facing away from you...push the stud from your left to your right...

...lately...some people have been having a problem removing the firing pin stud...the firing pin stud should come out relatively easily...you do need to depress the firing pin though as per manual...try tapping the stud "lightly" with a punch/light hammer while someone is holding the bolt assembly with the firing pin depressed...the stud can be stubborn sometimes...but that is the exception...you can also try heating everything up a little and use some CLP...just very hot to the tough...don't over do it...you might try playing with the position of the firing pin a little while it is depressed also...mabey you'll find a sweet spot...if you can't remove it...or reinstall it easily...i afraid it needs to go back to Sig...

... http://www.sigarms556.com/viewtopic.php ... c&start=20

 

[moses]

You don't need to remove the firing pin to clean your 556.

Ullie where did you get your info on your opinion about a short gas system being harder on the rifle and decreasing it's life span?

 

[ullie]

You don't need to remove the firing pin to clean your 556.

...you should clean the firing pin tunnel from time to time and very lightly lubricate the assembly with a CLP that has good corrosion inhibiting properties to protect the firing pin and especially the spring...over time...the firing pin/spring's freedom of movement "may" become restricted and result in a malfunction due to the accumulation of debris...dried lubricant...or if something works it's way into the tunnel...it's also a good idea to pull the firing pin from time to time to inspect it and the spring...

...you should be able to easily remove the firing pin if for no other reason than to replace the firing pin and spring...both are a wear item and should be on a preventative maintence schedual based on round count...

Ullie where did you get your info on your opinion about a short gas system being harder on the rifle and decreasing it's life span?

...my contention that the "shorter gas system" is "harder" on "certain components" of the weapon is based upon my education and decades of hands on experience with assualt rifles...and a large number of other types of weapons...

...for example...it's a given...that is...clearly undersood...that when the gas port is located nearer to the chamber...you will not only have greater peak port pressures...but the gas itself will be more dense due to the compressive nature of gases...and will contain a greater "mass" of the bi-products of combustion driven at greater velosities...not to mention the higher temperatures...in the 565x/556 the gas flow is regulated by the gas valve...and the errosive effects will be far greater on this component with the shorter gas system...and becomes even more exasperated by the increase in dwell time...due to the longer length of barrel remaining past the gas port...that is...the duration in which the system remains charged or has gas flowing through it...this is just one of many negative aspects of using a pistol length gas system on a carbine with a carbine length barrel...there are many others...

 

[TommyGunn]

I've always heard the M4 style rifles were hard on their components because of the short gas system, and I see no reason to believe the Sig 556 Patrol with the short gas system would not also be hard on its components ... saying that, I have the 556 patrol ... and a Bushie M4orgery .... :wink:

 

[bharrisCA]

I just picked up the Patrol SWAT and it is great. It's not as front-heavy as the Classic SWAT but still has the rails. Big deal if it has a shorter gas system. It will still last and last. I personally love the look of the SWAT rifles and the Patrol seems to be the perfect one for me.

So my vote is for the Patrol SWAT.

 

[Zeus]

I held the patrol for the first time this weekend and I have to say it's not for me. I find all that barrel hanging out front by itself to be odd looking and my long reach makes holding it uncomfortable. I feel like I should have a grip further out which puts my forward hand out by the gas block. To each their own I guess. I almost pulled the trigger on another ER model at a local store but it had a plastic stock tube and I really need to pay off debt first. The classic swat I saw didn't impress me with the crappy stock for $500 more than the ER.