Thanks for the comprehensive write up. I am interested in purchasing a set of these handguards and you have answered all my questions about them.
Sig's 556 Handguard Set, Swiss type w/ rails. Finally pics!
11
Since I've been hearing that the newer handguards are tighter fitting than the 551 style handguards, I thought I'd finally buy a set directly from Sig.
If you've seen the pic on Sig's website (SKU: 1511681-01), you'll see that they show a set of 551 handguards.
That's not exactly what they look like.
If you haven't seen them already, they look more like this:
![]()
Higher res 1280x853 254K http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9066/14high.jpg
Reports about the handguards are true. They are much tighter than the 551s.
My set does have a little side to side play on the gas block side, probably a millimeter or two, but I'm not complaining
Up and down play on the same side is barely noticeable.
The receiver side is rock solid.
The polymer...oh, the polymer....
Is it the same quality as the the fishgills?
To me, it seems about the same, but I'm no polymer expert.
One thing for sure, the polymer surface LOOKS rougher than the 551s because of the finish.
The color is lighter than the 551s and uniformity looks uneven.
I really have the urge to paint these HGs black to match the rest of the furniture.
Here's a close up pic to give you an idea:
![]()
Higher res 1280x1198 303K http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2302/4high.jpg
Here are some pics showing the handguards next to the 551s.
IMHO the surface between the two feel the same:
![]()
Higher res 1280x875 156k http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/743/1high.jpg
![]()
Higher res 1280x1365 172k http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7079/3high.jpg
![]()
Notice the multiple mounting holes for the bottom rail.
Higher res 1280x1240 199k http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8830/2high.jpg
For the heck of it, I thought I'd show a pic showing how the tabs on these new handguards look compared to the fishgills.
![]()
Hey tabs! Please don't break!
Higher res 1280x853 270k http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7738/16high.jpg
The "Swiss type" (unofficial) handguard weight is 7.2 ounces compared to 6.4 ounces I measured on the 551s.
BTW, none of the 3 handguards referenced above are interchangable.
________________________________________________
Now, let's talk about the RAILS
They're SKU: 1511690 on Sig's website.
Right now there is no picture on the site, but this is what you'll get:
![]()
Higher res 1280x875 190k http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9994/5high.jpg
You'll get 2 polymer side rails and 1 polymer bottom rail with mounting hardware.
(3mm allen wrench needed for the screws is not included):
![]()
Higher res 1280x501 274k http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8606/6high.jpg
The backside of the screw mount:
![]()
Higher res 1280x853 241k http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4053/15high.jpg
The multiple holes on the bottom of the handguard allows for mounting the bottom rail on 3 different positions:
![]()
Higher res 1280x1074 304k http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5687/10high.jpg
Some cheapo accessories mounted to give you an idea:
![]()
Higher res 1280x853 360k http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9599/13high.jpg
The rails seem pretty solid and don't add much weight to the handguards at all.
__________________________________________________________
Right now, the handguards are $99.00 shipped ($86.00 + $12.95 shipping) .
Sig is shipping orders over $100.00 free, so I added the rails and got the HGs and rails for $106.00 shipped. Not too bad.
Happy shooting.
If you've seen the pic on Sig's website (SKU: 1511681-01), you'll see that they show a set of 551 handguards.
That's not exactly what they look like.
If you haven't seen them already, they look more like this:
Higher res 1280x853 254K http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9066/14high.jpg
Reports about the handguards are true. They are much tighter than the 551s.
My set does have a little side to side play on the gas block side, probably a millimeter or two, but I'm not complaining
Up and down play on the same side is barely noticeable.
The receiver side is rock solid.
The polymer...oh, the polymer....
Is it the same quality as the the fishgills?
To me, it seems about the same, but I'm no polymer expert.
One thing for sure, the polymer surface LOOKS rougher than the 551s because of the finish.
The color is lighter than the 551s and uniformity looks uneven.
I really have the urge to paint these HGs black to match the rest of the furniture.
Here's a close up pic to give you an idea:
Higher res 1280x1198 303K http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2302/4high.jpg
Here are some pics showing the handguards next to the 551s.
IMHO the surface between the two feel the same:
Higher res 1280x875 156k http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/743/1high.jpg
Higher res 1280x1365 172k http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7079/3high.jpg
Notice the multiple mounting holes for the bottom rail.
Higher res 1280x1240 199k http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8830/2high.jpg
For the heck of it, I thought I'd show a pic showing how the tabs on these new handguards look compared to the fishgills.
Hey tabs! Please don't break!
Higher res 1280x853 270k http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7738/16high.jpg
The "Swiss type" (unofficial) handguard weight is 7.2 ounces compared to 6.4 ounces I measured on the 551s.
BTW, none of the 3 handguards referenced above are interchangable.
________________________________________________
Now, let's talk about the RAILS
They're SKU: 1511690 on Sig's website.
Right now there is no picture on the site, but this is what you'll get:
Higher res 1280x875 190k http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9994/5high.jpg
You'll get 2 polymer side rails and 1 polymer bottom rail with mounting hardware.
(3mm allen wrench needed for the screws is not included):
Higher res 1280x501 274k http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8606/6high.jpg
The backside of the screw mount:
Higher res 1280x853 241k http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4053/15high.jpg
The multiple holes on the bottom of the handguard allows for mounting the bottom rail on 3 different positions:
Higher res 1280x1074 304k http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5687/10high.jpg
Some cheapo accessories mounted to give you an idea:
Higher res 1280x853 360k http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9599/13high.jpg
The rails seem pretty solid and don't add much weight to the handguards at all.
__________________________________________________________
Right now, the handguards are $99.00 shipped ($86.00 + $12.95 shipping) .
Sig is shipping orders over $100.00 free, so I added the rails and got the HGs and rails for $106.00 shipped. Not too bad.
Happy shooting.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
I agree, why go through all the trouble of changing handguards, then adding rails back on, when the original "gill guards" already have them.restoring said:
insider said:I agree, why go through all the trouble of changing handguards, then adding rails back on, when the original "gill guards" already have them.restoring said:
[/img]![]()
Because they are butt ugly! :?
Just kidding, each to their own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder....
Fantastic wright-up Ben.
Installed the Swiss-style handguards on my Sig SWAT as described above. Tight as a drum, no play at all, very pleased. Also bought the rail kit for later installation if desired but I like it just as it is for now.
![]()
If you like the Swiss-type handguards, I highly recommend these.
v/r,
Bear
If you like the Swiss-type handguards, I highly recommend these.
v/r,
Bear
So is this the swiss style stock? I actually just got this stock and was considering removing, but if it is superior (tighter) I will keep it. Makes sense that it is superior, because why else would they replace the old. The guy are store here claims 3-slit version is superior, but when quesitioned had no reason to say this (except he was selling 3-slit). Also, where did you get that grip?
![]()
Pretty minor difference
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1 - 20 of 23 Posts
