[trigger643]

I'm almost hesitant to post this on here. But let the flames start as they may.

I've been an avid hk93 owner for almost 30 years.... (I use that as a qualifier). I've owned maybe half a dozen, still own my first one, an HK dated example. But, about 45 days ago I acquired a Sig 556. I threw a scope on it before taking it to the range... Crappy furniture, wabbly at best, but I have to say... Great rifle! 1:7 twist, was moa with 62 gr. match out of the box. The trigger is nearly match grade. That is a big "humph" for the $300 I paid way back when for the PSG group. I can't wait to get some decent furniture for it. Better than any of the plastic rifles I've seen HK come out with in recent years...

 

[Mr Wild Bill]

HMMMM...

Kind of like comparing a 69 z28 with a new Mustang Cobra, on a Chevy forum
Enjoy your new Mustang and go here: http://sigforum.com

 

[trigger643]

Kind of like comparing a 69 z28 with a new Mustang Cobra, on a Chevy forum
Enjoy your new Mustang and go here: http://sigforum.com

really can't disagree, but they leap frogged' over HK. what a shame.

 

[armakraut]

Hard to believe, but there is an actual SIG under the god awful furniture and ersatz backup sights. The guts of the rifle are impressive. No doubt in my mind that they're good shooters, they just need to put swiss looking/functioning furniture and sights on the gun, then I'd consider buying the rifle for the asking price.

I love my Vector HK33 clone, best damned 5.56 I've ever shot or owned and I'd certainly welcome the chance to own a SIG too.

 

[Stryker_Radar]

If you go to http://www.sigarms556.com/
Lots of information. I have found it to be one of the better 556 sites.
Some guys have replace the stock forearm with the B&T 551 rail system.

 

[firemancjack]

Find yourself a set of 551 handguards and a magpul CTR stock.If you like the rifle now, you'll absolutely love it with those additions.

 

[Germanic]

The 556 is a great platform. I think it acquits itself quite well considering the poor marketing and initial launch it received from Sigarms (now Sig Sauer).

No doubt the HK93 and the Swiss 550 series rifles are among the finest 5.56 rifles I've ever encountered. The 556 gets a bad rap from a lot of people mainly because of its cosmetics.

I don't consider the 556 to be in the same class of the original Swiss rifles in terms of manufacturing excellence. In reality, I don't think it was ever intended to be. I consider it more like the FNC which is equally functional yet not quite as refined as a Swiss 55x rifle. Most Americans aren't likely to spring for the $2.5K-$3K price tag that our neighbors in Canada pay for their SanSwiss 55x sporters. With that in mind, I think the 556 arrives at a price point that makes it more competitive in the market where US shooters are likely to spend their money.

I think the HK93 obviously outclasses the 556 in terms of overall quality and fit & finish. We don't see 556s come from the factory with a test target. If they did, we'd probably never have seen the canted rail issue in the initial production models.

I've been very pleased with my 556 overall. No issues to note so far. It's a VERY smooth shooting carbine with noticeably less recoil than any AR I've shot. The 556 is a little front heavy, but I think that helps attenuate muzzle rise.

The biggest thing that would help the 556 is greater availability of real Swiss Arms factory accessories (not the cheap-o Chinese holographic sights and trigger actuated vertical grip lights) to allow 556 owners to refine their carbines. They could learn something from HK back in the days when 91s and 93s were being imported. (Remember those HK catalog photos showing all the accessories available?) THAT's what would help the 556, also the option of a factory correct side folding stock.

The good news is, we have some great aftermarket companies like Aurora who are taking such things as sights and Swiss styled receiver pins very seriously. We will have some top quality diopeter sights available soon.

Recent magazine articles have shown a side folder SBR version for LE and I suspect a 16" version will be available in the near future. I think the future is bright for the 556. Clearly, Sig Sauer needs to improve their marketing and offer more options down the road, but for now I think the 556 may be one of the best current production 5.56 carbines for the money.

 

[Greg Bell]

I've had both. I can't really say one was better than the other. They were both excellent. Other than a few early hiccups (which is normal) almost all of the 556 complaining has been by M4 partizans making stuff up or complaining about the looks. The gun is ugly. So is the M4. Hell, all assault rifles are ugly.

 

[HKNC]

The gun is ugly. So is the M4. Hell, all assault rifles are ugly.

Ugly?......say it aint so Had to add the SL8 rear sight to keep the HK thing going!

 

[Stryker_Radar]

HKNC,
That looks great! Where did you find the parts?

 

[armakraut]

I sent SIG an email. They're the vendor and they're the ones who can order sights and furniture from Switzerland without risking a visit from the BATFE.

 

[Hk51fan]

If the 556 came like that, I think it's safe to say we wouldn't be having this dialogue! Is that sig 551 lower? I know that it shows a lack of class to ask, but how much did the conversion cost and where did you obtain the parts?

 

[stubbicatt]

Ugly?......say it aint so Had to add the SL8 rear sight to keep the HK thing going!

I want one of these rifles. It doesn't look at all like the 556 I saw at the store.

 

[veritas]

Great looking, but it does not look like the 556 lower. Can you give us some more info on the rifle and what parts you have changed. In particular, what is the story with the lower and the stock. Thanks.

 

[JoshNC]

Here is my 556. I replaced the 556 lower with a Swiss 551-1SP lower, the handguards with 551 SWAT handguards, and added an Aimpoint ML3 in a LaRue RAS2 mount.

 

[KurtP2k]

where do you get the lower, butt stock, and hand guards from?

 

[KurtP2k]

not to be "that guy" but any idea on my ^ Q?