Opinion of Sig SWAT 556

[RSJ]

I am eventually going to save up enough cash to rebuy my recently sold AR15.
I have been reading into a piston driven style, and after seeing the 556 Sig SWAT, I am surprised to see it has a 2 stage trigger and folding stock.
Anyone shot one? I am not interested in the pistol variant. Only the 16in rifle.

Thoughts? Should I look into something else in the $1000-1200 range? I have no problem building a AR, but I think after a 2 stage trigger and putting say, a magpul CTR with lock, rail and sights, I'd be at the same price as a sig 556, which wouldnt have the play-or- slop between the upper and lower commonly found on AR builds.

I've already looked up reviews and whatnot online, just wondering what this forum's opinions are?
Edited to add: I am mainly wanting " a problem arises "gun, and range toy, not looking for anything special, just reliable, and a 100-150 yard weapon. I currently have go-to weapons for HD.

[Beiruty]

My bro has Swis made short barrel sig, not sure what model number. I would tell you the swis made is day and night different from my US made SIG 556. The Swis is like Rolex compared to a Casio. The fit on the Swis made is amazing, no wobble anywhere, it feels solid like a tank.

[RSJ]

Thanks guys, anyone else feel free to comment.
Went and held one today, pretty impressed. Anything else at the 1200 range I should look at?

[Medic218]

I've got the SWAT Patrol model and I really like it. My only compliant is that it's a little in the heavy side but that really isn't an issue.
One bit of advice I can give is to make sure noone is standing very close to you on your right side....it spits out the brass fast and far and never in the exact same spot.
Break down and field stripping is pretty routine with only an extra step or two compared to a traditional AR platform.
As far as accuracy goes...it's pretty spot on even with a knock off red dot that I don't give a lot of credit.

Check the link below for a little range report I wrote up.
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=+Sig+556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Medic218]

Also, I forgot to mention....the center diamond is 6" tip to tip and the smaller ones in the corners are only 3".

[RSJ]

Great report, I just read it! Thanks!
I think I want the exact same model as u

[Steve133]

I agree with Medic Man. I can't speak to the quality of the SWAT, but I have a 556 Classic (Swiss-style handguard instead of the rail, pretty similar otherwise) and I'm pretty pleased with it. I was one of the hordes of gun owners who rushed out to get an EBR after the last presidential election out of fear of a new assault weapons ban - which obviously didn't pan out, but that's beside the point - and I did a fair amount of research and ultimately came down in favor of the Sig. I haven't shot it as much as I should have since then, but it's been very reliable and at least as accurate as I am (though you do have to watch out for the ejected casings - they fly pretty far and seem to always mar the finish just to the rear of the ejection port).

I see a fair amount of criticism levied against the 556 just because it isn't an AR. Well, it's not. Nor is it supposed to be. However, it will fill the same functional role in just about any application that I can think of. In general, I'm fairly skeptical of a lot of the hype that surrounds piston guns; I don't think that there are any terribly realistic scenarios in which it would be a critical advantage over the AR-style gas system, and it's almost certainly not worth the price premium that a lot of manufacturers put on them. On the other hand, I'm completely fine with accepting the marginal gains in reliability (and the ability to mount a folding stock) if there's not a huge price difference, and the 556 seems to be about in line with the mid- to high-range production ARs, or was the last time I checked. I certainly wouldn't pay more than about $1200 for one, but at around the $1000-mark, I personally think that it's one of the better guns for the money. Unsurprisingly, aftermarket parts aren't as plentiful as they are for the AR platform, but the fact that the 556 accepts AR magazines is a plus.

I'd be interested to hear more about the quality of some of the bells and whistles on the SWAT model - I guess Sig makes the quad rail in-house (or outsources and sells it in-house, whichever)? I've heard about some QC issues with the Sig-branded aftermarket parts, but most of that comes from the same Internet Commandos who give it so much flak for having the temerity not to be an AR, so who knows if there's anything to that.

[RSJ]

Thanks Steve!

[RSJ]

Anyone know of the best (cheapest) place to purchase one of these, preferably in DFW. Right now Cheaper than dirt has the patrol for 1084.00

[Beiruty]

Anyone know of the best (cheapest) place to purchase one of these, preferably in DFW. Right now Cheaper than dirt has the patrol for 1084.00

See if Academy can meet or beat their price.

Check with Gunbroker.

[RECIT]

I second Academy. If they have it, its usually cheaper than the competition.

[RSJ]

Well, Academy has the Patrol model only (no rails, just plastic handguards)

[RECIT]

Well, Academy has the Patrol model only (no rails, just plastic handguards)

any cheaper or same price?

[JeepGuy79]

If I was in the market for a sig rifle I would buy the cheapest 556 you can find then a nice 551 or 552 kit and make a clone sbr.