If I wanted to replace the bolt carrier in my Sig 516...

[Ridgerunner665]

I know the 516 isn't a favorite around here, but I got the thing for a good price ($1,000) complete with several Pmags and barely fired.

That said...it has the original bolt carrier that Sig got sued over, the LWRC...if I wanted a spare, where could I find one and what is the model number or type associated with it.

I've searched for this info....data overload...too much info, some probably right and some probably wrong.

I just want a straight answer.

[Iraqgunz]

Does the carrier you have indicate it may fail? If not, I would focus more on the bolt. Be advised because of the design you can only use one built and designed for a piston carbine specific to you model.

My guess is that if you truly need a carrier, you will need to get it from Sig.


I know the 516 isn't a favorite around here, but I got the thing for a good price ($1,000) complete with several Pmags and barely fired.

That said...it has the original bolt carrier that Sig got sued over, the LWRC...if I wanted a spare, where could I find one and what is the model number or type associated with it.

I've searched for this info....data overload...too much info, some probably right and some probably wrong.

I just want a straight answer.

[Ridgerunner665]

Does the carrier you have indicate it may fail? If not, I would focus more on the bolt. Be advised because of the design you can only use one built and designed for a piston carbine specific to you model.

My guess is that if you truly need a carrier, you will need to get it from Sig.

No...no sign of imminent failure....just thought it'd be good to have a spare.

Sig doesn't seem to want to sell parts...and I don't need a complete upper.

[SilverBullet432]

No...no sign of imminent failure....just thought it'd be good to have a spare.

Sig doesn't seem to want to sell parts...and I don't need a complete upper.

i did a search of this 516 model. i found in various sites, even in TOS, that Sig seems to want to sell the complete upper, not individual parts. that really sucks man. I googled "sig 516 replacement bolt"
and "sig 516 bolt carrier group" could not find any links to any parts. just pissed off customers. even the link to this thread popped up! you might consider selling it bro.

[Ridgerunner665]

Hell no I ain't selling it...I'll run it until breaks.

[SilverBullet432]

Hell no I ain't selling it...I'll run it until breaks.

run the crap out of it! :cool:

[Tzed250]

No...no sign of imminent failure....just thought it'd be good to have a spare.

Sig doesn't seem to want to sell parts...and I don't need a complete upper.

Proprietary components and no sales of parts? Totally bogus.

[Ridgerunner665]

It seems odd that a person can't get an LWRC carrier...I understand them being pissed and all...but I didn't steal from them, I'm just an unsuspecting consumer that bought what is a good rifle...I didn't know about all the drama that had taken place.

[Grand58742]

I just want a straight answer.

Have you contacted Sig directly?

http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/

Seems like they might be able to answer your question on a replacement bolt or carrier as well as if the new ones are drop in replaceable for the old ones (which I couldn't imagine they are not).

You also have to remember it's a high demand item which is slowly starting to come back into stock after the craziness from earlier this year. It might not be a lack of willingness to sell spare parts, but the simple fact they might not have them on hand to sell.

[Ridgerunner665]

No...I haven't, but as I understand it they had to change the bolt carrier after the lawsuit...I'd prefer to stick with the LWRC...you know, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'm just trying to figure out what works with what and what doesn't...and what I can actually get my hands on for replacement parts.

And that does include the bolt itself...so if anybody has any info, it would be appreciated.

[Iraqgunz]

You may want to do some research. The differences could be minute enough to have made them happy.

As I stated before. You don't need a carrier. All you need is the bolt and unless that bolt is somehow different, any good one will work.

If it is, and you can't support the rifle then I would ditch the upper or the entire gun together.


No...I haven't, but as I understand it they had to change the bolt carrier after the lawsuit...I'd prefer to stick with the LWRC...you know, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'm just trying to figure out what works with what and what doesn't...and what I can actually get my hands on for replacement parts.

And that does include the bolt itself...so if anybody had any info, it would be appreciated.

[Ridgerunner665]

The bolt appears normal...even has the gas rings.

I am still researching...but a lot of what I'm finding is people having trouble with the with the newer carriers, some claiming its because of them being lighter weight due to some extra milling to make the changes.

[Iraqgunz]

I doubt that, You can also use a heavier buffer to offset that little difference. If you Google AR15 full auto BCG and semiauto BCG you will see the difference is small.


The bolt appears normal...even has the gas rings.

I am still researching...but a lot of what I'm finding is people having trouble with the with the newer carriers, some claiming its because of them being lighter weight due to some extra milling to make the changes.

[Ridgerunner665]

10-4...and thanks for the help...I'll do some more digging and get the skinny on the revised Sig parts...I have a couple of spare bolts.

[first there]

I had a second gen 516 had the same idea you have, from what I found the lwrc bcg would work with a sig but they run around $200-300. I decided to sell mine and built a BCM middy. Loved the sig but the spare parts are hard to come by.

[Ridgerunner665]

I don't mind the $$$ so much, not for quality parts anyway...I just don't want to buy something that won't work in it.

[Ridgerunner665]

OK...it appears the 516 does in fact use a standard bolt, or at least the early ones do...not sure about after the changes were made.

So...if the LWRC carrier is indestructible I should be OK, I know the carrier can be damaged...but if it really is a part that does not generally break...I doubt I'll break it, I'm not a high volume shooter these days because I have to work all the time.

I would still buy a spare carrier though if I could find one...

And in case anybody is wondering why go to the trouble with a proprietary piston AR...its simple...its because I have it, got it at a good price, its accurate, has never failed to feed fire or function in any way, and I really like the lower...seems well made and solid.

My son bought this rifle new the day after he graduated from MCRD Parris Island...and he did put it through its paces for a few days before he left back out for Camp Pendleton, went through about 1,200 rounds of my ammo. He decided to sell it to me after he discovered just how weakly a Marine gets paid...so you see, its got just a little bit of sentimental value...and it is a darn fine AR, the only downside is parts availability.

Sig will warranty it if it breaks, but I have found at least one case of them removing the LWRC carrier from a returned rifle and shipping it back out with one of theirs (the carrier was not the reason for the return)...and it ran fine, BUT...I expect to keep that carrier :)

Truth be told...it will fire way more rounds with an RRA Predator Pursuit upper on it anyway...but I still want the Sig upper in working order and on duty for home defense.

And again...thanks for the help...I may have more questions later.

[Talon167]

Ridgerunner,

Please keep us up to date as to what you find (or don't find for that matter).

I have a 516 I just used in a three day carbine 2 class. It ran great. Had a couple FTFeeds mid way through day three, but a little CLP on the bolt & feed area and it was gtg for the remainder of the class.

Anyway, it's only got ~ 2200 rounds through but having a backup bolt/BCG would be nice.

I might call Sig on Tuesday to see what is what.