Range Report: MSAR STG-556

[Tomac]

Ordered my black MSAR STG-556 off of GB a couple of weeks ago. Based on the listed pic it looked like I was getting an older version (tulip FH, no BHO fence, fewer QD sling positions) but when it arrived I was very pleased to see the new style FH (which I prefer) and the BHO fence. While I would have preferred green I must say the black version is *very* good-looking, the epitome of EBR.
For the optic I decided on the Aimpoint CompM4, not only because it uses the same AA batteries as the rest of my kit but also the included QRP2 mount can be reversed so the QD knob is on the right (instead of the left) so it won't interfere w/the STG-556's left-side charging handle. It's mounted far forward to minimize the Aimpoint body's perceived size while aiming and to leave space on the rail for an upcoming experiment: LaRue Po Boy Special w/the Heinstoldt 2.5x magnifier. I added a 3" rail (from Promoted Pawn, an excellent piece of gear for a great price: http://www.microtalk.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=201 ) for attaching a Streamlight TLR-2 combo taclight/laser w/remote tapeswitch held in place by Ranger Bands and a Gear Sector Gen.II ASP single point sling adapter (I'm not using any of the STG-556's QD sling swivels at this time). With the TLR-2 far back on the rail there is some bbl shadow at 10 o'clock but it's not severe and is pretty well filled-in w/scatter. An advantage to having it far back on the rail is that both the constant-on rocker & mode switches can be reached w/the trigger finger w/o changing my firing grip (and moving the TLR-2 further forward doesn't improve the 10 o'clock bbl shadow).
As w/all new firearms, first thing I did was strip it down for a good cleaning/lubing. As forewarned, I found the disassembly latch was extremely tight the first time but is improving w/usage. Takedown was quick & easy (except for the aforementioned tight takedown latch) w/relatively few parts & a bolt assy that's *much* simpler than the FS2K's bolt assy (my biggest complaint about the FS2K is the complexity of the bolt assy). Cleaning/lubing took little time (much less than the AR's I used to own) and it went back together easily (yep, RTFM!)
Anywho, headed out to the range w/the STG-556 and a friend's FS2000 so I could do a side-by-side comparison. Ammo used was Wolf poly 55gr, Silver Bear 62gr & Prvi Partizan 55gr.
I initially sighted in the STG-556 w/the Silver Bear to get me on paper then finished sighting in w/the PP 55gr. Lo and behold, an interesting development!: the SB's POI is exactly 3" to the left of the PP's POI at 100yds! (Someone suggested this is due to barrel harmonics but while I've experienced vertical dispersion of POI's caused by bbl harmonics this is the first time I've ever experienced horizontal dispersion of POI's!)
The trigger pull of the STG-556 is horrible for precision aiming! I'm hoping this will improve a bit w/time or discover a safe method for improving it but as-is it's just fine for the CQB tactical shooting I do (in fact, I prefer it to the FS2K's trigger for that kind of shooting).
Handling: This is a pretty subjective area but I find the STG-556 just plain handles better for me (YMMV). It's faster on-target and doubletaps are faster/easier as well when compared to the FS2K. Mag removals aren't bad but I'm obviously going to have to practice or learn a new technique if I want faster reloads! The forward assist and bolt hold-open don't bother me in the least, in fact I usually don't know they're there.
I ran a couple of tactical drills as well as some informal bouncing of several empty milk jugs. While the FS2K handled better than any of the AK's/AR's I've used in the past it still didn't handle as well or as quickly as the STG-556 (this could be due to a number of reasons that are directly shooter-related as well as obvious possibilities like the FS2K not having a vertical foregrip like the STG-556).
Functioning of the STG-556 was 100% for the couple of hundred rds fired except for the first time I tried the 42rd mag when I got several FTF's. This I attribute to operator error while loading as loading it more carefully resulted in no more problems (and 0 problems from the 2nd 42rd mag I tried), the 30rd mags were all 100%. Btw, I really like the design & quality of the MSAR mags, not only are they shaped well for handling but rugged as well (I accidentally dropped a fully loaded 42rd mag onto concrete and all it did was spit out the first 2 rds).
My biggest complaint about the STG-556 is the charging handle. While more rugged than the FS2K's (which have been know to occasionally break) it's also more difficult to use. Not only due to the shape which requires turning the offhand palm up and engaging the charging handle w/the little finger but the springs are stronger as well requiring more effort to manually cycle the action.
Overall I much prefer the STG-556 over the FS2K for my needs (YMMV) but so far both have been 100%.
Tomac
STG-556 Right Side:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofRotationofSTG-556RangeRe-1.jpg
STG-556 Left Side:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofSTG-556RangeReport010.jpg
Aimpoint M4 Setup to Clear Charging Handle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofSTG-556RangeReport008.jpg
3" Rail for Taclight Attachment:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofSTG-556RangeReport015.jpg
Better View of Gear Sector Single Point Sling Adapter:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofSTG-556RangeReport007.jpg
Gear Sector ASP Single Point Sling:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofRotationofSTG-556RangeRepor.jpg
STG-556 & FN FS2000:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofSTG-566vFS2000002.jpg

[TOrrock]

Thanks for posting this.

I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the FS 2000 vs. the STG556.

[Tomac]

Thanks for posting this.
I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the FS 2000 vs. the STG556.

There's a lot of subjective preference here but IMHO the only significant advantages the FS2K has over the STG-556 are an easier to use charging handle, slightly better trigger (only because the 556 trigger is so heavy), has integral BUIS (556 has none) and uses most common AR mags. Downsides are the handling (for me, YMMV), overly complex bolt assy, size (much thicker), difficulty attaching accessory rails, charging handle has been known to break occasionally, mags are more difficult to remove (due to rubber dust gasket in the FS2K's mag well) but the mag release is easier to use, no BHO, no spare parts available from FN. I'm going to test the effectiveness of both flash hiders this weekend. HTH...
Tomac
ETA: Pic of the FS2000's bolt assy:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofFS2KEvaluation005.jpg

[Tomac]

Well, got my LaRue Po Boy Special today and I'm a bit disappointed as it's just not going to work well for me on the STG-556. Great glass but the eye relief is so short on the Henstoldt 2.5x that I can barely get it to fit the STG-556's rail. Anywho, if anyone wants a brand-new Po Boy Special including all the neat LaRue extras then drop me a line (sigh...):(
Tomac

[Tomac]

Flash Hider Test: STG-556 vs FN FS2000
Went out to the range early this morning w/both rifles. Each had a mag loaded w/4rds of 55gr Wolf, 4 rds of 62gr Silver Bear & 4 rds of 55gr Prvi Partizan (my current SD load). I alternated the rifles, doing 4rds through one then 4rds through the other so I could immediately compare the same ammo flash out of both rifles.
Wolf: Both had moderate orange flashes (including out the side of the flash hiders) w/some sparks to the side.
Silver Bear: Slightly more intense orange flash than the Wolf but no sparks.
Prvi Partizan: Just a little more intense orange flash than the Silver Bear, definitely the hottest round fired.
Short version:
Flash hiders on both rifles are about the same, the STG-556 *might* be *slightly* more effective but I wouldn't bet money on it. Both are adequately effective, especially since we're talking 16" & 17" bbls shooting ammo that's optimized for a 20" bbl. Neither will ruin your night vision but are plainly visible. Even though more effective flash hiders are available I don't believe it's worth it to replace them.
Comparison chart:
PS90: No muzzle flash at all.
AK74 w/Bulgarian flash hider (long & heavy, similar to the M14's flash hider): Dull red jet out the front and to the sides, barely visible at close range.
STG-556 & FS2K: Moderate orange flash out the front and to the sides, plainly visible.
Ruger Mini-14: Huge yellow flash, affects night vision and probably visible from orbit.
Tomac

[TOrrock]

Cool, thanks again!

[Tomac]

Cool, thanks again!

You're welcome. Always glad to share info and answer questions as so many others have done for me in the past. Gotta admit, the more I shoot it the more I like the STG (now I just gotta figure the fastest way to do mag changes...)
Tomac

[Rayrevolver]

You mentioned operator error causing failures with the 42 round mag. What were you doing and what did you do differently to make it work?

My friend bought an STG556 and it worked without fault with 10, 20, and 30 round mags (PMC Bronze 55gr).

The 42 rounder did not hold the bolt open after the last round was fired. He loaded it up and then had a double load that ended up seizing the rifle. Once the CH was forced back a round fell out that was very bent. The magazine then did it again. It was replaced by Ratworx and the new 42 rounder did it all over again.

For the record I never loaded the mags. He is a newbie though, so now I am wondering what he could have done to cause this.

I always wanted an Steyr AUG so it was nice to finally shoot one. Are there any after market triggers?

Anyone remember the movie Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man?

[Tomac]

You mentioned operator error causing failures with the 42 round mag. What were you doing and what did you do differently to make it work?
My friend bought an STG556 and it worked without fault with 10, 20, and 30 round mags (PMC Bronze 55gr).

The 42 rounder did not hold the bolt open after the last round was fired.
For the record I never loaded the mags. He is a newbie though, so now I am wondering what he could have done to cause this.

I always wanted an Steyr AUG so it was nice to finally shoot one. Are there any after market triggers?


Just one of those brain farts: forgot to tap the mag after loading to seat the bullets (duh! slaps forehead...) My 10 & 30rd mags have been 100% but the 42rd mag seems to need that seating tap more than the others. Since then both of my 42rd'ers have been 100% as well (except for the lack of BHO, neither of them will do that, I wonder why, hmmm....)
Trigger Tamer made for the AUG is supposed to work in the STG as well (according to their website: http://www.triggertamer.com/ ) and while I'm tempted to try it I think I'll err on the side of caution for now and see if I can live w/the factory trigger (removing the hammer pack and manually working the sear a few hundred times does seem to help all by itself).
Tomac

[flanntastic]

my 30rd mags work great but 42rd doesn't, i am going to send mine back

[Tomac]

my 30rd mags work great but 42rd doesn't, i am going to send mine back

Before you send it back, might I suggest you try what I did to fix mine?: After loading the mag give it a good rap along the back of the mag against something solid to seat the cartridges against the back of the mag before shooting. Worked for me...
HTH...
Tomac

[sgtlmj]

You're over here having fun with your rifle too huh?

I was wondering if spraying Pam or some other teflon based lube on the moving plastic parts would improve the trigger. Maybe graphite? That would be a no-no in a metal trigger group, but it might make the sliding of the trigger bar and component parts better.

[Tomac]

You're over here having fun with your rifle too huh?

I was wondering if spraying Pam or some other teflon based lube on the moving plastic parts would improve the trigger. Maybe graphite? That would be a no-no in a metal trigger group, but it might make the sliding of the trigger bar and component parts better.

Yeah, I try to get around (you might be surprised at the number of forums I frequent...;)). While I've hesitated to add lube of any kind to the hammer pack so far I did try the "remove the hammer pack and manually work the sear back and forth 500 times while watching TV" trick and it did make a measureable improvement in the trigger pull. Don't think I want to go the Trigger Tamer route and risk compromising reliability but I keep my eyes open for other ways to improve trigger pull.
Tomac