Completely different rifle, like the difference between an actual HK91 and a Century Arms G3 part kit build on a century receiver.
Swiss SAN rifles are excellent rifles, just can't be made and imported to the US very cheaply.
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Thanks, I was just curious
Perhaps it more like the difference between a Knights SR-15 and something from Olympic or DPMS. But I would say the difference in barrel quality alone is enough to make it an entirely different rifle.
If everything went "apocalypse now" tomorrow I'd be just fine rolling a true 551, but if I had a US 551A1 the first guy I can sneak up on with an M4 is getting shot in the head and I'm leaving the US 551A1 behind because it's a pile of Cohen Crap. I wouldn't want to have to trust it for more than one "close up" shot.
I had one of the first WCA 551s that were actually real Swiss parts on a US 551 barreled receiver and even it was a hunk o crap. Looked neat and gave me that "man I always wanted one of these" feel good vibe, but that quickly evaporated when I got it to the range and realized it was a dismal performer that wasn't well made.
Dave Wagner at JDI deserves all the credit in the world for bringing in these Swiss Arms firearms to the US market. If it were not for him several variants such as the 553 and 751 would have never been seen on this side of the Atlantic. And JoshNC is 100% correct IMO- either step up to the Swiss Arms price point or avoid this segment of the black rifle market altogether as the US made alternatives are not acceptable.
Sorry to revive a 4 year old post. But your totally correct.