SIG USA 556-A1...Here we go again

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As far as I am concerned, SIG USA is a company that just doesn't get it. Since they don't get it now, they probably never will.

However, this is something of a step in the right direction, but we still have the garbage pot metal sights that are the wrong height for the SIG 55x platform, the flash hider is balls, the rail is the same crap as the 556, and the hand guard is all wrong.

I don't especially have a problem with the aluminum lower...for now, but the magazine paddle doesn't look as easy to access as the Swiss model

SIG551-A1

SIG551-A1™

TACTICAL RIFLE SIG551-A1 features

- Two-position adjustable gas valve
Gas piston, rotating bolt

- Military grade barrel ensures accuracy and durability

- M1913 Picatinny rail for mounting optics
Ambi safety selector

- 7075-T6 aluminum Hard coat anodize lower receiver


SIG551-A1 Specifications

Caliber 5.56X45mm NATO
Overall Length 36.1”
Length with Stock Collapsed 34.6”
Length with Stock Folded 26.0”
Barrel Length Without Flash Suppressor 16”
Operating System Gas piston, rotating bolt
Rifling Lead 1 in 7”
Number of Grooves 4
Muzzle Break Fluted
Sight Radius 18.0”
Weight without Magazine 7.0 lbs
Magazine Type Swiss Polymer
Magazine Capacity 20/30
Trigger 2-Stage
Trigger Pull 7.5 lbs

TACTICAL PRECISION, For 2011, SIG SAUER® is offering several variants to its tactical platforms. NEW to this lineup is our new SIG551-A1, chambered for the widely used 5.56 x 45mm NATO caliber using Swiss Polymer magazines. The SIG551-A1 features a distinctive swiss folding stock, and an M1913 rail for accessory attachment. The 16” barrel features four-groove rifling and a twist rate of 1:7”. The SIG551-A1 measures 36.1” but can fold to 26”, making it ideal for situations where maximum maneuverability is required. For Special Forces requiring an accurate, more potent rifle, chambered in 5.56 x 45mm NATO, the SIG551-A1 sets a new standard for dependable operation and function.



An ISO 9001: 2000 Certified Company, Manufacturing in Exeter, New Hampshire
SIG SAUER, Inc. reserves the right to correct any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, and to revoke stated offers at any time without notice.
Prices, availability, specifications, and promotional offers are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice.

I've got time. I'll continue to wait for something built closer to the true Swiss TDP

[BSWilson]

...and an advertised buttstock that they won't include on the shipped product.

[Norinco]

They desperately need a new CEO. I vote for SteyrAUG.

[Winnerkd]

It's visually pleasing, but honestly it's going to be loose fitting, prone to rust as I'm sure they half assed the finish and I'm sure the furniture will be cheap Israeli knockoff.

Good job, another SIG product.

''For Special Forces requiring an accurate, more potent rifle, chambered in 5.56 x 45mm NATO, the SIG551-A1 sets a new standard for dependable operation and function.'' This is my favorite line.

[JoshNC]

The 551-A1 is just another poorly executed iteration of the 556, this time with an aluminum lower designed to take Swiss mags. Same flawed method of attaching an aluminum rail to a steel receiver. I would wager to say that the only Swiss made parts on that rifle are the buttstock and mags. And what in the world is with the cheese-ball flash hider? Sig is just continually showing how to screw the pooch on a rifle that actually should be a no-brainer to produce.

[SteyrAUG]

After the whole gas port issue we've seen I wouldn't trust one even if the configuration was 100% Swiss "style."

[mrwickwire]

They are getting warmer.......

[Ferris2son]

I love my 556.
Just my opinion...

[FMJ556]

Wow ! Just how many times is SIG going to try and "reinvent" the same rifle ? What's going on at SIG ? Nobody home ?

[misanthropist]

As a Canadian with access to the civilian version of the 550, I just don't understand why this gun exists.

Is it really that much of a savings to build these instead of whatever US parts are needed to make the 55x models importable, or to import whatever parts from the 55x could be brought in?

It just doesn't make a ton of sense to me. The 550s are really nice rifles and their reputation is stellar. It's not like there is nobody in the US with experience building great rifles, either. I am 100% confident that SIG USA could build the 55x correctly if the will was there, which it clearly isn't...but seriously, why do this?

I guess that's what happens when you let a gun company go to non-gun people. It used to be a SIG...now it's just another blender or dishwasher or brake caliper widget that gets manufactured for x dollars and sells for x+y dollars to make money for the shareholders, who, for all I know, could be anonymous mutual funds companies.

But then I guess if I liked money more than guns, which apparently I don't, judging by my lifestyle, their approach might make sense to me.

Ah, screw the business logic...come on SIG, where is the pride in what you do? Isn't that worth an extra few bucks a gun?