Gentlemen, I need some input. The end of this month I'm retiring and a retirement gift to myself is going to be either a Sig 516 or 556. I know the tech specs and similarities/differences between them... on paper. I've never shot the 516. Any insight or personal experience (good or bad) you folks have on either of these two would be appreciated.
Les
The best I can tell from reading about them is they are similar guns as far as frame/action/barrel is concerned except the 516 weights about a 1lb. less and it also has flip down sights and of course the stocks are different. I'm not too concerned about the weight difference as I probably wouldn't be carrying it any great length of time. My only gripe with the 551 is it won't take standard AR magazines but the 516 and 556 do.
Since the best I can tell is they are both reliable and pretty accurate, I'm leaning toward the 556 mainly because it is a few hundred dollars less. BUT, the flip down sights on the 516 interest me because I have an Eotech sitting around the house that I'd like to mount to which ever one I end up with. Not sure if the sights on the 556 (not being flip down) would be in the way or not. I'd like to keep the iron sights on the rifle as a backup in case the Eotech fails and I'd like to keep the Eotech mounted as low as possible. Other than the Eotech, I have no plans to mount anything else... I want to keep it plain and simple.
Edited to add that I believe the 516 also has a mil spec trigger.
Since the best I can tell is they are both reliable and pretty accurate, I'm leaning toward the 556 mainly because it is a few hundred dollars less. BUT, the flip down sights on the 516 interest me because I have an Eotech sitting around the house that I'd like to mount to which ever one I end up with. Not sure if the sights on the 556 (not being flip down) would be in the way or not. I'd like to keep the iron sights on the rifle as a backup in case the Eotech fails and I'd like to keep the Eotech mounted as low as possible. Other than the Eotech, I have no plans to mount anything else... I want to keep it plain and simple.
Edited to add that I believe the 516 also has a mil spec trigger.
Hello Les,
I'd go with one of the models (516 or 556) that take Standard COLT AR-15 Magazines, and I'd be buying a lot of extra magazines now! I'd also go ahead and get the rifle now!
I'd go with one of the models (516 or 556) that take Standard COLT AR-15 Magazines, and I'd be buying a lot of extra magazines now! I'd also go ahead and get the rifle now!
Gentlemen, these rifles are hard to find with the 516 impossible at the moment... at least in black which I really prefer. I have come across, NIB, a 556 classic, a 556 swat and a 556 with the longer quad rail (looks very much like the swat, just a longer rail). The classic and the longer rail models weigh in at 8.2 lbs, heavier than I thought but only about 1/2 lb heavier than the 556 swat and 516 models. These certainly aren't light rifles but then my 7mm Rem. mag isn't light either which isn't a bad thing when you're actually shooting it.
Magazines are just as scarce. I jumped the gun (pun intended) and did find and buy 5 magpul 30 rounders (the newer "M" ones, no window) for ARs but I'd like to have a couple of the shorter 20 rounders or 10 for that matter, just for use at the range.
Magazines are just as scarce. I jumped the gun (pun intended) and did find and buy 5 magpul 30 rounders (the newer "M" ones, no window) for ARs but I'd like to have a couple of the shorter 20 rounders or 10 for that matter, just for use at the range.
Les:
As far as the issue with the sights go, I have a red dot on my M4 that the iron sights show through but it makes for an easy co-witness situation. If the red dot fails I just drop my line of sight a little lower and pick up the iron sights. Don't know if this would work for you on this particular rifle or not, just a thought. Weshowe has a good amount of experience with his Sig and I'm sure would be happy to share his experiences with you. I can't say one way or the other being totally unfamiliar with either model.
As far as the issue with the sights go, I have a red dot on my M4 that the iron sights show through but it makes for an easy co-witness situation. If the red dot fails I just drop my line of sight a little lower and pick up the iron sights. Don't know if this would work for you on this particular rifle or not, just a thought. Weshowe has a good amount of experience with his Sig and I'm sure would be happy to share his experiences with you. I can't say one way or the other being totally unfamiliar with either model.
Les - Specialized Armament has plenty of COLT Factory 20 Rd Magazines In-Stock.
Specialized Armament: Colt Magazine, 5.56mm, 20 Round
Specialized Armament: Colt Magazine, 5.56mm, 20 Round
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