which to buy, 556 or 551

[Douglas S Graham]

Weigh in please. Especially if you have both!!!

TIA. DSG.

[olgier]

Neither.

[sweetwine]

Don't own one yet but will shortly. Looking at the 551A1 model, like the looks. It's the closest thing to a real one most of us will get. Got to handle one and felt good. Only bad thing is magazine cost. But then how many mags do you need?
Some people really like them but some people are haters. To each their own.
If your local gun store has them check them out and make a pick.
Good luck & have fun.

By the way CDNN has the 551A1 for 1390.00 w/ free shipping.

[Insider]

I would get a 551, but I'm happy with the 556.

[Mad Dog 7.62]

I think it depends on whether you want to be able to use your AR mags or are OK with needing a seperate supply of 551 mags. I went with the 556 for that reason.
MD

[Thorack]

Well,

For me it was the 556 as I have a ton of AR mags and dont want to buy another expensive bunch of mags. In addition the adjustable length of pull on the 556 stock, although a little sloppy helps when I let my wife and daugther shoot. Extremely light recoil on my Sig rifle.

The 551 does look aweful sharp though.

Thorack

[metalreptile]

Originally Posted by sweetwine

But then how many mags do you need?

[mace2364]

The 556 is ok, but personally I consider the mags to be a weak point of the AR system, hence why I would suggest the 551A1. I'm also of the opinion that things generally work best when they're not mechanically modified to do something they weren't intended to do(i.e. accommodate different mags then what it was designed for) Not trashing the 556. If you have one, and it works for you then great. Having messed with both, I like the 551A1 better, and that's what I bought.

I've shot quite a few different 5.56 caliber rifles in my day, and my two favorites are the Sig 551A1, and the FN FNC. Some people are carrying on about the lower on the 551A1 not being stamped steel like the original, but I don't think it really matters. It still feels like a Sig to me. And the durability argument I consider to be ridiculous. There are lots of photos of people in what used to be Burma, toting around M16s from the 60's and that aluminum hasn't fallen apart yet. So I don't think an aluminum lower is going to give you any trouble.

I am definitely a FAL fan as well. I finished up a para build recently. Eventually I'm going to finish the Israeli light barrel build I've been picking at forever. I do prefer 7.62 NATO to 5.56 for general use and hence why I keep one for my go to rifle. But for a carbine, 5.56 is ok, and you won't be disappointed with the Sig. Before they started bolting crap all over the M4(and it was in the news every night), the Sig was regarded as one of, if not the best, 5.56 rifles out there.

That's my .02 anyway.

[BushPig]

I got to fondle a 551-A1 today, brand new. Felt nice, like a Sig. The folding stock is a high-quality item, tight and smooth and sturdy. The front handguards were solid in feel, but they were loosely attached... they rattled. If you put your hand on them and drummed your fingers, they rattled. I didn't like that. I also did not like the rear diopter sight... I'm sure it functions fine, but it was very loosely assembled. Lots of play in the sight. When you rotated it to 200 or 300, it had a lot of side to side play. Definitely disappointing in that regard. The rest of the rifle felt nice. Smooth sturdy positive controls, such as the Safe/Fire selector, the mag release, etc.

I also ran into a guy selling Aimpoint's and Eotech's that talked extremely highly of his Sig 556. He said he'd put it up against any AR out there. He agreed that the rear diopter was disappointing, but said he didn't care because he runs a red dot. I'd probably run a red dot also, but that's not the point... the diopter should be tight, in my opinion.

[LKY_13]

Originally Posted by olgier

Neither.

Fail.



Honestly, you con't go wrong with ether. I have a 556 DMR that is buttery smooth and flawless. I plan to get a Patrol upper as well eventually. If you don't mind buying proprietary mags the 551 A1 is pretty damned sexy though. Good luck.

[olgier]

Originally Posted by LKY_13

Fail.



Honestly, you con't go wrong with ether. I have a 556 DMR that is buttery smooth and flawless. I plan to get a Patrol upper as well eventually. If you don't mind buying proprietary mags the 551 A1 is pretty damned sexy though. Good luck.

LOL Having owned a 556 I hardly see how a "neither" is a fail. I don't care for SIG's. That includes thier pistols. (and I have owned more than a few trying to actually like them).

Buttery smooth and flawless does not describe a SIG in my experience.

Edited to add>>>> The sig 556 is the only rifle I have ever owned that broke when it slid to the side when it was leaning against my truck bumper and hit the ground. The locking tabs on the original handguards broke from that tipover/fall.

[LKY_13]

Originally Posted by olgier

Buttery smooth and flawless does not describe a SIG in my experience.

Bummer.

Can't argue with the rifles outstanding track record within the Swiss Military though. Maybe you got one that was assembled on a Friday. I know the US versions had issues for a while, but have not experienced any issues with mine. A friend has an early version with Swiss internals, mine is entirely US made. Granted mine is a different make being a DMR, but both have operated flawlessly. The action on both is like butter compared to every AR that I've ever operated...and you don't have that damned annoying buffer spring rattling around right next to your ear ether. To say nothing of DI issues.

As for pistols. I have an almost stock (changed the mainspring housing) GSR Revolution that with just a trigger adjustment will keep up with (if not out-shoot) 1911's twice or tree times it's price. Not that I'm claiming to be a crack shot, but it's been compared by several sets of other...more capable hands.

Sig for life. Not trying to convert, just preaching the truth since 1979.

[olgier]

Oh....you should not have mentioned the GSR. LOL

Had one of those a few years ago, and sold it. The main reason was the damn grip safety had the ridge that ended in a point at the bottom. Was extremely uncomfortable in the hand after 2-300 rds unless I wore a glove. *sigh*
Very accurate, but long shooting sessions became a no no.

I am now shooting one of these.

[echo5sierra]

I bought a SIG556 SWAT Patrol from Academy. I have put a few hundred rounds through it. My wife has too. I haven't done a thing to it besides pay for it and clean it, and it is the most awesome AR type rifle I have ever owned. I am not quite sure what the problem with it is. It feeds, functions, fires and works.

Great Rifle!