516 owners need feedback

Well I have been researching the 516 for a while now and keep getting mixed reviews. Sig form loves them (big surprise), m4carbine hates them (not surprised there either), other sites give mixed reviews. What do you think of them? How are you liking/hating them? What round count are you at and if you could do it all over would you purchase?

I have a 556 right now, but I miss my AR platform and am thinking of switching back. I appreciate any and all input I can get.

Thanks,
-Irish

I don't own one yet but the only thing thats stopping me is anticipation of the 716. Great system based on my research.

I've had mine since June. Got about 1000 rounds through it so far. I love it. Only reason I think anyone would hate it is a chip on their shoulder for SIG, or are AR Brand name snobs.

I think it has a lot of great features for a piston AR at an excallent price.

No malfunctions on mine of any kind so far, and have only cleaned it 2 or 3 times. Shoots a little more accurate than my 556 Classic SWAT. I wouldn't give up my 556 rifles for it though. A nice companion but not a replacement.

I shot my 516 at the tactical Rifle match in Bowling Green last Weekend. It was the first time I used it in a competition. It did very well. I shot faster than I ever had and it was very gratifying to see some good 2 shot groups on those targets usually in the middle. I was surprised how good I was shooting since i was kind of pushing myself to go fast. The PWS FSC556 I have one it helps tame the recoil good, and the Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x is a great scope for this kind of competition. I ended up placing 9th out of 39 shooters there, and I really botched one stage and didn't bring enough ammo to finish the stage. If I hadn't I probably would have placed around 5th. Considering some of the guys that were shooting it and their dedicated custom competition ARs I am quite happy with how I and the rifle did. I usually use my SIG 556 for 3 gun but I think the 516 will become my primary 3 gun rifle now.

The only other things I have done to the rifle besides the scope and muzzle brake is a Badger 2nd Gen Tac-Latch to more easily operate the charging handle under the scope, a B5 systems SOPMOD stock, Magpul MBUS Gen2 Sights, Kinght's VFG, and Magpul XTM rail covers. I used P-mags and Lancer L5 mags during the competition.

Here she is before I put the SOPMOD stock on it:


Here are some shots of me using it at the rifle match:








I also think so highly of it that I plan to get the 716 Precision Marksman version when it comes out too.

I have three of them. A SWAT and two regular patrols. They have made me want to sel my AR's. I have over 3,000 through one of mine with not one single problem and accuracy is fantastic. None of mine have ever had any problemsd.

About six weeks ago I purchased a SIG 516 full-automatic 10-inch Upper Receiver (UA516-10MGA). When I attached this SIG 516 Upper Receiver to my Olympic Arms Full Automatic Lower Receiver (ATF Form 4 registered), the fit and color match was perfect!

I have fired approximately 1,100 rounds of ammunition through my new SIG 516 Upper Receiver. Of these 1,100 rounds, about 200 rounds was PMC Bronze, about 200 of Silver Bear, and other 700 rounds fired were Wolf Performance Ammunition. All of these rounds fired were fired in both semi and full automatic; and, there was no malfunctions or stoppages of any kind – 100 percent reliability. The magazines I used were MagPul’s Emags.

In using the Wolf ammunition, cleaning the SIG 516 was minimum work. After firing Wolf ammunition through a SIG 516; or any other gas-piston operated AR, you can very much understand the advantages of a gas piston operated AK over the more convention direct impingement operated AR.

My only constructive criticisms of the SIG 516 are:

(1) The Upper Receiver needs to be more distinctly marked as a SIG product. On the Receiver’s rail, there is no SIG logo or serial number:

(2) There is no functionally or provision to register this product directly on or through the SIG Warranty Service website (a individual product or serial number for Upper Receivers that are sold separately?):

(3) Re-installing the Rail Hand Guard on a SIG 516 Upper Receiver requires a Torque Wrench with Inch-Pound calibration. I already have a Torque Wrench with Inch-Pound calibration, so it was no problem for me. However, re-installing the Rail Hand Guard may be a problem for those who do not own a Torque Wrench since the instruction manual was very clear that the screws on the SIG 516 Upper Receiver torques to 60 and 70 Inch-Pounds. This may or may not be a big deal if you do not have a Torque Wrench. (I needed to remove the Rail Hand Guard on my SIG 516 Upper Receiver to install a Smith Enterprises Vortex Flash Hider onto it.)

(4) The Gas Block has what appears to be a blued finish. A more durable finish (of some type) on this Gas Block is my preference.

All and all, I am very happy with my SIG 516 Upper Receiver purchase and look forward to shooting it a lot more!

You Suck! LOL

I have two Colt M16's and never thought about putting the upper on one of them. Dont you have to change of the buffer and action spring? I've got several thousand rounds of M855 athrough one of mine nad it has turned me off the the regualrs AR's now
I love all my AR;s but the 516 has become my FAV of all. Thinking baout getting the 10" barrel to SBR one but I don't know why I want an SBR yet. Juts not sure what the diff in the 10" and 16" would do for me. Heck, I like my Colt 20" HBAR. 16 is short emough fo me.

MP5

Did you purchase just teh 10" upper or the complete rifle. Where did you get teh upper from?

I purchased only the SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit back 2-3 months ago when SIG was having their $850 introductory special. When I received my e-mail notice from SIG about their introductory special on the SIG 516 Upper Receivers, I noticed the footnote that Class III uppers were available, call for details, etc.

I telephoned SIG and spoke to “Jeff” in Military and Law Enforcement Sales. Per Jeff’s request, I faxed to him a copy of my ATF Form 4 and gave him my credit card number, and for $925 (extra for shipping and insurance), Jeff promptly shipped my SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit to me. I got it in about 7 or 8 days (UPS ground shipping).

I believe that SIG has since canceled this special and regular retail on a 10” SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit is $1,100(?).

I would take pictures (maybe later); but this website details the SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit I got. What you see on this website is what I got!

http://www.sigsauerguns.com/the-shop/rifles/sig-516-10-upper-receiver-assembly/

Yes you do have to replace the buffer and buffer spring. However, the replacement buffer and buffer spring is included in the 10” SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit. When I received my 10” SIG 516 Upper Receiver Kit, I replaced the buffer and buffer spring, snapped on the SIG 516 Upper Receiver, installed some Knights Armament Front and Rear BUIS and a Aimpoint T-1 with a LaRue Mount, and I was good to go in about five minutes.

I have a HK 416 Upper Receiver Kit and a LWRCI Upper Receiver, and in my opinion, these new SIG 516s are just as good as the HK and LWRCI

But that is just my opinion. I am sure the ones who do NOT own a SIG or HK or LWRCI will disagree with me!

I'm sure they will too.

MP5

I agree. I had a chance to shoot the HK 416 last weekend. Its nice n=but I like my 516 better and we swapped while shooting and he fired my 516. I'm not sure if he was more pissed or jealous. He went to our local shop this week and bought a 516 (foe backup of course). I just see the price for the 416. Great weapon yes, Worth $2600, NO!

Good point about the pricing! The HK retails for $2,600 to $2,400; the LWIC retail for about $1,900 to $1,700 (depending on what you buy); and the SIG 516 retails in the $1,400 to $1,200 range. So price v manufacturer reputation v utility v quality evaluation is a factor.

I just saw a 516 SWAT patrol here for 1099.00

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