What happened to all the 551A1s? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What happened to all the 551A1s?

Posted: 10/22/2014 1:19:55 AM EDT

Hello all, don't beat me up too bad if this has been gone over,
But I bought my 556 years ago and since then I haven't kept up.

So I was looking around on armslist and gunbroker today
And I can't find any .... Very strange. What's going on?
Did they stop making them ?

Posted: 10/22/2014 5:11:32 AM EDT

[#1]

What's a 556A1? Do you mean the 551A1, which is a 556 with a lower that takes the Swiss poly mags? Seems like they came and went. To be honest, about the only 556 I've seen at shows and in LGS recently is the 556R. Even the new 556xi doesn't seem to be making much of an impact, especially in a world flooded with ARs, including SIGs own M400 and 516.

Posted: 10/22/2014 8:40:43 AM EDT

[#2]

Oops, it is the 552a1. Ya I remember the price being around 1k,
Comparable to the 556, that was probably a couple of years ago,
But now it's around 1700!. Funny, I love my ARs
But my sig is a way smoother shooting rifle

Posted: 10/30/2014 4:23:50 AM EDT

[#3]

I spoke with a sig rep recently. He indicated that the 551a1's wouldnt be available again anytime soon (if ever) because of the problems that sig is having with exporting parts from Germany (with the legal troubles they have had). Apparently more of the 551a1's components are European than the 556.

Posted: 10/30/2014 5:34:21 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
I spoke with a sig rep recently. He indicated that the 551a1's wouldnt be available again anytime soon (if ever) because of the problems that sig is having with exporting parts from Germany (with the legal troubles they have had). Apparently more of the 551a1's components are European than the 556.

View Quote

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

Posted: 10/30/2014 8:49:15 AM EDT

[#5]

Well I guess that explains the jump from around. 1k
To 1700$ or more.

Posted: 10/30/2014 10:27:43 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I spoke with a sig rep recently. He indicated that the 551a1's wouldnt be available again anytime soon (if ever) because of the problems that sig is having with exporting parts from Germany (with the legal troubles they have had). Apparently more of the 551a1's components are European than the 556.

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

Not sure. I tried to call and order one since the 551a1 wasnt on their industry discount sheet and thats what I was told.

Posted: 10/30/2014 10:40:08 PM EDT

[#7]

For a while SIG was selling the 551A1 lowers that could be mated to a 556 upper. Are they out of those too?

Posted: 10/30/2014 10:45:19 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
For a while SIG was selling the 551A1 lowers that could be mated to a 556 upper. Are they out of those too?

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Dunno, didnt ask.

Posted: 10/30/2014 10:47:39 PM EDT

[#9]

Ya I used to see the uppers pop up on EE often , not lately though

Posted: 10/30/2014 11:51:37 PM EDT

[#10]

I've got one with Aurora iron sights, co-witnessed Primary Arms red dot, six 30 round mags, five 20 round mags, Swiss 4-mag pouch, and a bag full of Swiss stripper clips w/clip guide that I may be putting in the equipment exchange next week. It's got 60 rounds down the tube. It's been sitting in the safe since I got it.

Gotta build a play ground set up for the grandson this weekend. With the snow coming, it's going to be a bitch.

Posted: 11/7/2014 6:49:36 PM EDT

[#11]

Glad I got mine when I did then. I know I'll never be able to afford a real Swiss 55x.

Posted: 11/10/2014 4:54:45 PM EDT

[#12]

Theres one in the EE now

Posted: 11/13/2014 3:27:06 AM EDT

[#13]

I paid $1200

Posted: 11/17/2014 2:37:53 PM EDT

[#14]

Should have bought the SBR version when I had the chance.

Posted: 11/17/2014 9:28:58 PM EDT

[#15]

I have always enjoyed mine. No problems and got a bunch of 20rd mags for $16 each.

Posted: 11/17/2014 9:54:20 PM EDT

[#16]

I love mine. A very underrated firearm. Thanks to my Sig connection, I think I paid right around a grand for the gun, a dozen 30's and a half dozen 20's. Keep looking OP there's deals to be had out there.

Posted: 11/18/2014 8:31:33 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
Should have bought the SBR version when I had the chance.

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This

Posted: 11/19/2014 11:37:03 AM EDT

[#18]

I should have bought one as well..............maybe I can find one out there

Posted: 11/19/2014 10:54:10 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Should have bought the SBR version when I had the chance.

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+1

Posted: 11/21/2014 1:44:21 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I spoke with a sig rep recently. He indicated that the 551a1's wouldnt be available again anytime soon (if ever) because of the problems that sig is having with exporting parts from Germany (with the legal troubles they have had). Apparently more of the 551a1's components are European than the 556.

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

There are more differences than that. Off the top of my head:

- Lower
- Iron sights
- Handguard
- Muzzle device
- Barrel length/profile

No idea how much is made in Europe or here. It would be nice if they consolidated the line. I guess with the MCX coming out they can kill off the 556xi line and restarted production on the 551A1.

Posted: 11/21/2014 6:18:47 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

There are more differences than that. Off the top of my head:

- Lower
- Iron sights
- Handguard
- Muzzle device
- Barrel length/profile

No idea how much is made in Europe or here. It would be nice if they consolidated the line. I guess with the MCX coming out they can kill off the 556xi line and restarted production on the 551A1.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I spoke with a sig rep recently. He indicated that the 551a1's wouldnt be available again anytime soon (if ever) because of the problems that sig is having with exporting parts from Germany (with the legal troubles they have had). Apparently more of the 551a1's components are European than the 556.

Interesting. If there were any European parts on the 551A1, I'd think they would be Swiss, not German. Even at that, the only difference from the 556 is the lower and FH, and I can't see that there are that many parts would be different between the guns such that they could still make 556s but not 551A1s.

There are more differences than that. Off the top of my head:

- Lower
- Iron sights
- Handguard
- Muzzle device
- Barrel length/profile

No idea how much is made in Europe or here. It would be nice if they consolidated the line. I guess with the MCX coming out they can kill off the 556xi line and restarted production on the 551A1.

I did mention the lower and flash hider. The sights that come with the 551A1 are the same SIG USA sights that they make for the 556 and comes on certain models. Also, it comes with the same Swiss looking handguard that first appeared on the 556 Classic. Some people replaced theirs with a real Swiss 551 handguard, but it didn't come that way from SIG. The barrel is the same length and twist as the 556, and may also have the same profile, but I'm not 100% sure about the latter.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/sig556-classic.aspx

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/sig551-a1.aspx

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What happened to all the 551A1s?

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