Sig SAN 553 owners, what is the consensus? Got It. - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sig SAN 553 owners, what is the consensus? Got It.

Posted: 3/23/2017 11:10:47 PM EDT

I have a local dealer with a NIB SAN 553 in stock, with diopter sights, for a nice price. Is it worth attaining? I have always wanted a 55X weapon, and I figure I might as well buy one that is Swiss. What do you owners think of them?

Posted: 3/23/2017 11:29:03 PM EDT

[#1]

I have some experience with a post sample 552 and it's one of a very few non AR weapons that interest me.

Posted: 3/24/2017 12:43:49 AM EDT

[#2]

You are going NFA, right? With something that nice, it's the only way to fly.

Worth depends on how nice the price is, but if you've always wanted a Swiss model, you won't regret it.

Between a 553 and 551, I chose the 551, but only due to barrel length and ballistics. If you're not likely to use it as a weapon I'd definitely go for the 553. It'll be more fun. Lighter, handier, louder. The 553 is great for the CQB role, of course, and reaches farther than a SMG/PCC.

If you later decide you want a longer barrel (you won't) lol, you could swap a 553 LB (Long Barrel, 13.7") onto it, assuming you can source one. Those look goofy to me though. The 2 benefits of the 553 LB compared to the 551 are lighter weight (although you don't get the longer sight radius or rail length) and the ability to launch rifle grenades.

Their diopter sights are among the world's finest, if you enjoy irons.

Posted: 3/24/2017 1:12:28 AM EDT

[#3]

If you have a 551 you might as well use an AR. But no proper AR folds up like a 553.

Posted: 3/24/2017 1:32:16 AM EDT

[#4]

Eh, they've got those funky Law Tactical folding stocks.

I like the 551. With its 14.3" barrel (keep in mind this includes the integral flash suppressor) it's compact enough with the stock folded and a 20rd mag inserted.
The 552/553 is about as nice a compact 5.56mm package as one can get though, unless you want to start talking about Steyr AUGs.

Posted: 3/24/2017 8:47:20 AM EDT

[#5]

the SIG 553 is the evolutionary apex of the Krinkov family. Russian reliability meets Germanic precision. in short, DO IT!

Posted: 3/24/2017 8:48:16 PM EDT

[#6]

I bought one 3 years ago and went the Class III route. A great carbine. Do it!

Posted: 3/24/2017 9:38:12 PM EDT

[#7]

The 553 is superb. You will want to SBR it though. If you found one with diopter sights, that is a rare bird these days. They are almost impossible to find.

Posted: 3/24/2017 9:47:53 PM EDT

[#8]

$27XX a fair price? Based on my research it is...

Posted: 3/24/2017 10:04:52 PM EDT

[#9]

Very. Make sure it has the sights.

Posted: 3/24/2017 10:09:00 PM EDT

[#10]

It absolutely does. I played with it the other day.

Posted: 3/24/2017 10:24:39 PM EDT

[#11]

That's a great price. Why haven't you bought it yet?

We're gonna need pics.

Posted: 3/25/2017 12:41:33 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
$27XX a fair price? Based on my research it is...

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I got mine for around that. One of my Grail Guns. Definitely grab it.

Posted: 3/25/2017 1:15:13 PM EDT

[#13]

Anything under $3K would be an instant purchase on this one

Posted: 3/25/2017 1:17:08 PM EDT

[#14]

As others have said, the Swiss 553 is a rare bird these days. I doubt more will be coming in. They are extremely well made, and I love mine to death. Only negative is that 30 round mags are extremely hard to find at the moment.

Posted: 3/25/2017 2:26:27 PM EDT

[#15]

The 553 is outstanding, as are all Swiss SIG 55x. The 553 is my favorite SBR. Diopter sight 553s are far less available than railed 553s and $27xx is a very good price for one. Buy it immediately and submit a form-1 to SBR it. The Swiss folding/collapsing stock (not to be confused with the SigSauer marked US stock) is my personal favorite and is what adorns my 553 and two 552s.

Posted: 3/25/2017 8:01:39 PM EDT

[#16]

I looked at it again today. Its an M&M import marked. Its marked .223 as well. It is brand spanking new.

I think I will get it or at least layaway it tmw...

Posted: 3/26/2017 7:12:10 AM EDT

[#17]

The Diopter ones are virtually impossible to find. Even the railed models have climbed in price. They were bringing well over 3K if you could find them. I tried to help a friend find a diopter model last year and gave up after looking everywhere. My suggestion is to buy it immediately and also go on gunbroker and buy a lot of 10 20 round mags (a seller there has them for 349). I was fortunate enough to buy a bunch of 30s when they were cheap but I prefer the 20s for actual shooting (as does the Swiss Army).

Posted: 3/27/2017 3:00:40 PM EDT

[#18]

I put it on layaway. There is another one available at my dealer as well.

Posted: 3/27/2017 3:05:05 PM EDT

[#19]

553. Boom by Austin Scott, on Flickr

Posted: 3/27/2017 5:37:59 PM EDT

[#20]

Awesome!

Posted: 3/28/2017 1:21:37 PM EDT

[#21]

You have chosen.......wisely!

Posted: 3/29/2017 5:45:41 AM EDT

[#22]

Congrats!

Are you going to add any an optics rail and/or railed handguard?

How many mags did it come with?

Posted: 3/29/2017 6:40:37 AM EDT

[#23]

I tried one of the B&T rail systems on my 553 but didnt like it. It really changed the balance and feel of the weapon. I prefer my 553 (SBR) to be stock.

Posted: 3/29/2017 7:29:41 AM EDT

[#24]

I am not going to put an optic on it, at least for the time being. I specially went after the diopter sight version because I love these irons. It will get a buttstock and that is it.

Posted: 3/29/2017 8:58:16 AM EDT

[#25]

Called Jims yesterday as they have 1 left and the guy said the wanted 3k for it.

I figured if Im gonna spend 3, might as well spend 4. So I preordered a 751 from JDI instead. The 553 is amazing, but truth be told I would eventually want an aim point so better off to find a railed version for myself.

Posted: 3/29/2017 10:57:34 AM EDT

[#26]

They raised the price. Sorry. Lol

Typical gun store.

Posted: 3/29/2017 11:53:29 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
I tried one of the B&T rail systems on my 553 but didnt like it. It really changed the balance and feel of the weapon. I prefer my 553 (SBR) to be stock.

View Quote

I'd kill for a Surefire forend for it like the M500 or the ubiquitous MP5 forend.

Posted: 3/29/2017 3:55:30 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
They raised the price. Sorry. Lol

Typical gun store.

View Quote

Honestly Im glad they did. Whole reason this thread caught my eye, was to see about chatter on the new swiss arms guns coming in next month after I saw the LAV video the new 751 on youtube. I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy that 751. I will get a 553 eventually, and I hear new ones may be coming in as well. Better someone who truly wants the diopters get this one.

Posted: 3/29/2017 5:24:31 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'd kill for a Surefire forend for it like the M500 or the ubiquitous MP5 forend.

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Were they ever offered for the 552/553? I know Surefire made them for the 551. I looked into them, but the lamp assemblies were unique to that series and incandescent only. There is/was an online store offering LED upgrades for around $200 (for just the lamp assembly). I understand the appeal of lighter weight and easy controls, but it's a way better plan to attach a short picatinny rail and then use a modern LED light. Plus those tape switches always wear out, and finding a replacement is nearly impossible. Most of those used dedicated Surefire fore ends are 20 years old. My MP5 one's been holding up nicely though.

Posted: 3/29/2017 8:37:53 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
Honestly Im glad they did. Whole reason this thread caught my eye, was to see about chatter on the new swiss arms guns coming in next month after I saw the LAV video the new 751 on youtube. I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy that 751. I will get a 553 eventually, and I hear new ones may be coming in as well. Better someone who truly wants the diopters get this one.

View Quote

I think the 751 is going to be awesome. I wasnt even the market for something like this, but after I held the 553 I knew I had to own it. Its just too high quality.

Posted: 3/30/2017 3:29:52 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

I think the 751 is going to be awesome. I wasnt even the market for something like this, but after I held the 553 I knew I had to own it. Its just too high quality.

View Quote

Im very excited to say the least. I do have some buddies who still work/train in the Fayettnam area and we shoot over there every once and a while. When I get it, perhaps we can do some shooting over there.

Posted: 3/30/2017 6:57:42 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I tried one of the B&T rail systems on my 553 but didnt like it. It really changed the balance and feel of the weapon. I prefer my 553 (SBR) to be stock.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
I tried one of the B&T rail systems on my 553 but didnt like it. It really changed the balance and feel of the weapon. I prefer my 553 (SBR) to be stock.

Interesting. I despise the plastic handguard and feel the railed fore end is a must-have accessory for the 553. On the 551 I prefer the factory Swiss plastic handguard. But the handguard on the 552/553 was a total afterthought. They are loose and have very poor heat dispersion.

Quoted:

I'd kill for a Surefire forend for it like the M500 or the ubiquitous MP5 forend.

I had one of the SF 551 handguards and hated it. The light head was too large and obscured FOV. I sold it immediately.

Posted: 3/30/2017 8:22:20 PM EDT

[#33]

The stock handguard on my 553 is nice and tight. Never given me trouble. I do agree with you on the 551 surefire handguard. Mine is stock.

Posted: 3/31/2017 8:31:58 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
The stock handguard on my 553 is nice and tight. Never given me trouble. I do agree with you on the 551 surefire handguard. Mine is stock.

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They are tight until you install one of the B&T bolt on lower rails and use a vertical foregrip. Then they flex like crazy.

Posted: 3/31/2017 4:22:58 PM EDT

[#35]

That's true Josh but I like the straight grip on my SIGs. If I wanted a vertical grip I would use the B&T rail handguard. I thought it would be the bees' knees until I installed it on mine.

Posted: 3/31/2017 5:50:16 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
I tried one of the B&T rail systems on my 553 but didnt like it. It really changed the balance and feel of the weapon. I prefer my 553 (SBR) to be stock.

View Quote

How did it change the balance and feel?
Too nose/muzzle heavy?

Posted: 3/31/2017 6:06:14 PM EDT

[#37]

Yeah, there is a substantial difference in the weight and balance (CG shift technically). More so with the 550/551 than 552/553.
You're replacing a little plastic with significantly more aluminum.