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DiD Anyone get a surplus Sig 543 kit? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/25/2025 8:29:03 AM EDT
[Last Edit: cherenkov][Edited]
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Apex and Centerfire launched some parts kits for sale and had some well used Lebonese surplus Sig 543 kits for $899 Went to the link and all were sold out as luck would have it - What if anything is useful or compatible to Sig 556/550 series without a receiver? I like the rather primitive looking metal stock and the well used aluminum pistol grips 
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At $900 I just couldn't justify something this beat up. Should be a simple sheet metal shell build though since everything else is intact. |
"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
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Originally Posted By Bret: I agree. I’m wondering if the importer is holding back the better condition kits. It’s hard to believe that every kit would have a broken handguard. I am guessing that not a lot of older, well kept, weapons in Lebanon (were I understand these kits came from). |
"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
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Originally Posted By cherenkov: How hard is it to do a Sig Barrel press in or out? More difficult than an AK press in or HK91? If it's like the more modern SIG guns they are threaded. |
"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
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Originally Posted By katzma: I got a couple. Both handguards are good and not broken. With 250~ total kits imported they'll only go up in value. Receivers will be avaliable in the next month or so. They may look rough but they'll clean up nicely. Who will be making receivers? Although, even then, this is not a home wecsog project, right? How many smiths could even assemble this? |
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Originally Posted By Shackelford762: Who will be making receivers? Although, even then, this is not a home wecsog project, right? How many smiths could even assemble this? TTE Precision Metalwerks will be making receivers for the 542 and 543. If you can weld these are easy builds. Should be similar to building a Beretta AR-70/90. I picked up one of the 542 kits and a few magazines. https://ttepmw.com/   
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Originally Posted By cwikjr: TTE Precision Metalwerks will be making receivers for the 542 and 543. If you can weld these are easy builds. Should be similar to building a Beretta AR-70/90. I picked up one of the 542 kits and a few magazines. https://ttepmw.com/ https://i.imgur.com/jZ3h23Kl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9Vf1GCYl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NtPl738l.jpg How are the 542 barrels retained? As you said and I missed - these are nearly identical to Bereeta AR70/90 build - The trunnion is welded to the receiver, barrel is threaded into trunnion. As with some AK parts builds with original barrels, headspace should be the same as the original bolt barrel and trunnion are together? Unlike the AR70/90 demils these appear to have the upper rec "tabs" for hinge pin intact Is this correct? I wonder if someone could weld the Trunion without removing the barrel? So funny you posted this, I was triggered at the Centerfire ad and thinking of my Beretta AR70/90 Experience of highs and lows of a long term build. I am not as skilled as most and quick to get a Beretta AR70/90 kit after about 3 years and personal mistakes and help from my good friend that is highly machining capable and welds good, its together. I even had a folding stock (repro but good) spare barrel from Serbu hoping to cut it down real short some day - not yet even thought about doing it. |
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| Are the receivers dimensionally the same as a 550 series? I have a 550series receiver jig I can loan out. |
"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
Joined:
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I wished I had snagged a 543 kit, I just had to go to work that day!!! and OOS by the time I checked Oh Well maybe saved me some money for a different build. Are their anymore heading in? or other kits? from Lebanon? I'd expect some kits from there AI says Lebanese Forces (LF). Key Weapon Categories & Examples: Assault Rifles/Battle Rifles: AK Platform: AK-47, AKM, AK-74 variants (AKS-74U for Navy). M16/AR-15: M16A1, CAR-15, M4-style rifles (including LMT Lebanese Contract). SIG Sauer: SIG SG 540/542/543 series. Heckler & Koch: G3, HK33, G36 (ISF). FN: FN FAL (including ROMAT), FN CAL. Pistols: Browning: Hi-Power, BDA. Soviet: Tokarev TT-33. Czech: CZ 75. American: Colt M1911A1, Revolvers. Submachine Guns: Uzi (used by various groups). Beretta Model 12, Steyr MPi 69, PPSh-41 (older/militia use). Machine Guns: FN MAG, M60, M249 SAW, MK-46 (US-supplied). PKM/PKT (Soviet/Chinese variants). MG 34, RPK, RPD. Sniper & Anti-Materiel Rifles: Barrett M82/M107 (US). M24 SWS, M110 SMR (US). Dragunov SVD (Soviet). |
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Anyone interested in factory scope mounts for these? They are the old school STANAG mounts, but can take a picatinny adapter. Have a friend who’s an 08 importer with a source. Same mount as in this thread https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/SIG-55X-Pushbutton-Scope-Mount/45-557458/ |
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Originally Posted By Bye_Felicia: Are the receivers dimensionally the same as a 550 series? I have a 550series receiver jig I can loan out. Like a barrel removal jig? Or weld up jig? Pic? There is a good video on youtube by "Bloke on the Range" titled "SIG540 vs SIG550 - A technical comparison" Side by side comparison of two. |
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Originally Posted By Bret: I agree. I’m wondering if the importer is holding back the better condition kits. It’s hard to believe that every kit would have a broken handguard. no they (century) didn't get many kits |
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Originally Posted By ptoguy2002: Like a barrel removal jig? Or weld up jig? Pic? There is a good video on youtube by "Bloke on the Range" titled "SIG540 vs SIG550 - A technical comparison" Side by side comparison of two. Originally Posted By ptoguy2002: Originally Posted By Bye_Felicia: Are the receivers dimensionally the same as a 550 series? I have a 550series receiver jig I can loan out. Like a barrel removal jig? Or weld up jig? Pic? There is a good video on youtube by "Bloke on the Range" titled "SIG540 vs SIG550 - A technical comparison" Side by side comparison of two. Barrel removal Attached File |
"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." -Wilfred Owen
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Originally Posted By Bret: That's too bad. On a positive note, the 542 kit that I ordered from Centerfire Systems arrived. It came with a new bayonet. https://i.postimg.cc/8krPhzDz/IMG-7354.jpg Looks decent - Especially Given that its had a harder life in the middle east. |
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Originally Posted By Bye_Felicia: Barrel removal https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/40084/804_jpg-3692719.JPG I'll compare it to my 550 eventually when I get it but someone can probably beat me to it - I put my kit on layaway for now. |
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Any updates with anyone's build process and plans? @Katzma Will there be repair sections available or just replacement receivers. The kits that have original markings seem almost too interesting to not keep original sections - but if impossible/impractical not worth it. The finish on the kits is a story in itself - hard life, hard region to be used. |
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For those that didn’t get the email Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Got my receiver and 543 built. Can't figure out how to post pics now. But I do have a YouTube video. SIG 543 proof of life |
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Originally Posted By katzma: Got my receiver and 543 built. Can't figure out how to post pics now. But I do have a YouTube video. SIG 543 proof of life What was the build process for that build? Did you remove old receiver sections and add the new 100% receiver? If so did the receiver have the rails already mounted/welded or did you have to align and weld those in? OR Did you do a repair section? I really wished I could weld well. Its an art I have never mastered!!!! |
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Here's my build tutorial on Weaponsguild And how do you post pictures here now? Imgur does show pics |
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Originally Posted By katzma: Here's my build tutorial on Weaponsguild And how do you post pictures here now? Imgur does show pics If there is a link to photos for sharing - you can link them with the photo icon in the post editor header. If a member you can attach from your computer. I haven't really been on weapnsguild since the AR70/90 build days It looks like a nice receiver. I think a repair section would be great if the markings could stay intact. |
| If someone could clarify things regarding the TTE receiver kits, I would appreciate it. Their website indicates that an FFL is required for the receiver kits. However, the rails are not installed and, based on the pictures provided, it doesn't appear that any of the parts are heat treated. Am I seeing all this correctly or am I missing something? I'm ready to pull the trigger, but installing rails and properly heat treating is certainly beyond my capabilities. |
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Originally Posted By Apec: Anyone interested in factory scope mounts for these? They are the old school STANAG mounts, but can take a picatinny adapter. Have a friend who’s an 08 importer with a source. Same mount as in this thread https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/SIG-55X-Pushbutton-Scope-Mount/45-557458/ IIRC the SIG 540 and 543 use a different mount length than the 55x. The 540/543 mount is shorter because the rear sight sits further forward on the receiver than the 55x. Some 55x rails/mounts will work. B&T makes a 540/543 specific mount. |
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Originally Posted By katzma: Here's my build tutorial on Weaponsguild And how do you post pictures here now? Imgur does show pics Very impressive |
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They only send them to FFLs. Mine was logged in and transferred as a receiver even though its a "80%" guess rules changed. My dealer looked it up and said i needed to be transferred because it was almost complete and had a serial number (from my kit) And yes you need to weld in rails, rear lug, bolt hold open, rear sight, and weld to the trunnion. I cant figure out how to post pics now days. But I've got the whole build tutorial with pics on weaponsguild |
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Originally Posted By katzma: They only send them to FFLs. Mine was logged in and transferred as a receiver even though its a "80%" guess rules changed. My dealer looked it up and said i needed to be transferred because it was almost complete and had a serial number (from my kit) And yes you need to weld in rails, rear lug, bolt hold open, rear sight, and weld to the trunnion. I appreciate the explanation. It looks like I'm going to have to find someone to finish the receiver. That's ok. I appreciate that they even got that far through the receiver manufacturing process. |
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@katzma Is the 542 similar in build except caliber of 308? There are some 542 kits left. Its a battle rifle akin to a FAL I wished I had grabbed a 543 kit but they went fast. I would prefer a build that kept those markings intact but that might be a big ask if its trying to weld a section into the kit. I didn't see repair sections for sale yet? |
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Originally Posted By cherenkov: @katzma Is the 542 similar in build except caliber of 308? There are some 542 kits left. Its a battle rifle akin to a FAL I wished I had grabbed a 543 kit but they went fast. I would prefer a build that kept those markings intact but that might be a big ask if its trying to weld a section into the kit. I didn't see repair sections for sale yet? 542 & 543 comparison |
DiD Anyone get a surplus Sig 543 kit? (Page 1 of 2)
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