Review: Sig 516 rifle

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  • CountryBoy19

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 91.7%
    11   1   0
    Nov 10, 2008
    8,412
    63
    Bedford, IN
    You may have seen this thread: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...headed_downrange_for_a_while.html#post2036116

    If not, that will explain a little more about why I'm posting this review.

    I recently took a training class with Tactical Evolutions in Evansville. I'm not sure if Tactical Evolutions offers classes to the general public because their class is focused on DoD work. They do training for DoD personnel that are going to places like Iraq or Afghanistan.

    They provided all rifles and ammunition and they took care of said equipment so this review may be lacking a little bit in details, but I did want to post up some of the issues that we had with the rifles.

    Most people in the class had Sig 516 rifles but there were a few other AR15 rifles including the rifle that I used after my Sig failed which was a DPMS lower and Stag upper. We were told the Sig rifles were brand new, they had been cleaned and test-fired only.

    All Sig rifles functioned great out of the box. But midway through the first day (2-300 rounds in) two of the rifles started malfunctioning. It was determined that the adjustable gas block had not maintained it's adjustment and needed readjusting. Maybe Sig should have used some sort of retention on the adjustment like lock-tight etc? By the end of the day 2 more rifles had done it. The remaining Sig rifles didn't have any other gas adjustment issues.

    The major problem however was that 2 rifles experience some sort of FCG failure. All together these rifles fired less than 500 rounds and 2 out of 10 experienced FCG failures. That is unacceptable. 1 failure (the failure on my rifle) was that one of the FCG pins walked out and got "all buggered up" to the point that it couldn't be returned to service at the range. I was told it was the sear-pin, but I'm not sure a Sig rifle has an "sear-pin", maybe hammer pin?

    Putting all the failures aside, I will now touch on the use-ability of the rifle.

    The Sig includes a QD sling that can be used as a single or double-point and there are several attachment points on the rifle. At first I thought the sling setup was pretty cool. But over time I developed a blister on my thumb because of it. The rear-most attach point on the lower receiver is right near the selector switch. Once you attach the swivel it actually projects down and partially obstructs the switch. This forced me to have to cram my thumb up again the swivel stud and crane it around to flip the switch the "fire". I really noticed the difference after my Sig failed and I was given a normal AR with a normal sling attach plate on the buffer tube.

    I also didn't like the sights that came on the Sig. I can't say for sure if they were Sig sights or if the TE guys put them on, but either way they flipped down very easily if you let the rifle drop and the sight hit your leg etc. Sometimes they would only flip down a little bit and it wouldn't be very noticeable unless you were looking for it. This caused problem with POA during shooting drills.

    Other than the aforementioned failures and sling issues the Sig seems like an OK gun. Would I buy one? No way. Would I shoot it if I were given the option between that and a handgun? Absolutely.

    Sorry but I don't have pictures. We weren't allowed to handle the guns except on the range when shooting. When the Sigs failed they were quickly whisked away for repairs so the class could continue. The only photo I would be able to show would be a stock photo of a Sig rifle laying bolt open, facing up on a table with muzzle downrange. ;) If that eliminates me from eligibility in the real-world reviews thread then so-be-it.

    ETA, I found some photos of two different sling swivel attach points on the Sig.
    The first design is like that on the rifle I shot. Take note that the attach point is in the lower itself, near the selector. When a sling is attached it puts the sling swivel even closer to the selector. It doesn't look too bad in the photos but it's very uncomfortable when actually shooting the rifle.
    SHOT_Show_2010_SIG_SAUER_SIG516_Gas_Piston_Op_Rod_Carbine_SBR_Series_10.jpg

    The Second appears as if it may have been a design change due to the discomfort some experiences while disengaging the safety. Note that the attach point is now part of the retainer plate on the buffer tube, this places the attach point further back and would relieve some of the issues I experienced. I would be a little more interested in this design.
    sig_sauer_sig516-tfb1.jpg
     
    Last edited:

    CountryBoy19

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 91.7%
    11   1   0
    Nov 10, 2008
    8,412
    63
    Bedford, IN
    I'll second that on the selector switch, major pain.
    He knows what I'm talking about ^^^ ;)

    What moved, the gas valve?
    The gas valve is a 2-position selector.
    Actually, I read that it's 3-position, but I could be wrong.

    But as far as what actually caused the problem I'm not sure. These rifles were used in a class where we really didn't do much hands-on troubleshooting work, the instructors did that for us. We were told that the gas setting had moved and need readjusted. Maybe it just needed to be moved to a different setting after the guns got a little dirty?
     

    dom1104

    Shooter
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Mar 23, 2010
    3,127
    36
    Wow. I am both surprised and dissapointed.

    Sounds like they are a steaming pile of junk.
     

    CountryBoy19

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 91.7%
    11   1   0
    Nov 10, 2008
    8,412
    63
    Bedford, IN
    Not sure I'd go all the way to "steaming" just yet, but they could use a bit of work.
    I agree, not a steaming pile of junk, but definitely not what I expected Sig to perform like. Very disappointing would be a better term. If I had purchased a 516 and then discovered those things I would have been pretty upset with Sig and myself.
     

    MilitaryArms

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 19, 2008
    2,751
    48
    I wish I could say I was surprised. I talked to a global distributor for Sig that told me they've had serious conversations with Sig management about the high failure rates of delivered 516 rifles. The number he told me was close to 50% that had problems right out of the box, and he felt it was totally unacceptable... Which I think most would agree is unacceptable.

    I've had my own run-ins with Sig USA quality as of late. It's to the point I've stricken Sig from my buy list, regardless how tempting the product seems. It's unfortunate, I used to be a huge Sig fan.
     

    strahd71

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 2, 2010
    2,471
    36
    wanatah
    this is a shame that Sig has come to this. about 15 years ago i bought a Sig P-220 and it has been 100% reliable and is my "go to" gun.

    thanks for the review!

    jake
     

    MilitaryArms

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 19, 2008
    2,751
    48
    Sig used to be a great company. But Cohen (CEO) has changed things.

    Hopefully Cohen will step down or be asked to leave and Sig can return to its former glory.
     

    CountryBoy19

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 91.7%
    11   1   0
    Nov 10, 2008
    8,412
    63
    Bedford, IN
    I've had my own run-ins with Sig USA quality as of late. It's to the point I've stricken Sig from my buy list, regardless how tempting the product seems. It's unfortunate, I used to be a huge Sig fan.

    My sentiments exactly.

    Between their decline in quality over the last 5 years, worst customer service I've ever experienced in the firearms industry, and their total lack or spare/replacement parts, I will never buy a Sig again. And I also used to be a huge fan. I own several Sig handguns and a 556. But that's it for me unless they really turn things around.

    Small anecdotal story regarding the updated grip on the 556 rifle.

    I have the older style grip that leaves that gap wide open and it can become painful if you shoot a lot.

    I was at the range and gentleman there showed me the new grip, said Sig sent it to him for free, all he had to do was call and ask.

    I tried calling and asking, after the CS guy insisted there was no new grip for the 556 I finally convinced him to check into it. Turns out there was. But he wouldn't send one to me. Apparently the grip isn't a "user serviceable part" WTF? He said that I would have to send the rifle in on my dime (shipping both ways) and they would be happy to put one on for no cost. I refused to pay $50+ in shipping just for a ten dollar grip. I asked them how much the grip cost, I'll just buy it and put it on myself. Once again, the guy said they can't even sell me a grip because it's not a "user serviceable part". WTF? What firearms enthusiast is incapable of changing out a grip?

    That is the kind of BS I'm fed up with and absolutely won't tolerate.
     
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