[wbj]

Hi, I just got my 556R today. i have not had a chance to shoot it yet but i have to admit that im a bit disappointed with my first impressions. the first issue i have is with the amount of play between the upper and lower reciever. i can hold the grip and rock the upper reciever side to side and up and down. Is this normal for this rifle? I also have the same issue with the forend, movment side to side and forward and aft. I was very excited about this rifle because i own several AKs but going on first impressions i am disappointed. If anyone who owns a 556R Gen 2 could give me some feedback it would be greatly appreciated.

Also does any one know of any aftermarket forends that would work for this gun. I have found some for the 556 classic and would assume that it would work for the 556R but i am not sure. Thanks

 

[bearone2]

welcome from az

 

[lourx]

Welcome from Pa. I dont own a 556 but from what i have read they had a lot of early problems. Is your weapon new? Anything mfrd after aug 2012 is supposed to have all the bugs worked out and all the gen 2 fixes and upgrades. I have a colt and an M400 and there is no play in either spots. Good bang for your buck are magpul products.

 

[Plumbago]

Search for Zurich wedge or Accu wedge.....There are several simple solutions for the loose frame, and a thin rubber O-ring in the front of the hand rail will also tighten it up nice. best regards Plum

 

[wbj]

I went to a local gun store that sells SIG rifles. After talking to owner(who owns a 556r) and holding other SIG rifles I believe that the play between receivers is kosher. I went ahead and purchased the Zurich wedge that plumbago recommended. Thanks for the info Plum. I plan to go shoot it tomorrow so I will let you know how it handles. THANKS ALOT!!!!
.

 

[cbrobertson]

Just gotta add my 2 cents worth. I just bought my 3rd Sig, 716, (02-Oct-12) 516, (14-Mar-13) and a R556, (01-Apr-13) The R556, NOT a 556R if the position of the 'R' makes a difference?? Anyway, the R556 left the factory on 28-Feb-13. It is. like the other 2 Sig rifles, very tight, no wiggle at all, ANYWHERE. A solid built rifle in .223 Rem.
The only thing I don't like about the R556 is the ejected cases leave with a force at 1 to 2 o'clock. Unlike the 716 & 516 that eject in a predictable fasion to 4 & 5 o'clock with much less force. For a reloader, that is really important.

 

[PTDG1]

Just gotta add my 2 cents worth. I just bought my 3rd Sig, 716, (02-Oct-12) 516, (14-Mar-13) and a R556, (01-Apr-13) The R556, NOT a 556R if the position of the 'R' makes a difference?? Anyway, the R556 left the factory on 28-Feb-13. It is. like the other 2 Sig rifles, very tight, no wiggle at all, ANYWHERE. A solid built rifle in .223 Rem.
The only thing I don't like about the R556 is the ejected cases leave with a force at 1 to 2 o'clock. Unlike the 716 & 516 that eject in a predictable fasion to 4 & 5 o'clock with much less force. For a reloader, that is really important.

Are you referring to the 556R in 7.62x39 or the 556 in 5.56x45?

 

[cbrobertson]

The model designation on the box is: R556-16B-CS-RD.
Small print under above exactly: Sig556, 5.56 NATO, SWAT, 16 IN, FLD, GRAD, F
As statedviously, it's 'birthday' was 28-Feb-2013, purchase date was 01-Apr-2013. I had it on lay-a-way for 2 weeks before pick-up.
SO! Question in my mind is; how is the placement of the R before or after the model number significant to the rifle?

 

[PTDG1]

The 556R is calibrated in 7.62x39 and is basically a Sig version of an AK47. It takes "most" AK magazines with the exception of the US Palm. Early versions had problems with an aluminum mag well that showed excessive wear when using metal magazines, it has since been upgraded to a steel reinforcement.

 

[cbrobertson]

I assume then that the 556R designates the 7.62X39 Russian, and the R556 obviously designates the 5.56X45 NATO chambering.
Interesting how the position of the R changes things. Really opens it to confusion.

 

[spyguy]

The 556R is calibrated in 7.62x39 and is basically a Sig version of an AK47. It takes "most" AK magazines with the exception of the US Palm.

Mine was purchased in Nov 2012 and my box states R556-762R-16B, but your description describes mine perfectly. The salesperson also referred to it as 556R. Could it be that the "R556" refers to the Gen 2 version?

 

[PTDG1]

Not 100% sure on the R prefix but I do know that the R suffix or 556R refers to the 556 Russian in 7.62x39. Most likely the salesperson didn't really know his/her Sig codebook.

 

[spyguy]

I'll call Sig CS in the morning and see "if" they can explain it...that should be interesting LOL

 

[spyguy]

Not 100% sure on the R prefix but I do know that the R suffix or 556R refers to the 556 Russian in 7.62x39. Most likely the salesperson didn't really know his/her Sig codebook.

I'm fairly certain that "R556" refers to the Gen 2...If you'll notice, even Gabe Suarez (One Source Tactical) refers to Item Number: R556-762R-16B (the same item # listed on my box) as the Sig 556R.

SIG 556R Classic Rifle - 7.62x39 - "New Generation Rifles"

 

[padom]

If you go to SIGs website, go to products, rifles, then click on SIG 556 you will see the 7.62x39 version is referred to as a SIG 556R.

Back to OP's remarks.

I received my 556R 7.62x39 from my FFL last night. I already had the Zurich Wedge and Samson 556 BUIS waiting to be installed. Mine had a little play between the upper and lower receiver but after I installed the ZW it is rock solid, no play.

I also have some play in the handguard but knew that before I received mine as its normal. There are ways to fix that which you can find on WT. I don't care because I'm putting a quad rail on mine. I know of 2 quad rail option. First is the Troy rail but the folding stock does not latch to it. Not a big deal for people that will remove the existing stock to install a Magpul CTR or similar (which I may do). Second option is sending the gun to SIG Custom Shop to have them install the SIG 556 quad rail which the folding stock will latch to.

My 556R came with a SIG 20% off accessories or Custom shop coupon so I will probably have SIG install the quad rail.

I also purchased the http://www.onesourcetactical.com/4x32browecombatoptic-4.aspxBrowe BCO 4x32 LED 7.62x39 glass for my 556R which was just released and designed specifically for the 556R. Testing had the 556R with quality Lapua ammo ringing steel out to 800 yards. I got one from the first batch which arrives this week.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

 

[spyguy]

I also purchased the 4x32 BROWE Combat Optic - 7.62x39mm Chevron ReticleBrowe BCO 4x32 LED 7.62x39 glass for my 556R which was just released and designed specifically for the 556R. Testing had the 556R with quality Lapua ammo ringing steel out to 800 yards. I got one from the first batch which arrives this week.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III

I'll be interested to hear how you like that...

 

[padom]

I will post my thoughts and some range pics next weekend. I was dead set on the Trijicon ACOG 7.62x39 until I was given the opportunity to buy the Browe.

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III

 

[wbj]

I have a couple of questions for padom. First how did you install your zurich wedge? I would assume that you would remove the allen head bolt that holds the grip to the lower than install the wedge under the bolt head. Then the flat side of the wedge would be what presses against the upper, which removes the play between the two. Is this correct???

About what you said regarding the quad rails. I have seen them advertised on several websites but their very generic in the description. Would a rail described for a 556 classic or any other 556 models work for my 556R. I would assume that they would but i want to be sure before i buy. Also i called sig about the quad rail they offer and they told me that they were out of stock but when they became avaliable that they could be shipped to me and i did not have to send my rifle to them. (Unless you wanted to)I found the Troy rail on CTD but its only avaliable in Flat Dark Earth color the black is out of stock. The last place i found one is at is Samson industries.IF you find some rails anywhere else please let me know. Thanks

 

[wbj]

I did go ahead and buy the rotary diopter rear and hooded front sight for the 556r.(but there on backorder from sig). I can't stand the red dot that comes with it. I plan on buying a EOtech red dot and magnifier. I talked with someone who works at EOtech and they told me it would take 16 weeks for my order to process. So I'm just going to wait for now. When I finally do get the EOtech do y'all think that because the front site from SIG does not fold down that it will get in the line of sight of the red dot

 

[cbrobertson]

YES. The front sigh of the 556 definately will enterfer with the Eotech. I did exactly what you plan and the front site was smack dab in the middle of the Eotech window. The red dot of the Eotech was just above the front sight post, which made it worse because then there is a very strong tendency to site with the post instead of the red dot.
Hopefully you can borrow an Eotech from someone to check it out BEFORE you lay out the big bucks for something that will not suite you.