SIG/SAN 55x Folks: Please Help The Newb (Redundant 55x Pr0n Welcome)

SaskStar said:
Hi All,

1) As I understand it, the series goes something like this (in descending order, according to length):

a) 550 / Stgw. 90 (full rifle: non-restricted)
b) 551 LB SWAT -- CQB (restricted)
c) 551 SWAT -- carbine (restricted)
d) 552 SWAT -- ??? (restricted)

Is this correct? I'm confused as to the difference between QCB/Carbine etc.
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Revised below (in descending order, according to length);

a) 550 Sniper - marksman length rifle - has a 25.59" barrel and full length forestock. Standard with flattop and other fancy goodies such as adjustable stock.

b) 550 - full length rifle - has a 20.79" barrel and full length forestock. Standard with diopter sights, or optional flattop.

c) 551 LB - carbine length rifle - has a 17.9" barrel and mid length forestock, allowing for bayonet attachment. Standard with diopter sights, or optional flattop.

d) 551 - carbine length rifle - has a 14.3" barrel and mid length forestock. Standard with diopter sights, or optional flattop.

e) 552/553 LB - CQB / carbine length rifle - has a 14.3" carbine barrel and short length forestock. Standard with diopter sights, or optional flattop.

f) 552 - CQB length rifle - has an 8.9" barrel and short length forestock. Standard with diopter sights, or optional flattop. This is obsoleted by the 553.

g) 553 - CQB length rifle - same as above but with revised gas system as found in other lengths, used to be different in the 552.

*notes: SWAT designation refers to accessories & finish. Models designated 55x-1 have 1:10 twist, while 55x-2 have 1:7.

As others have mentioned, there is a functional difference between the SG55x series and the SAN rifles available in Canada.

Cosmetically they are identical, although SG/SAN equivalents are not currently available in some configurations.

Buy them all! I dare you ;)...
 
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Scocou said:
Revised below (in descending order, according to length)

[clip]

Buy them all! I dare you ;)...
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Thanks for the clarification on specific models -- it's much appreciated.

As for sights/optics, is there likely to be a conflict between a stock diopter set up and an after-market reflex sight?

Naturally it would be easier to go with the stock flat top in order to easily mount an optical device, but the stock flip-up sights on the flat-top look a little dicey to me.

That is to say: years into the PAW when batteries for the EOTech are far and few between, I'd want to be able to fall back on the diopter, y'know?

(Although, I guess I could just go with an ACOG and not have the worry. lol)
 
SaskStar said:
Thanks for the clarification on specific models -- it's much appreciated.

As for sights/optics, is there likely to be a conflict between a stock diopter set up and an after-market reflex sight?

Naturally it would be easier to go with the stock flat top in order to easily mount an optical device, but the stock flip-up sights on the flat-top look a little dicey to me.

That is to say: years into the PAW when batteries for the EOTech are far and few between, I'd want to be able to fall back on the diopter, y'know?

(Although, I guess I could just go with an ACOG and not have the worry. lol)
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Yes, you have hit the nail on the head. I agree that the flip-up sight looks dicey.

As for optics such as EoTech, some enjoy the ability to co-witness. I do not - to each their own.

I considered an Aimpoint for a while but decided against it for this reason.

Particularly with the SAN hooded front sight, low mounted optics have an obscured sight picture. Only you can decide if it's acceptable for your use...

An ACOG does not suffer from this, as it is mounted high enough to see over the hood.

Further, you can use your irons through the TA51 mount's see-through channel, should you have the need to do so.

I believe an Elcan Spectre would be OK but cannot comment firsthand.

For the record, the irons on the SAN/SG are superb, the rifle would certainly perform admirably without optics mounted.

Others will not share my opinions, but I say get the standard diopter sights and mount a rail and ACOG.

I can say from personal experience that the combination is spectacular.

Since you invite redundant SAN pron, here's my contribution :D.

SAN Classic Green CQB (8.9") w/ ACOF TA31F;
pic-0030r.jpg


SAN Classic Green Carbine (14.3") w/ stock sights;
SAN_Carbine-042509-0002r.jpg


Buy one soon, the price isn't falling ;). Cheers!
 
nickorette said:
Correct. Although some dealers call them 55X's, the proprer names are their offical staus in Canada

Black Special - Black full size with drum
Black Special Target - Black full size with flat top
Classic Green -Green full size with drum
Carbine - Green half-size with flat top or drum
CQB - small size with drum.
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FYI: not only the Rifle, but also the Carbine and CQB are called Classic Green.

They are marked 'Classic Green - Carbine' and 'Classic Green - CQB' on the upper receiver.

Some Blue Stars are in Canada, but no Red Devils AFAIK. :)EDIT: at least one Red Devil)

At least one of the Smurfs was painted... green I think.

The Heavy Metal is unobtainium, discontinued due to problems with the finish. Too bad, it looked sweet!

Not to be picky, just want to make that clear ;).

Cheers!
 
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There is at least one red devil. I clearly remember it was in the EE about 5 years ago.


Scocou said:
FYI: not only the Rifle, but also the Carbine and CQB are called Classic Green.

They are marked 'Classic Green - Carbine' and 'Classic Green - CQB' on the upper receiver.

Some Blue Stars are in Canada, but no Red Devils AFAIK.

At least one of the Smurfs was painted... green I think.

The Heavy Metal is unobtainium, discontinued due to problems with the finish. Too bad, it looked sweet!

Not to be picky, just want to make that clear ;).

Cheers!
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THe only reason I am selling my Carbine - I am tired of the ad-hoc solution of optic mounting with the diopter sights in the way. I don't care much about the diopter sight - I would rather have the flattop.

I am running ACOG with a Larue Mount - I am having eye relief problem because the lever interferes with the rear Diopter. I like to run my rifle with a very short stock. The optic is getting too high over the bore as more mount is piling up between the receiver the tube itself. I hope one day TSE will regain control of the SAN distributorship - then hopefully we will see some configuration like 553 LB gas system with flattop only - hahaha, I will keep dreaming.....dreaming.....dreaming

haha, someone please buy my pristine Carbine so I can go on vacation?? :)
 
greentips said:
THe only reason I am selling my Carbine - I am tired of the ad-hoc solution of optic mounting with the diopter sights in the way. I don't care much about the diopter sight - I would rather have the flattop.

I am running ACOG with a Larue Mount - I am having eye relief problem because the lever interferes with the rear Diopter. I like to run my rifle with a very short stock. The optic is getting too high over the bore as more mount is piling up between the receiver the tube itself. I hope one day TSE will regain control of the SAN distributorship - then hopefully we will see some configuration like 553 LB gas system with flattop only - hahaha, I will keep dreaming.....dreaming.....dreaming

haha, someone please buy my pristine Carbine so I can go on vacation?? :)
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I would love to own a flattop 553 LB wearing an Aimpoint CompM4s.

You should try to grab one of those flattop 17.9" Carbines floating around...

...good luck though, they don't go on sale frequently :(.

Cheers
 
Scocou said:
Particularly with the SAN hooded front sight, low mounted optics have an obscured sight picture. Only you can decide if it's acceptable for your use...

An ACOG does not suffer from this, as it is mounted high enough to see over the hood.

Further, you can use your irons through the TA51 mount's see-through channel, should you have the need to do so.
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This looks like the optimal set-up to me.

However, with the raised ACOG, do you find getting a solid cheek weld is difficult? It looks like you might be more in "chin weld" territory.

I guess that's what the cheek rest accessory is for -- I usually see those on a SAN with an ACOG or similarly raised optics.

Also, Thanks John@ for the Stgw 57 bayo tip. I was looking at those and it seemed the lug was in the right place for the SAN -- good to get confirmation.
 
SaskStar said:
This looks like the optimal set-up to me.

However, with the raised ACOG, do you find getting a solid cheek weld is difficult? It looks like you might be more in "chin weld" territory.

I guess that's what the cheek rest accessory is for -- I usually see those on a SAN with an ACOG or similarly raised optics.

Also, Thanks John@ for the Stgw 57 bayo tip. I was looking at those and it seemed the lug was in the right place for the SAN -- good to get confirmation.
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Yes, chin weld for sure. Cheek piece would help but the prices for SAN accessories are absurd.

There used to be airsoft knockoffs that were functionally identical, but I believe they are discontinued (I could be wrong).

Like Greentips outlines above, the increased height-over-bore is definitely the downside to this setup.

That said, I experienced no problems placing shots using an ACOG w/BAC, your mileage may vary...

The other downside to this setup - you're looking at ~$5000CAN, although it's a fairly stable investment if you can swing it.

FYI: there is a NATO bayonet lug available, this might open up some other options.

I think you could mount a Buck 188, Phrobis M9 etc. although I'm not sure, I never tried one.

Cheers!
 
Scocou said:
...you're looking at ~$5000CAN...
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Yeah it's a big bite, for sure.

But...

a) If you factor in the mini-14, m14, AR180B, SKS, and God-knows-what-else that I would have bought and monkeyed around with otherwise, it's probably about the same.

b) Cheap at twice the price should OPFOR/Zombies ever threaten life and liberty.

c) Worst case scenario: inflation hedge.

Thanks again for all the great input, everyone. Very cool! :cool:
 
Scocou said:
I would love to own a flattop 553 LB wearing an Aimpoint CompM4s.

You should try to grab one of those flattop 17.9" Carbines floating around...

...good luck though, they don't go on sale frequently :(.

Cheers
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I do have a 17.9" and it is not going anywhere. :p
 
SaskStar said:
Yeah it's a big bite, for sure.

But...

a) If you factor in the mini-14, m14, AR180B, SKS, and God-knows-what-else that I would have bought and monkeyed around with otherwise, it's probably about the same.

b) Cheap at twice the price should OPFOR/Zombies ever threaten life and liberty.

c) Worst case scenario: inflation hedge.

Thanks again for all the great input, everyone. Very cool! :cool:
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Yep, totally worth it for all those reasons.

Zombies alone would justify purchase ;).

BTW good newbie post, nice to strike up an informative session.
greentips said:
I do have a 17.9" and it is not going anywhere. :p
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Ahh... it makes sense now.

I was kinda' wondering why you were selling that 14.3" so quickly.

Always good to see first hand preference of one model over another.

I sold my CQB in preference for the Carbine, maybe one day I'll try a flattop... and prefer it! :eek:

Cheers
 
I have the Classic Green Carbine 14.3 with an ACOG TA01 NSN and I am quite very happy with that rifle in that config. In a recent course I was the fastest and second highest scorer in a cold shot Dept of State COF. I scored 292 out of 300 and higher was 297 and he took about five seconds longer to complete the run. The Classic Green Carbine is only about 3% less accurate than the rifle according to the literature I have seen, not that I'll ever be good enough to tell the difference!

The carbine is an excellent rifle and used right is top notch. When I was in The Army I used rifles and carbines mostly and have a preference for carbines, specifically because they are a good middle ground firearm.

If Greentips is letting his carbine go, I say snap it up! Restricted or not, it will be a real gem.
 
My SIG ####...

SAN551.jpg


Just back from paint...

Need to get my Larue back on there.. the "air gap" bothers me. Usually I remove the rear sight and drop the scope into the rear sight frame with some Med rings. Tightens it all up,


BTW, 10rnders are awesome.
 
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