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SIG SG 550 assault rifle: pride of Switzerland and a great potential export

Parashuram1

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The new SIG assault rifle series SG 550/551 are built and tested in accordance with state-of-the-art manufacturing and quality assurance criteria. The design concept employs the proven combination of gas operation and rotating bolt, providing the weapons with utmost dependability, even under the most extreme field conditions. These new SIG assault rifles are available in two versions: the standard model SG 550 and the SG 551 short pattern.

Given the optimal weapon layout, accurate shooting in all positions is enhanced. The heavy barrel, hammer-forged in one operation to form chamber and bore, the long sight base and the carefully matched sighting elements provide superior inherent accuracy.

The functionally mature and weight-saving design concept provides advantages such as increased combat readiness plus additional features such as 3-round burst, folding butt and bolt hold-open catch.

Highly accurate, lightweight and rugged

SIG's state-of-the-art production processes and manufacturing know-how guarantee their weapons' superior quality and combat readiness. In practical terms this represents: extreme precision, low weight factor and ruggedness. As with all previous SIG assault rifles, the SG 550/551 are simple and safe handling weapons that have been proven in troop trials to be functionally dependable.

The SIG assault rifles SG 550/551 can be operated with one hand by both left- and right-handed shooters. The ambidextrous selective-fire catch can be operated with the shooting hand, thus eliminating any need to change position. Spent casings are ejected approximately five meters forward of the shooter, thereby eliminating the need for any type of case deflector.

Another convincing feature is the system of lightweight, transparent magazines which can be clipped together and changed rapidly. Rifle grenades are launched with standard, live ammunition. The weapon cycles automatically and therefore remains operational at all times.

All weapons are designed to accept night vision equipment and telescopic sights (STANAG system). To this end, a quick-detach scope mount is available which directly accepts STANAG-based optics. Its precision fit ensures zero-retention even after repeated mountings.

The SIG assault rifles SG 550 can be operated with one hand by both left- and right-handed shooters. The ambidextrous selective-fire catch can be operated with the shooting hand, thus eliminating any need to change position. Spent casings are ejected approximately five meters forward of the shooter, thereby eliminating the need for any type of case deflector.

Another convincing feature is the system of lightweight, transparent magazines which can be clipped together and changed rapidly. Rifle grenades are launched with standard, live ammunition. The weapon cycles automatically and therefore remains operational at all times.

All weapons are designed to accept night vision equipment and telescopic sights (STANAG system). To this end, a quick-detach scope mount is available which directly accepts STANAG-based optics. Its precision fit ensures zero-retention even after repeated mountings.

Mounted on the receiver housing is a combined diopter and snapshooting rearsight assembly which is calibrated for selected ranges. It is adjustable to provide windage and elevation correction. For night firing, illuminated markings are standard. Consequently, when adjustments are made to the day sights, correction of the night markings is automatic. The foresight assembly, comprising the protective tunnel and the flip-up night sight with integrated light source, is fixed. As the overall sighting line is low, the exposure silhouette presented by the shooter is minimized.

Following factors make this beauty a force to reckon with:

Exceptional accuracy

  • Heavy, fixed barrel with chamber and bore hammer-forged simultaneously
  • Excellent trigger that breaks crisp and clean after taking the slack out
  • Optimal diopter and snapshooting sights, adjustable for windage and elevation
  • On-the-weapon folding bipod fitted into a recessed handguard

Reliable functioning

  • Rugged, yet simple, design concept employing a proven gas system and rotating bolt
  • Virtually closed weapon system

Night Operability

  • Night sights, with integrated light source, on front and rear sights
  • Mounts designed to accept light intensifier or infra-red sights

Superior Handling Characteristics

  • Ergonomically correct stock design for fast locking into the shoulder and quick target acquisition
  • Ambidextrous design for left- and right-handed individuals
  • All controls within easy reach
  • Magazine "multipack" system and bolt hold open device for rapid magazine change
  • Fast and easy handling required during combat situations... also providing for quicker proficiency in training

Low weight factor

  • High-grade synthetics are used for the butt, handguard, pistol grip and magazine
  • Application of sophisticated weight-saving design concepts enhances mobility and reduces shooter fatigue

Optimal layout

  • Low sighting line mated to the correct stock angle
  • Well designed pistol grip which places shooting hand in close alignment with bore axis

Field-qualified for training and combat

Dust, sand mudbath tests. Low temperature and winter trials under extreme conditions in the Swiss alps. Troop trials with live ammunition. Barrel erosion firings during development of the ammunition. All these trials and tests served to establish the overriding quality of the SIG assault rifles SG 550. They also earned this new weapon family the simple, meaningful qualification issued by Swiss Army of "field-grade".

New design methods and applied weight-saving concepts for both models eliminate the need for tools when field stripping or in the event of major takedowns. Consequently, the weapons can be rapidly stripped, cleaned and assembled for immediate readiness.

The SG 550 is an extremely rugged weapon. It is designed to limit the ingress of mud, dust, dirt or sand. In extreme cases, the trooper can close the bolt manually. The gas valve has two settings to ensure reliable cycling, even under the most extreme conditions.

Marksmanship qualification at 300m range, as is standard practice in Switzerland, or the training of sharpshooting special units calls for weapons with particularly high inherent accuracy. The SIG SG 550 meet this, and related, requirements. Accurate marksmanship with these weapons is enhanced by a variety of factors, including: an overall sophisticated weapon concept, equal suitibility for left- and right-handers and exceptional inherent precision.

The particular weapon layout of the SIG SG 550 provides a low sighting line, resulting in a minimal exposure silhouette of the firer. The shooting hand (left or right) is located close to the bore axis. Also, the handguard has been extended well forward to allow unrestricted firing in any position. Single-shot, fully-automatic and 3-round burst modes permit the firepower to match the combat situation. The exceptionally low weight factor for an accurate assault rifle enhances mobility. This, in turn, increases firepower in assault situations, or the staying power of the individual trooper in other combat conditions. In close-quarter battle, the folding butt turns the SIG assault rifles SG 550 into handy and effective sidearms.

The SG 550 fire 5.56mm caliber ammunition. Barrel rifling twist is matched to suit the ammunition. Standard, live ammunition is used to launch rifle grenades. The weapon cycles automatically and remains ready to fire at all times. Ammunition in 5.56mm (.223) caliber has excellent external and terminal ballistic properties. The lightweight plastic magazines can be clipped together to form multipacks. This feature, in combination with the automatic bolt hold-open catch, permits very fast magazine change.

The SIG SG 550 are equipped with night sights which are integrated in the diopter drum and the flip-up foresight. Additional accessories include a carrying sling, bayonet, cleaning kit and loading aid for rapid magazine filling. All SIG SG 550 are equipped as standard with mounts to accept telescopic sights or night vision equipment (STANAG system).

SIG SG 550/551 Technical Specifications


Caliber: .223
Overall length: 39.3 in
Length with butt folded: 30.4 in
Barrel length: 20.8 in
Rifling twist: 7 in
Number of grooves: 6
Sights: diopter
Sight Radius: 21.2 in
Weight: with empty
magazine and bipod:
9.0 lbs.
Trigger pull weight: 6.6 lbs.
 
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FNs are good too... but still don't offer the ruggedness of SIG SG 550 series. Besides, Switzerland's small arms technology is world class and is known all over the globe.

We are also completely neutral of either power blocs, making us an independent and reliable supplier.
 
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Hello,

SG 550 is the nice weapon I have ever seen it. I like that weapon very much.

Thanks
Mike Wilson
 
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Is it Being exported to anyone ??

I heard Saudi special forces are intrested in some Swiss Varians !
 
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Is it Being exported to anyone ??

I heard Saudi special forces are intrested in some Swiss Varians !

I Guess you are looking for the SIG 550 in operation outside of the Switzerland. So here are a couple of pics from India.(26/11 Mumbai)





Argentina: GEOF counter-terrorism unit uses both the SG 551 and SG 552 Commando.
France: The SG 551 and SG 551 LB carbines are used by some specialized units of the French Army[10] and the GIGN counter-terrorist unit.
Germany: The German Federal Police's counter-terrorism unit GSG 9 and the Spezialeinsatzkommando group of the state police both employ the SG 551 and SG 551 LB carbines in a variety of roles.
India: COIN Ops; small numbers employed by the MARCOS.
Jordan: Jordanian police use the SG 550 Sniper in small numbers.
Romania: Small numbers of the SG 551 LB employed by the 307th Marine Battalion.
Serbia: SG 552 version used by the SAJ anti-terrorist unit.
Slovakia: The Slovak Police Útvar Osobitného Určenia ("special assignments unit") utilizes the SG 551 SWAT carbine.[11]
Spain: National police GEO special operations group uses both the SG 551 SWAT and SG 552.[12][13]
Switzerland: As of 2009, the SG 550 is the standard service rifle of the Swiss Armed Forces.[14] The SG 552 Commando is fielded in small numbers by certain specialized units and is known as the Stgw 90 kurz.
United States: Used by some federal agencies, including the Federal Reserve Police.
Vatican City: Used by the Papal Swiss Guard.[15]
 
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