Small Arms Review
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
        • V1N1 (Oct 1997)
        • V1N2 (Nov 1997)
        • V1N3 (Dec 1997)
        • V1N4 (Jan 1998)
        • V1N5 (Feb 1998)
        • V1N6 (Mar 1998)
        • V1N7 (Apr 1998)
        • V1N8 (May 1998)
        • V1N9 (Jun 1998)
        • V1N10 (Jul 1998)
        • V1N11 (Aug 1998)
        • V1N12 (Sep 1998)
      • Volume 2
        • V2N1 (Oct 1998)
        • V2N2 (Nov 1998)
        • V2N3 (Dec 1998)
        • V2N4 (Jan 1999)
        • V2N5 (Feb 1999)
        • V2N6 (Mar 1999)
        • V2N7 (Apr 1999)
        • V2N8 (May 1999)
        • V2N9 (Jun 1999)
        • V2N10 (Jul 1999)
        • V2N11 (Aug 1999)
        • V2N12 (Sep 1999)
      • Volume 3
        • V3N1 (Oct 1999)
        • V3N2 (Nov 1999)
        • V3N3 (Dec 1999)
        • V3N4 (Jan 2000)
        • V3N5 (Feb 2000)
        • V3N6 (Mar 2000)
        • V3N7 (Apr 2000)
        • V3N8 (May 2000)
        • V3N9 (Jun 2000)
        • V3N10 (Jul 2000)
        • V3N11 (Aug 2000)
        • V3N12 (Sep 2000)
      • Volume 4
        • V4N1 (Oct 2000)
        • V4N2 (Nov 2000)
        • V4N3 (Dec 2000)
        • V4N4 (Jan 2001)
        • V4N5 (Feb 2001)
        • V4N6 (Mar 2001)
        • V4N7 (Apr 2001)
        • V4N8 (May 2001)
        • V4N9 (Jun 2001)
        • V4N10 (Jul 2001)
        • V4N11 (Aug 2001)
        • V4N12 (Sep 2001)
      • Volume 5
        • V5N1 (Oct 2001)
        • V5N2 (Nov 2001)
        • V5N3 (Dec 2001)
        • V5N4 (Jan 2002)
        • V5N5 (Feb 2002)
        • V5N6 (Mar 2002)
        • V5N7 (Apr 2002)
        • V5N8 (May 2002)
        • V5N9 (Jun 2002)
        • V5N10 (Jul 2002)
        • V5N11 (Aug 2002)
        • V5N12 (Sep 2002)
      • Volume 6
        • V6N1 (Oct 2002)
        • V6N2 (Nov 2002)
        • V6N3 (Dec 2002)
        • V6N4 (Jan 2003)
        • V6N5 (Feb 2003)
        • V6N6 (Mar 2003)
        • V6N7 (Apr 2003)
        • V6N8 (May 2003)
        • V6N9 (Jun 2003)
        • V6N10 (Jul 2003)
        • V6N11 (Aug 2003)
        • V6N12 (Sep 2003)
      • Volume 7
        • V7N1 (Oct 2003)
        • V7N2 (Nov 2003)
        • V7N3 (Dec 2003)
        • V7N4 (Jan 2004)
        • V7N5 (Feb 2004)
        • V7N6 (Mar 2004)
        • V7N7 (Apr 2004)
        • V7N8 (May 2004)
        • V7N9 (Jun 2004)
        • V7N10 (Jul 2004)
        • V7N11 (Aug 2004)
        • V7N12 (Sep 2004)
      • Volume 8
        • V8N1 (Oct 2004)
        • V8N2 (Nov 2004)
        • V8N3 (Dec 2004)
        • V8N4 (Jan 2005)
        • V8N5 (Feb 2005)
        • V8N6 (Mar 2005)
        • V8N7 (Apr 2005)
        • V8N8 (May 2005)
        • V8N9 (Jun 2005)
        • V8N10 (Jul 2005)
        • V8N11 (Aug 2005)
        • V8N12 (Sep 2005)
      • Volume 9
        • V9N1 (Oct 2005)
        • V9N2 (Nov 2005)
        • V9N3 (Dec 2005)
        • V9N4 (Jan 2006)
        • V9N5 (Feb 2006)
        • V9N6 (Mar 2006)
        • V9N7 (Apr 2006)
        • V9N8 (May 2006)
        • V9N9 (Jun 2006)
        • V9N10 (Jul 2006)
        • V9N11 (Aug 2006)
        • V9N12 (Sep 2006)
      • Volume 10
        • V10N1 (Oct 2006)
        • V10N2 (Nov 2006)
        • V10N3 (Dec 2006)
        • V10N4 (Jan 2007)
        • V10N5 (Feb 2007)
        • V10N6 (Mar 2007)
        • V10N7 (Apr 2007)
        • V10N8 (May 2007)
        • V10N9 (Jun 2007)
        • V10N10 (Jul 2007)
        • V10N11 (Aug 2007)
        • V10N12 (Sep 2007)
      • Volume 11
        • V11N1 (Oct 2007)
        • V11N2 (Nov 2007)
        • V11N3 (Dec 2007)
        • V11N4 (Jan 2008)
        • V11N5 (Feb 2008)
        • V11N6 (Mar 2008)
        • V11N7 (Apr 2008)
        • V11N8 (May 2008)
        • V11N9 (Jun 2008)
        • V11N10 (Jul 2008)
        • V11N11 (Aug 2008)
        • V11N12 (Sep 2008)
      • Volume 12
        • V12N1 (Oct 2008)
        • V12N2 (Nov 2008)
        • V12N3 (Dec 2008)
        • V12N4 (Jan 2009)
        • V12N5 (Feb 2009)
        • V12N6 (Mar 2009)
        • V12N7 (Apr 2009)
        • V12N8 (May 2009)
        • V12N9 (Jun 2009)
        • V12N10 (Jul 2009)
        • V12N11 (Aug 2009)
        • V12N12 (Sep 2009)
      • Volume 13
        • V13N1 (Oct 2009)
        • V13N2 (Nov 2009)
        • V13N3 (Dec 2009)
        • V13N4 (Jan 2010)
        • V13N5 (Feb 2010)
        • V13N6 (Mar 2010)
        • V13N7 (Apr 2010)
        • V13N8 (May 2010)
        • V13N9 (Jun 2010)
        • V13N10 (Jul 2010)
        • V13N11 (Aug 2010)
        • V13N12 (Sep 2010)
      • Volume 14
        • V14N1 (Oct 2010)
        • V14N2 (Nov 2010)
        • V14N3 (Dec 2010)
          • Ammunition
        • V14N4 (Jan 2011)
        • V14N5 (Feb 2011)
        • V14N6 (Mar 2011)
        • V14N7 (Apr 2011)
        • V14N8 (May 2011)
        • V14N9 (Jun 2011)
        • V14N10 (Jul 2011)
        • V14N11 (Aug 2011)
        • V14N12 (Sep 2011)
      • Volume 15
        • V15N1 (Oct 2011)
        • V15N2 (Nov 2011)
        • V15N4 (Jan 2012)
        • V15N5 (Feb 2012)
      • Volume 16
        • V16N1 (1st Quarter 2012)
        • V16N2 (2nd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N3 (3rd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N4 (4th Quarter 2012)
      • Volume 17
        • V17N1 (1st Quarter 2013)
        • V17N2 (2nd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N3 (3rd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N4 (4th Quarter 2013)
      • Volume 18
        • V18N1 (Jan Feb 2014)
        • V18N2 (Mar Apr 2014)
        • V18N3 (May Jun 2014)
        • V18N4 (Jul Aug 2014)
        • V18N5 (Sep Oct 2014)
        • V18N6 (Nov Dec 2014)
      • Volume 19
        • V19N1 (Jan 2015)
        • V19N2 (Feb Mar 2015)
        • V19N3 (Apr 2015)
        • V19N4 (May 2015)
        • V19N5 (Jun 2015)
        • V19N6 (Jul 2015)
        • V19N7 (Aug Sep 2015)
        • V19N8 (Oct 2015)
        • V19N9 (Nov 2015)
        • V19N10 (Dec 2015)
      • Volume 20
        • V20N1 (Jan 2016)
        • V20N2 (Feb Mar 2016)
        • V20N3 (Apr 2016)
        • V20N4 (May 2016)
        • V20N5 (Jun 2016)
        • V20N6 (Jul 2016)
        • V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016)
        • V20N8 (Oct 2016)
        • V20N9 (Nov 2016)
        • V20N10 (Dec 2016)
      • Volume 21
        • V21N1 (Jan 2017)
        • V21N2 (Feb Mar 2017)
        • V21N3 (Apr 2017)
        • V21N4 (May 2017)
        • V21N5 (Jun 2017)
        • V21N6 (Jul 2017)
        • V21N7 (Aug Sep 2017)
        • V21N8 (Oct 2017)
        • V21N9 (Nov 2017)
        • V21N10 (Dec 2017)
      • Volume 22
        • V22N1 (Jan 2018)
        • V22N2 (Feb 2018)
        • V22N3 (March 2018)
        • V22N4 (Apr 2018)
        • V22N5 (May 2018)
        • V22N6 (Jun Jul 2018)
        • V22N7 (Aug Sep 2018)
        • V22N8 (Oct 2018)
        • V22N9 (Nov 2018)
        • V22N10 (Dec 2018)
      • Volume 23
        • V23N1 (Jan 2019)
        • V23N2 (Feb 2019)
        • V23N3 (Mar 2019)
        • V23N4 (Apr 2019)
        • V23N5 (May 2019)
        • V23N6 (Jun Jul 2019)
        • V23N7 (Aug Sep 2019)
        • V23N8 (Oct 2019)
        • V23N9 (Nov 2019)
        • V23N10 (Dec 2019)
      • Volume 24
        • V24N1 (Jan 2020)
        • V24N2 (Feb 2020)
        • V24N3 (Mar 2020)
        • V24N4 (Apr 2020)
        • V24N5 (May 2020)
        • V24N6 (Jun Jul 2020)
        • V24N7 (Aug Sep 2020)
        • V24N8 (Oct 2020)
        • V24N9 (Nov 2020)
        • V24N10 (Dec 2020)
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
        • V1N1 (Oct 1997)
        • V1N2 (Nov 1997)
        • V1N3 (Dec 1997)
        • V1N4 (Jan 1998)
        • V1N5 (Feb 1998)
        • V1N6 (Mar 1998)
        • V1N7 (Apr 1998)
        • V1N8 (May 1998)
        • V1N9 (Jun 1998)
        • V1N10 (Jul 1998)
        • V1N11 (Aug 1998)
        • V1N12 (Sep 1998)
      • Volume 2
        • V2N1 (Oct 1998)
        • V2N2 (Nov 1998)
        • V2N3 (Dec 1998)
        • V2N4 (Jan 1999)
        • V2N5 (Feb 1999)
        • V2N6 (Mar 1999)
        • V2N7 (Apr 1999)
        • V2N8 (May 1999)
        • V2N9 (Jun 1999)
        • V2N10 (Jul 1999)
        • V2N11 (Aug 1999)
        • V2N12 (Sep 1999)
      • Volume 3
        • V3N1 (Oct 1999)
        • V3N2 (Nov 1999)
        • V3N3 (Dec 1999)
        • V3N4 (Jan 2000)
        • V3N5 (Feb 2000)
        • V3N6 (Mar 2000)
        • V3N7 (Apr 2000)
        • V3N8 (May 2000)
        • V3N9 (Jun 2000)
        • V3N10 (Jul 2000)
        • V3N11 (Aug 2000)
        • V3N12 (Sep 2000)
      • Volume 4
        • V4N1 (Oct 2000)
        • V4N2 (Nov 2000)
        • V4N3 (Dec 2000)
        • V4N4 (Jan 2001)
        • V4N5 (Feb 2001)
        • V4N6 (Mar 2001)
        • V4N7 (Apr 2001)
        • V4N8 (May 2001)
        • V4N9 (Jun 2001)
        • V4N10 (Jul 2001)
        • V4N11 (Aug 2001)
        • V4N12 (Sep 2001)
      • Volume 5
        • V5N1 (Oct 2001)
        • V5N2 (Nov 2001)
        • V5N3 (Dec 2001)
        • V5N4 (Jan 2002)
        • V5N5 (Feb 2002)
        • V5N6 (Mar 2002)
        • V5N7 (Apr 2002)
        • V5N8 (May 2002)
        • V5N9 (Jun 2002)
        • V5N10 (Jul 2002)
        • V5N11 (Aug 2002)
        • V5N12 (Sep 2002)
      • Volume 6
        • V6N1 (Oct 2002)
        • V6N2 (Nov 2002)
        • V6N3 (Dec 2002)
        • V6N4 (Jan 2003)
        • V6N5 (Feb 2003)
        • V6N6 (Mar 2003)
        • V6N7 (Apr 2003)
        • V6N8 (May 2003)
        • V6N9 (Jun 2003)
        • V6N10 (Jul 2003)
        • V6N11 (Aug 2003)
        • V6N12 (Sep 2003)
      • Volume 7
        • V7N1 (Oct 2003)
        • V7N2 (Nov 2003)
        • V7N3 (Dec 2003)
        • V7N4 (Jan 2004)
        • V7N5 (Feb 2004)
        • V7N6 (Mar 2004)
        • V7N7 (Apr 2004)
        • V7N8 (May 2004)
        • V7N9 (Jun 2004)
        • V7N10 (Jul 2004)
        • V7N11 (Aug 2004)
        • V7N12 (Sep 2004)
      • Volume 8
        • V8N1 (Oct 2004)
        • V8N2 (Nov 2004)
        • V8N3 (Dec 2004)
        • V8N4 (Jan 2005)
        • V8N5 (Feb 2005)
        • V8N6 (Mar 2005)
        • V8N7 (Apr 2005)
        • V8N8 (May 2005)
        • V8N9 (Jun 2005)
        • V8N10 (Jul 2005)
        • V8N11 (Aug 2005)
        • V8N12 (Sep 2005)
      • Volume 9
        • V9N1 (Oct 2005)
        • V9N2 (Nov 2005)
        • V9N3 (Dec 2005)
        • V9N4 (Jan 2006)
        • V9N5 (Feb 2006)
        • V9N6 (Mar 2006)
        • V9N7 (Apr 2006)
        • V9N8 (May 2006)
        • V9N9 (Jun 2006)
        • V9N10 (Jul 2006)
        • V9N11 (Aug 2006)
        • V9N12 (Sep 2006)
      • Volume 10
        • V10N1 (Oct 2006)
        • V10N2 (Nov 2006)
        • V10N3 (Dec 2006)
        • V10N4 (Jan 2007)
        • V10N5 (Feb 2007)
        • V10N6 (Mar 2007)
        • V10N7 (Apr 2007)
        • V10N8 (May 2007)
        • V10N9 (Jun 2007)
        • V10N10 (Jul 2007)
        • V10N11 (Aug 2007)
        • V10N12 (Sep 2007)
      • Volume 11
        • V11N1 (Oct 2007)
        • V11N2 (Nov 2007)
        • V11N3 (Dec 2007)
        • V11N4 (Jan 2008)
        • V11N5 (Feb 2008)
        • V11N6 (Mar 2008)
        • V11N7 (Apr 2008)
        • V11N8 (May 2008)
        • V11N9 (Jun 2008)
        • V11N10 (Jul 2008)
        • V11N11 (Aug 2008)
        • V11N12 (Sep 2008)
      • Volume 12
        • V12N1 (Oct 2008)
        • V12N2 (Nov 2008)
        • V12N3 (Dec 2008)
        • V12N4 (Jan 2009)
        • V12N5 (Feb 2009)
        • V12N6 (Mar 2009)
        • V12N7 (Apr 2009)
        • V12N8 (May 2009)
        • V12N9 (Jun 2009)
        • V12N10 (Jul 2009)
        • V12N11 (Aug 2009)
        • V12N12 (Sep 2009)
      • Volume 13
        • V13N1 (Oct 2009)
        • V13N2 (Nov 2009)
        • V13N3 (Dec 2009)
        • V13N4 (Jan 2010)
        • V13N5 (Feb 2010)
        • V13N6 (Mar 2010)
        • V13N7 (Apr 2010)
        • V13N8 (May 2010)
        • V13N9 (Jun 2010)
        • V13N10 (Jul 2010)
        • V13N11 (Aug 2010)
        • V13N12 (Sep 2010)
      • Volume 14
        • V14N1 (Oct 2010)
        • V14N2 (Nov 2010)
        • V14N3 (Dec 2010)
          • Ammunition
        • V14N4 (Jan 2011)
        • V14N5 (Feb 2011)
        • V14N6 (Mar 2011)
        • V14N7 (Apr 2011)
        • V14N8 (May 2011)
        • V14N9 (Jun 2011)
        • V14N10 (Jul 2011)
        • V14N11 (Aug 2011)
        • V14N12 (Sep 2011)
      • Volume 15
        • V15N1 (Oct 2011)
        • V15N2 (Nov 2011)
        • V15N4 (Jan 2012)
        • V15N5 (Feb 2012)
      • Volume 16
        • V16N1 (1st Quarter 2012)
        • V16N2 (2nd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N3 (3rd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N4 (4th Quarter 2012)
      • Volume 17
        • V17N1 (1st Quarter 2013)
        • V17N2 (2nd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N3 (3rd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N4 (4th Quarter 2013)
      • Volume 18
        • V18N1 (Jan Feb 2014)
        • V18N2 (Mar Apr 2014)
        • V18N3 (May Jun 2014)
        • V18N4 (Jul Aug 2014)
        • V18N5 (Sep Oct 2014)
        • V18N6 (Nov Dec 2014)
      • Volume 19
        • V19N1 (Jan 2015)
        • V19N2 (Feb Mar 2015)
        • V19N3 (Apr 2015)
        • V19N4 (May 2015)
        • V19N5 (Jun 2015)
        • V19N6 (Jul 2015)
        • V19N7 (Aug Sep 2015)
        • V19N8 (Oct 2015)
        • V19N9 (Nov 2015)
        • V19N10 (Dec 2015)
      • Volume 20
        • V20N1 (Jan 2016)
        • V20N2 (Feb Mar 2016)
        • V20N3 (Apr 2016)
        • V20N4 (May 2016)
        • V20N5 (Jun 2016)
        • V20N6 (Jul 2016)
        • V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016)
        • V20N8 (Oct 2016)
        • V20N9 (Nov 2016)
        • V20N10 (Dec 2016)
      • Volume 21
        • V21N1 (Jan 2017)
        • V21N2 (Feb Mar 2017)
        • V21N3 (Apr 2017)
        • V21N4 (May 2017)
        • V21N5 (Jun 2017)
        • V21N6 (Jul 2017)
        • V21N7 (Aug Sep 2017)
        • V21N8 (Oct 2017)
        • V21N9 (Nov 2017)
        • V21N10 (Dec 2017)
      • Volume 22
        • V22N1 (Jan 2018)
        • V22N2 (Feb 2018)
        • V22N3 (March 2018)
        • V22N4 (Apr 2018)
        • V22N5 (May 2018)
        • V22N6 (Jun Jul 2018)
        • V22N7 (Aug Sep 2018)
        • V22N8 (Oct 2018)
        • V22N9 (Nov 2018)
        • V22N10 (Dec 2018)
      • Volume 23
        • V23N1 (Jan 2019)
        • V23N2 (Feb 2019)
        • V23N3 (Mar 2019)
        • V23N4 (Apr 2019)
        • V23N5 (May 2019)
        • V23N6 (Jun Jul 2019)
        • V23N7 (Aug Sep 2019)
        • V23N8 (Oct 2019)
        • V23N9 (Nov 2019)
        • V23N10 (Dec 2019)
      • Volume 24
        • V24N1 (Jan 2020)
        • V24N2 (Feb 2020)
        • V24N3 (Mar 2020)
        • V24N4 (Apr 2020)
        • V24N5 (May 2020)
        • V24N6 (Jun Jul 2020)
        • V24N7 (Aug Sep 2020)
        • V24N8 (Oct 2020)
        • V24N9 (Nov 2020)
        • V24N10 (Dec 2020)
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal
No Result
View All Result
Small Arms Review
No Result
View All Result
Home Articles

SIG 516

by SAR Staff
November 3, 2010
in Articles, Articles by Issue, Guns & Parts, Search by Issue, V14N2 (Nov 2010), Volume 14
SIG 516
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The SIG Sauer 516 Patrol is one of the latest gas-piston ARs introduced into the U.S. market. Do not confuse the SIG 516 with the SIG 556 derived from the legendary SIG 550 line of assault rifles. Designed to accept AR-15/M16 magazines with rear stock interchangeable with AR-15 designs, the SIG 556’s operating method is closer to the Kalashnikov’s gas-piston operating rod system. There have been references to the SIG 550 operating rod system being described as the Porsche of AK designs due to the tighter tolerances and better workmanship found in SIG Sauer weapons compared to other manufacturers using the AK as a basis of design. The operating rod system keeps the action cleaner, cooler, and overall more reliable. A previous article in SAR (November 2009) covered the SIG 556 in more detail. These positive attributes are what the SIG 516 piston AR seeks to capture while maintaining the popular and well known AR design basis; typified by bolt carrier group, buffer tube, and accessory compatibility that many individual and law enforcement agencies are intimately familiar with. Typical of the Swiss/German engineering background of the company, the design was not hastily introduced. Considering the recent rush by many manufacturers to create gas-piston ARs, SIG decided to enter the fray only after thoroughly exploring the topic and by designing their own short-stroke push rod piston driven system for the AR.

The SIG 516 was immersed into mud during one phase of reliability testing. The rifle was pushed to the bottom of the muck and allowed to sit for a few minutes before being removed for firing.

Numerous standard features found in the SIG 516 product line will pleasantly surprise consumers. The SIG 516 seeks to maximize the 50-year old AR design in terms of reliability and operating efficiency. SIG Sauer CEO Ron Cohen, who has been at the company helm for five years, stresses a corporate culture blending U.S. drive/marketing with Swiss/German engineering. This new culture is evident in SIG bowing to U.S. market demands by creating a SIG variant AR-15. The SIG 516 foregoes the previously held European centric attitude of, “if it is not designed here it is not worth it.” The SIG 516 is the AR-15 with SIG refinement typified by self cleaning short stroke/push rod operating system and other features. The SIG twist on the AR design consists of a 3-position gas valve (4-position valve optional), proprietary barrel nut locking system, free-floated aluminum M1913 quad rail system that is “dog boned” at receiver/forend to prevent twisting and provide an uninterrupted top rail, bolt carrier group with integral strike plate and anti-tilt radial grooves, ambidextrous fire control selector, multiple built-in quick detach sling swivel attachment points, and front sight base attached to gas block keeping it independent of quad rail influences to mention a few features.

The free floated M1913 aluminum quad rail is “dog boned” connected with the SIG 516’s A3 style upper receiver. SIG spent much time in deciding on how best to incorporate a forward rail into the SIG 516 that minimized negative impact of heat and adding accessories to the weapon.

The SIG 516 AR-style rifle will be offered in numerous configurations. These include LE/military only select-fire versions, various barrel lengths/profiles ranging from 7 inch PDW model to 20 inch Precision Sniper, and several styles of rear stock. SIG 516 barrels are chambered in 5.56x45mm and chrome-lined hammer forged featuring 1:7 RH twist with Nitride finish. The muzzle is threaded 1/2″x28 pattern for flash hiders or other types of muzzle devices. Currently the SIG 516 Patrol is equipped with an A2 style flash hider. Both the lower and upper receivers are machined from 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminum forgings coated in black anodized finish. The short-stroke push rod operating system with adjustable gas valve is the heart of the SIG 516 setting it apart from other AR designs.

SIG 516 SBR upper with bolt carrier group and gas piston operating rod removed.

The SIG 516 Patrol is the first model available for wide distribution and weighs 7.3 pounds and has an overall length of 39.5 inches and 36 inches with stock collapsed. It is equipped with a chrome lined M4 contoured style 16 inch barrel surrounded by a four sided aluminum Picatinny rail and A3 style upper receiver. Traditional AR-15 style forward assist plunger button and dust covers are included along with checkering on the magazine well for a more positive grip. The magazine well is chamfered and the raised rails around the magazine release button are pronounced for more positive tactile feedback during weapon manipulation.

An invitation to the SIG Sauer facility in New Hampshire allowed a unique opportunity to review SIG 516 features. Designers and program managers present answered any questions about features along with providing the thought process behind design tweaks. SIG believes they were successful at bringing out the best of the AR design. A SIG 516 Patrol was fired extensively during an open range session where participants got the opportunity to handle the SIG 516 Patrol for themselves. A conservative estimate is at least 1,200 rounds were fired from each of the two SIG 516s made available for hands on evaluation. The rifle was hardly put down during the range time. No function problems were encountered with either of the rifles. One of the rifles was equipped with a Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x for accuracy demonstration purposes. The SIG 516 proved capable of 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards with Hornady 60 gr TAP ammunition. Most of the shooting was done with military grade 5.56mm 55gr and 62gr FMJ ammunition. The other SIG 516 was equipped with a SIG Sauer STS 081 red dot optic. It proved more than capable of ringing the various steel targets placed 100-150 yards down range with regularity. The SIG 516 handled as expected from an AR-15 style rifle – quick to the shoulder and with great ergonomics. A point was made to remove the bolt carrier group during the range session to demonstrate gas piston benefit in terms of being much cooler and cleaner compared to a typical gas impingement operated AR. Readers are all too familiar with the basic AR platform to go into minute detail about handling characteristics.

The SIG 516 was quenched in bucket of water after firing multiple magazines in quick secession and then removed and fired again.

The SIG 516 Patrol has several standard items incorporated in its design for better performance that show SIG’s attention to detail. An enlarged steel barrel nut is utilized in the assembly method of the SIG 516. The steel barrel nut acts as a heat sink to further reduce temperature build-up in the action area as the rifle heats from use. This combined with their proprietary free floated rail design that is “dog boned” together at the receiver ensures accuracy will not be negatively affected by heat from extensive firing or “torque” applied from vertical forward grips or other accessories. A further enhancement in this regard is the front sight placement on the gas block versus the free floated rail minimizing sights being impacted by heat or other factors associated with handrail shifting. Their gas-piston system has three adjustment positions with four settings available as an option. The four positions are standard, adverse, suppressor, and single shot. The gas valve is adjustable via 5.56mm bullet tip, thus if you have ammunition, you have a tool to adjust the gas system. The short-stroke push-rod gas system serves to isolate the action from heat and fouling, especially when compared to the typical AR direct gas impingement method of dumping gas directly into the action. The push-rod system is self cleaning in that any excess gas is vented out of the handguard just behind the gas block.

SIG 516 thrown into pond and allowed to rest on the bottom before being retrieved and fired in an “over the beach” test that few ARs are designed to pass.

Strict test protocols were still being conducted and recorded during the visit to SIG Sauer HQ in New Hampshire. One test conducted for the benefit of the conference attendees consisted of a multi-stage reliability torture test by SIG’s Defense Program Manager Robert Wirt. This started out involving loading numerous brands of ammunition and bullet profiles into magazines to be fired in rapid fashion. The SIG 516 Patrol used for this test was a select fire version that had been tracked with over 20,000 rounds fired through it and was still capable of 2.25 inches at 100 yards with military grade ammunition. Once the rifle was smoking hot it was quenched in a 30 gallon barrel of water that produced a steam effect: the rifle was removed from the barrel, magazine inserted, and fired. After this, the rifle was completely buried in a sand berm with magazine inserted and dust cover closed. Again, no problems experienced when uncovered and fired. The finale of the test consisted of a two stage demonstration consisting of submerging the SIG 516 Patrol into a muddy mass prepared on the bank of a pond near the firing line. It was forced into the muck and allowed to remain for a few minutes percolating. Upon removal, it was shook off and fired with no issue besides Mr. Hirt getting muddy. The rifle was then unceremoniously tossed into the pond and allowed to settle to the bottom until bubbles ceased rising to the surface. Mr. Hirt waded into the pond’s cold water to retrieve the rifle informing everyone to stand clear as he was going to fire as soon as he reached the bank. He fired two to three rounds semiautomatic before rotating the selector switch to automatic to finish off the 30-round magazine.

The SIG 516 gas-piston system can be disassembled for maintenance without requiring the rifle’s handguards to be removed. The regulator located in front of the gas block is unscrewed permitting the gas-piston to slide out the front of the handguard. The steel gas-piston rod wears a corrosion resistant coating. A return spring assembly fits around the gas piston with gas vents located on the piston’s forward portion that interacts with the adjustable valve. Cleaning methods for the SIG 516 are familiar to anyone with experience with the AR-15. The rear of the gas-piston rod is what smacks against the bolt assembly’s integral strike’s plate operating the action. SIG decided on using an integral strike plate in lieu of a staked version resembling the staked gas key found on gas impingement ARs or even some other piston driven ARs. This is based on concerns of metal fatigue and not wanting to take the chance of a staked strike plate failing. Gas rings are not needed on the piston driven SIG 516 due to the action impulse derived from the short stroke push rod instead of tapped gas. The rear of the SIG 516 bolt body features radial grooves that serve multiple functions; such as anti-tilt for the bolt assembly along with providing a certain amount of tolerance against any debris that may find its way into the action and buffer tube. These design items are a result of SIG benefitting from the evolution of the piston driven AR system and learning from other manufacturer’s previous mistakes and improving the system. The piston driven AR has evolved quickly with numerous design tweaks along the way. The market will not have long to digest the SIG 516 models erupting from Exeter, NH before its big brother the SIG 716 is on line. The SIG 716 will be chambered in 7.62x51mm.

SIG decided to go the extra mile in designing and manufacturing the SIG 516 to military specifications. This serves multiple purposes ranging from establishing a base line of quality separating the SIG 516 from other piston driven ARs. Along these same lines, the SIG 516 is not only more marketable to private citizens, but also any U.S. law enforcement department or foreign governments looking to equip military or police units with AR style rifles due to this stringent quality standard.

SIG Sauer, Inc.
18 Industrial Drive
Exeter, NH 03833
(603) 772-2302
www.sigsauer.com

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V14N2 (November 2010)

Author

  • SAR Staff
    SAR Staff

    View all posts
Tags: 2010516 PatrolDog bonedM1913 Quad RailSIG 516SIG 556SIG Sauer Inc.Todd BurgreenV14N2
Previous Post

THE MILITARY ARMAMENT CORPORATION M-11 MAC DADDY: YOUR FATHER’S PDW

Next Post

THE DRAKO AK SBR

Next Post
THE DRAKO AK SBR

THE DRAKO AK SBR

TRENDING STORIES

  • VALKYRIE ARMAMENT BELT-FED CONVERSION

    VALKYRIE ARMAMENT BELT-FED CONVERSION

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • EAST GERMAN WIEGER STG RIFLE

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Complete Guide To Colt M-16 Models: Part I

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Forgotten M16A1 Rifle Manufacturers: GM/Hydra-Matic and Harrington & Richardson – Part I

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Second Generation AR57: Drop-in 5.7 Upper For Your AR

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

RECENT POSTS

SIG Sauer’s Full-Size Compact P365 “Fuse”

SIG Sauer’s Full-Size Compact P365 “Fuse”

June 27, 2024
The Importance of Offhand Shooting

The Importance of Offhand Shooting

June 25, 2024
BOOK REVIEW – The Collector’s Guide to the SKS

BOOK REVIEW – The Collector’s Guide to the SKS

June 20, 2024
True to Form: The Tisas 1911A1 ASF

True to Form: The Tisas 1911A1 ASF

June 18, 2024
Setting the Record Straight on the Fedorov Avtomat

Setting the Record Straight on the Fedorov Avtomat

June 6, 2024

QUICK LINKS

  • About Chipotle Publishing
  • About Small Arms Review
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us

CONTACT DETAILS

  • Phone: +1 (702) 565-0746
  • E-mail: office@smallarmsreview.com
  • Web: www.chipotlepublishing.com
  • Chipotle Publishing, LLC 631 N. Stephanie St., No. 282, Henderson, NV 89014
Small Arms Review

FOLLOW US

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

© 2022 Chipotle Publishing | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 3
      • Volume 4
      • Volume 5
      • Volume 6
      • Volume 7
      • Volume 8
      • Volume 9
      • Volume 10
      • Volume 11
      • Volume 12
      • Volume 13
      • Volume 14
      • Volume 15
      • Volume 16
      • Volume 17
      • Volume 18
      • Volume 19
      • Volume 20
      • Volume 21
      • Volume 22
      • Volume 23
      • Volume 24
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal

© 2022 Chipotle Publishing | All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Redirecting to External Website

You are leaving the Small Arms Review website and will be redirected to an external link in a 5 Seconds.
VISIT NOW!