effinnewb

ok. I'm new to the AR-15 world and I went to my local gun shop to get one. About 4 people in there (customers too) recommended the 516. So I got it. I was planning on waiting to go shooting with an acquaintance that knows alot about these type guns so he could help me with everything. Well, he's been busy and I got tired of waiting. So I went to the range and shot about 100 rounds through it. It was AWESOME! My two immediate problems however, are:

I just found out about 20 minutes ago on the internet here that you are supposed to removed grease that comes from the manufacturer BEFORE firing. OOPS! Is it really that big of a deal?

And.. I have no idea how to clean it now (which is one of the reasons I was waiting to go with my friend). I assumed that I could just look at youtube to learn how, but I seem to not really be able to find a step by step on there for this particular rifle. I would at least like to do a bare minimum cleaning on it to get me by until I get my friend to show me more. I'm scare to start taking it too much apart without knowing WTF I'm doing.

Also, 3rd point/question. When looking at youtube or the internet in general to learn about this rifle I'm finding out a lot more about the Sig556 than the 516. Is very much of the info interchangeable? I know these are very stupid questions, so sorry about that. When you get done laughing at me, any help would be greatly appreciated, lol. (Hey, what can I say, I was in the Navy). I think we shot a .22 pistol for about 5 minutes in boot camp. And that was in 1989

Kenny D

I am really surprised that there is not anything in the owners manual about disassemby and cleaning of your rifle. I am not familiar with the 516 but my Windham Weaponry M4 (standard AR 15 platform) was surprisingly easy to disassemble and clean without much instruction.

arclight610

The SIG516 is a rip off of LRWC's piston gun. I'd search that.

ThnkFrst

Your owners manual contains fairly detailed step by step instructions for disassembly, cleaning, lube, and reassembly. Don't think you could go wrong there.
I'm guessing that you're just uninformed, and that's a correctable condition especially with help from the good folks here on SIG Talk. Stupid, however, is a terminal condition beyond our scope.

effinnewb

Ok, thanks you all and thanks for not being too hard on me. I will go the owners manual route. I just hope I don't get something apart and can't figure out how to get it back together due to a crappy picture or something, lol.

Anybody have any feedback on whether I hosed anything up by shooting it with the factory grease, etc on it??

Siggybaby  

I'm sure that helps the OP out immensely.



I'm sure you didn't hurt the rifle by shooting it new out of the box. But it will need a good cleaning to remove the factory oils/grease, etc. Just take your time and do it right and then making sure to put a light coat of oil or grease where ever parts move.

ThnkFrst

Siggybaby- Judging by what it did for me, I'm inclined to agree with you.

effinnewb

Great! Thanks alot. I'll be working on it today

ThnkFrst

Enjoy the learning experience and if you get stuck along the way, I'm sure there are folks here that can help.

effinnewb

Thank you all so much! I just finished. It took me forever, but I feel a pretty good sense of accomplishment. I struggled a little with the owner's manual for a few reasons: 1) it skipped around ALOT. 2) In some spots the manual assumed I knew that names of some of these parts. Those weren't the main obstacles though, as I muddled through it. But the 2 main things that threw me was 1) It didn't say whether to put a big coat of oil or just a very light film. So I am not sure whether I've oiled the things too much or not enough. 2) It wasn't very specific on the cleaning that needs to be performed after, say just going to the range for an hour or so. What I mean is, I broke it down to parade rest and put it all back together. Which I'm not complaining, because I needed to learn, but surely you don't have to do all that each time. Or do I? Crap, I'm gonna get flamed, lol. Hey, everybody has got to start somewhere right? Thanks again for you guys' help!!

ThnkFrst

You might want to check out the maintenance guide video on the SIG site at the Customer Service tab. It covers the cleaning and lube of a pistol but I think the recommendations they provide on what to lube and how much to lube would be appropriate for your 516.

MGF

I very much doubt you're stupid ... just new experiences, that's all.
Two pieces of unsolicited advice, if I may:
1) Always clean a gun new to you before heading out with it. Some makers ship guns dry as a bone, and they need a touch of TLC before going to work. Others, Browning among them, love the Cosmoline-like stuff. It's sticky as hell and grabs grit. I have two of their 525 over/under shotguns, and both came like the Navy had been storing 'em. Just lots of grease to remove.
2) If you run into something the manual doesn't cover, call a friend with a similar gun or check in on your favorite board(s). We all love to get our latest and greatest out to the range ASAP, but a little gun care time beforehand generally makes for happy experiences, IME. And the "fix" or "work-around" is usually simple as pie once you've seen it done or done it yourself a few times.
Glad you like the new rifle; be safe and have a great time!

pat701

Sig 516 has a lot of upgrades for the money. Sig did this one right.