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SIG 516 Major Issues

196K views 175 replies 95 participants last post by  Dragonware 
#1 ·
Just purchased a SIG516 gen 2 in FDE, and I really want to love this rifle. Problem is that I have fired 300 rounds so far on two separate occasions, and with every magazine there have been issues.

Issues:

1.) Rifle will not cycle the next round
2.) Bolt does not lock back after last round
3.) FTF, FTE

Let me also add that upon receiving the rifle it was thoroughly cleaned and lubed. I checked to make sure that the normal operation setting was engaged (12 o'clock position)

Ammo:

One day I used PMC 55 grain .223, and the next day I used PMC 55 grain 5.56

Customer Service:

After telephoning Sig's CS, I was told that the rifle needed to run in adverse conditions to properly cycle 55 grain ammo. Is this the case? The manual states not to operate in adverse conditions for long periods of time. Is this a case of bad ammo? My friend purchased a Spike's Tactical ST-15 the same day, and his embarrassingly fired off every round no problems.

Any suggestions? Is this just a bad rifle that I should send back to SIG for repair? Does anyone have experience with this level of unreliability?
 
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#29 ·
Are we forgetting something here folks? I'm sure we all saw the marketing video where he mixes the rounds with different brands and grains and fires without any issues.... Then he dunks it in mud, sand, water, and fires without any problems. I have a 516, that brand new out of the box, had cycling issues. I was told by Sig customer service to clean the gun...what gives?
 
#32 ·
My experience with my 516 gen 2 is that if I use a 223 ammo, doesnt matter if steel or brass, it will eject the empty case but will not load the next one in the chamber, I have to swich the gas regulator setting to adverse to push the bcg farther back. But for a 5.56 ammo, normal setting works fine. I think maybe the action spring is too strong and needs breaking in which is why a lower pressure-223 doesnt push it farther back enough than a higher pressure 5.56. Ive only put less than 80 rounds so far, I think eventually after longer use issue will resolve itself. No complaint at all, in fact I got my sig716 fde arriving tomorrow.
 
#33 ·
I've purchased my SIG516 Gen2 in June and only shot WOLF that I had left from a few years back.

If I saw this review, I think I would have skipped it and bought a PWS or LWRC instead.

I'm having the same issue as everyone else, running in "Adverse" and I'm getting FTF (Short Stroke) on almost every round. Granted I've only put about 300 rounds through it, but it's 300 rounds of frustration.

The purchase decision was made based on the "torture" test video as well. I have some XM193 55 grain that I'm saving for a raining day to try the next time I head out to the range.....

If it can shoot at least 250+ rds before FTF, I can understand due to dirty ammo. But clean and freshly lubed???

*Sigh...* such high expectations from SIG and such a let down.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Hi Guys....Totally new to the AR platform. Just purchased a 516....after arrival but before testfire I was reading this thread and developed a puckered keester thinking perhaps my research/decision to purchase was void.

I am not sure if my gun is gen 1 or 2. I basically pulled it out of the box and went to shoot. No lube or clean (I figured if Sig torture vid wasn't BS it would go bang) UPDATE: After some research my weapon is a Gen 2 based on the gas valve config. Also...my neighbor is awful handy with the M4 platform (although mostly DI) but gave me a crash course on breakdown and cleaning. Not sure if it is at all relevent...but he cautioned that if the gas ring ends were not offset by a fair margin, the gun will not cycle properly. This was also verified in the Sig factory produced U-tube video. Again, not sure if it is at all relevent to the cycling problems noted in this thread but thought I would mention it just the same.

I intentionally bought several diff. ammo types to test. Today I went to the range and put 300rds downrange w/out one single malfunction (edit..1 time at start of fire/round didnt chamber...checked the mag seat..and yes I had forgot to seat the mag..one slap and away we went) All functioned without having to adjust gas valve from standard 12 o'clock position.

Ammo; Winchester .223 45 gr JHP
PMC .223 55 gr. FMJ
MFS .223 55 gr. FMJ
AE .556 55 gr (I think xm193/fella at the range donated me a few rounds for test)

After a marathon of adjusting front sight elevation without the correct tool to move shot group up well over a foot. Got it zero'd. Now looking to add some optics to help my oldish eyes.

Sorry to hear those that are having trouble. As I am a novice AR'r....I wished I could help more but wanted to post this for those who are considering sending their rifles back to Sig.

I actually researched and bought my Sig because I wanted it to go bang regardless of ammo or conditions....

If I were having to choose ammo for any reason other than accuracy I guess it would be on it's way back to Sig....Just my .02.

Other than a trigger that feels a bit gritty....I am having pretty good luck....and I wish all you the best of luck in ironing out the various issues....

Regards
 
#36 · (Edited)
I don't think this is the actual video I was thinking of...but it is one of a number of 516 vids I watched to familiarize myself with the gun. (Again novice here)

At 1:20 of the below vid the Sig rep. demonstrates breakdown and cleaning of the BCG with a reference to the process as being "like any other AR15 platform".

In conjunction with my crash course from my neighbor who is very knowledgable and mentioned the gas ring placement importance, I may have assumed the same would be true for the 516. Thus, I mentioned it hoping it would be an easy test and perhaps over optimistic, simple fix for those experiencing cycling problems.

Perhaps old and cornfused...or both...but I am still thinking there is a vid that mentions the gas rings specifically. I will keep lookin.

Hope this helps...Regards

 
#37 ·
Update for Locochinoloco

Hey Loco....to satisfy my own curiosity I just called Sig and talked to one of their techs.....the rep states that the gas rings on the516 bolt are irrelevent as no gas flows through that area. According to them, the bolt is made by a company that also manufacters DI groups and supplies the bolt for the 516 also. So says Sig....sorry the news wasn't better.

Regards.......
 
#39 ·
Spice,
If this is a major issue with you, please sell the gun and go buy a moped!!! You need to solve YOUR problems instead of being a wanny!!! I have seen thousands of crybabies on the internet and I think you guys SUCK!!!
I bought a SS 516 on Friday and have shot 350 rounds through it after only cleaning the barrel of excess oil and have zero problems, at 20 degrees F. I know it sucks buying anything new and having problems. But, you should be a problem-solver instead of being a wanny. This is about manly man stuff instead of a *** website!!! No ******* needed. If you have a dishwasher problem and go out in the front yard and cry to your neighbors, they already know how big a crybaby you are. If you do this on the internet about 5 million people know how big a ***** you are. This website is about some of the best pistols and rifles on the planet. Even the mentally handicapped can solve your problem. Fast Eddie
 
#40 ·
I have the 516 and have run about 300 rounds through it.First 20 were tula and would not cycle,at all,junked the rest of the three boxes and tried the Russian Brown Bear 223 55gr laquer coated,and have not had a problem with them at all.Love this gun.Shot 100 rounds at the range on sunday to zero in and loved every minute.
 
#42 ·
I have the exact same problems as Zombie Spice. They took the rifle in and removed a burr off of the normal gas valve and told me everything was fine. Got it back and same problems. Sent it back and it's been almost two months. This is a brand new gun and they have had it longer than me. I'm so disappointed. Apparently, they are waiting on a backordered supressor.
 
#43 ·
Well.... I finally got a chance to go back to the range and this time, I'm a happier man.

I've had issue with my SIG516 Gen2 shooting WOLF .223 ammo. I was extremely disappointed due to constant FTF and short stroke. It seems like the WOLF doesn't generate enough pressure to complete cycle of the BCG and therefore FTF.

This weekend I bought with me.

1. Federal Target .223 FMJ 55 grain (cheap bulk)
2. Federal American Eagle .223 Flat Based Hollow Point 50 grain
3. Remington UMC .223 FMJ 55 grain
4. Federal American Eagle XM193 5.56 55 grain

The SIG516 didn't have any issue on "Position 2/Normal" with #1 or #2. So I didn't get to try #3 or #4.

I just build a DI AR with Daniel Defense 5.56 barrel and it just goes round after round after round on the WOLF ... I guess WOLF just doesn't work well with the SIG516... so when **** ... she''ll feed her AR all the cheap ammo? LOL
 
#46 · (Edited)
Come on people you bought a mill spec rifle with the 556 NATO chamber why don't you try to shoot mill spec ammo designed to cycle a milspec 556 action I have over 3000 rounds through mine with only one failure to feed because I didn't seat the magazine properly.. Operator error will contribute to 99.5% of your problems.. Semper fi! A mill spec one and seven twist 16" barrel is Best served with M855 ball (steel core green tip) ammo or MK 318.. Has never failed me!
 
#47 · (Edited)
If you want to shoot cheap .223 ammo buy a rifle made for it. there's a 8400+ PSI difference in .223 - 5.56mm.. Changing the spring does not make ammunition safe for different rifles the angle of lade between the chamber and rifling is what is different, saami.. they do have information available for those who would like to know what they're shooting.Proper fire arms training and knowledge is priceless.. props to sig for jumping on the ar wagon..sick rifle.. And I love my 716pm.. It shoots 7.62x51.. I won't be shooting any .308 Winchester through it as that's almost 2500 psi stronger.. My wife likes my face the way it is.. Even though modern manufacturing tolerances allow it I was taught better than that..
 
#48 ·
Look. All you people that want to reply with the same old, "It's the ammo, loser, you bought a mil-spec weapon....blah blah blah.....user error" cookie-cutter response, you are no better than SIG. For the last time, I am shooting 55 grain 5.56 rounds. The pressure should be fine. SIG is telling me to shoot 62 grain, which should be uneccessary. Besides, this gun is far from mil-spec, the worst part about this whole situation is that this is looking like it will be my first and last AR for quite some time, and I wouldn't trust it to save my life.
 
#50 ·
Hello all, I'm new to this forum but need some input on my new 516 FDE. This rifle has been malfunctioning right off the start. I read a lot of posts but none of them seem to fit my problem. It's not a gas issue, mine is chewing up the brass. It's a fail to feed problem only. I use nato FMJ 5.56 ammo and the BCG will not go fully into battery or even far enough most of the time to use the forward assist. I can start with the BCG locked back, insert the mag, release from the bolt catch and it won't go into battery, the BCG will stop after stripping the live round out of the mag and moving forward, but when it stops, you can still see the lugs on the bolt.

Out of a 30 rnd mag, it will malfunction 10-12 times. When I open it up, there are small pieces of brass all over the place, even down in the trigger group area. Is the problem in the feed ramps???? I've never had any type of AR do this before. I expect to see some brass coloring after a few hundred but not shavings. Any help would be appreciated.
 
#53 ·
I know what you mean about not trusting a weapon. I went through the break in period, multiple cleanings, FTF, bolt not locking to the rear, calling SIG, etc. with a Sig 716. Simply shot it more and cleaned it more until it started working, and ended up putting 300 rounds through it with no issues. It was still picky on the ammo but, when fed right, it shot like a champ. However... I just didn't warm up to it. Call it the teething troubles, heavy trigger, or just plain fussiness (perhaps in me, not the rifle ;), but I ended up selling it. Now, I shoot an M1A Scout that is simply a dream. To each his own. I hope Sig makes it right for you.
 
#56 ·
I had the same issue. The first 60 rounds that were lawman 5.56 55 gram fired without any issues. The I switched to American Eagle 223 55 gram thats when the problems occured on almost every shot. I have called sig and they told me to run in adverse conditions if I was shooting anything 55 grain or less. Anything over should be ran in standard mode. Below is info from sig that documents this problem. I'm glad I found this because I was very concerned due to the manual stating not to run the gun in adverse mode for long periods of time. This cleared up my concerns.
16" SIG516
I still feel that after I fire a few thousand rounds through the gun if I shoot 223 it will need to be in adverse and if I shoot 5.56 it will be fine in normal. The 5.56 round has more pressure and my personal feeling is sig isnt going to go back and forth with every end user so they sum it up with the article above. I bet their large customers have a full work up on the issue. I wish they would use different descriptions for the settings like normal and reduced, etc... adverse just doesnt sound good like something is broke or wrong.
 
#57 ·
My Z06 runs on 87 too.. Just like ****.. lol.. Nato brass is thicker.. Ie: less expantion .. Fewer fte problems.. Especially when hot. One reason Why the usmc favors mk318.you Army guys mk262. M-855 (if ther in armor or behind a car/truck door) bla bla bla.. .and are tought bang bang stop.. Bang bang bang stop.. Heat dissapation..we will see how the new m-27 hk holds up in service for that.. In no way is mill spec "hi quality".. Mass production, cost, with a few hardend parts.. Proper inspection and maint. Is all operator responsabity..feed ramps, mags, brass,barrel nuts,ect.. in 40 somethin years the main change in millatary arms is (tweaking)ammo! Find the flavor your rifle likes.. And use it.. fyi.. som 0000 steel wool and a finger or pencil eracer can work magic on crappy quality controll.. Personally i got the sig 50% cost and 50% ther piston system has been in use for like over 30 yrs. oh and Ive seen what can happen to "mill spec m-4/16a2 under constant fire in the "heat of the moment" never saw any zombies though..maby soon..lol ..maby then we will get some .223 ammo issued ..
 
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