(Review) SIG SAUER’s SIG556 Classic SWAT rifle with EOTech EXPS3 optic and HHS II 3x magnifier
SIG556 Classic Swat Assault Rifle
The famous firearms company we know today as SIG SAUER actually began in 1853 when two Swiss gentlemen named Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher began what they hoped would become a successful wagon factory located above the Rhine Falls in Switzerland. Just seven years later, as an answer to a challenge from the Swiss Federal Ministry of Defense, the “Swiss Wagon Factory” entered a competition to develop a state-of-the-art rifle in the hopes the Swiss Army would adopt it and then award them the manufacturing contract and that is just exactly what happened. In fact, four years later, the Swiss Wagon Factory was awarded the contract for its Prelaz-Burnand rifle. At this point, due to an order for 30,000 muzzle loading Prelaz-Burnand rifles, the owners of the Swiss Wagon Factory decided to change the name of the company to the Swiss Industrial Company – Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft: now known worldwide as SIG. Then, in 1985, a U.S. division known as SIG ARMS was established in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia and in 2007, SIG ARMS again changed its name to SIS SAUER in order to reflect its worldwide growth.
The SIG556 Classic SWAT is a semiautomatic rifle with a look that reminds us of the original “military-only” 550 model. Also, because it features a full-length, gas piston, operating system with a 2-position gas valve, the rifle will keep operating even in inclement environmental conditions. Chambered for the 5.56 x 45mm NATO round, the SIG Classic SWAT features a Swiss-type folding stock as well as an aluminum, Picatinny, quadrail, forend that is ideally suited for mounting accessories such as laser sights and tactical flashlights. In addition, the SIG556 SWAT model features a new, rear, rotary, diopter sight utilizing aperture calibrations for close quarter ranges out to 100m, 200m, and 300m. Plus, the Classic SWAT’s slim profile and short length is enhanced by a 16’’ button rifled barrel with a 1:7” twist and, SIG managed to reduce the weight of the SWAT Classic model a full pound by incorporating a redesigned, alloy, trigger housing, AR style magazine, and flash suppressor. Last, the SIG Classic SWAT features an overall length of 35 7/8” and weighs 8.2 lbs.
In addition, we suspect that most every avid shooter is familiar SIG SAUER’s well deserved reputation for quality and the SIG556 SWAT is no exception. Thus, our first impression of this rifle was that it is very well designed for its intended purpose and that it is very solidly built as is very apparent by the over eight pound weight which seems excessive to those of us who are familiar with the original Eugene Stoner design produced by Colt. On the other hand we believe that it is safe to say that this rifle is far superior in quality to those early Colt rifles as well. In fact, the folding stock as opposed to the collapsible stock makes the rifle far more compact and the integral Picatinny quadrail handguard provides the shooter with all of the room needed to mount any desired accessories. So, for those of you who would like to own a true, professional quality, assault rifle for either professional use or home defense, the SIG556 Classis Swat should be at the top of your list.
EOTech EXPS3 Holographic Sight with HHS II 3x Magnifier
L-3 Communications is now the parent company of EOTech which they acquired in 2005. Since then, the company has grown very quickly to become the sixth largest defense company in the United States. Consequently, they are a leader and prime defense contractor in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), secure communications, government services, training and simulation and aircraft modernization and maintenance.
Today, L-3/EOTech designs, manufactures, and markets electro-optics products and systems using advanced laser and holographic technology to enhance optical devices in target acquisition systems. In fact, L-3 EOTech manufactures a sighting device they call the Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS) which is the world’s first holographic sighting system for small and medium-sized arms. They accomplish this by incorporating patented technology to provide the user with a parallax free sighting device that removes some of the complexities of acquiring a sight picture and allows the aiming process to become almost instinctive and reflexive. Consequently, the HWS is specifically designed to increase the speed of target acquisition and target accuracy by enabling the shooter to focus with both eyes open. Plus, the HWS is nearly indestructible! Furthermore, when transitioning from short to long range shooting, EOTech offers the HHS II 3x magnifier. This 3x magnifier with Switch-To-Side mount works with all existing HWS units and features a Reticle that is a 65MOA circle with two 1MOA aiming dots.
So, all things considered, the SIG556 Classic Swat with the L3/EOTech EOTech EXPS3 Holographic Sight with HHS II 3x magnifier in an excellent choice for the law enforcement officer or professional, private, contractor that has a need for one of the best assault rifles on the planet. But, with a retail price package price of around $3,150, it is not a package most average shooters would choose.