Coming from the generation before 'scopes on everything', if you got a German, Swiss or Austrian rifle you always seemed to get a really sweet set of irons on them like it was a point of pride for the manufacturer.
This is the gun (at least the full-auto version) I was issued when I served in the Swiss Army starting in the early 1990s - all the older guys still had the big FASS 57s. After moving to the US, and wanting to buy a 223/556 rifle, I really wanted to get myself one of these but unfortunately they are extremely rare in the US. I loved how simple it is to break down and reassemble - Even 20 years after I last touched one, I am sure I could field strip one blindfolded in under 45 seconds.
@@moonrazk you can try it with just curling in your index finger towards your thumb 👌 and looking through the hole. The amount you can see will surprise you 😊, recomend to do it outside since the sights are made for 50/75/100 meters onwards
Usually only military personal.. and if so.. then the bolt and carrier is removed.. Nowadays you get called the police on your tail for goign to the range with one of these on your back, cuz civilians think you are a terrorist.
@@clangerbasher it is called jungschützen jouth shooters a program by the military to train the jouth early in use of guns. They start as early as 14 jears of age as Sports competition. I did that too. So i was on my skateboard with a full auto capable rifle on my back on wednesday afternoon going to the range to shoot. Good times 🥳
Today my daughter (15) went for the first time participating the Zürcher Knabenschiessen. Having THIS vid as only preparation - she hit 5 out of 5 shots on target at 300 meters and won 25 CHF and a Swiss Army knife. Thank you!
I was never at the knabenschiessen but even for switzerland, 25 franks feel like way too low. They should have just not have a cash prize but instead have one of the better army knifes, you know, lowest version with scissors or better.. Because with 25 franks, I bet it was the bottom bitch version with barely a knife :D
I went to a SOF convention sometime in the '90's, and SIG had a booth at the show. They had brought one of these to demo at the range with hopes of making some LE sales. They also brought 20,000 rounds of ammo and let anyone shoot it full auto. You can imagine the apes that glommed on that and the lack of care in making sure it cooled down between magazines (NOT). No cleaning and no malfunctions in 20,000 rounds. That impressed the heck out of me for sure.
It’s nice to see Swiss rifles getting all this love from Ian and 9 Hole. Maybe we can pressure someone to import the heck out of of the semi version or deautoed gats would be cool too.
Sig often imports civilian versions assuming they meet US restrictions. I have a sig that is actually convertible between 556 nato and 762 x 39. Sadly i don't have the conversion package but mine is in 762 x 39 which to me makes it more unique. When you are a neutral arms maker you have to cover the bases!
Ah yes, the rifle that's standing by my bed. Thanks for finally doing a video about it, Ian! During service we had to learn how to dis- and reassemble this rifle in under 40s. At times blindfolded. Greetings from Switzerland
I actually am swiss and a youth marksman. I have shot this rifle alot. This gun is absolutely awesome. It is super accurate and I have never used scopes. We shoot at a range of 300 meters. I love this gun, needs more recognition
@@ryantogo8359 im sorry what was your point? i mean besides the one under your hat? did i touch a sore spot with you? you seem upset at this information..
I did my army basic training with this rifle and I cant tell you how good of a rifle this is to shoot...Its also so easy to take appart and clean/maintain...If this rifle is properly sighted in, meaning to the individual soldier, you can shoot 400 meters with iron sights, with a little training... Edit: as someone that has taken this rifle appart hundreds of times it hurts me a little to see the pins insertet that way...😅
Finally ! I've been waiting for this video ever since my military service two years ago. Still have my STG waiting in the cellar in-between mandatory shooting days and military training periods. Additional note : At 6:37 the 400m aperture sight is "screwed in" so to speak. If you unscrew it you are left with a larger aperture which is large and convenient for very close range shooting (but unaccurate if you use it for more than 10 or 20m). In my unit it was standard practice to leave it unscrewed at all times. (The screw can then be conveniently be stored inside the stock-open button). 8:05 We were always told that the second position of the gas regulator was for shooting when it's very cold and high altitude (since the temperature and pressure would make the gas expand less and cause malfunctions) but the "very dirty" explanation makes a lot more sense. Finally, to show how accurate the gun is and how good the iron sights are, the standard aim test for Swiss soldiers is shooting at 300m (without scope)
Excellent video on my service rifle. Little information regarding the sights The sight at 06:33 what you call the 400m sight can be screwed out to get a bigger peephole, we do this in the beginning of our military service to get the so called close quarters fighting sight.
And if you disassemble it, you can safely store it behind the folding stock button. Using the large flat screwdriver of a swiss army knife, push on the button (in the slot) and turn it 90° counterclockwise. The aperture sight insert can then be stored inside the spring.
I never made it to the RS, having left Switzerland before my service became due. But I was in the Jungschuetzen (Young Shots, kind of a shooting club for 16-20 yr olds). Anyone else’s ‘muscle memory’ start twitching as soon as Ian started disassembling it?
Nice, I owned a SAN import SG 551 some years ago. like a Swiss Rolex watch. Ian next time you go to Italy, could you look for and if you find do a brake down of a Luigi Franchi LF-59 battle rifle??? There were not many prototypes that was evaluated for the Italian military service rifle back in the late 50s. They went with the Beretta BM-59 rifle. The LF-59 rifle looks like a FAL. no one has done a brake down of one of those rifles, you would be the only one. A true " Gun Jesus ". Thanks Ian
Gun youtubers linking to each other and sharing content is awesome to see. Henry and Josh and 9 Hole are awesome with the accuracy tests and practical use talks but we also have Ian who goes in depth on the history and operation. Great video as usual!
I remember when corona first hit Switzerland in Ticino in march 2020, i and some friends of mine were sent to the Italian border as additional security measures and the Italian police asked us if we were special forces of some kind because he couldnt believe that infantry gets SIG 550s as standart equipment.
In 1980 we got to shoot both prototypes, SIG and WFB, as infantry troops. It was like playing with a toy compared to the Fass 57. What really impressed was the ammunition, soo small. Our regiment was the first one to be fully equipped with this rifle in January 1990. Rgt Fant Mont 30 Translates to Mountain Infantry Regiment 30.
These are also extremely tough, since it’s a conscript army that we have people will do so much bs with them like use them as a javelin with the bayonet on. They never really break. Since we take them home they tell us “you can break it but can’t lose it” because they know it won’t break.
You can cook the barrel though. It is a bit thin at one point and shooting too much too fast can overheat it. The barrel isn’t dead, but loses it’s quality.
@@swissmilitischristilxxii3691 you isone Guys get all the fun, i was never able to shoot more than 5 mags on one day and we were always told never to shoot more than 6 mags before cool the gun down🥺
I was armed with this gun in 1990. In other words, we gave up our Stgw 57 and got this weapon. At first we were excited. In the first week three 90 broke. In the second week there were another 15 (with a total of 95 in our company). 17 times it was the stock that we broke - 1 time it was the front sight. We just had to learn that these weapons were no longer as robust in urban combat. So you could use the 57 as a robber's ladder to lift a comrade up - with the 90 you had a broken joint right away. Something that we noticed right away, in our normal area of application (Pre-Alps and Alps) the 5.56 mm was very close to its limits. For a long time we had (unofficially) some Stgw 57s with telescopic sights and the MG 51 (officially) in 7.5 mm for effects over 300 meters or targets behind more stable cover. An experience that other armies also had in the war in Afghanistan. But overall a very good weapon.
when you mention the Stgw90 weaknesses you should also mention the weaknesses of the Stgw57, of which there are plenty. The 57 weights as much as an anvil, has the ergonomics of a pre-production prototype and various parts are very easily damaged (safety & sights for example). The 90 is more reliable and way more ergonomic, but it never was intended to be used as a tool to lift up a buddy. Anything that's used in a role it's not intended to fullfil is easily damaged. Though you can easily use it as a snuff-machine. ;)
Apart from muzzle-launched rifle grenades, it also has an underslung grenade launcher (factory name GL5040, military name GwA.97 or "Gewehraufsatz" 97 which means something to the effect of "rifle attachment"). There's also a shorter version of the launcher for the SG551 (factory name GL5140, not sure what its military name is). The launcher's mount replaces the lower half of the forearm.
Very nice video on my service rifle! Some minor additional inputs: 01:12: This threading in the flash hider for a silencer is not present anymore in the later produced STGW90. 01:14: That's not a bayonet lug that would accommodate the current Swiss bayonet. 02:16: Does anyone know, what this knob between the 3 and 20 is? I don't have that on my STGW90. 06:33: You can screw out that little thing (get's often lost and is supposed to be stored in the crevice under the folding stock button, which is removable). This for either shooting with an open aperture (offenes Visier) in close quarters, or it accommodates things like color filters and iris apertures for target shooting. 09:00: Both pins are supposed to go in from the right side. 13:38: Side note, the pistol grip contains a compartment to store an aid to load magazines from stripper clips - also a very often lost piece. 14:00: Switzerland does not have Gebirgsjäger (that's a German, and I think Austrian term). Here, they are just called Gebirgsinfanterist. Jäger (i.e. the German word for Hunter) is exclusively used for actual game hunters in Switzerland. Thanks for the video!
The knob on 2:16 is the mounting point for what would be the full-auto blocking plate on the SG 541 / Stgw. 90. Since it’s an export rifle here, it’s omitted.
@@DaletheStgwDude Yeah you're right! Without the big white point I did not even notice that something was missing. This just shows how much we only see that something is different, but don't see that something is missing.
@@nickaschenbecker9882 Jäger=Rangers in a military setting. I think it started out with the prussian army enlisting experiensed hunters and arming them with short rifles to harass and delay the enemy ahed of the main army. Shooting from cover and using proto camoflage. Basically the same function as the early roman legions velites. Its hunter in the sense of someone who knows how to hit targets at range and use cover and not in the sense of someone who hunts you down. Although jäger units can be used for that sort of stuff to.
@@Anino_Makata If it's good depends who you ask. The reloads are nice, but those damn connectors are annoying in mag pouches. The width of the connector is needed, but if it was bigger in diameter it wouldn't snag as much. In some cases the connected mag can dislodge the top round, depends on the mag. The rocking mechanism is very well done.
To state the obvious, American SIG manufacture is a world removed in quality compared to Swiss SIG manufacture. Never bother with brand names, instead find out what factory built the thing and you'll know if it's good or pointless
@@levistrauss5378 Indeed. Comparing a not shot out Swiss or German P210 to a new P210 is night and day. Slide to frame fit and how it glides is outstanding on the Swiss/German ones. I mean if they at least had a custom shop that reaches that level.
@@HeliophobicRiverman Overall weight is not too bad, but having the gas port way up front and the massive gas tube make it front heavy and not pleasant to shoot freely
I have a USA 556R 7.62x39. Its an early model with an extending and folding stock, plus the threaded barrel. I got it in 2011. It's my primary rifle, and I have beat the crap out of it with only steel cased wolf ammo. I will protect my life with it. I have heard horror stories; I must have hit the lottery. I shoot mine very firm and rapid. It works wonderful.
The pin closer to the stock is actually in from the wrong side on this one. You can completely remove the retaining pin by pressing down on them again and pulling them out entirely.
Oh and there's a slight difference from army issued ones to this one: there's no full auto block lever with the white dot behind it. (See nine hole reviews vid for reference)
@@caviduragraphics I was wondering about that - i clearly remember the example i saw once having that auto block lever. Stuck in my mind as it seemed a really simple and effective solution. No need for it on a commercial model i guess.
Thanks very much. The subject is very sensitive for me: I served in the swiss 10th Mountain division during the 80s. In the mountains we relied only on our legs. During the long walks we dreamed about a lighter rifle than our StGew/Fass 57 (about 6.5 kg!). Years later, the StGew/Fass 90 was introduced but we never got these. I was very frustrated because at that time soldiers could keep their personal weapon at the end of the service. But I had no interest in the long heavy ugly 57. Some years later I bought a demilitarised 90. Nice gun for sure, but still long and heavy! The swiss army has been once again the victim of the shooting community who wanted a range, not a military, rifle. The 90 is good to shoot on the prone but as soon as you stand up and move any other assault rifle is much better - I have a M4 to compare.
Finally, someone else gets it. The 550 is such a depressingly mediocre service rifle. Give me a C7 or M4 any day. Hell, an AKM or AK74 would be better. The 550 is a gun for shooting on nice well-maintained ranges more than a proper fighting rifle.
Great video, thanks for covering this excellent firearm! Small comment: the official internal SIG nomenclature for the 5,6mm Stgw. 90 is SG 541, not SG 550 or “SIG 550” AFAIK, any other rifle delivered to other customers (export or police etc), would be named “SG 550-X”. In fact, the SG 541 and SG 550-1 would be technically equivalent (both have a 250mm or ca. 1:10 inch twist rate).
Very good points! As Dale said, SIG and SG stand for different words and are not interchangeable. In addition, at around 4:00 into the video, he mentions that the Swiss military Stgw. 90 has "Stgw. 90" marked where this example is marked "SG550-2", however this is incorrect, the Swiss military Stgw.90 is simply marked with an "A" followed by the serial number. And has no model designations.
@@AshleyPomeroy at 10:13 you can see some kind of dove tail shaped plate (with the Swiss cross on it), just in front of the receiver, and there is a hole in the rear sight block also. This allows you to easily snap in a genuine scope or a picatinny rail for whatever purpose on top of the receiver. There are also lower half of the foregrip available with other picatinny rails on it if needed…
I had a SIG 550R which had reports of many problems. My gun operated flawlessly but for reasons I cannot explain I sold it for a Galil 7.62x39. Like so many before I regret selling it.
I have a friend who had an early serial number of the Swiss made 553R (I think they called it). He had a lot of problems with it, but after sending it back to SAN, they got it right.
I have never heard of one of my friends which were in the infantry and shot a hell lot more than me, especially full auto, that their spring lost tension. I really love the design, because the spring is neatly and compactly tuckked away. Contrasting the "exposed" spring of an ak or the lengthening way it's done in AR-Style rifles in the buffer tube. I also really like the way the magazine is hooked in, because there is never an uncertainty or an additional tap necessary, it's just in. As long as you keep enough fat in your rife, it won't faill you. My biggest perk with the rifle is that there are no rails to mount stuff. You can hook in a rail for your optics, but if you want something on your handguard you need a new guard or a drill.
It’s pretty amazing that they integrated that into the magazine itself and then somehow no one has really done that sense on a large scale. Looking at you Magpul
@@Everythingallthetime666 Also because they dont want a high profile prone shooter that a 30 rounder will give away, hence the sights are way low profile. One of the arguments Hitler had against the STG44. (yes, not the banal idiocy history channel or Janes's fat dude tries to impose)
@@Swissk31300BO G36 magazines have the same couplings. I think it's kind of a bad trade-off though. You make the mags wider and more cumbersome. It's just better to use duct tape if you really need to get 30+30 rounds on your gun.
@@kurtbergh maybe it's a question of doctrine: using 20's instead of 30's can reduce the (prone) shooter silhouette by 10×9.6mm, if you assume a shoulder width of 60cm, that could mean presenting a 600cm2 or 0.64 sqft reduced target area, thereby making the 2×20 mags an attractive option.
All my fellow swisspeople, rise up! (Y) Thanks Ian for the video! Really interesting, I love seeing weapons from my country on your channel! Much love, hope you are doing well, and everyone else too!
Words can’t say how much we appreciate your dedication to the history not only of weapons but the histories of the people who designed them or made them I’ve learn so much from each of your videos Thank you 🙏🏻 Best wishes always from Las Vegas Craig This video is 5 out of 5 stars Bravo 👏🏻
I found it fascinating how in firearms history that we Americans appreciated the German, Swiss, Spain made, Italian, and Russian firearms, German, Swiss, and Italian were the most commonly known for quality made firearms
I envy you Swiss your freedom and social cohesion. Having both at once is astounding. Here in the States we're free-ish but can't seem to stop trying to tear each other to bits.
If you can get a good condition G3 (and you can keep sand out of the rollers) you'll have one fine shooting rifle. Denmark bought one million heavily used G3s from Germany for the hefty price of one Deutchmark a pop (about a US dollar at the time). We then took the best half a million and called the rest "spare parts". I did my initial training and two tours to Balkan with one of those. It had probably belonged to 20 German conscripts and 15 Danish conscripts before I got it. The only issue all G3s have is that you need to jam it properly into the shoulder when you fire or you get a reload failure. But since it's 7.62 you learn that pretty quickly anyway. Forget to do so and you get both a donkey kick and a stove pipe.... Other than that it just hits a 4" center at 300 meters all day every day. I routinely got 198 or 199 points out of 200 at 300 meters already before I was through the conscription period.
I want to see an Even-More-Swiss version that has a small cuckoo-clock bird that pops out to let you know there are only five rounds left. I has thought of one where several small villagers would appear and run from one side of the receiver to the other .... but THAT would have been silly.
@@jfess1911 sorry to dissapoint you but cuckoo clocks are german not swiss. The swiss solution to that would likely be an integrated music box or something like that.
This was (or still is) my service rifle. It's a somewhat heavy AR but very precise and consistent, I barely had any malfunctions during my service time or in private. The sights are ok in my opinion. We had something called "Ribbon Day" when i had service where we would do all kind of test to get ourselfs some ribbons and I got the rifle ribbon at the 300 meter shooting. Turned out I had the nightvision sight on by accident but still managed to shoot very precisely.
Thank you, as always Ian, for bringing us the technical breakdown of whatever new rifle Henry and Josh are testing currently on their various courses. Knowing I can rely on you to look at the guns around the same time they drop their own videos, has always been a huge bonus IMO for the quality of both your channels' content offerings, they complement each other perfectly IMO. Keep it up man, we appreciate it 😄
Our subject was loaned by a Patreon supporter and clearly Ian’s is an auto on loan. It’s good to be skeptical but too much of that skepticism will skew your sense of reality. AFAIK, JDI doesn’t have any military 550 clones in the pipeline at all.
I have absolutely no connection to JDI, and I don't think he likes me much anyway. The connection here is that Henry mentioned that he did really well with the 550 on his course, so I pulled my 550 video from the waiting list to coordinate with his release.
@@ForgottenWeapons I see. Thanks for the explanation. I have been around the gun industry, and the HC, too long and grow cynical . . . with good reason, lol.
@@kirkfreeman6913 1911 Syndicate also just put up a video of a 551 they got from JDI and modified with a B&T handguard. You should check that out. Mishaco is another, he is quite the collector of Swiss rifles, his channel is loaded with videos on them explaining every minute detail you could ask for.
@@HankScorpio86 You are correct. There are a bunch of gun tubers doing JDI products now. It is why I smell something funny and expect an announcement from JDI soon. But, hear hoofbeat, expect horses, not zebras and all that.
I had an opportunity to buy the straight semi-auto version of the Sig 550 for about $6,000 back in the day. I regret not doing it. This is my absolute favorite gun.
I received a Stgw90 in 84 for testing and we had them alongside the Stgw57. After about 3 months we had to return them. We loved them because they were so much lighter and easier to clean than the 57s.
You haven't told the biggest flaw of the rifle. They made a cheap gas tube that rots away while they could have it either stainless steel or chromed and make it more or less eternal.
Keeping the gas system clean and free of rust is definitely the main issue with this gun. I managed to keep mine in good condition through ten years of service but that's also because I received a brand new one. I hear nowadays they hand out used ones and some already have rust on the gas tube.
@@schussfreudech i know you can work around it, but to save a couple bucks on a rifle that can cost between 2 and 4 thousand francs they put a component that is low quality. When it comes to mind it pisses me off a bit.
@@roger4718 they handed out used ones 12 years ago already. I had one with an X on the gas tube. Hammerite solved that issue because nobody wanted to exchange it for a good gas tube.
The charging handle rubber thingy is notorious for getting lost and the plastic parts are pretty bad; I've seen half a dozen stocks simply break off and about as many magazines rip themselves apart while shooting in low temperatures (not arctic, just below 0 Celsius) and I've "only" served 500 days.
@@muzeumkaasznikowa7156 Could well be the Swiss ones, I've seen magazines shatter and spray cartridges around too. As for stocks breaking... I mean I've seen the insert that holds the stock in the folded position break, but the stock breaking off? You'd have to put some serious abuse on the rifle for that to happen, like driving over it or similar. The rubber on the charging handle, yeah, that degrades and falls off so often we mostly just "replaced" it with layers of tape until the next inspection.
We produce them in a country with high wages, high costs of living, hard weapon export laws, to a high standard and to low demand... ... can't see why that would make them expensive.
@@Khobotov Same thing going on with HK in Germany and somehow the swiss manage to put another 1000€ on top of what an AR style Heckler and Koch would cost you.
what khobotov said, understand we need to pay things like 400$/month of MANDATORY health care if you don't pay they seize your salary, car license plates also cost a lot depending on the car, muscles cars are luxury items here as only for the plates I would pay 2000$/year in taxes >< just to have the right to drive it, if the rifles weren't good the prices would also be lowe but they are good so yes they can make people pay more
@@fredEVOIX Switzerland is a country to drive through, not to live in. Fuck that. My friends live in Southern Germany, and commute over the 'border' to Basel to work. Best of both worlds. Cheaper living, higher wages.
@@fredEVOIX I understand that. I just think these Sig Guns are terribly overpriced for what they are. Its not my fault your luxury car costs so much you know.
Man I love the irons on all the rifles from this Era. I understand that scopes and sights are absolutely, without reproach, better in every way than iron sights, but man I love shooting on irons.
It's much more expensive and not as much more effective. AKs were designed to be good enough, considering the size of Soviet millitary and that riffle is not a primary weapon in a proper armed conflict
@@hermatred572 just like the an94, aek971, ak12 prototypes that actually looked good. And down there somewhere they are even capable of logic, but they are very good at hiding it.
Loved using it in my duty days! Not as accurate as the STGW57 at 600+ meters, but the weight reduction for standard military engagement range was a huge plus.
Sig abandoned all of their legendary historical firearms to start making polymer garbage Glock clones and AR-15s for the US military. In doing so, they have stopped offering a huge selection of P220s, P226s and all of their legacy pistols AND they stopped making these 550-series rifles. Talk about a huge mistake. Seems like all Sig really cared about was that government cheese. They spent YEARS fighting to replace Colt and FN as the US military's gunmaker and they've succeeded in doing so. Problem is that they did it at the expense of all of the Sig guns that American civilians actually have an interest in buying. 550-series rifles would sell LIKE HOTCAKES if reintroduced for the civilian market. Just like the morons at H&K finally realized how much money they'd make by selling semi-auto MP5s. The semi-auto SP5 currently sells for about $3,300 brand new on the US market. Just imagine the kind of money H&K could be making by reintroducing their legacy rifles? Same thing goes for Sig. I'd buy MULTIPLE 550-series rifles if Sig started offering them again. Unfortunately they are too busy making AR-15s and AR clones to reintroduce something as cool as the 550-series.
Sig has always been a company there for the government contracts. Every one of their flagship products has been designed and produced specifically for a government, with civilian sales secondary. The P210 (P49), P220 (P75), 540 series, and 550 series. Sig in Switzerland today survives as basically just a maintenance depot for Swiss Army 550 rifles, plus a tiny bit of new production. Sig USA does orders of magnitude more sales of 320s, 365s, MCXs, and AR type rifles than they ever would selling new 550 rifles. The 550 appeals to a collector and nostalgia cohort (which I include myself in), but its not a market-competitive rifle today.
@@ForgottenWeapons My apologies Ian, I was specifically talking about AMERICAN military contracts. As you know, Sig now makes both the US military standard handgun (the P320) AND the new NGSW rifles...which include both the rifle AND the light machine gun. They are also currently the exclusive manufacturer of 6.8x51 ammo...although that is changing. Like you mentioned, the 550-series appeals to "collector and nostalgia types" and that is exactly what I was talking about in my OP. Who do you think is buying semi-auto only MP5s for $3,300+? Definitely not the "average Joes" who want a 9mm PCC to plink around with. It's us "collector types" paying that kind of money for outdated gun tech specifically because we love them. Don't get me wrong, the MP5 is still THE KING of 9mm SMGs in my mind. But they have been pretty much universally replaced by more modern polymer 9mm SMGs over the last decade or so in military and police units. The civilian SP5 exists SOLELY to cater to us "collector and nostalgia types", and it is so incredibly popular that THE MINIMUM PRICE you can get one at these days is over three grand. Imagine what a modern HK91 or HK43 would sell for if H&K started making them again? IMO the same thing goes for the Sig 550-series rifles...although I don't think they would command QUITE the same premium that H&Ks would. Still...at this moment in time "nostalgia" products are huge sellers in all kinds of markets. Ford just brought back the Bronco and despite them being turds with a laundry list of problems, they are selling like hotcakes. Colt just brought back their "Snake Gun" line and those too are selling like hotcakes even with MSRPs of $1,500 or more. "Nostalgia" is "in" right now...which is why I would LOVE to see these Sig-550s make a comeback, even if it is a relatively limited production run.
There is also a little space in the Pistolgrip if u remove a cover on the bottom i think atleast here we in the Army have a "loader guide" to load the clips in the Mag Nice seeing my Service Rifle reviewed
Just a small correction on the sights, the 4 diopter sight is also the combat sight marked 3 in red for 30 meters. You must only unscrew the little adapter, this is where you can even insert a variable diopter sight for better precision at the 300 meters competitions.
Just went shooting days ago. The Swiss way of shooting at 300m A targets with iron sights. Even though Im new too shooting and not the best shooter yet, just shooting it feels amazing.
shooting is one of the few things where practice will directly lead to improvement. more rounds down range you have = better you can shoot.. Keep at it!
I've always been a huge fan of the SIG 550! I remember the first time I saw it was in Counter Strike, I think portrayed as the 552. Such a cool firearm!
A hidden feature is the opening of the closed stock using the bipod. To do this, you extend the leg opposite the folded stock and rotate it towards the stock. With the shape of the feet of the bipod, it will pop the stock open :)
![🥇 SG 550 (Swiss Army Rifle) to 500yds: Practical Accuracy [Stgw 90 - PE 90]](/img/1.gif)
Coming from the generation before 'scopes on everything', if you got a German, Swiss or Austrian rifle you always seemed to get a really sweet set of irons on them like it was a point of pride for the manufacturer.
The Germanic peoples certainly took pride in their gunsmithing, and still do, honestly.
@@stevenbobbybills the people yes, their government no
As someone that has never even held a firearm, it's crazy to me that a tiny peephole works as a rear sight.
This is the gun (at least the full-auto version) I was issued when I served in the Swiss Army starting in the early 1990s - all the older guys still had the big FASS 57s. After moving to the US, and wanting to buy a 223/556 rifle, I really wanted to get myself one of these but unfortunately they are extremely rare in the US. I loved how simple it is to break down and reassemble - Even 20 years after I last touched one, I am sure I could field strip one blindfolded in under 45 seconds.
@@moonrazk you can try it with just curling in your index finger towards your thumb 👌 and looking through the hole. The amount you can see will surprise you 😊, recomend to do it outside since the sights are made for 50/75/100 meters onwards
living in switzerland you often see guys carrying these on the public transport and I'll never get tired of it lol
Usually only military personal.. and if so.. then the bolt and carrier is removed..
Nowadays you get called the police on your tail for goign to the range with one of these on your back, cuz civilians think you are a terrorist.
Saw a teenie carrying alone on her micro skate scooter the other day ☀️
@@air-jerome That's awesome!
@@AdrianDeer Have you seen that happen?
@@clangerbasher it is called jungschützen jouth shooters a program by the military to train the jouth early in use of guns. They start as early as 14 jears of age as Sports competition. I did that too. So i was on my skateboard with a full auto capable rifle on my back on wednesday afternoon going to the range to shoot. Good times 🥳
Today my daughter (15) went for the first time participating the Zürcher Knabenschiessen. Having THIS vid as only preparation - she hit 5 out of 5 shots on target at 300 meters and won 25 CHF and a Swiss Army knife. Thank you!
Bloody hell! that's some performance, a professional in the making.
I was never at the knabenschiessen but even for switzerland, 25 franks feel like way too low. They should have just not have a cash prize but instead have one of the better army knifes, you know, lowest version with scissors or better.. Because with 25 franks, I bet it was the bottom bitch version with barely a knife :D
In the age-old AR versus AK argument, the correct answer is STGW90.
@Charlie B
It's front heavy, but It's beefed up for extreme abuse and still runs after years without cleaning.
or RK62
Not free floated, front heavy, weird trigger, other weird quirks. I'd take a modern m16 any day
I thought the answer was, if you're a country whose people would be barefoot if not for flip-flops washing-up on the beaches--AK. Otherwise--AR.
AR shoots circles around both the AK and it's knock-off cousin from the Alps.
Visually, these rifles are just absolute beauties to the eye.
Mmmhmm, very sleek these guns are.
They literally looks like cheap toys, but ok.
@@Hysteria98 Whats a good looking gun in your opinion?
@@LaughingMan44 Not inclusive of people who are supposedly disabled, huh? I'll show you, bigot *cocks Nerf gun*
@@Hysteria98 ... How dare you,wash your mouth out,with soap 😛😉
I feel like having a SIG-550 as a service rifle has set my expectations a bit high on what rifles I like operating and shooting
It also sets my expectations a bit high on what is considered "forgotten" - I won't forget that thing anytime soon. :)
I doubt it.
I've shot plenty of high end rifles & I still love taking my pieced together $500 AR to the range.
The M16A1 is still the best assault rifle ever made. Fight me lol.
Absolutely, I couldn’t understand why other countries haven’t got folding stock rifle.
Strange choice!
@@Immafraid I think the concept of any one “best” anything is a bit contrived, given these things are usually situational.
I went to a SOF convention sometime in the '90's, and SIG had a booth at the show. They had brought one of these to demo at the range with hopes of making some LE sales. They also brought 20,000 rounds of ammo and let anyone shoot it full auto. You can imagine the apes that glommed on that and the lack of care in making sure it cooled down between magazines (NOT). No cleaning and no malfunctions in 20,000 rounds. That impressed the heck out of me for sure.
Gawd damn, thats really impressive.
I believe during the test they couldn't establish how many rounds until a malfunction because they fired too many rounds with it never malfunctioning.
It’s nice to see Swiss rifles getting all this love from Ian and 9 Hole.
Maybe we can pressure someone to import the heck out of of the semi version or deautoed gats would be cool too.
Sig often imports civilian versions assuming they meet US restrictions. I have a sig that is actually convertible between 556 nato and 762 x 39. Sadly i don't have the conversion package but mine is in 762 x 39 which to me makes it more unique. When you are a neutral arms maker you have to cover the bases!
Or import some 7.5 Swiss for love of God
swiss san imports 55x fairly often and they have an IG page also
@@zarathean8758 I'll have to check them out I have exactly 0 rounds now.
@@bart_ender6116 they import the rifles not the ammo
Ah yes, the rifle that's standing by my bed. Thanks for finally doing a video about it, Ian!
During service we had to learn how to dis- and reassemble this rifle in under 40s. At times blindfolded.
Greetings from Switzerland
same with my m16 platform i can disassemble and re assemble it blindfolded in under a minute easy
@@ryantogo8359 yes because an AK Is like a tonka toy. nice big pieces even a moron cant lose... or shouldnt be able to anyway.
40s we had to do it in 30s. Reminds me I still have to do the obligatory shooting this year..
30s regular, 60s blindfolded
@@MrHonks92 I ha gschriebe "in unter 40s" ;-)
I actually am swiss and a youth marksman. I have shot this rifle alot. This gun is absolutely awesome. It is super accurate and I have never used scopes. We shoot at a range of 300 meters. I love this gun, needs more recognition
The STG 90 also features a trigger guard that can swivel either side!
For shooting with gloves in colder seasons ;-)
the M16 platform has one that opens and swings down along the grip to do the same thing. and has done since 1962.. just sayin :P
@@ripvanwinkle2002 Since when did anyone mentioned anything about who does it first though?
@@TastyMackerel i did. yesterday..
now that youre up to speed, anything else i can help you with?
@@ryantogo8359 im sorry what was your point? i mean besides the one under your hat? did i touch a sore spot with you? you seem upset at this information..
@@ripvanwinkle2002
Yes there is.
It's
I did my army basic training with this rifle and I cant tell you how good of a rifle this is to shoot...Its also so easy to take appart and clean/maintain...If this rifle is properly sighted in, meaning to the individual soldier, you can shoot 400 meters with iron sights, with a little training...
Edit: as someone that has taken this rifle appart hundreds of times it hurts me a little to see the pins insertet that way...😅
It is inserted that way for left handed use
Yea it's one minute to take a part and put together again if you know what you are doing.
Finally ! I've been waiting for this video ever since my military service two years ago. Still have my STG waiting in the cellar in-between mandatory shooting days and military training periods.
Additional note :
At 6:37 the 400m aperture sight is "screwed in" so to speak. If you unscrew it you are left with a larger aperture which is large and convenient for very close range shooting (but unaccurate if you use it for more than 10 or 20m). In my unit it was standard practice to leave it unscrewed at all times. (The screw can then be conveniently be stored inside the stock-open button).
8:05 We were always told that the second position of the gas regulator was for shooting when it's very cold and high altitude (since the temperature and pressure would make the gas expand less and cause malfunctions) but the "very dirty" explanation makes a lot more sense.
Finally, to show how accurate the gun is and how good the iron sights are, the standard aim test for Swiss soldiers is shooting at 300m (without scope)
Excellent video on my service rifle.
Little information regarding the sights
The sight at 06:33 what you call the 400m sight can be screwed out to get a bigger peephole, we do this in the beginning of our military service to get the so called close quarters fighting sight.
For civilian competition use, you can also screw in an adjustable diopter.
And if you disassemble it, you can safely store it behind the folding stock button. Using the large flat screwdriver of a swiss army knife, push on the button (in the slot) and turn it 90° counterclockwise. The aperture sight insert can then be stored inside the spring.
Awesome idea.
You'd just use the 100m sight for close quarters obviously..
@@ProsyMe obviously
I never made it to the RS, having left Switzerland before my service became due. But I was in the Jungschuetzen (Young Shots, kind of a shooting club for 16-20 yr olds). Anyone else’s ‘muscle memory’ start twitching as soon as Ian started disassembling it?
Pulling the whole piston assembly before removing the gas regulator... Brr... 😂
@@jojosk8r I personally started having PTSD of the black gun oil in my fingers just by watching him dismount it.... ahaha
Love how I couldn't find any reliable info on this weapon system, but of course, Ian has already reviewed it and put good info out there
One of the most loved,and rare owned semi-auto rifle in civvie hands in Ireland.There is about 10 of them here and they fetch top dollar.
Nice, I owned a SAN import SG 551 some years ago. like a Swiss Rolex watch.
Ian next time you go to Italy, could you look for and if you find do a brake down of a Luigi Franchi LF-59 battle rifle??? There were not many prototypes that was evaluated for the Italian military service rifle back in the late 50s. They went with the Beretta BM-59 rifle. The LF-59 rifle looks like a FAL. no one has done a brake down of one of those rifles, you would be the only one. A true " Gun Jesus ". Thanks Ian
This is the closest look I’ve ever gotten on the 550. Good lord the build quality is amazing. Sig’s attention to detail on this rifle is astounding.
Gun youtubers linking to each other and sharing content is awesome to see. Henry and Josh and 9 Hole are awesome with the accuracy tests and practical use talks but we also have Ian who goes in depth on the history and operation. Great video as usual!
I remember when corona first hit Switzerland in Ticino in march 2020, i and some friends of mine were sent to the Italian border as additional security measures and the Italian police asked us if we were special forces of some kind because he couldnt believe that infantry gets SIG 550s as standart equipment.
In 1980 we got to shoot both prototypes, SIG and WFB, as infantry troops.
It was like playing with a toy compared to the Fass 57.
What really impressed was the ammunition, soo small.
Our regiment was the first one to be fully equipped with this rifle in January 1990. Rgt Fant Mont 30
Translates to Mountain Infantry Regiment 30.
These are also extremely tough, since it’s a conscript army that we have people will do so much bs with them like use them as a javelin with the bayonet on. They never really break. Since we take them home they tell us “you can break it but can’t lose it” because they know it won’t break.
You can cook the barrel though. It is a bit thin at one point and shooting too much too fast can overheat it. The barrel isn’t dead, but loses it’s quality.
@@swissmilitischristilxxii3691 you isone Guys get all the fun, i was never able to shoot more than 5 mags on one day and we were always told never to shoot more than 6 mags before cool the gun down🥺
I was armed with this gun in 1990. In other words, we gave up our Stgw 57 and got this weapon. At first we were excited. In the first week three 90 broke. In the second week there were another 15 (with a total of 95 in our company). 17 times it was the stock that we broke - 1 time it was the front sight. We just had to learn that these weapons were no longer as robust in urban combat. So you could use the 57 as a robber's ladder to lift a comrade up - with the 90 you had a broken joint right away. Something that we noticed right away, in our normal area of application (Pre-Alps and Alps) the 5.56 mm was very close to its limits. For a long time we had (unofficially) some Stgw 57s with telescopic sights and the MG 51 (officially) in 7.5 mm for effects over 300 meters or targets behind more stable cover. An experience that other armies also had in the war in Afghanistan. But overall a very good weapon.
when you mention the Stgw90 weaknesses you should also mention the weaknesses of the Stgw57, of which there are plenty. The 57 weights as much as an anvil, has the ergonomics of a pre-production prototype and various parts are very easily damaged (safety & sights for example). The 90 is more reliable and way more ergonomic, but it never was intended to be used as a tool to lift up a buddy. Anything that's used in a role it's not intended to fullfil is easily damaged. Though you can easily use it as a snuff-machine. ;)
@@Kampfhamster81A wise man once said any machine is a smoke machine if you operate it wrong enough
Apart from muzzle-launched rifle grenades, it also has an underslung grenade launcher (factory name GL5040, military name GwA.97 or "Gewehraufsatz" 97 which means something to the effect of "rifle attachment"). There's also a shorter version of the launcher for the SG551 (factory name GL5140, not sure what its military name is). The launcher's mount replaces the lower half of the forearm.
10:43 I love how the charging handle just snicks into place with near perfect clearance …Swiss is as Swiss does
Very nice video on my service rifle!
Some minor additional inputs:
01:12: This threading in the flash hider for a silencer is not present anymore in the later produced STGW90.
01:14: That's not a bayonet lug that would accommodate the current Swiss bayonet.
02:16: Does anyone know, what this knob between the 3 and 20 is? I don't have that on my STGW90.
06:33: You can screw out that little thing (get's often lost and is supposed to be stored in the crevice under the folding stock button, which is removable). This for either shooting with an open aperture (offenes Visier) in close quarters, or it accommodates things like color filters and iris apertures for target shooting.
09:00: Both pins are supposed to go in from the right side.
13:38: Side note, the pistol grip contains a compartment to store an aid to load magazines from stripper clips - also a very often lost piece.
14:00: Switzerland does not have Gebirgsjäger (that's a German, and I think Austrian term). Here, they are just called Gebirgsinfanterist. Jäger (i.e. the German word for Hunter) is exclusively used for actual game hunters in Switzerland.
Thanks for the video!
The knob on 2:16 is the mounting point for what would be the full-auto blocking plate on the SG 541 / Stgw. 90. Since it’s an export rifle here, it’s omitted.
Isn't the extra hole on the left side between 3 and 30 the place where the full auto block mounts on the Stgw90?
Edit: Dale said yes, it is.
@@DaletheStgwDude Yeah you're right! Without the big white point I did not even notice that something was missing. This just shows how much we only see that something is different, but don't see that something is missing.
@@nickaschenbecker9882 Jäger=Rangers in a military setting. I think it started out with the prussian army enlisting experiensed hunters and arming them with short rifles to harass and delay the enemy ahed of the main army. Shooting from cover and using proto camoflage. Basically the same function as the early roman legions velites.
Its hunter in the sense of someone who knows how to hit targets at range and use cover and not in the sense of someone who hunts you down. Although jäger units can be used for that sort of stuff to.
It's really nice to see the Magazine model was also copied to develop the G36 and XM8 who uses it, how cool is that
Haha true
Who'd pass up a good design?
@@Anino_Makata
If it's good depends who you ask. The reloads are nice, but those damn connectors are annoying in mag pouches. The width of the connector is needed, but if it was bigger in diameter it wouldn't snag as much.
In some cases the connected mag can dislodge the top round, depends on the mag. The rocking mechanism is very well done.
The MKE mags are literally the same connectors, just inverted so they won't work with each other.
@@onpsxmember There are smooth sided magazines available.
To state the obvious, American SIG manufacture is a world removed in quality compared to Swiss SIG manufacture. Never bother with brand names, instead find out what factory built the thing and you'll know if it's good or pointless
@Charlie B If it's any consolation, the original is also heavy.
@@levistrauss5378
Indeed. Comparing a not shot out Swiss or German P210 to a new P210 is night and day.
Slide to frame fit and how it glides is outstanding on the Swiss/German ones. I mean if they at least had a custom shop that reaches that level.
@@levistrauss5378 but I don’t think you are tho, us made sig 556 had a msrp of about 2000, while Swiss ones are closer to 4000 (even in Europe)
@@HeliophobicRiverman Overall weight is not too bad, but having the gas port way up front and the massive gas tube make it front heavy and not pleasant to shoot freely
I have a USA 556R 7.62x39. Its an early model with an extending and folding stock, plus the threaded barrel. I got it in 2011. It's my primary rifle, and I have beat the crap out of it with only steel cased wolf ammo. I will protect my life with it. I have heard horror stories; I must have hit the lottery. I shoot mine very firm and rapid. It works wonderful.
The pin closer to the stock is actually in from the wrong side on this one.
You can completely remove the retaining pin by pressing down on them again and pulling them out entirely.
Oh and there's a slight difference from army issued ones to this one: there's no full auto block lever with the white dot behind it.
(See nine hole reviews vid for reference)
Also the bajonet lug looks weird, mine is straight (not stepped) and generally more round in shape.
It’s correct for a left-handed shooter, though. You can insert it whichever way interferes with your thumb less for operating the safety.
@@fab006 fair point. Having both pins on opposite sides doesn't make sense tho, doesn't it?
@@caviduragraphics I was wondering about that - i clearly remember the example i saw once having that auto block lever. Stuck in my mind as it seemed a really simple and effective solution. No need for it on a commercial model i guess.
Great weapon, used it in the military. Easy to hit anything up to 300m without a scope.
Damn... Nice
hows the recoil?
@@acoustic296 very light
Approved by an explo in Swiss army. So accurate without a scope at 300.
Just got a sg 556XI
Absolute beast of a rifle.
Thanks for the video helped me figure out how to take it apart
I just finished to cleam my Stgw. 90 and then you posted this video🙈🤣 absolutely love it
Thanks very much. The subject is very sensitive for me: I served in the swiss 10th Mountain division during the 80s. In the mountains we relied only on our legs. During the long walks we dreamed about a lighter rifle than our StGew/Fass 57 (about 6.5 kg!). Years later, the StGew/Fass 90 was introduced but we never got these. I was very frustrated because at that time soldiers could keep their personal weapon at the end of the service. But I had no interest in the long heavy ugly 57. Some years later I bought a demilitarised 90. Nice gun for sure, but still long and heavy! The swiss army has been once again the victim of the shooting community who wanted a range, not a military, rifle. The 90 is good to shoot on the prone but as soon as you stand up and move any other assault rifle is much better - I have a M4 to compare.
Finally, someone else gets it. The 550 is such a depressingly mediocre service rifle. Give me a C7 or M4 any day. Hell, an AKM or AK74 would be better. The 550 is a gun for shooting on nice well-maintained ranges more than a proper fighting rifle.
SG 553?
Ah yes one of my S.T.A.L.K.E.R. favorite rifle
I was just day dreaming about life in the zone, and how some stalkers swear by the 550. Makes me want to play it again!
I said come in! Don't stand there!
Get out of here, Stalker
best rifel in STALKER hands down
cant wait for STALKER 2 to drop end of this year
Great video, thanks for covering this excellent firearm! Small comment: the official internal SIG nomenclature for the 5,6mm Stgw. 90 is SG 541, not SG 550 or “SIG 550”
AFAIK, any other rifle delivered to other customers (export or police etc), would be named “SG 550-X”. In fact, the SG 541 and SG 550-1 would be technically equivalent (both have a 250mm or ca. 1:10 inch twist rate).
Very good points! As Dale said, SIG and SG stand for different words and are not interchangeable. In addition, at around 4:00 into the video, he mentions that the Swiss military Stgw. 90 has "Stgw. 90" marked where this example is marked "SG550-2", however this is incorrect, the Swiss military Stgw.90 is simply marked with an "A" followed by the serial number. And has no model designations.
Probably my favorite looking rifle ever made. I don't know why, but it just looks like how a military rifle should to me.
I know exactly what you mean.
It's an interesting mixture - the skeleton stock and translucent magazines are modern but the lack of rails and optics gives it a classic look.
It is built for purpose. Its beauty is in its simplicity, and quality.
@@AshleyPomeroy at 10:13 you can see some kind of dove tail shaped plate (with the Swiss cross on it), just in front of the receiver, and there is a hole in the rear sight block also. This allows you to easily snap in a genuine scope or a picatinny rail for whatever purpose on top of the receiver. There are also lower half of the foregrip available with other picatinny rails on it if needed…
We in switzerland in the military normally take out the screw of the 400m diopter and then we use it as a close combat sight for around 50m
I had a SIG 550R which had reports of many problems. My gun operated flawlessly but for reasons I cannot explain I sold it for a Galil 7.62x39. Like so many before I regret selling it.
@@Manco65 I traded mine for a FAL and AR15... Still mis the sig tho.
I have a friend who had an early serial number of the Swiss made 553R (I think they called it). He had a lot of problems with it, but after sending it back to SAN, they got it right.
@@wekker090 The FAL is my all time favorite rifle. I have 2 and an FNC.
@@rodgerjohnson3375 I love my FAL 2. very nice piece of kit.
I have never heard of one of my friends which were in the infantry and shot a hell lot more than me, especially full auto, that their spring lost tension. I really love the design, because the spring is neatly and compactly tuckked away. Contrasting the "exposed" spring of an ak or the lengthening way it's done in AR-Style rifles in the buffer tube. I also really like the way the magazine is hooked in, because there is never an uncertainty or an additional tap necessary, it's just in. As long as you keep enough fat in your rife, it won't faill you. My biggest perk with the rifle is that there are no rails to mount stuff. You can hook in a rail for your optics, but if you want something on your handguard you need a new guard or a drill.
Coupled magazine’s. How Swiss not to have to resort to tape!
Integrated bi-pod as well.
It’s pretty amazing that they integrated that into the magazine itself and then somehow no one has really done that sense on a large scale. Looking at you Magpul
@@Everythingallthetime666 Also because they dont want a high profile prone shooter that a 30 rounder will give away, hence the sights are way low profile. One of the arguments Hitler had against the STG44. (yes, not the banal idiocy history channel or Janes's fat dude tries to impose)
@@Swissk31300BO G36 magazines have the same couplings. I think it's kind of a bad trade-off though. You make the mags wider and more cumbersome. It's just better to use duct tape if you really need to get 30+30 rounds on your gun.
@@kurtbergh maybe it's a question of doctrine: using 20's instead of 30's can reduce the (prone) shooter silhouette by 10×9.6mm, if you assume a shoulder width of 60cm, that could mean presenting a 600cm2 or 0.64 sqft reduced target area, thereby making the 2×20 mags an attractive option.
Just two months ago I finished my Training as a Recon in the swiss military. Really loved seing my baby being on forgotten weapons!
All my fellow swisspeople, rise up! (Y)
Thanks Ian for the video! Really interesting, I love seeing weapons from my country on your channel!
Much love, hope you are doing well, and everyone else too!
schweizland steh auf 0_O
The only thing I disagree with is that the rectangular front sight was good for aiming. I would prefer other iron sights or optical.
Let's be more like the swiss. My favorite solution.
I would move there if you had a beach - and a way to actually immigrate. ( it's a good thing)
Michael H well they have a bunch of lake shore
@@Ass_of_Amalek they are really cold - actually know Switzerland well.
Words can’t say how much we appreciate your dedication to the history not only of weapons but the histories of the people who designed them or made them
I’ve learn so much from each of your videos
Thank you 🙏🏻
Best wishes always from Las Vegas Craig
This video is 5 out of 5 stars
Bravo 👏🏻
First 9 hole review now Ian, you guys are killing me with my dream rifle! Maybe one day I’ll be able to sale a kidney or something
Such a good looking gun. There's something about the striking simplicity of it that makes it look so cool. It's my go to primary in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
One of my all time favorite rifles looks wise. It's just gorgeous. Would love to have one sitting next to a Galil, FAL, and M14.
Hell who am I kidding, I want one of all the guns. Even the shit ones.
Same, if I was wealthy I'd probably end up running a firearms museum.
Im actually currently in the swiss army good review :) you mentioned everything we praise about it :)
I found it fascinating how in firearms history that we Americans appreciated the German, Swiss, Spain made, Italian, and Russian firearms, German, Swiss, and Italian were the most commonly known for quality made firearms
Thank you Ian for giving us a great look down the sights! I love when you and Karl review optics and sights it's some great content!
You can get one here in switzerland in good condition for around $1000, full auto if you want 😉
I envy you Swiss your freedom and social cohesion. Having both at once is astounding. Here in the States we're free-ish but can't seem to stop trying to tear each other to bits.
See: Prohibition.
Here a registered full auto cost over $20,000
In America we the people can have automatics. Problem is arbitrary laws that go against the constitution.
@Charlie B you can shoot on private property if the neighbors are ok with it aka not disturbed by the noise.
This family is rifles with the H&K G3/53 and MP5 are my wish list. Classic looks and so cool. Love the video as always.
If you can get a good condition G3 (and you can keep sand out of the rollers) you'll have one fine shooting rifle. Denmark bought one million heavily used G3s from Germany for the hefty price of one Deutchmark a pop (about a US dollar at the time). We then took the best half a million and called the rest "spare parts". I did my initial training and two tours to Balkan with one of those. It had probably belonged to 20 German conscripts and 15 Danish conscripts before I got it. The only issue all G3s have is that you need to jam it properly into the shoulder when you fire or you get a reload failure. But since it's 7.62 you learn that pretty quickly anyway. Forget to do so and you get both a donkey kick and a stove pipe.... Other than that it just hits a 4" center at 300 meters all day every day. I routinely got 198 or 199 points out of 200 at 300 meters already before I was through the conscription period.
I've always loved the look of this rifle.
My dad was a Panzergrenadier in the Swiss army. He carried a SIG 510. We’ve been trying to find one of these for years, but no such luck in the states
Hmm this video is timed rather suspiciously... Is Ian colluding with a certain Henry Chan? 🤔
Very competent description of the Swiss Stgw 90. TQ
The couple link mags are the most Swiss thing I've ever seen
I want to see an Even-More-Swiss version that has a small cuckoo-clock bird that pops out to let you know there are only five rounds left. I has thought of one where several small villagers would appear and run from one side of the receiver to the other .... but THAT would have been silly.
@@jfess1911 sorry to dissapoint you but cuckoo clocks are german not swiss.
The swiss solution to that would likely be an integrated music box or something like that.
The G36 mags do the same. The clip thing. Not the Kuckucksuhr thing...
This was (or still is) my service rifle. It's a somewhat heavy AR but very precise and consistent, I barely had any malfunctions during my service time or in private. The sights are ok in my opinion. We had something called "Ribbon Day" when i had service where we would do all kind of test to get ourselfs some ribbons and I got the rifle ribbon at the 300 meter shooting. Turned out I had the nightvision sight on by accident but still managed to shoot very precisely.
9-hole review just did this rifle. It did real well.
I love shooting the SIG 550, it's a remarkable gun in every way.
Wonderful rifles. I'm lucky to own 3 of them along with a 551 and a 552.
I will serve my swiss military service in a few months. Thx for the pile of info about the rifle I will be using for weeks
That’s a sick rifle. I’ll take one Ian.
I stay tuned for these history lessons🥸 love your channel, Thanks
Was my service rifle. It was nice and accurate to shoot but on many occasions I would have preferred a lighter rifle ;)
"My god man! how can we expect these boys to win a world war if they cant even carry a 9lb rifle!" ~Gen George S Patton, US Army
I guess that´s why the lighter 552 and 553 became more popular in the export market, along with it´s extremly short length.
@@spiderjerusalem1019 Probably ;)
The fit and finish on these rifles is amazing
It has the G3 vibes about it. Looks very cool.
To me, the aesthetics of the 550 are a blend of the G3 and FN FNC. And I like that.
Been waiting on a review of my service rifle for a while! Hope you enjoyed it ;)
Got the 551A1, basically the closest I'll get without paying 5-digits. Some day I'll get an original, and maybe even a PE57
wait, a pe550 costs more than 10k in the US?
pretty sure it doesn't
US has strict gun import laws, prices are crazy there.
@@manu161 no. A PE90 is More like 4-5k.
@@Gun_Dae I find that a little hard to believe, seeing as the 551A1 goes for around 3-3.5. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places
Thank you, as always Ian, for bringing us the technical breakdown of whatever new rifle Henry and Josh are testing currently on their various courses. Knowing I can rely on you to look at the guns around the same time they drop their own videos, has always been a huge bonus IMO for the quality of both your channels' content offerings, they complement each other perfectly IMO. Keep it up man, we appreciate it 😄
The way this thing is being passed around to the gun tubers means JDI must have a another batch of stuff to sell.
Our subject was loaned by a Patreon supporter and clearly Ian’s is an auto on loan. It’s good to be skeptical but too much of that skepticism will skew your sense of reality. AFAIK, JDI doesn’t have any military 550 clones in the pipeline at all.
I have absolutely no connection to JDI, and I don't think he likes me much anyway. The connection here is that Henry mentioned that he did really well with the 550 on his course, so I pulled my 550 video from the waiting list to coordinate with his release.
@@ForgottenWeapons I see. Thanks for the explanation. I have been around the gun industry, and the HC, too long and grow cynical . . . with good reason, lol.
@@kirkfreeman6913 1911 Syndicate also just put up a video of a 551 they got from JDI and modified with a B&T handguard. You should check that out. Mishaco is another, he is quite the collector of Swiss rifles, his channel is loaded with videos on them explaining every minute detail you could ask for.
@@HankScorpio86 You are correct. There are a bunch of gun tubers doing JDI products now. It is why I smell something funny and expect an announcement from JDI soon. But, hear hoofbeat, expect horses, not zebras and all that.
I had an opportunity to buy the straight semi-auto version of the Sig 550 for about $6,000 back in the day. I regret not doing it. This is my absolute favorite gun.
Woop First ^^
Edit: I feel blessed that i clicked on the link at the end of 9-hole's video.
I Love your content, Ian!
I received a Stgw90 in 84 for testing and we had them alongside the Stgw57. After about 3 months we had to return them.
We loved them because they were so much lighter and easier to clean than the 57s.
You haven't told the biggest flaw of the rifle.
They made a cheap gas tube that rots away while they could have it either stainless steel or chromed and make it more or less eternal.
Keeping the gas system clean and free of rust is definitely the main issue with this gun. I managed to keep mine in good condition through ten years of service but that's also because I received a brand new one. I hear nowadays they hand out used ones and some already have rust on the gas tube.
Just spray it with Hammerite. No more problems whatsoever.
@@schussfreudech i know you can work around it, but to save a couple bucks on a rifle that can cost between 2 and 4 thousand francs they put a component that is low quality.
When it comes to mind it pisses me off a bit.
@@roger4718 they handed out used ones 12 years ago already. I had one with an X on the gas tube. Hammerite solved that issue because nobody wanted to exchange it for a good gas tube.
I literally was thinking about you discussing the SIG 550 series last night this is good timing
The charging handle rubber thingy is notorious for getting lost and the plastic parts are pretty bad; I've seen half a dozen stocks simply break off and about as many magazines rip themselves apart while shooting in low temperatures (not arctic, just below 0 Celsius) and I've "only" served 500 days.
You mean Swiss SIG of US-made SIG? :)
ouch. should have stuck with wood and metal! my biggest complaint about any modern weapon is all the damned plastic!
@@muzeumkaasznikowa7156 Could well be the Swiss ones, I've seen magazines shatter and spray cartridges around too. As for stocks breaking... I mean I've seen the insert that holds the stock in the folded position break, but the stock breaking off? You'd have to put some serious abuse on the rifle for that to happen, like driving over it or similar.
The rubber on the charging handle, yeah, that degrades and falls off so often we mostly just "replaced" it with layers of tape until the next inspection.
@@muzeumkaasznikowa7156 Swiss Army Stgw 90s, which I very much hope were made here.
Wow! I had 300408 before I had to sell it for a house payment. It served a good cause and was the best appreciation of any gun I bought.
I have no idea why these rifles are so crazy expensive. Probably because it is swiss and they can get away with it.
We produce them in a country with high wages, high costs of living, hard weapon export laws, to a high standard and to low demand...
... can't see why that would make them expensive.
@@Khobotov Same thing going on with HK in Germany and somehow the swiss manage to put another 1000€ on top of what an AR style Heckler and Koch would cost you.
what khobotov said, understand we need to pay things like 400$/month of MANDATORY health care if you don't pay they seize your salary, car license plates also cost a lot depending on the car, muscles cars are luxury items here as only for the plates I would pay 2000$/year in taxes >< just to have the right to drive it, if the rifles weren't good the prices would also be lowe but they are good so yes they can make people pay more
@@fredEVOIX Switzerland is a country to drive through, not to live in. Fuck that. My friends live in Southern Germany, and commute over the 'border' to Basel to work. Best of both worlds. Cheaper living, higher wages.
@@fredEVOIX I understand that. I just think these Sig Guns are terribly overpriced for what they are. Its not my fault your luxury car costs so much you know.
Man I love the irons on all the rifles from this Era.
I understand that scopes and sights are absolutely, without reproach, better in every way than iron sights, but man I love shooting on irons.
It's always been my opinion that a substantially modernized ak for the Russians would just be one of these
It would cost more than what they value their soldiers' life
@@gabrielemagnabosco8926 😂😂😂 100%
It's much more expensive and not as much more effective. AKs were designed to be good enough, considering the size of Soviet millitary and that riffle is not a primary weapon in a proper armed conflict
@@gabrielemagnabosco8926 oh they wouldn't ever do it, but something very similar to this is definitely stashed away somewhere in the cold
@@hermatred572 just like the an94, aek971, ak12 prototypes that actually looked good.
And down there somewhere they are even capable of logic, but they are very good at hiding it.
The Braided recoil spring is something I had never seen before, it blew my mind about springs.
All far cry fans know this one
Loved using it in my duty days! Not as accurate as the STGW57 at 600+ meters, but the weight reduction for standard military engagement range was a huge plus.
Sig abandoned all of their legendary historical firearms to start making polymer garbage Glock clones and AR-15s for the US military. In doing so, they have stopped offering a huge selection of P220s, P226s and all of their legacy pistols AND they stopped making these 550-series rifles. Talk about a huge mistake. Seems like all Sig really cared about was that government cheese. They spent YEARS fighting to replace Colt and FN as the US military's gunmaker and they've succeeded in doing so.
Problem is that they did it at the expense of all of the Sig guns that American civilians actually have an interest in buying. 550-series rifles would sell LIKE HOTCAKES if reintroduced for the civilian market. Just like the morons at H&K finally realized how much money they'd make by selling semi-auto MP5s. The semi-auto SP5 currently sells for about $3,300 brand new on the US market. Just imagine the kind of money H&K could be making by reintroducing their legacy rifles? Same thing goes for Sig. I'd buy MULTIPLE 550-series rifles if Sig started offering them again. Unfortunately they are too busy making AR-15s and AR clones to reintroduce something as cool as the 550-series.
Sig has always been a company there for the government contracts. Every one of their flagship products has been designed and produced specifically for a government, with civilian sales secondary. The P210 (P49), P220 (P75), 540 series, and 550 series. Sig in Switzerland today survives as basically just a maintenance depot for Swiss Army 550 rifles, plus a tiny bit of new production. Sig USA does orders of magnitude more sales of 320s, 365s, MCXs, and AR type rifles than they ever would selling new 550 rifles. The 550 appeals to a collector and nostalgia cohort (which I include myself in), but its not a market-competitive rifle today.
@@ForgottenWeapons My apologies Ian, I was specifically talking about AMERICAN military contracts. As you know, Sig now makes both the US military standard handgun (the P320) AND the new NGSW rifles...which include both the rifle AND the light machine gun. They are also currently the exclusive manufacturer of 6.8x51 ammo...although that is changing.
Like you mentioned, the 550-series appeals to "collector and nostalgia types" and that is exactly what I was talking about in my OP. Who do you think is buying semi-auto only MP5s for $3,300+? Definitely not the "average Joes" who want a 9mm PCC to plink around with. It's us "collector types" paying that kind of money for outdated gun tech specifically because we love them. Don't get me wrong, the MP5 is still THE KING of 9mm SMGs in my mind. But they have been pretty much universally replaced by more modern polymer 9mm SMGs over the last decade or so in military and police units. The civilian SP5 exists SOLELY to cater to us "collector and nostalgia types", and it is so incredibly popular that THE MINIMUM PRICE you can get one at these days is over three grand.
Imagine what a modern HK91 or HK43 would sell for if H&K started making them again? IMO the same thing goes for the Sig 550-series rifles...although I don't think they would command QUITE the same premium that H&Ks would. Still...at this moment in time "nostalgia" products are huge sellers in all kinds of markets. Ford just brought back the Bronco and despite them being turds with a laundry list of problems, they are selling like hotcakes. Colt just brought back their "Snake Gun" line and those too are selling like hotcakes even with MSRPs of $1,500 or more. "Nostalgia" is "in" right now...which is why I would LOVE to see these Sig-550s make a comeback, even if it is a relatively limited production run.
There is also a little space in the Pistolgrip if u remove a cover on the bottom i think atleast here we in the Army have a "loader guide" to load the clips in the Mag
Nice seeing my Service Rifle reviewed
Thank you ,Ian.
Now that's a beaut, Clark! One of my favorite rifles.
Hi, great video. I'm using the sig550 weekly and i actually learned about the gas selector.
Just a small correction on the sights, the 4 diopter sight is also the combat sight marked 3 in red for 30 meters. You must only unscrew the little adapter, this is where you can even insert a variable diopter sight for better precision at the 300 meters competitions.
Thank you as always for the quality subtitles
Just went shooting days ago. The Swiss way of shooting at 300m A targets with iron sights. Even though Im new too shooting and not the best shooter yet, just shooting it feels amazing.
shooting is one of the few things where practice will directly lead to improvement.
more rounds down range you have = better you can shoot..
Keep at it!
Strong contender for my favourite rifle of all time. I love it when you take a look at classics.
the first unscoped gun to complete the 9-hole review 500yd range test clean
Beautiful rifle, great, informative video as always. Thanks.
I've always been a huge fan of the SIG 550! I remember the first time I saw it was in Counter Strike, I think portrayed as the 552. Such a cool firearm!
As a fellow CounterStrike vet I agree with you there - that was a badass rifle!
A hidden feature is the opening of the closed stock using the bipod. To do this, you extend the leg opposite the folded stock and rotate it towards the stock. With the shape of the feet of the bipod, it will pop the stock open :)
I like the streamlined look of this one. It just says "I mean business" without any unnecessary bells or whistles :)
Great looking Rifle! Thanks again! Hope your getting some good monsoon activity!
Ahh the iconic endgame S.T.A.L.K.E.R AR, always a blast to use it