However, I do concede that the handguard update will go a long way toward promoting the endurance of the 55X design. Attachment of illumination and IR aiming tools is a crucial part of modern fighting rifles, and the existing options for the 55X were all a bit lackluster.
I guess this kind of stuff was inevitable, since the integration of SAN Swiss Arms into the US SIG SAUER corporate entity.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
I think it's the AR-style buttstock that ultimately hurts it. The handguard enveloping the gas block is certainly different, but those alternative lower receivers would have certainly been a welcome addition to the regular 55X line of parts.
The loss of the triangle stock profile is a big departure from the 55X aesthetic.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
The 55X is, by its nature, an "AK kinda thing". The Spear/MCX impression is an effect of the handguard and stock. I think the lower is a more natural progression for the 55X.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
Originally posted by KSGM: The gas block is almost certainly different.
The 55X is, by its nature, an "AK kinda thing". The Spear/MCX impression is an effect of the handguard and stock. I think the lower is a more natural progression for the 55X.
Photos on social media make it seem that it uses the standard 55x gas block and gas tube. Which are heavy AF.
--------------------------------------------- "AND YEA THOUGH THE HINDUS SPEAK OF KARMA, I IMPLORE YOU...GIVE HER A BREAK, LORD". - Clark W. Griswald
Posts: 2358 | Location: The South | Registered: September 12, 2005
Originally posted by JoshNC: Photos on social media make it seem that it uses the standard 55x gas block and gas tube. Which are heavy AF.
The self regulation gas system is one of the key features of the system. It would not be a 550 derivate without it. I dont know if the shape of the gas block is still in its original form or if it's modified in a way that shows up on pictures of the French military. It's about time the rifle evolves to a modular system.It's neat, though I doubt it's going to play a significant role on the Swiss market.
The 711 in 7.5x55 with diopter and long sight radius has much more potential IF the Swiss Shooting Federation is approving the rifle for 300m competition shooting. If it performs like the SAPR, it's superior to Stgw57 in match configuration.
Posts: 3788 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: January 24, 2001
In the linked article, the last picture of the 56X, after the close-ups of the lower receivers, shows the gas block area in enough detail to see that it is a different block.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
I like to see new stuff, but these just aren’t doing it for me. As quickly as SIG Sauer (NH) goes through rifle systems and equally quickly eliminates support for those systems, I can’t bring myself to love their new stuff. Plus it seems like SIG (Switzerland) really got these rifles right on the first try, and I don’t know that these really fix anything that needed fixing. You’ve got absolutely reliable rifles, coupled with excellent reliability. I think I’d rather see work done on the metallurgy of the materials used in the construction of the rifles to maintain strength but at a lighter weight. Maybe I’m missing something that’ll blow me away once I see it but for now, I’m firmly in the “I’ll stick with the classic rifle” camp.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Posts: 5647 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: February 28, 2002
If the 55X was made lighter, it'd become cost-prohibitive. They're already more expensive than an equally-capable and lighter AR15. Even if it was made lighter, it still wouldn't be as svelte.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
Originally posted by KSGM: If the 55X was made lighter, it'd become cost-prohibitive. They're already more expensive than an equally-capable and lighter AR15. Even if it was made lighter, it still wouldn't be as svelte.
Fair point. I’d rather they invest more in the SAPR platform then. There is definitely room for growth there. I just see this as a bastardization of a beautiful Swiss creation with something… else. Who knows, maybe some day this will grow on me, but I’m not counting on it.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Posts: 5647 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: February 28, 2002
I have a bias against this "evolution". This seems less like a 550, and more of an evolution of Spear LT. With the accuracy issues of the LT, notwithstanding, fixing those issues and then creating a lower to take 550 mags makes more sense than ruining the 550 series like they did here. Considering I don't think they can make existing 55X compatible with this new furniture, they might as well get a new rifle.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vgex,
Posts: 2081 | Location: TX | Registered: October 28, 2010
You're not alone. I think the overwhelming majority of 55X fans will have a bias against this "evolution". A 551 with diopters is the coolest thing, in my opinion. The fact of the matter is that slick 551 is not what contemporary "operators" want.
I think the Swiss politics factor in here as well. To their credit, they want to continue the use of their indigenous design. I suspect they choose not to consider imports, and they are obviously reluctant to manufacture their own AR15 variant, or we'd likely have seen it by now.
The changes implemented by the 56X represent the persistence of the 55X design, which is good. Considering the motivations in play, the article could have just-as-easily been about the new Swiss AR15, and the outright discontinuation of the 55X.
As someone who has made honest attempts to integrate modern accessories into the 55X platform, I can say that it really doesn't work super well. Especially when compared to an AR15 with the same equipment.
I think the 56X will accept modern accessories better than the 55X, and therefore permit the continued use of the 55X base design, for the Swiss police and military. That's a good thing.
Also, if they just "got a new rifle" they'd be abandoning the rifle we think is so great for, presumably, something better. When that idea is in play, it begs the question what do we think is so great about the 55X?. Is it merely aesthetics? I'd like to think we like something a little more than skin deep. If we do, then we have little to complain about, as the heart of the system is very-much intact, in the 56X.
Posts: 2531 | Location: Northeast GA | Registered: February 15, 2021
I hear what you're saying. The Brits are the similar with their retarded L85. At least the Swiss' 550 series is a great rifle. Just lacking in modularity and a bit heavy. The Brits just give their general troops the L85 and their operators get the M4 variants.
I can't help but think that system makes more sense. However, reverse engineering the 550 to be more like an AR, using the Spear LT as a bridge is better than spending one more penny on an L85.
Would swapping the regular troops with 20" flattop free-float AR with a collapsible stock be cheaper and lend itself to better compatibility overall? Sure, but then they'd be, as you said, giving up on a native design.
I just don't think a 550 should be shoehorned into an AR. They are both great, and I think one design blending both waters both and wastes money. If they want modular, get an M4 variant for the specific groups they want (SR-15, 416, M4A1, etc).
Posts: 2081 | Location: TX | Registered: October 28, 2010
