Back in 2009, I decided to transform a SIG Sauer P556 Pistol into a semi-auto variant of the manufacturer’s Model 552 Commando Carbine, with which I became enamored after its awesome screen presence in the 2006 Michal Mann film, “Miami Vice.”
Together, along with Michael Frost of MFI and the folks at SIG Sauer, I set out to get the dimensions and parts I needed to register the firearm as a short-barreled rifle, including an original Swiss-style folding stock. Parts that were swapped included the P556’s original handguard, the handguard-retaing ring and its AR-15 A2-style flash hider, only to be replaced with Frost’s highly detailed 552-style components.Eventually the Form 1 came through and I had my NFA-approved, semi-auto variant of SIG 552 Commando Carbine. But there was one other facet that remained. Frost wanted to produce a righteous rear diopter sight and rail to replace the extremely high-profile, removable variant offered by SIG.
It took several years, but he contacted me last week to inform me that it was finally available. While it may not have the giggle switch or take the proprietary Swiss magazines, it marks the completion of another NFA project that resulted in unique short-barreled rifle with some decidedly sleek (not to mention kick-ass) Swiss aesthetics.
Together, along with Michael Frost of MFI and the folks at SIG Sauer, I set out to get the dimensions and parts I needed to register the firearm as a short-barreled rifle, including an original Swiss-style folding stock. Parts that were swapped included the P556’s original handguard, the handguard-retaing ring and its AR-15 A2-style flash hider, only to be replaced with Frost’s highly detailed 552-style components.Eventually the Form 1 came through and I had my NFA-approved, semi-auto variant of SIG 552 Commando Carbine. But there was one other facet that remained. Frost wanted to produce a righteous rear diopter sight and rail to replace the extremely high-profile, removable variant offered by SIG.
It took several years, but he contacted me last week to inform me that it was finally available. While it may not have the giggle switch or take the proprietary Swiss magazines, it marks the completion of another NFA project that resulted in unique short-barreled rifle with some decidedly sleek (not to mention kick-ass) Swiss aesthetics.
