Advice on my projected buy

[PaTroLL]

Hi everyone.

I'm thinking about buying an ICS Sig 551, new for 270$.

I've seen a lot of good reviews for this airsoft gun, but I want advices from real players, with experience. Are the performance of this gun any good? Is it a good "bang for your buck"?

Thanks a lot.

Oh and by the way, i'm going to go through the age verification process really soon, so no problem there (yes I know the rules).

[MaciekA]

Only a couple years ago, this gun sold for the mid-300s in the USA and was held in high regard in terms of quality. The upper receiver is steel. You're getting a fairly nice version 3 gearbox that will be a bit more immune to the stresses of cold weather than version 2 gearboxes in all the M4s out there.

I've been thinking of picking one of these up myself, due to the price and the general uniqueness of this gun. My point of view, formed from my own thoughts about getting this rifle:

- Start researching smaller 7.4V LiPo batteries that can easily be fit in the handguard.
- Start looking into what extra mags will cost you, since these are going to be fairly unique mags.
- Find out if the 551 mags will fit into any standard pouches out there, like M4 pouches, or maybe look into TACO mag pouches (these often fit oddball bigger-than-M4 mags but can be adapted to fit M4 mags easily as well).
- Consider and figure out how to mount optics on the top of the gun. I understand there is a rail that can be found for the top of this rifle, but it doesn't come with the rifle.

Obviously, the usual advice applies. Throw the charger out and get yourself a smart charger (if you follow my advice about LiPos this will be something you'd have to do anyway).

Other than that, yeah, at that price point, this is a really tempting buy!

[kalnaren]

This is hearsay, but I've been told the SIG series is an absolute bitch to disassemble. Keep that in mind if you need to swap the spring for something lighter.

Having said that, everyone I know who's owned one loves it.

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by kalnaren

This is hearsay, but I've been told the SIG series is an absolute bitch to disassemble. Keep that in mind if you need to swap the spring for something lighter.

Having said that, everyone I know who's owned one loves it.

The good news is that on crazyncman's review video, you can witness this SIG coming apart extremely easily, you just get the handguard off, hold down a button and slide the upper off the lower. The rest looks similar to a G36.

The bad news is that I've never seen nozzles, motor cages, or hopups labelled "for a SIG" so that might be a bit of a pickle down the road.

[PaTroLL]

All right thanks a lot to boh of you but as MaciekA said, it's really easy to disassemble.

I already own a smart charger, and I will sure look for a rail that can be mounted on it because after ive upgraded it a little its range should be about 180 feet so a x3 would be great.

Thanks!

[Styrak]

The ICS Sig is alright, especially for the price, but if you want the highest quality Sig, get a G&G.
ICS Sig charging handles tend to fall out easily and they aren't 100% compatible with TM mags (the BB hole is in a slightly different place you you may need to file the opening a bit)

[Kozzie]

I've owned an ICS Sig 551 for a little over a year now. Left it bone stock and I have to say I've been pretty happy with it overall. I've put tens upon tens of thousands of rounds through it and she still shoots great.

The externals of the gun pretty are nice but I wouldn't say they're top notch. 7/10
- The "plastic" parts are quite robust
- Aluminum receiver has laser engraved (?) realistic trades.
- Rotating rear drum sight gives 3 different view options and clicks solidly into place adjustable for windage and elevation. Front sight is adjustable for windage and has a second (larger) flip-up blade sight.
- The removable charging handle and functioning bolt catch in a nice realistic touch. But don't let the charging handle slam forward too many times or the piece that holds the charging handle in place will break making your charging handle easy to fall out. With the retaining piece intact the handle would be difficult to lose.
- The selector switch is very stiff at first but will become better with time.
- The trigger guard is too loose and will swing around on you when you don't want it to. I glued mine in place and it hasn't bothered me since.
- Quick & easy break down/disassembly and battery installation.

The stock internals are pretty impressive for ICS. I've put 50,000 rds + through it with zero issues. 8/10
- Factory shimming was pretty good, lubrication was also good.
- Gears and anti reversal latch seem to be made out of nicely machined good quality steel.
- The nozzle is proprietary but seems to seal well.
- Compression is good but not 100%
- Cylinder is good and smooth but cylinder head has a bit of a lose fit.
- Piston and piston head are respectable. Piston has a metal first tooth and the piston head is plastic non-ported with no bearings.
- Comes with the ICS turbo 3000 motor. This is motor performs very well, only one little issue is that it's a bit loud and high pitched.
- Spring guide is mediocre and has no bearings
- The plastic hop-up functions very well, but could probably use a better rubber.
- inner barrel is 363mm aluminum, bore?

Overall rating 7.5/10, A great gun for the price.

A 9.6 stick battery will fit nicely in the hand guard and provide a decent ROF. I've been using Mag brand 100 rd midcaps, they feed very well with a small amount of filing. *Mod*

Recommended upgrades for best performance are as follows:

- Hop rubber
- Address compression issue
- TBB
- Ported piston head with bearing.
- Bearing spring guide


**edit: At that price ($270) this gun is a steal.

[anthon]

I was also thinking of getting one of these, but the shorter version (the commando, I think its the 552). Thanks for the reviews. Man these prices are so tempting.....

[PaTroLL]

WOW, Thanks a lot Kozzie! This will definately help me a lot.

So that's it, i'm gonna buy one and follow your advices regarding upgrades, etc.

[Kozzie]

NP OP
anthon be advised that the battery space in the 552 handguard is a bit lacking and will only really accept small a lipo. Alternatively there is always a peq box.

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by Styrak

they aren't 100% compatible with TM mags (the BB hole is in a slightly different place you you may need to file the opening a bit)

Does the G&G have trouble with TM mags?

I have had trouble with TM mags with G&G before, like with their MP5 (took MAG brand just fine).

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by MaciekA

Does the G&G have trouble with TM mags?

I have had trouble with TM mags with G&G before, like with their MP5 (took MAG brand just fine).

I bought some chinese 100 round midcaps (probably OEM for MAG, or similar to MAG anyway) and I had to file them down a bit to get them to slide in smoothly. No work was needed on the BB port at all though, other than just lubing the spring/follower with a little silicone oil.

[ThunderCactus]

Originally Posted by MaciekA

- Start researching smaller 7.4V LiPo batteries that can easily be fit in the handguard.

What's with you and wanting to immediately upgrade to LiPo? lol

I can't speak for the ICS SIG, but the marui is a pain in the ass to disassemble, the selector switch has a lot of cogs and arms in there.
Given the general quality of ICS, you'll need your compression parts upgraded to get really good performance; hop rubber, piston/cylinder head and air nozzle.

See how many mags you can squeeze out of a battery, if it's not enough to your liking, install a MOSFET switch and upgrade your wiring, if it's still not enough, then upgrade to LiPo.

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by ThunderCactus

What's with you and wanting to immediately upgrade to LiPo? lol

Watch the crazyncman review, it's the only battery that will comfortably fit in the handguard.

Well the answer would be that I don't see LiPo batteries as an upgrade like you do but rather the standard beginning point. I could just as easily say, "What's with you and wanting to immediately downgrade to heavy-ass waste-of-money NiMH batteries when HobbyKing has LiPos for 5 god damned' bucks?".



S'alls a matter of perspective, ya see?

Most of the AEGs I either bought in the last year or saw purchased had Deans connectors included and LiPos were the only thing that would even fit in them, due to being buffer tube guns. LiPo is what I know and trust.

[kalnaren]

I'd run lipos if I wasn't lazy. And if they fit in my AEGs.