G&g sg 550?

[Immelmann]

Hey guys, I'm considering going for a G&G SG 550. I've looked around here and elsewhere, but I haven't managed to find much info beyond people singing its praises.

I know there are a few of you on here with them, so I was wondering, is there anything I should know before deciding on one?


Also, I don't suppose I should get my hopes up for the STANAG mag compatibility (maybe that's just the 556) carrying over to airsoft M4 mags...



Edit: Crap, is there any way I can fix the capitalization in the thread title?

[Schlyder]

The G&G SIG 550 is a great airsoft rifle. Built solid. Shoots great.
Real Steel SIG 550s do not take M4 mags. Neither does the airsoft.
I prefer the TM low cap mags for looks and performance, and no modding needed. (MAG brand need minor mods)

You can squeeze a 9.6v mini stick in it if you do a little mod with the battery set up

[TaroBear]

TM mags are awesome, but I'm pretty pleased with the stock G&G mags. They're kind of orange-ish in tint, but they have this little feeder nub stick that makes sure every last BB in the mag is used, which is something TM and MAG mags lack. Surprisingly, I'm going to have to say that the MAG ones feel the most solid. I generally run half TM, half MAG, with the MAG ones coming out for more rough-and-tumble use. The G&G line is definitively the way to go for SIG rifles. I'm quite confident that I can smash half the airsoft guns I see at games with just the stock of my SIG.

*Flips on SIG Signal*

[Styrak]

If you want a Sig at all, get the G&G. Whether it's the 550, 552, or 553.
Stamped steel body, real profile outer barrel, polymer furniture very similar to the real one, no wires running inside. You can also change handguards out with the real one.
Oh, also solid as fuck.

[Immelmann]

How are the stock internals? Would anything need upgrading? Also, which hop-up does it use? I'm finding an alarming lack of info on google...

Also, have you guys had any issues with the motor?

[Schlyder]

Stock internals haven't given me a problem at all. Haven't had to do a thing with mine... just battery mods. Don't worry about upgrading anything until something breaks. Which will likely be a long time. No issues with the motor either.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by Immelmann

How are the stock internals? Would anything need upgrading? Also, which hop-up does it use? I'm finding an alarming lack of info on google...

Also, have you guys had any issues with the motor?

I've ran mine for about 2 years. Opened it up last summer, took a look, put it back together and ran it more. Didn't need anything. Although it may need a new piston head, as the basic G&G piston head design sucks (seems like I'm loosing some FPS, down to 360 or so from 380 or so).

No issues.

[TaroBear]

The lack of info is because the SIG platform isn't all that popular to begin with...and the G&Gs are the premium end of the selection. They're expensive, but worth the money. No issues with it yet, although I had an improved inner barrel put in because I'm blind. The most trouble you'll have with the gun is getting a battery to fit. I solved this problem by adding a PEQ box to the side of the gun. To be fair, EVERY SIG rifle has battery issues, not just the G&G ones.

[KBarlow]

I just got an ICS 552 Commando, and it's great. It has a profile similar to an AK. As everyone else has mentioned, the battery space in the handguard is extremely limited. The only batteries I know that will fit are 8.4v stick batteries and LiPo batteries. I just ordered two 11.1v 15C LiPo buffer tube batteries. Should give good semi-auto response and a decent rate of fire without blowing up the internals like a 40C LiPo, and they fit in the handguard. Someone linked this to me recently:

http://www.icsbb.com/EDM/SG/ESG.html

Just shows the dimensions of the battery compartment. They are literally identical to the dimensions of an 11.1v LiPo buffer tube battery.

[Styrak]

We're talking about G&G's here, not ICS. No offense.

[Schlyder]

Originally Posted by TaroBear

The lack of info is because the SIG platform isn't all that popular to begin with...and the G&Gs are the premium end of the selection. They're expensive, but worth the money. No issues with it yet, although I had an improved inner barrel put in because I'm blind. The most trouble you'll have with the gun is getting a battery to fit. I solved this problem by adding a PEQ box to the side of the gun. To be fair, EVERY SIG rifle has battery issues, not just the G&G ones.

There are no issues with the G&G Sig 550s battery setup.
...you can run an 8.4v mini stick, and if you are happy with that, you do not have to do a thing.
If you want to go to a 9.6v mini stick you need to rig the battery connections a bit different... not a major mod to deal with.

The 552.. well that's a different story. Mods are required to run a mini nunchuck battery

[Immelmann]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this is absolutely fantastic! I'll definitely have to look into handguards as well now.

Just one thing for clarification: did you guys really not do anything when you got yours? Not even shimming or lube/cleaning?

I think I've settled on this as my final decision. It was either a 550 or a CA G36C, but the amount of money I'd have to put into that for working internals and the full-size conversion probably would've pushed it close to the $700 mark.

Also, something else caught my attention - you said part of the lack of popularity was the 'premium' price, but 400 really doesn't seem that bad. Most of what I've seen would need upgrading out of the box and would probably come to a similar price point when all was said and done. Do people really only see the up-front cost for the gun and not think about what they'll have to do to make it run reliably? :S
Or is this something I'll just come to understand once I'm actually properly involved in the hobby?


Edit: I forgot to ask, do you guys use any optics on yours? Or are the sights really as good as people say?

[Schlyder]

Nope.. I've done nothing to either mechbox on my 550 or 552. Never cracked them open... No need.
Both shoot very good, completely stock. Great range and accuracy.
You will have plenty of use before you need to do anything, other than routine maintenance of course.

I just use the iron sights. No optics.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by Immelmann

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this is absolutely fantastic! I'll definitely have to look into handguards as well now.

Just one thing for clarification: did you guys really not do anything when you got yours? Not even shimming or lube/cleaning?

I think I've settled on this as my final decision. It was either a 550 or a CA G36C, but the amount of money I'd have to put into that for working internals and the full-size conversion probably would've pushed it close to the $700 mark.

Also, something else caught my attention - you said part of the lack of popularity was the 'premium' price, but 400 really doesn't seem that bad. Most of what I've seen would need upgrading out of the box and would probably come to a similar price point when all was said and done. Do people really only see the up-front cost for the gun and not think about what they'll have to do to make it run reliably? :S
Or is this something I'll just come to understand once I'm actually properly involved in the hobby?


Edit: I forgot to ask, do you guys use any optics on yours? Or are the sights really as good as people say?

Yes really. Didn't do anything and you don't need to. Why is that hard to believe? Someone may have said "premium price" because they are the most expensive Sig, but they are worth it. Also back when I got my 550 I paid about $650. Still worth it though.

[TaroBear]

I put a holosight on, but I have the 553, which doesn't only has really tiny back up sights. The gun is perfectly fine as is. You COULD pimp it out...but there's really no reason to.