My new 522 - as much fun as you can have without a tax stamp!

[Mr. Jones]

A few weeks ago I went into the local gun shop for some ammo and as I walked through the .22 aisle, the new Sig caught my eye.  Before I knew it I had her in my hands and briefly examined the features.

It was everything I thought was cool about assault rifles when i was a kid, and I guess it took me back to trekking through the woods with my brothers wearing surplus Viet Nam BDUs and ALICE packs dragging an ancient .308 that was too big for me and imagining it was a M16.

I simply carried her to the counter and ordered my ammo, wrote a check; and became her owner. 

I will say this, I am pretty tight with money, this purchase was so uncharacteristic of me that I was in a kind of shock when I got back to my van and looked at her once more in the case.

It wasn't until I got home and really examined the rifle, and I realized that while it was a little pricey and totally spontaneous, it was going to be worth it.  I had it broken down in a matter of minutes and was very pleased at what I saw.  It's sturdy and rugged, a little heavy; but it still felt light and nimble once I had the stock fitted correctly.  The rifle came with a really horrid ACOG clone, not even paintball quality; a trip to wal mart for some slightly better bargain optics took care of the issue for now.  The lack of iron sights really threw me off, and the price for the set is out of reach for now, so I am relying on a red dot for long range and laser for short range.  Not the best solution, but it's working out for plinking targets.

I already picked up a few tacticool essentials and plan on a couple more items, trying not to go overboard (which would be so easy on this rifle).  Had it at the range for 1200 rounds in a day, and it performed flawlessly except when i tried to run some surplus rem golden bullet junk I had laying around.  It wouldn't even operate the bolt; federal, CCI, and Winchester all fired flawlessly and saved the day. 

It was kind of funny, and I did feel a little self conscious whipping out this rifle only a few stalls from what was very apparently a salaried sniper and two LEOs practicing their draw together.  I heard one of the officers mumble something about a coyote gun as they cast sidelong glances.  The sniper never lost focus on his objective.  30 minutes later when I was firing a steady stream of rounds and cutting the head off of a border patrol qualification target at 25 yards, all three of them watched for a moment.

I dunno,  I'm not building this thing to be like a soldier or something, and I didn't want them to think I was being a poser;  I'm doing it for the fun of shooting a ridiculously tacticool rifle, and I think they could tell by the huge grin on my face as I emptied a black dog 50 rounder with careless pinpoint accuracy (all the rifle's doing, I just pointed the dot). 

Anyhow, this thread is worthless without pics, so without further adue:

(pictures are a bit fuzzy, I think my handicam is dying)

The gun shop had one 522, the green one.  I have read that it may be rare, but I don't know if that is true.  I don't care either way, I always loved the olive on black scheme for rifles.

Using the laser from my Savage (nighttime) critter gitter since this gun will serve the purpose tenfold.  Since I had no iron sight, I set this to 25 yards for close up work.  The blue tab helps me line up the dot quickly in daylight; pretty cheap, but it does help alot when I cannot easily see the laser in bright light

Obligatory accessories- The bipod is too short to clear the magazines, but it works for now.  I never had a foregrip on a rifle before, hot damn it makes a huge difference! 

Current optics are both centerpoint items from wal mart.  Just a common red/green dot and red laser.

(see thru tri rail from UTG- scope on flattop was too low for me, lot's of neck fatigue after a day of shooting)

  I am not stealing optics from my other rifles, so another set of pro grade sights are going to have to wait until I build up some savings again.  They both actually did pretty well, but the scope's tint makes it difficult for me to see at 100yds, so it will eventually have to go.  For now 75yds is where I left them

Closer detail of the laser with a custom quick mount I made from FACOG parts

The pressure switch for the laser routed easy. The stock hinge accommodates the wiring and the "ramped" design keeps it from pinching.  Notice I did the crayon trick to make the Safe and Fire indicators stand out

A shot with the standard 30rd mag and extras

And with the BDM 50rd drum

From the rear:

And just because I think it looks cool and feels awesome to hold:

Also just received my UTG Ultimate Gun Case, which is..well.. the ultimate gun case, but I'll submit some pics of that later.

[asmurff]

Way cool!!!!!  :grin:

[Microgunner]

Welcome to T22. Sounds like you're having fun.

[Mr. Jones]

lol, images are still too big, right click and "View Image" for the whole picture

I fixed my handi-cam and took some new pics..  Nothing new about the rifle, just higher res images.  enjoy!

my current armament for the rifle

Just a close up..

equipped with sport package and heated leather something:

Opposite side with BDM drum (must have, want more)

my kind of porn!

---

Finally, my version of the official Sig promotional image for the 522.

Original:

My version:

*shown with optional accessories :p

[Microgunner]

Rifle looks sharp and so do your photos.

[Mr. Jones]

Rifle looks sharp and so do your photos.

Thanks! I really am excited about this rifle. After owning a Bushmaster AR for a short time, I am finding that I really like Sig's concept of the platform a little better.  It certainly helped me decide to go with the Sig 556 over another AR this next christmas. 

  While she's not the most powerful or expensive rifle I have owned, it is certainly the most fun to shoot, and I will admit tactical tinkering is just fun.  I can adjust scope rings on my long rifles all day and it's not nearly as exciting as determining exactly which (weaver)rail number is best to provide the best flashlight coverage.

[Madhouse]

I'm with you, Jones, I love my 522, very fun to shoot.  I haven't done mods like you, just an EOTech, still a blast.

[Mr. Jones]

Ya know, I cannot remember anyone ever approaching me about, or complimenting my AR15 or my old winchester 308.  I've only owned the 522 for 4 months and have met at least 3 new friends at the range as well as many comments and looks.

Oddly enough, it is usually older gents, maybe 60 plus, than come over to ask about it.  I figured the older guys would see it as a joke, but they seem to just love the whole tactical scene more than they readily admit.

What really makes me proud though is when someone assumes it is a 550 or a 556 with a .22 conversion.  Sig did a fine job of not making this rifle a "toy," and it shows. 

When i first got her, i was self conscious about taking her out of the case at the range.  I didn't want people to think I was trying to play "SWAT team," it took me years to not feel odd with a dropleg pistol holster.  But everyone has been very receptive and show interest in the rifle, so I am happy to walk around the range with her slung across my back.