SIG SG 530
The SIG SG 530 was a Swiss assault rifle developed in the 1960s by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) to take the then-new M193 ball and M196 tracer .223 Remington military rounds.[1]
| SIG SG 530 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) |
| Designed | 1960s |
| Manufacturer | Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.45 kg (7.61 lb) |
| Length | 940 mm (37.0 in) |
| Cartridge | .223 Remington |
| Action | Gas-operated, roller-locked |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 912 m/s (2,992 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights |
Development
Development of the rifle started in 1963 as a joint project between SIG and Beretta. The latter had already cooperated with SIG on the production of the SG 510-4 rifle for Chile. Initial prototypes of the 5.56 mm rifle used the delayed-blowback operating system of the SIG SG 510. However, this operating system proved to be problematic with the relatively "weak" 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge, and the designers were forced to use a gas-operated, roller-locked system. In 1968, Beretta ceased development with SIG, and went to work on their own 5.56 mm rifle design resulting in the outwardly similar AR70, later known as AR70/223. Due to a lack of sales, SIG abandoned the SG 530 in the 1970s in favor of developing the SG 540 series.
Bibliography
- Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John S. Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. Iola, WI, 7th edition, 2000. Pages 280–281. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.