The Sig Sauer SIG516 G3 (R516G3556N16BBRZ) is a 5.56 NATO semi-automatic piston-driven rifle built for sport shooters, duty use, and serious range training who want a battle-tested modern sporting rifle with a standout Bronze Cerakote finish and the reliability of a short-stroke piston system.
Key Features
- Part number: R516G3556N16BBRZ
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO, also accepts .223 Remington
- Capacity: 30+1 rounds, includes one 30-round AR-15 polymer magazine
- Barrel: 16 inch cold hammer forged steel, 1:7 twist rate
- Barrel threading: 1/2-28 tpi tapered shoulder, compatible with standard AR-15 muzzle devices
- Muzzle device: Sig Flash Hider-Compensator included
- Stock: 6-position Magpul DT adjustable stock
- Grip: AR-compatible reduced-angle grip
- Handguard: Free-floating M-LOK with Picatinny rail section
- Receiver finish: Bronze Cerakote
- Operating system: Short-stroke piston with 3-position adjustable gas system
- Trigger: Sig Matchlite DUO curved trigger
- Controls: Fully ambidextrous safety, bolt catch, bolt release, charging handle, and magazine catch
- Charging handle: Rear and side non-reciprocating
- Overall length: 36.5 inches extended, 33 inches collapsed
- Overall width: 3.3 inches
- Height: 7.8 inches
- Weight: 7 lbs 11 oz
- Forward assist: Yes
- Action: Semi-automatic
Special Features
- The short-stroke piston operating system keeps propellant gases out of the receiver and bolt carrier group, which reduces heat buildup and carbon fouling compared to a direct impingement design.
- The 3-position adjustable gas system lets you tune the rifle's cycling to match different ammunition loads or to run suppressed without over-cycling the action.
- Cold hammer forging compresses the barrel steel during manufacturing, producing a harder bore surface that extends barrel life and maintains consistent accuracy over a higher round count.
- Steel-reinforced components at the cam path and feed ramp address the highest-wear areas in the action, giving the G3 a measurable durability advantage over receivers without reinforced inserts.
- The rear and side non-reciprocating charging handle operates independently of the bolt carrier group, allowing you to charge or clear the rifle from either side without your support hand leaving the handguard.
- Full ambidextrous controls from the factory, including the bolt catch and magazine release, mean no aftermarket modification is needed for left-handed shooters.
- The Bronze Cerakote receiver finish is corrosion-resistant, scratch-resistant, and sets the R516G3556N16BBRZ apart visually from standard black configurations in the G3 lineup.
- The free-floating M-LOK handguard keeps the barrel completely isolated from sling, bipod, or accessory pressure, protecting accuracy potential at longer distances.
Practical Benefits
- The 6-position Magpul DT stock adjusts to fit a wide range of shooter builds, making the Sig Sauer SIG516 G3 (R516G3556N16BBRZ) a practical fit for adult shooters of different sizes without swapping components.
- The 1:7 twist rate stabilizes a full spectrum of 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington bullet weights from 55-grain through 77-grain, giving you flexibility to run practice ammunition at the range and heavier loads in the field.
- The M-LOK handguard gives you a clean, low-profile platform to mount lights, lasers, vertical grips, or a bipod without adding bulk where you do not need it.
- The threaded 1/2-28 barrel makes the rifle immediately compatible with suppressors and the full range of standard AR-15 muzzle devices, with no additional machining required.
- Whether you are running drills at the range, competing in 3-gun events, or building a suppressed 5.56 setup, the piston system and adjustable gas block give your rifle the flexibility to perform across all of those roles without tuning issues.
- If you want a 5.56 NATO piston rifle that combines proven durability, full ambidextrous control, and a finish that stands out on the rack and in the field, this platform delivers all of it without compromise.
The Sig Sauer SIG516 G3 (R516G3556N16BBRZ) in 5.56 NATO is a dependable option for the serious sport shooter or duty-minded buyer who demands a piston-driven modern sporting rifle built to run hard and last.
| MANUFACTURER | SIG SAUER |
| MODEL | SIG516 G3 |
| CALIBER | 5.56MM |
| TYPE | RIFLE |