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 5.56×45mm NATO round.[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 | 5.56×45mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated, roller-locked |
Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 912 m/s (2,992 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 500M |
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. 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.
References
- "The SIG SG 530/1". swissrifles.com. Retrieved 15 February 2017.