SIG SAUER P556 User Manual
Reliability. FiRst time, eveRy time.
P556
Pistol
Handling & saFety
instRuctions
tm
TM
*Shown with
optional accessories
not included.
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
USING THIS FIREARM; DO NOT
DISCARD THIS MANUAL.
This instruction manual should always
accompany this firearm and be transferred
with it upon ownership, or when the firearm
is loaned or presented to another person.
FOR PRODUCT SERVICE ON THIS
MODEL, PLEASE CALL (603)772-2302
sig sauer, iNC. • 18 iNdustrial drive,
exeter, New HampsHire 03833 usa
OWNERS MANUAL
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require, by law, that their own specified warning notices, in
larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by the manufacturer,
distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold in that state. SIG SAUER Inc.
sells its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because
our products may be sold these states, we include the following:
CALIFORNIA:
WARNING
“Children are attracted to and
can operate firearms that can
cause severe injuries or death.
Prevent child access by always
keeping guns locked away
and unloaded when not in use.
If you keep a loaded firearm
where a child obtains and
improperly uses it, you may be
fined or sent to prison.”
ADVERTENCIA
“A los niños atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer
funcionar. Ellos pueden
causarse lesions graves y la
muerte. Evite que los niños
tengan accesso a las armas de
fuego guardándolas siempre
con llave y descargadas cuando
no las esté utilizando. Si usted
tiene una arma de fuego cargada en un lugar en que un niño
tiene accesso a ella y la usa
indebidamente, le pueden dar
una multa o enviarlo a la
carcel.”
CONNECTICUT:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
FLORIDA:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY
IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO STORE
OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS
OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 2 1511582 VER 08.01.08
TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM
TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND.”
MAINE:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME.
IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN
EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO
FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS.”
MARYLAND:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a crime to store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should have
known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
MASSACHUSETTS:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully
blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms
like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United
States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each
year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is
likely that many more children sustain serious wounds, or inflict
such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance
of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this weapon locked
in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventative
steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some
circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.”
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 3 1511582 VER 08.01.08
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
PISTOL, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAMPER
RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR KEPT IN
A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
NEW JERSEY:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”
NEW YORK CITY, NY:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS
ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARMS
STORAGE. FOR INCREASED SAFETY, FIREARMS
SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A
LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR
AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND
OTHER UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”
NORTH CAROLINA:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE
TO A MINOR.”
TEXAS:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR
ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE
WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN
OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 4 1511582 VER 08.01.08
WISCONSIN:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH
OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR
IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD IMPROPERLY
DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS THE FIREARM.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please check with your licensed retailer, state police, or local police for additional
warnings which may be required by local law or regulation. Such regulations
change constantly, and local authorities are in the best position to advise you on
such legal matters.
WARNING - LOCKING DEVICES
This firearm was originally sold with a key
operated locking device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded firearm, any
locking device can fail. All guns are designed to
fire if they are loaded and the trigger is pulled.
Therefore, never install the locking inside the
trigger guard or in any way that it can possibly
pull the trigger! Do not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for secure storage of
any firearm must depend upon its owner and his
or her individual circumstances. Guns should be
stored unloaded, in a secure location, separate
from their ammunition.
NEVER INSTALL THE
LOCKING DEVICE INSIDE
THE TRIGGER GUARD
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 5 1511582 VER 08.01.08
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Page
State-By-State Warnings
Locking Device
General Safety Information and Mechanical Characteristics
1.0. Safety Rules
1.1. Protect Your Eyes And Ears
2.0. Mechanical Characteristics and Weapon Theory
2.1. Weapon Description
2.1.1. General
2.1.2. Barrel With Receiver And Gas System
2.1.3. Bolt
2.1.4. Hand Guards
2.1.5. Trigger Casing Assembly
2.1.6. Gas Valve Position
2.1.7. Not Applicable
2.1.8. Trigger Guard Operation
2.1.9. Sights
2.1.10. Magazine
2.2. Technical Specifications
Operation of Safety
The Bolt Catch Lever
Ammunition
To Load and Fire (With Magazine)
3.0. Handling
3.1. Important Instructions
3.2. Loading The Pistol
3.3. Loading The Magazine
3.4. Changing the Magazine
3.5. Reloading
4.0. Ready to Fire
4.1. Firing
1
5
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
18
18
19
21
22
26
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
30
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 6 1511582 VER 08.01.08
4.1.1. Unlocking Of Bolt, Extraction, & Ejection
4.1.2. Bolt Advance
To Unload Magazine and Pistol
5.0. Unloading
To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge .
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”)
6.0. Procedures In Case Of Malfunction
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”)
To Disassemble
7.0. Field Strip Disassembly
To Reassemble
7.1. Reassembly
7.2. Function Check
Magazine Inspection and Care
Care and Cleaning
Transportation & Storage
Sights
8.0. Sight Options
Maintenance
9.0. Maintenance
9.1. Cleaning
Service and Parts Policy
Shipping Firearms for Repair
Ordering Parts
10.0. Parts List
10.1. Parts Diagram
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling
Warranty Information
31
32
36
36
37
38
38
40
40
40
44
44
47
48
49
49
50
50
51
51
51
52
54
55
56
57
58
59
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 7 1511582 VER 08.01.08
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 5 Handling 26
Alterations 8 Firing 35
Sights 16 Handling 35
Manual Safety 20 Unloading 37
Lead Exposure 25 Storage 50
Ammunition 25 Parts Purchasers 53
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS –
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING.
WARNING - ALTERATION
This product was designed to function properly
in its original condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add or substitute
any parts or accessories not manufactured by SIG
SAUER Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 8 1511582 VER 08.01.08
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.0. Safety Information
The safety warnings in this manual are important. By
understanding the dangers inherent in the use of any firearm, and
by taking the precautions described herein, you can enjoy
complete safety in the use of your pistol. Failure to heed any
of these warnings may result in serious injury to you or others,
as well as severe damage to the firearm or other property. SIG
SAUER Inc. shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for malfunctioning of the firearm, physical injury or
property damage resulting in whole or in part from:
1) criminal or negligent discharge;
2) improper or careless handling;
3) unauthorized modifications;
4) defective, improper, hand-loaded, or reloaded ammunition;
5) corrosion;
6) neglect; or
7) other influences beyond our direct and immediate control.
This limitation applies regardless of whether liability is asserted
on the basis of contract, negligence, or strict liability (including
any failure to warn). Under no circumstance shall SIG SAUER
Inc. be liable for incidental or consequential damages, such as
loss of use of property, commercial loss, and loss of earnings
or profits.
1.1. Protect Your Eyes And Ears
Always wear safety glasses and ear plugs or “earmuff” type protectors whenever you are shooting. Always make certain that persons close to you are similarly protected. Unprotected eyes may
be injured by powder, gas, carbon residue, lubricant, metallic particles, or similar debris which may emanate occasionally from any
firearm in normal use. Without ear protection, repeated exposure
to shooting noise may lead to cumulative, permanent hearing loss.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 9 1511582 VER 08.01.08
2.0. Mechanical Characteristics & Weapon Theory
2.1. Weapon Description
2.1.1. General
The P556 Pistol is a semi-automatic, gas operated weapon with a
rotary bolt mechanism. Semi-automatic means one round will fire
each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine is emptied of
ammunition. The pistol is chambered in 5.56mm NATO and
is compatible with .223 Remington ammunition.
2.1.2. Barrel With Receiver And Gas System
The barrel is mechanically mated to the receiver. The flash
suppressor is screwed onto the muzzle end of the barrel which
features a Ω x 28 TPI thread pattern. The gas block, which is
fixed on the barrel, contains the gas port, locates the gas system
(gas tube and operating rod), accepts the front sight and also
serves as support for the hand guards. The receiver guides the
bolt and bolt carrier, and houses the locking system. An accessory
mounting rail is fixed to the upper part of the receiver, providing
an attachment point for sighting systems and other accessories.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 10 1511582 VER 08.01.08
2.1.3. Bolt
The bolt consists of two main parts:
• Bolt Carrier
• Bolt Head
a. Bolt Carrier: The bolt carrier guides the bolt head, controls the
locking and unlocking by means of the cam, holds the operating
rod, and cocks the hammer.
b. Bolt Head: The bolt head
locks the bolt assembly,
houses the firing pin and
extractor and feeds the
cartridges from the
magazine to the chamber.
2.1.4. Hand Guards
The hand guards protect the
barrel and the gas system from
damage. They also provide ergonomic positioning of the hands
during operation as well as protecting the hands from burns.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 11 1511582 VER 08.01.08
2.1.5. Trigger Casing Assembly
The trigger casing assembly contains the internal components of
the firing and safety mechanisms, bolt catch, magazine well,
magazine catch, trigger, trigger guard and pistol grip.
The safety lever, located on both sides of the trigger casing, can
be set to two positions:
• Position “S:” The weapon is locked in the safe position.
• Position “F:” The weapon will fire in the semi-automatic mode.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 12 1511582 VER 08.01.08
The trigger guard may be released from its normal position to
make the trigger accessible for shooting with gloves. For safety
reasons the trigger guard must not be released until just before
firing the weapon, and after firing should be immediately returned
to the normal (closed) position.
CAUTION: Be careful of accidental discharges when inserting
gloved fingers into the trigger guard.
2.1.6. Gas Valve Position
The gas volume required for the function of the P556 pistol can
be controlled by the gas valve. The gas valve has two positions:
a. Position 1 (Rib of gas valve in vertical position).
Under normal conditions, the gas valve should remain in Position
1. This will give the best all-around performance and function.
b. Position 2 (Rib of gas valve in the slanted position).
When cycling or ejection problems are encountered due to heavy
fouling, the gas valve can be moved to Position 2 by rotating
clockwise as far as the stop. In this position, a larger gas volume
is released against the operating rod. The need to use the gas
valve in Position 2 is an indication that the pistol requires
cleaning.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 13 1511582 VER 08.01.08
CAUTION: In the case of a hot or heavily fouled weapon, use a
cartridge or auxiliary aid to prevent burns to your fingers.
CAUTION: Firing with the gas valve in Position 2 is an
exception. As soon as normal function returns, the gas valve must
be returned to Position 1. Continued operation with the gas valve in
Position 2 will increase recoil and place unnecessary stress on the
pistol. The pistol should be cleaned as soon as conditions permit.
WARNING: Always ensure the pistol is unloaded and clear
of ammunition when manipulating the gas valve.
2.1.8. Trigger Guard Operation
1. The trigger guard opens to accommodate firing the pistol with
gloves or mittens.
2. To open the trigger guard, depress the spring loaded pin on the
front right and rotate downward.
3. When glove access is no longer required, rotate the trigger guard back into place, depressing the spring loaded pin and
ensure the trigger guard is locked closed.
WARNING: Do not manipulate the trigger guard unless the
pistol’s safety lever is on “S” (SAFE) and unloaded.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 14 1511582 VER 08.01.08
2.1.9. Sights
The P556 pistol features an integrated accessory rail on the upper
receiver for attaching a variety of sighting systems, both optical
and fixed. The accessory rail is compatible with all Picatinny
standard mounting systems. The pistol also features “emergency”
flip up blade sights. These sights are designed to provide a
backup aiming solution in the event your optics should fail but
are certainly capable of be used as the sole sighting
system for the pistol.
Windage (left / right) adjustment:
Windage adjustments are made by rotating the front sight screw
left or right. The adjustment screw head
is located on the left side of the front sight
assembly. Adjustments are made using a
4mm allen key, available at any hardware
store.
- Rotate front sight screw right
(clockwise) to move impact right.
- Rotate front sight screw left (counter-clockwise) to move
impact left.
One full rotation of the front sight screw will move the impact of
the rounds approximately 1” at 100 yards.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 15 1511582 VER 08.01.08
WARNING - SIGHTS
Do not adjust or otherwise manipulate
any sight system on the rifle without first
confirming the magazine is removed, the
rifle is on “SAFE” and fully unloaded.
Failure to heed this warning could result
in unintentional discharge, resulting in
injury or death
UNLOAD RIFLE BEFORE MANIPULATING SIGHTS.
Emergency sight deployment
The pistol’s emergency sights are normally stored in a “stowed”
condition to protect them from damage and prevent interference
with optical sighting systems.
To deploy the emergency sights for use, do the following:
1. Flip the front sight blade into the “up”
position. The front sight blade is retained
in position by spring tension.
2. Flip the rear sight blade into the “up”
position. The rear sight blade is held in
position by spring tension.
3. When the emergency sights are no longer
required, rotate the front and rear sight blades to their
stowed position.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 16 1511582 VER 08.01.08
Elevation (up / down) adjustment:
Elevation adjustments are made by
raising or lowering the sight plate, inset
on the back side of the rear sight blade.
- Loosen the phillips head screw
- Move the sight plate in the direction
required for adjustment.
- Tighten the phillips head screw.
- Slide rear sight blade up to
move impact up.
- Slide rear sight blade down to
move impact down.
One mark of movement on the rear
sight blade will move the impact of the rounds approximately
3/4” to 1” at 100 yards.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 17 1511582 VER 08.01.08
2.1.10. Magazine
The pistol ships standard with (1) 30-round magazine. The P556
is compatible with M16/AR-15 type magazines.
2.2. Technical Specifications
Caliber 5.56mm NATO (.223 Remington)
Total length 21.5 inches
Barrel length 10 inches
Number of grooves 6
Rifling 1 in 7
Weight (w/out mag) 6.3 lbs (Quad Rail add 0.4 lbs)
Specifications are approximate and subject to change without notice.
P556 Pistol Operators Manual 18 1511582 VER 08.01.08
Loading...