SIG SG 540
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1977
Also known as: SG 540, SG540
Overview
The SIG SG 540 is a Swiss gas-operated, selective-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Designed by SIG between 1973 and 1977, it uses a long-stroke gas piston driving a rotating, two-lug bolt in a layout influenced by the AK-47. Built for export production, it was widely manufactured under license by Manurhin in France and FAMAE in Chile. The rifle features a side-folding tubular stock, an integral folding bipod, a drum-type rear sight, and a NATO-standard muzzle compensator for launching rifle grenades.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3260 g (115.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 950 mm (37.40") |
| Folded Length | 733 mm (28.86") |
| Barrel Length | 460 mm (18.11") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 980 m/s (3215 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington (chamber compatible)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Gas Piston Operation, Rotating Bolt, Side Folding Stock, Integral Folding Bipod, Drum Rear Sight, Rifle Grenade Compatible, Nato Muzzle Device
Variants
- SIG SG 542 — Caliber
- SIG SG 543 — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- French Army · adopted 1977
- Chilean Army
- Portuguese Army
Conflicts
- Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
- Somali Civil War (1991-present)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Production years: 1977-2002
Produced under license chiefly by Manurhin (France) and FAMAE (Chile); FAMAE continued manufacture after SIG production ended.
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG)
Discontinued: 2002
Notes
Because Swiss law restricted arms exports, SIG arranged for the SG 540 to be produced under license abroad, principally by Manurhin (France) and FAMAE (Chile), with FAMAE continuing production after SIG itself ceased.
Background
Created for the export market that Switzerland's own arms-export restrictions kept SIG from serving directly, the SG 540 became the seed of SIG's modern rifle family, with its gas-piston rotating-bolt action evolving into the later SG 550 series adopted by the Swiss Army.