SIG SG 510-4
SIG (Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft) · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1963
Also known as: SG 510-4, AMT (American Match Target - semi-auto export name)
Overview
The SIG SG 510-4 is the export-oriented battle rifle variant of the Swiss Sturmgewehr 57 (Stgw 57), rechambered from the Swiss-only 7.5x55mm GP11 cartridge to the more widely available 7.62x51mm NATO. Introduced in 1963 by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, the 510-4 retains the Stgw 57's roller-delayed blowback action and fluted chamber, but features a shorter and lighter barrel, simplified diopter sights, a wooden forearm in place of the perforated metal handguard, an integrated forward-mounted bipod, and omits the recoil buffer of the original. The result is a more conventional-looking, lighter, and more affordable battle rifle that found buyers in Latin America, most notably Bolivia and Chile, who issued it as a primary infantry arm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1015 mm (39.96") |
| Barrel Length | 505 mm (19.88") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 790 m/s (2592 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2940 J (2168 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3500 m (3828 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Roller Delayed Blowback, Fluted Chamber, Wood Forearm, Integrated Bipod, Rifle Grenade Capable, Winter Trigger Guard, Diopter Sights
Variants
- SIG Stgw 57 (Swiss military, 7.5x55mm) — Caliber
- SIG SG 510-1 (commercial 7.5x55mm) — Commercial
- SIG SG 510-2 (lightened 7.5x55mm) — Weight
- SIG SG 510-3 (7.62x39mm) — Caliber
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Bolivian Armed Forces · adopted 1963 · as SG 510-4
- Chilean Armed Forces · adopted 1963 · as SG 510-4
Conflicts
- Chilean military rule (Pinochet era) (1973-1990)
Production
Production years: 1963-1983
Limited export production; primary buyers were Bolivia and Chile. Semi-auto AMT version sold to US civilian market
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: SIG
Discontinued: 1983
Notes
The 510-4 differs from the Stgw 57 in: caliber (7.62 NATO vs 7.5x55 GP11), barrel length (505 mm vs 583 mm), weight (4.25 kg vs 5.7 kg), forearm material (wood vs metal), sights (simpler diopter), and absence of recoil buffer. Magazines are 20-round detachable box; can fire rifle grenades.
Background
Switzerland's roller-delayed Stgw 57 was so meticulously over-engineered for the 7.5×55 GP11 cartridge that SIG had to hollow out half the design to make it affordable for export - and even then, only Bolivia and Chile bit. The semi-auto American Match Target (AMT) version, sold to US civilian shooters, was prized for its surreal 600-meter battle-sight accuracy out of the box.