SIG 516 G3
SIG Sauer · Rifle · In Production · 2026
Also known as: SIG516 G3, SIG 516 Gen 3
Overview
The SIG 516 G3 is the third-generation update of SIG Sauer's 516 gas-piston AR-pattern rifle, launched in 2026 in 5.56 NATO. It runs a short-stroke pushrod piston system with a four-position adjustable gas valve (normal, adverse, suppressed, off), a non-reciprocating left-side folding charging handle, fully ambidextrous controls, a free-floating M-LOK handguard, and the SIG Matchlite Duo curved trigger.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3493 g (123.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 927 mm (36.50") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 20 N (4.5 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety, Integral Strike Plate
- Features: Short Stroke Piston System, Adjustable Gas Valve Four Position, Non Reciprocating Side Charging Handle, Ambidextrous Controls, Free Floating M Lok Handguard, Matchlite Duo Trigger, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Sig Flash Hider Compensator, Threaded Barrel
Variants
- SIG 516 G3 (11.5") — Short Barrel
Base model
Production
Production years: 2026-present
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
G3 generation replaces several aluminum components with upgraded steel parts and adds a steel barrel-nut heat sink and supplemental right-side bolt catch. Standard 16-inch cold-hammer-forged nitride barrel with 1:7 twist; an 11.5-inch barrel configuration is also offered. Overall length 36.5 in extended, 33 in collapsed.
Background
The 516 G3 gives shooters a four-position gas valve that can be shut completely off - a single-shot manual mode that suppressor users exploit to vent gas backward through the action for the quietest possible shot.