SIG SG 540
SIG Arms AG · Assault Rifle · Out Of Production · 1977
Also known as: SG 540, Stgw 540
Overview
The SIG SG 540 is a 5.56x45mm NATO selective-fire assault rifle designed by SIG of Switzerland in the 1970s as an export-oriented weapon. It uses a gas-operated long-stroke piston driving a rotating bolt with two locking lugs, housed in a two-piece stamped-steel receiver joined by push-pins, a rugged, AK-derived layout chosen to hit export price points. Available with fixed or side-folding stock, it could be fitted with a fire selector offering safe, semi-automatic, three-round burst, and full-automatic modes.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3260 g (115.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 950 mm (37.40") |
| Folded Length | 720 mm (28.35") |
| Barrel Length | 460 mm (18.11") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 980 m/s (3215 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1750 J (1291 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, SS109
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Rotating Bolt, Stamped Steel Receiver, Folding Stock Option, Three Round Burst Option, Integral Bipod Option, Rifle Grenade Capable
Variants
- SIG SG 542 — Caliber Conversion
- SIG SG 543 — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- French Armed Forces
- Chilean Armed Forces
- Portuguese Army
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Nigerian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
- The Troubles (1968-1998)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Production years: 1977-2002
Produced under license in France (Manurhin), Chile (FAMAE) and Portugal (INDEP); FAMAE continued limited production for Chilean forces
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Discontinued: 2002
Notes
Because of strict Swiss arms-export restrictions, the SG 540 was license-produced by Manurhin in France (1978-1988), and later by FAMAE in Chile and INDEP in Portugal. The family includes the 7.62x51mm SG 542 and the compact SG 543 carbine.
Background
Swiss arms-export law barred SIG from manufacturing this export rifle at home, so production was farmed out to Manurhin in France, making a quintessentially Swiss rifle one that was mostly built abroad.