Stgw 57
Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1957
Also known as: SIG SG 510, SG 510-1, Sturmgewehr 57, AM-55
Overview
The Stgw 57 (Sturmgewehr 1957), marketed for export by SIG as the SG 510, is a Swiss selective-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.5x55mm Swiss (GP11). Adopted as the standard service rifle of the Swiss Army in 1957, it operates on a roller-delayed blowback system related to that of the CETME and Heckler & Koch G3. The rifle is distinguished by its integral folding bipod, perforated sheet-steel barrel jacket, micrometer-adjustable rear sight graduated to 650 meters, and a folding winter trigger for use with gloves. It remained in Swiss service until being replaced by the SIG SG 550 around 1990.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5560 g (196.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 6080 g (214.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1105 mm (43.50") |
| Barrel Length | 583 mm (22.95") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Closed Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 24 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 750 m/s (2461 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3175 J (2342 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 270 mm (10.63") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.5x55mm Swiss · primary — also known as GP11, Gewehrpatrone 11, 7.5x55mm GP11
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Winter Trigger
- Features: Integral Bipod, Perforated Barrel Jacket, Folding Winter Trigger, Micrometer Rear Sight, Optic Mount Compatible, Muzzle Brake, Grenade Launching Capability
Variants
- SIG SG 510-4 - Export 762nato
- SIG PE-57 - Semi Automatic Civilian
- SIG AMT - Semi Automatic Civilian
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1957
- Bolivian Army · as SG 510-4
- Chilean Armed Forces · as SG 510-4
Production
Estimated total produced: 585,000 · Production years: 1957-1983
Roughly 585,000 Stgw 57 rifles produced for the Swiss Army; additional SG 510 export models manufactured for foreign customers
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Rudolf Amsler
Discontinued: 1983
Notes
Heavy and robustly built, the Stgw 57 earned a reputation for excellent accuracy and controllability in full-auto despite the powerful GP11 cartridge, owing to its weight and effective recoil-mitigating design. Export variants such as the SG 510-4 were rechambered in 7.62x51mm NATO with a shorter barrel and lighter weight.
Background
The Stgw 57 grew out of the experimental AM-55 prototype and Switzerland's long pursuit of a self-loading service rifle. Its roller-delayed action traces back to wartime German Mauser StG 45(M) research that also seeded the CETME and H&K G3, making the Stgw 57 a Swiss member of that influential roller-delayed family.