Familiar handling, unfamiliar power, Sig Sauer has taken the proven features of their SIG516 and applied them into a potent AR-based SBR chambered in 7.62x51mm. Shown with Sig Sauer STS-081 Mini Red Dot Sight and STL-900L Tactical Light/Laser.

Some shooters think of a short-barreled rifle chambered in 7.62mm NATO and ask, “Why?” Others envision the same rifle in this hard-hitting and powerful cartridge and ask, “Why not?” The good folks at Sig Sauer are thankfully among the latter. Recently, they have introduced a short-barreled rifle (SBR) model of their excellent SIG716 rifle.

AR-pattern rifles chambered in 7.62x51mm are not altogether uncommon. In fact, they have been growing in popularity over the years, with more manufacturers now offering them. It would be a mistake to think of AR-style rifles in this chambering as anomalies: Eugene Stoner’s original design for a military rifle to potentially replace the M14 was the AR-10 in 7.62mm NATO.

The aluminum, quad-rail handguard makes adding lights, lasers, optics and bipods a very easy affair.

Gun Details

The 12.5-inch-barreled SIG716 CQB SBR is not an AR-10 nor a traditional AR. This semi-automatic rifle is actually piston-operated and includes many of the unique features that put Sig Sauer rifles far ahead of the pack. It is also one of only few AR-pattern piston-operated rifles available in the 7.62mm NATO caliber, selected by Sig Sauer for its improved reliability over standard gas impingement ARs.

The SIG716 SBR features many upgrades, including the adjustable Magpul ACS stock and the MIAD grip, both with internal storage space.