I am privileged to have several gunsmith friends. When I say “gunsmith,” I mean it in the truest sense. They don’t play one on TV – they have no trouble finding good work in hard economic times, which should tell you something about their skills and abilities. From time to time, they turn out unique firearms that I had never even considered before. Of course, I don’t see too many SIG 510s/Stgw57s to begin with, so that made these photos even more interesting to me.
These are some Swiss Stgw57s that were modified for various purposes. Both are chambered in 7.5×55 Swiss. The first one is, as you can see, set up for target shooting. It’s called the “57 Phantom.”
Can anyone guess what the strap on top of the barrel is for?
The second one has been shortened. The safety has been modified, and the rifle sports an Aimpoint and a Vltor Modstock. In case anyone is wondering, the Stgw57 does have a recoil buffer.
In case you were wondering about that muzzle brake – yes, it does work, and the rifle is reportedly very easy to control on full auto. Also, it causes most glorious flames to erupt from the muzzle in all directions.
These rifles were modified years ago, and he’s been doing way cooler stuff since. Unfortunately (or, perhaps, fortunately), because he is a normal guy with real gunsmithing skills, he is unlikely to be the subject of an American reality show about guns.
I believe the strap on the top gun acts as a heat and glare shield for the scope, reducing mirage when the barrel’s hot and, to a lesser degree, reflection off the barrel.
Dang. First response got it. This isn’t going to be as exciting as I’d hoped.
My inner Swiss is pleased with this post. That first rifle is pretty cool, the second one I’m less fond of but well that stuff suits the purpose of the rifle so I can see why its setup like that.
Its a mirage band on the first rifle.
Your friends are very skilled. Guys like that should have a tv show…not the Sons of Guns guys.
Fo sho.
AH! Beat me to it!
Andrew, you’ve gotta come up with harder ones! Any trained long-distance shooter would guess it!
As a fellow CMP Hipower shooter, I guessed it immediately when I saw that no extension was attached to the top of the rail for a mirage shield.
I thought the thing on the barrel went up and the over your shoulder. hmm
Nevah ben dun ‘fore. (typed with my best Central Louisiana accent and sarcasm).
As a lover of the Swiss chamfering, I have to say these rifles are beautiful.
The Stgw 57 was an insane project on it’s own at the time. What nation issues a request to make a rifle that is both full auto AND equally accurate to their venerable K31?
Either way, Swiss are not shy of modifying their own. Google Stgw 57 Commando to see examples of that.
Are you willing to post their contact info? I have always wanted to have a Stgw 57 built around a 6.5-284 barrel, since the OAL is too long for a AR-10…