SIG SG 530

Infobox Weapon
name=SG 530


caption=
origin=flagcountry|Switzerland
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG)
design_date=1960s
manufacturer=Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG)
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=3.45 kg (7lb 8 oz) (unloaded
length=940 mm (37. in)
part_length=
cartridge=5.56x45mm NATO
action=Gas operated, roller-locked
rate=600 rds/min
velocity=912 m/s (3000 ft/s)
range=
max_range=
feed=
sights=

The SIG 530 was a Swiss assault rifle developed in the 1960s by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) to take the then-new 5.56x45mm NATO round.

Development

Development of the rifle started in 1963 as a joint project between SIG and Beretta. The latter had already cooperated with SIG on the production of the SG 510-4 rifle for Chile. Initial prototypes of the 5.56 rifle used the delayed-blowback operating system of the SG 510. However, this operating system proved to be problematic, and the designers were forced to use a gas-operated, roller-locked system. In 1968, Beretta ceased development with SIG, and went to work on their own 5.56 rifle design resulting in the outwardly similar AR70. Due to a lack of sales, SIG abandoned the SG 530 in the 1970s in favor of developing the SG 540 series.

References

* Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John S. "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century". Iola, WI, 7th edition, 2000. Pages 280-281. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.