SiG 552 ‘Commando’ by ICS - A Review by YosserWith a reputation for quality AEG’s produced by ICS expectations were high when this latest offering landed on my doorstep.
The package this comes in seems to be a break from some of the more traditional boxes we see from the cheaper Chinasoft range (not ICS of course), without the usual line drawings or just names on the front box lid. The front has full colour pictures of both types of the SiG552 in either ‘SWAT’ (full length) or the ‘Commando’ (shortened, carbine) models. It proudly announces that it is manufactured under official licence from SiG Arms, Switzerland and the box is manufactured to be a one size fits all solution for packaging both model variants in.
Opening the box, the SiG sits nicely in its red plush/velour effect carton/plastic base along with cleaning rod and 2 ICS Clear High-cap magazines. The battery is supplied separately and does NOT come supplied with the AEG.
Looking at the SG552 in more detail it is obvious to see the benefits of the licensing agreement that ICS have hammered out with Swiss Arms, with full trades marked onto the full metal body of the AEG. I’m not sure how long these trades will last as they don’t appear to be embossed so they may well wear off over time (something to think about if you like to keep your AEG’s as ‘models’). The only obvious ABS plastic parts on it are the folding stock, fore grip and the 3 RIS rails mounted on the fore grip as well as the ‘pistol grip’. The body (both upper and lower receivers), muzzle end and sights are full metal. The sights are your typical H&K Diopter type (not to every ones taste, but I like them) – these look adjustable – but not sure how useful this is in Airsofting terms. The foresight also has a flip down element blade, which I think is for reduced lighting conditions and has adjustment. The body is grey coloured whilst the rest of the AEG ABS plastic parts are Black. The body also has a cocking bolt on RHS which locks back to reveal and adjust the enhanced cylinder style hop up unit (which I’m told is typical for ICS). The bolt (see skirmish report) is released by pressing the bolt release catch (also metal) on the LHS of the receiver. Firing selector is ambidextrous and is metal. The trigger guard folds, to allow those with MASSIVE fingers to pull the trigger, or just those with thick gloves. In order to use the body mounted sling points you will need to add a metal ring to be of any use and whilst I’m at it I think they missed a trick by not adding a body mounted RIS rail for red dots etc.
The two parts of the receiver come apart easily for cleaning and maintenance. Removing just one front end body pin (which you can push out with a little force) then open up and remove the fore grip (you do just up to this part to replace battery). Press the ICS Logo button near the stock end on the upper receiver and the top receiver should slid away to the front. The top section holds your barrel and hop up unit. Whilst the lower holds the gear box etc. just be careful not to trap any wires going to the front fore grip section when putting it back together.
The stock on this AEG is solid. Really, really solid. You could say it was more solid than a solid thing that went to the school of solid and then graduated from the University of Solid. No wobble, what so-ever! Press the button and fold the stock around (to the RHS) and lock in position to its latch on the receiver body. It takes quite a tug to get it off, just watch you don’t catch anything when you lock it back in position. Just wondering if this is going to last after a good few skirmishes though (might be just my paranoia kicking in).Although I’ve yet to have this AEG apart, from the blurb it features :
Metal gear box,
Metal bevel gears and metal bushings fitted as standard.
Turbo 3000 motor
High Quality silicone wiring loom
The battery in this AEG sits in the fore grip section, which on the Commando version is a right pain to fit. It’s a tight fit, trying not to trap and pinch any wiring and getting it to go back together. I wouldn’t like to replace this in the middle of a skirmish. A 3 point large battery pack sling probably wouldn’t go amiss here.
The magazines supplied are 2x300Rd clear plastic type and are of good quality
(which you would expect from ICS). I liked the clear aspect of the mags and the facility to clip them together like the G36’s was excellent. One fully wound mag seemed to empty upon firing without further winds (just need more of them now).
All in all I would give this AEG 8/10.
I have a few small gripes but nothing too major and its build quality is excellent. It scores highly in looks and feel but its skirmish-ability I feel is let down by a small battery.
The AEG was purchased from ZeroOne for £285 which also included a ‘downgrade’ to a One Joule spring which FPS’d to around 302 on first chrono.
Pro’s:
Good quality and finish
Quality manufacturer
Spares readily available.
Clip together magazines
Solid Folding stock – great for woodland and urban
Light weight despite metal parts
Nice touches such as bolt release catch and trade markings
Con’s:
Fitting the battery is a big pain in the arse
Should have had body mounted top RIS
Easy to drop mags if your not used to the magazine release catch by trigger – easy to catch on webbing etc.
Trades will probably wear off.
Skirmish Update:The bolt handle came off in my hand! and I couldn’t adjust hop-up for a little while before realising it just slots back in (Doh!). I need to check this doesn’t get lost in future events. Also lost the mags a few times whilst trying to dodge air strikes and caught the mag release catch without realising (thanks to Wolf for finding them!).
The range on the so-called enhanced hop-up seemed disappointing – but this could be down to a number of factors – new gun, needing to ‘bed’ in, poorly adjusted hop or undercharged battery. Time will tell.
ZeroOne will only guarantee it for use with an 8.4v battery and the one I got was only 1100mAh – so only really lasted for 2 full auto games. Really needs a larger battery. Don’t think I would like to be changing it mid skirmish (although it is advertised as quick change, I find it fiddly at best).
Things I would change on the AEG apart from the battery which I’ve already griped about. These are really small items like full metal front end RIS to replace the cheapo plastic ones and add a metal RIS rail along the top receiver for the addition of red-dots etc. Otherwise, I’m happy with this RiF and would definitely recommend this brand to anyone starting out in Airsoft – although they are expensive, as they say you get what you pay for and people have said it should ‘last’.
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