By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT SIG SAUER
The origins of the Sig Sauer Corporation began in 1853, when Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser, and Conrad Neher founded a factory to construct wagons and railway cars in Switzerland, the Schweizerische Waggonfabrik (“Swiss Wagon Factory”). Little did they know that their company would become one of the most renowned small arms manufacturers seven years later.
As part of a challenge from Switzerland’s Defense Ministry, the trio entered a competition to develop a state-of-the-art rifle, hoping the Swiss Army would adopt it.
The men pooled their engineering talents and, along with gunsmith Jean-Louis Joseph Prélaz and army officer Edouard Burnand, created the Prelaz-Burnand rifle. The rifle was submitted to the competition in 1860, and it won! In 1864, the company was awarded the contract to produce 30,000 rifles, now known as the M1863.
The company name was changed to Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG, German for “Swiss Industrial Company”).
In 1947, the SIG P210 pistol was developed based on the design of Charles Petter’s Modèle 1935A pistol. In 1937, Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) acquired the license for the Petter-Browning system. The patent was a refinement of the Browning Hi-Power (P35).
It was adopted by the Swiss military in 1949 as the “Pistole 49,” due to the precision manufacturing processes employed in its manufacture and its resultant accuracy and reliability. This single-action semi-automatic brought SIG much acclaim. SIG also debuted the P230 for the Swiss Police.
Since Swiss law limits Swiss companies’ ability to export firearms, they require the use of a foreign partner. So, in the 1970s, SIG purchased Hämmerli Target of Lenzburg, Switzerland, and J. P. Sauer and Sohn of Eckernförde, West Germany, forming SIG Sauer.
SIG then targeted the USA and its expanding firearms market. In June 1985, SIG created SIGARMS and moved into their new headquarters in Tyson’s Corner, VA, while importing the P220 and P230, then quickly expanded to another facility in Herndon, Virginia, while importing the P226 and P228. SIGARMS then moved to its present location in Exeter, New Hampshire.
In 1992, SIG began production of the P229, and in 1998, their first shotgun line was followed by the Blaser R93 rifle. SIG expanded product lines with the Sauer rifle & Hämmerli target pistols.
In October 2007, SIGARMS changed its name again to SIG Sauer.
In 2014, they opened their new corporate headquarters and production facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
Today, SIG Sauer employs over 1,200 people and produces pistols, rifles, airguns, ammunition, optics, and suppressors.
THE M400 TREAD
SIG has several AR-type rifles in its lineup. The top-of-the-line is the MCX, an excellent piston-drive rifle that may be pricey for some. On the other end is the M400 Tread, which debuted in 2018 as a base model AR pattern rifle, priced around $899. SIG has now added a few items to make it smoother for only a couple hundred dollars more, and SIG offers accessories for the M400 so that you can add them as financing permits.
THE RECEIVER – INTERNALS – FURNITURE
The lower receiver features an ambidextrous safety for left or right-hand shooters, a SIG Matchlite 2-stage trigger, and a QD mount for sling attachment.
The furniture consists of a six-position Magpul SL-K telescoping stock and a free-floating M-LOK enhanced handguard that is lightweight but rigid enough to provide control while making accessory mounting easy.
The Tread also features a snake logo on the side of the handguard in the shape of the American flag, reminiscent of the Gadsden flag.
THE BOLT & BARREL
The 16-inch stainless-steel barrel offers durability and corrosion resistance. It features a 1:8 twist threaded at ½ x 28 threads per inch and a 3-prong flash hider attached.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Semi-Automatic, Gas Impingement, Mid-Length Gas System
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights: None / Picatinny Rail for sights or optic
Barrel Length: 16 Inches
Overall Length: 30.8 Inches
Height: 7.5 Inches
Width: 2.5 Inches
Weight: 7 Pounds
MSRP: $1,032.99
URL: www.sigsauer.com
THE VERDICT
This is a great rifle to start with and build on. It offers SIG quality, a 2-stage trigger, a stainless-steel barrel, a Cerakote finish, and a great price. You can add some sights that will co-witness with the optic and a weapon-mounted light for a few hundred more. Check one out at your SIG dealer today.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].