The SIG Sauer 516 G3 SBR is an 11.5-inch short-barreled rifle in 5.56 NATO built on SIG’s piston-driven 516 platform (SIG Sauer part no. R516G3556N11BSBR). It is a semi-automatic rifle with an ambidextrous safety, so left- and right-handed shooters run it the same way. The top is optics ready with no fixed sights to work around, leaving the choice of red dot or magnified optic to you. It ships with one 30-round polymer magazine and wears a black finish. The short barrel makes it a compact 5.56 rifle for home defense, vehicle carry or a suppressed range build.

Key Specifications

• Chambering is 5.56 NATO, the most common carbine cartridge in the country.
• Barrel length is 11.5 inches, a compact length that keeps the rifle easy to move indoors.
• Capacity is 30 rounds, the standard full-size magazine for the cartridge.
• It ships with one 30-round polymer magazine, enough to start shooting right away.
• The action is semi-automatic, firing one round per trigger pull.
• The operating system is the 516 short-stroke gas piston, which keeps combustion gas out of the receiver.
• The safety is ambidextrous, so it works from either side of the rifle.
• The rifle is optics ready, with no fixed sights in the way of the optic you choose.
• The finish is black, a standard look that matches most accessories.
• It feeds from AR-15 pattern magazines, so spare magazines are easy to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 516 G3 SBR come with sights? No. It ships optics ready with no fixed sights, so you can mount the red dot, LPVO or backup sights you prefer.

Do I need ATF approval to buy this? No. As of October 9, 2026, ATF no longer requires Form 4 approval, registration or a tax stamp for short-barreled rifles. It transfers on a Form 4473 with a background check through a Class 3 (SOT) dealer. State and local laws still apply. Taking an SBR across state lines still requires an approved ATF Form 5320.20.

What magazine is included? One 30-round polymer magazine. The rifle uses AR-15 pattern magazines, so spares are inexpensive and widely available.

Buy the SIG Sauer 516 G3 SBR, 5.56 NATO, 11.5-Inch

As of October 9, 2026, this short-barreled rifle transfers on a Form 4473 with a background check at your Class 3 (SOT) dealer, with no Form 4 or tax stamp; state and local laws still apply. Order through SIG Sauer‘s short-barreled rifles lineup and our Lubbock, Texas team will handle the transfer, and it ships fast to your Class 3 dealer. The piston system and short barrel make it a natural candidate for a suppressor later on.