{{Short description|SIG Sauer multi-caliber rifle}} {{Infobox weapon | name = SIG MCX Spear | image = SIG Sauer XM5.png | image_size = 300 | caption = M7, U.S. Army variant of the SIG MCX Spear | origin = United States | type = {{ubli|Battle rifle|Carbine|Designated marksman rifle|Semi-automatic rifle}} | is_ranged = Yes | service = 2022–present | used_by = | design_date = 2019 | manufacturer = SIG Sauer | weight = {{convert|8.38|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beynon |first=Steve |date=2 May 2022 |title=How Well Do the Army's New Guns Perform? That's Classified, But Soldiers Will Carry More Weight, Less Ammo |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/02/how-well-do-armys-new-guns-perform-thats-classified-soldiers-will-carry-more-weight-less-ammo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530230702/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/02/how-well-do-armys-new-guns-perform-thats-classified-soldiers-will-carry-more-weight-less-ammo.html |archive-date=30 May 2022 |website=Military.com}}</ref> | length = {{convert|36|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | part_length = {{convert|13|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2022 |title=The Next Generation Has Arrived |url=https://www.sigsauer.com/blog/now-shipping-the-incredible-new-mcx-spear-rifle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219233206/https://www.sigsauer.com/blog/now-shipping-the-incredible-new-mcx-spear-rifle |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=SIG Sauer}}</ref> | cartridge = {{ubli|.277 Fury|7.62×51mm NATO|6.5mm Creedmoor}} | action = Short-stroke gas-operated piston, rotating bolt<ref name="modernfirearms">{{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/ngsw-r-sig-mcx-spear-2/ |title=SIG Sauer NGSW-R MCX Spear XM5 assault rifle (USA) |website=Modern Firearms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604053341/https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/ngsw-r-sig-mcx-spear-2/ |archive-date=4 June 2022}}</ref> | rate = | velocity = {{convert|915|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} | feed = SR-25 pattern magazines }}
The '''SIG MCX Spear''' (stylized as '''MCX-SPEAR''') is a multi-caliber rifle developed by the American division of SIG Sauer for the NGSW program. The SIG MCX Spear is based on SIG’s previous submission for the CSASS program (SIG MCX-MR), it is primarily chambered in .277 Fury, and is also available in 7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor. Switching calibers can be done by swapping the barrel and magazine.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-ngsw-mcx-spear/|title=Commercially Available! The SIG Sauer NGSW MCX-SPEAR|url-status=live|author1=Pete|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603092956/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-ngsw-mcx-spear/|archive-date=3 June 2023|website=TheFirearmBlog|date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
==History== In January 2019, the United States military began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted their designs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=April 19, 2022 |title=SIG Sauer Wins US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon Contract |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/04/19/sig-sauer-wins-us-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-contract/ |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103000341/https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/04/19/sig-sauer-wins-us-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-contract/|archive-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref> The XM7 rifle was designed to fire the 6.8×51mm SIG Fury cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of common battlefield rounds such as the 5.56×45mm NATO (used in the M4 and M249 SAW) and 7.62×51mm NATO.<ref name=signgsw>{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Army chooses Sig Sauer to build its Next Generation Squad Weapon |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Army Times |language=en|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230518053458/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/|archive-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Army selects Sig Sauer to produce Next Generation Squad Weapon and ammo |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Task & Purpose |language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103000343/https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/|archive-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=April 21, 2022 |title=The Army's Next-Gen Infantry Weapons Will Be More Lethal and More Accurate |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/ |access-date=April 24, 2022 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330234248/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/|archive-date=March 30, 2023}}</ref> The decision to make the Spear available to the public was criticized by some anti-gun and law enforcement groups.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morton |first1=Ruth |last2=Baca |first2=Nathan |title=The US Army's new assault rifle coming to local gun stores |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/investigations/us-army-new-rifle-selling-to-general-public/65-eec40852-7ea5-4a5a-9cea-f27d1acbabe4 |website=wusa9.com |publisher=WUSA9}}</ref>
In January 2022, the SIG MCX-Spear was released on the civilian market.<ref name=":0" />
On April 19, 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the M7 rifle, along with the M250 light machine gun, to replace the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beynon |first=Steve |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Army Picks Its Replacement for the M4 and SAW |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/19/army-picks-its-replacement-m4-and-saw.html |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Military.com |language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314222634/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/19/army-picks-its-replacement-m4-and-saw.html|archive-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract "Army awards Next Generation Squad Weapon contract"]. Army.mil, April 19, 2022. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230509234335/https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract Archive])</ref>
===Development=== The U.S. Army's push to procure a new caliber was largely driven by the underwhelming effectiveness of the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge in long-range combat against insurgents from Afghanistan, and the need for overmatch against Chinese and Russian body armor. The M4 carbines and M249 SAWs chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO did not have the firepower to effectively engage in long-range firefights. The 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge was also found inadequate, which led to the development of a new caliber. SIG Sauer developed the .277 Fury cartridge to maintain higher muzzle velocity over longer distances,<ref>{{Cite web |title=6.8x51, 113GR Hybrid Ball - Can (460rnds) |url=https://www.sigsauer.com/6-8x51mm-hybrid-ball-can.html |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.sigsauer.com |language=en}}</ref> which allows for more accurate longer-range shot placement.<ref name=":1" />
==Variants== ===M7=== {{main|M7 rifle}} thumb|U.S. Army soldier with an M7
The SIG MCX-Spear was SIG Sauer's submission for the United States Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, chambered in .277 Fury cartridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sigsauer.com/dsg|title = U.S. Military and Agency Sales |publisher=SIG Sauer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/ngsw-r-sig-mcx-spear-2/|title = SIG Sauer NGSW-R MCX Spear assault rifle (USA)|website=Modern Firearms|first=Maxim|last=Popenker|date = December 2019|access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gunpowdermagazine.com/sig-mcx-spear-the-u-s-armys-next-riflesig-mcx-spear-the-u-s-armys-next-rifle/|first=Warren|last=Gray|title=SIG MCX Spear: The U.S. Army's Next Rifle?|work=Gunpowder Magazine|date=March 23, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329185044/https://gunpowdermagazine.com/sig-mcx-spear-the-u-s-armys-next-riflesig-mcx-spear-the-u-s-armys-next-rifle/|archive-date=March 29, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/01/15/tfb-gunfest-the-sig-sauer-mcx-spear-ngsw-rifle/|title = [TFB GUNFEST] The SIG Sauer MCX Spear NGSW Rifle |first=James |last=Reeves |work=The Firearm Blog |date = January 15, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603092807/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/01/15/tfb-gunfest-the-sig-sauer-mcx-spear-ngsw-rifle/|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> Sig Sauer was chosen as the winner on April 19, 2022, designating the rifle as the XM5, then re-designated as the XM7 in U.S. military service. It was later officially adopted by the US Army as the M7 rifle.<ref name=signgsw/> A product improved carbine variant was later developed by SIG and is currently being tested, designated as the '''XM8 carbine'''.
===MCX Spear DMR=== The '''SIG MCX Spear DMR''' is a designated marksman rifle variant that features a folding skeletonized stock.
===Civilian variants=== SIG MCX-Spear was released on the civilian market in 2022 with a starting MSRP of $4,999. The rifles are not compliant with California firearm regulations.<ref name=":0" />
===Prototypes=== ====MCX-MR==== The '''SIG MCX-MR (Mid Range)''' was SIG Sauer's unsuccessful submission for the United States Army's Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System ('''CSASS''') program.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/04/08/hk-confirms-armys-new-and-improved-sniper-rifle/82788202/|title=H&K confirms: This is the Army's new and improved sniper rifle|last=Jahner|first=Kyle|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2016|website=Army Times|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20160410134603/http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/04/08/hk-confirms-armys-new-and-improved-sniper-rifle/82788202/|archive-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> It is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and has selective fire capabilities. It weighs {{convert|8.9|lb||abbr=on}} and features a {{convert|16|in|mm|adj=on}} 416 stainless steel barrel with a 1:10 inch twist rate, which is manufactured by Bartlein Barrels. The gas system features suppressed and unsuppressed settings. Unlike the handguard of the MCX, which slides off after pulling the front pivot pin, the MCX-MR requires the removal of two screws first. It features both an M16/AR-15 type charging handle and a left side charging handle. It uses a 20-round magazine and is also compatible with SR-25 lower receivers for use of SR-25 box magazines.<ref name="Merrill-MR">{{cite web|url=http://www.recoilweb.com/recoil-exclusive-sig-sauer-csass-the-mcx-mr-65405.html|first=David|last=Merrill|work=Recoil|title=RECOIL Exclusive: An Inside Look at Sig Sauer's CSASS – The MCX-MR|date=May 21, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417133036/https://www.recoilweb.com/recoil-exclusive-sig-sauer-csass-the-mcx-mr-65405.html|archive-date=April 17, 2023}}</ref>
====MCX Raptor==== The '''SIG MCX Raptor''' is a short-barreled rifle prototype intended to serve as a carbine variant, featuring an {{convert|8|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel and a Picatinny rail tail interface for attaching either a compact buttstock or a folding PCB (pistol contour brace). Designed to be compatible with the .277 Fury, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges.<ref>{{Cite AV media |people=TFB TV | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6iy1TSolGQ | title=NEW Sig MCX Raptor: A Mini-Spear or a Mega-Rattler? | via=YouTube | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523062105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6iy1TSolGQ | archive-date=May 23, 2022 |access-date=2 November 2024 | url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== *SIG MCX
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{SIG Sauer Rifles}} {{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Battle rifles Category:Carbines Category:Short stroke piston firearms Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives Category:SIG Sauer rifles Category:7.62×51mm NATO semi-automatic rifles Category:Semi-automatic rifles of the United States