SIG MCX Spear
{{Short description|American multi-caliber rifle}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = SIG MCX Spear
| image = SIG Sauer XM5.png
| caption = XM7, U.S. Army variant of SIG MCX Spear
| origin = United States
| type = {{ubli|Assault rifle|Battle rifle|Carbine|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}}{{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}}
| length = {{convert|36|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|13|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{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}}
| cartridge = {{ubli|.277 Fury|7.62×51mm NATO|6.5mm Creedmoor}}
| action = Short-stroke gas-operated piston, rotating bolt{{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}}
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|915|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}
| feed = SR-25 pattern box magazine
| image_size = 300
| alt =
}}
The SIG MCX Spear (stylized as MCX-SPEAR) is a multi-caliber rifle developed by the American division of SIG Sauer from the SIG MCX series of carbines. The SIG MCX Spear is primarily chambered in .277 SIG FURY but can be adapted to 7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor with a barrel change. [https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-ngsw-mcx-spear/ Commercially Available! The SIG Sauer NGSW MCX-SPEAR] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230603092956/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-ngsw-mcx-spear/ Archive])
History
In January 2019, the United States military began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 light machine gun. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted their designs.{{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}}
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) and 7.62×51mm NATO.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} The decision to make the Spear available to the public was criticized by some anti-gun and law enforcement groups.{{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}}
In January 2022, the SIG MCX-Spear was released on the civilian market.
On April 19, 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to Sig Sauer to produce the XM7 rifle, along with the XM250 Machine gun, to replace the M4 carbine and M249 light machine gun, respectively.{{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}}[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])
Development
The main driving force behind the US Army's wish to upgrade its small arms came from lackluster performance when engaging insurgents abroad. Standard caliber M4 Carbines and M249 light machine guns chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO did not have the firepower to effectively engage in long-range firefights. Also found inadequate was the NATO standard 7.62×51mm. The SIG-produced .277 Fury has an increased muzzle velocity{{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}} and allows longer-range shot placement.
Variants
= SIG MCX Raptor =
The SIG MCX Raptor is a short-barreled rifle variant intended to serve as a carbine, 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). It is available in .277 SIG FURY, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62×51mm NATO.{{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 }}
= CSASS Program =
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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}
= NGSW (M7) =
{{main|M7 rifle}}
The SIG MCX-Spear was Sig Sauer's submission for the United States Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, as chambered in .277 FURY cartridge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sigsauer.com/dsg|title = U.S. Military and Agency Sales |publisher=SIG Sauer}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} Sig Sauer was chosen as the winner on April 19, 2022, designating the weapon the XM5—since re-designated the M7—in U.S. military service.
= Civilian =
SIG MCX-Spear was released on the civilian market in 3 standard configurations, which includes the {{convert|38.3|in|mm|adj=on}}, {{convert|35|in|mm|adj=on}}, and {{convert|24.5|in|mm|adj=on}} length versions, with the former two including bipods. Each model starts at an MSRP of $4,999 and are non-California compliant.