When the military selects a weapons platform, the design and features are distilled and translated down to the consumer market in a range of products. We can see some of that in the third iteration of SIG SAUER’s MCX rifle platform.
Today SIG announced the new MCX-SPEAR-LT, the latest evolution of the XM5 rifle rifle that won the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon competition. The MCX-SPEAR-LT rifles — basically Gen3 MCX guns — will replace SIG’s Virtus line. The ambidextrous folding stock MCX-SPEAR-LT is being offered in standard rifle lengths, SBRs and eventually pistols.
Here’s SIG’s press release . . .
SIG SAUER is pleased to announce the evolution of the most advanced and tested rifle platform in the world with the introduction of the MCX-SPEAR-LT. Built off the foundation of the MCX Virtus the third generation of the MCX combines all the extensive testing, continued product development, and customer/special operations feedback to become the MCX-SPEAR-LT.
“The first generation of the MCX platform was designed to be an AR-15 style platform with added modularity. The second generation of the MCX, the MCX Virtus, was purpose-built for rugged durability and brought unprecedented modularity. Now comes the MCX-SPEAR-LT, which incorporates the best of both generations and is the culmination of the latest research, development, and innovation in the MCX platform,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.
“The lightened handguard has the expected rigidity and durability of the MCX, the lower is a familiar SDI, M400-style lower and ambi-bolt catch and release that is designed to fit the legacy VIRTUS uppers for more versatility. The MCX-SPEAR-LT will accept AR-15 style triggers, in addition to the legacy triggers for even more flexibility in the MCX platform. With the MCX-SPEAR_LT also comes the long-awaited addition of the 7.62×39 caliber to the MCX family bringing even more modularity to a platform that simply can’t be matched. The evolution continues and the MCX-SPEAR-LT has raised the bar for modular weapons technology.”
The MCX-SPEAR-LT rifle is an aluminum frame rifle with a gas piston operating system featuring a lightweight ergonomic handguard, push-button folding stock with cheek-rest, and a cold hammer forged carbon steel barrel available in 9-inch (300BLK), 11.5-inch (7.62×39 & 5.56), and 16-inch (7.62×39 & 5.56) lengths.
The rifle offers fully ambidextrous controls including bolt catch and release, a SIG QD suppressor-ready flash hider optimized for SIG SAUER QD suppressors, a SIG flatblade match trigger, comes optics ready and can be easily paired with a SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO8 or TANGO6T, and is finished in a Coyote Anodized finish. The MCX-SPEAR-LT is available is 300BLK, 556 NATO, 762×39 calibers.
MCX-SPEAR-LT Specs*:
Caliber: 300BLK
Barrel Length: 9 inch
Caliber: 556 NATO
Barrel Length: 11.5 inch
Caliber: 762×39
Barrel Length: 11.5 inch
Caliber: 556 NATO
Barrel Length: 16 inch
Caliber: 762×39
Barrel Length: 16 inch
*For additional specs including weight, overall length, width, and height by model visit the product page at sigsauer.com.
The MCX-SPEAR-LT is now shipping and available at retailers. To learn more about the MCX-SPEAR-LT or watch the product video visit sigsauer.com.
Price: $2499
And this is better than the less expensive and now combat proven CZ BREN 2 in 5.56???? Doesn’t make any sense to me. Heck an old M16/M4 lower with a Geissele URG-I upper is a better choice than this weapon and way cheaper too.
Its the rule of con’s: The one that wins the CONtest gets the CONtract. The military doesn’t get to just pick any gun they want for wide spread adoption, they take the one that gets the contract.
There was not a “CZ BREN 2 in 5.56″ and ” an old M16/M4 lower with a Geissele URG-I” in the contest. And if there had been it needed to be able to use 6.8x51mm hybrid ammunition (.277 FURY).
The subject of this article is an intermediate-caliber rifle. It can’t use 6.8 either, despite being related to the XM-5.
The military version can use 6.8x51mm. That’s what I was referencing in my post since, like the article says, the MCX-SPEAR-LT (in this article) is “the latest evolution of the XM5 rifle rifle” the military selected.
SIG may have used its XM5 experience to evolve its intermediate-caliber MCX into the intermediate-caliber Spear LT, but regardless of the author’s word choice (note that phrase doesn’t appear in the quote from SIG) the Spear LT cannot use 6.8×51.
The adoption of the SIG Spear was made out of office politics and not the platform performance. Doesn’t make sense to adopt an expensive 80,000 psi stainless steel hybrid cartridge to match the already existing brass 6.5 creedmor.
Take a read on the Beretta/General Dynamics RM277 and tell me how the Spear is better.
Beretta also is trying to sue the US military for refusing to test the Beretta M9A3 when the new pistol contract was up for renewal. There wasn’t any formal tests conducted when they announced the adoption of the Sig M17.
The military doesn’t care about performance, economics, or tested tried and true. They are about the insider trading, buying Sig stocks on Friday and signing massive military Sig contracts on Monday. It’s not legal for government officials, they have to pay a fine but it’s only $2000 and doesn’t increase.
the hybrid 80,000 .277 is achieving terminal performance 20% higher than 6.5 creedmoor out of a 22″ barrel from a 13″ barrel.
SIG isn’t a publicly traded company, your accusing government officials of a crime that isn’t even possible.
the RM277 used TVCM 277 which is SIGNIFICANTLY lower velocity/worse terminal velocity on a grain weight/grain weight barrel length/barrel length basis. infact, it’s got a lower muzzle velocity than the 70 year old .308 win in a similar barrel length.
independent organization supporting documents:
https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Public-Introduction-6.8-TVC-2022-01-28.pdf
https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/277-Sig-Public-Introduction-Orig-2020-11-11.pdf
https://youtu.be/GEf3ZlUkOCg?t=400
->shooting https://www.sigsauer.com/accubond-277-sig-fury-hybrid.html
please back up your libelous statemtns and suppositions?
Need a little cheese with that whine?
The CZ Bren 2 Ms in 7.62×39 had some reliability problems. I wonder if they got that sorted out. The CZ is substantially lighter than the Sig.
But you gotta take the plastic lower, which kinda rubs me the wrong way.
The BREN 2 lower is carbon fiber reinforced polymer, not plastic. The BREN 2 in 5.56 is 100% reliable. The 7.62×39 has issues. The Geissele URG-I uppers are already fielded in SOCOM in 2 barrel lengths and are fitted to existing M4 lowers.
I have personally handled the SIG 6.8×51 weapons. The M5 is a huge, heavy rifle with a 13″ barrel and a suppressor, which it needs to keep everyone from losing their hearing, as the 6.8×51 is extremely loud and very high pressure. All of the YouTube videos out there are fired with the “Practice Ammo”, not with the 80,000 to 100,000 PSI Ball rounds. The XM250 would be a great MMG rechambered in 7.62×51 and without the suppressor, as it weighs less than the 5.56 M249. The SIG 338 MMG is pretty awesome and can penetrate LVL IV armor with AP ammo on par with 50 BMG Ball ammo, but weighs less then the M240B MMG. The Army, not SIG, created the stupid 6.8×51 specifications and it’s going no where fast.
“the latest evolution of the XM5 rifle rifle that won the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon competition.”
First they won best blowies under the desks for the military officials, then they won the contract. It was not a decision based on weapon platform performance and economic factors. Same reason they ditched the Beretta M9 in favor for the Sig M17.
General Dynamics has nearly perfected it’s high pressure polycase ammo in it’s RM277. The ammo weight savings is over 40% and the round can be manufactured significantly cheaper for the U.S. military. Especially considering shipping weight of ammo crates over seas. Per bird delivery that’s more ammo per drop and less trips made.
Instead the military went with hybrid stainless steel and brass crimped casings? Stainless steel????
That and they went with the old, “train with .38 special and use .357 magnum” philosophy, that was proven to be a terrible one by police forces.
Out of this whole program I think that is the worst of it. All jokes about “military intelligence” aside, I really can’t even believe the army is doing that. It’s very common and researched knowledge around defense/police/gun circles.
nothing you’ve stated is even remotely true.
Ah, a professional SIG hater. Got it.
So what does this do that any decent AR can’t?
Also, is it gonna weigh more then a G3 even before optics are added like the 6.8 version?
I like Sig. I own their stuff.
I’d never buy this.
“As a fellow gun owner, we need sensible gun control now.”
Well Col.you will miss out. But you do you.
I’ll take any rifle from POF before this.
That’s not fair! Just because this isn’t a Teflon coated oil free rifle with anti-carrier tilt buffer extension, chamber heat sink, ball-bearing cam pin, assisted gas extraction, heat stressed barrel, monolithic rail/receiver, with a 1 MOA guarantee for the same price doesn’t mean POF is a better choice!
Hahahaha. J8 and CC for the win.
My POF runs circle around this in EVERY WAY, and cost me less. Mine broke in to .6 MOA with 168gr GMM.
I would link a pic but it causes excruciating pain to some on TTAG. 😄
Noted for when I have better than aero money
If only the SIG fired Mercury Filled, Curare Dipped, Exploding Death BB’s. All of our problems would be solved, LOL.
Poo CC, just can’t help the whine can ya?
I want a pink one. Not.
$2,500
However, if someone handed me the beretta civilian version of this rifle I would take it. But then I’m more than a little confused about these matters.
7 pounds for an 11.5 inch barrel is pretty hefty.
The technical term is a “Fat Bitch” LOL. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
$2.5 k for a CQB?🤔
My $s would go to a 20″ barrel NATO spec Steyr AUG.
Only has a 30″ overall length (w/20″ barrel).
If I’m shooting ‘rifle ammo’, I want rifle ballistics.
An 11.5″ barrel makes more noise and fireballs with those diminished ballistics.
Even with a 60rd drum installed, the 20″ barrel AUG will ‘sweep’ as quickly as an AR with a 30rd mag. AUG moment of inertia is better due to a significant portion of overall mass being concentrated close to the shooters body. It even shoots one handed awesomely, even with a drum mag!😃👍 A fav of mine, no AUG range day is complete with it.
Also the quick change barrel makes clearing any extraction/feeding issues WAY quicker.
A extraction failure/case in chamber with the AUG? It’s cleared and back in the fight in under 10 seconds. With an AR? Good luck.
Also, a match grade trigger in a CQB AR? Why? 🤔
The AUG $100 trigger upgrade provides an exceptional CQB trigger.
Sorry, but that 2.5k price tag puts it into a group where there are better CQB options.
Almost every Military that has adopted a Bullpup is moving toward conventional rifles; the French dumped the FAMAS for the H&K 416 and even the British SAS don’t use the Army issue L85A1, but use M16/M4 variants. The Steyr AUG has a horrible manual of arms, poor accuracy and since one in four people are left handed, it’s a non-starter (needs a new lefthanded bolt) and no STANAG Mags. New Zealand dumped their AUG’s and adopted LMT M16 piston variants. The Australians are trying to create a home grown AUG Bullpup replacement, but will likely move to a M16/M4 platform like the Kiwis did. The Israelis use more M4/M16 variants than Tavors. The Ukrainians make a bullpup (right hand only) in 5.45, but you mostly see them using 5.45 AK74M’s and foreign NATO supplied weapons in 5.56. If you like Bullpups, “Rock on Garth”, but professional triggers pullers are rapidly moving away from them.
Again, for MY CQB 2.5k rifle.
YMMV.
Party on. 👍
“…and no STANAG Mags….”
For clarity, the AUG NATO spec uses STANAG Mags. Magpul mags (even drums) perform flawlessly in the examples I’ve used.
https://youtu.be/_9NF99PG_M0
The “NATO” AUG can’t use the left handed bolt, nor does it have a bolt release. I don’t think any military uses it as it was developed for the US Civilian market. My friend’s kid bought one and the only advantage is the STANAG mags.
Once again I have to ask WHAT FOR. For a civilian it cannot do anything thatv what they already own can do. It is useless for hunting, proper hunters use FIVE or even THREE shot bolt action rifles and it’s only purpose is to kill people and as many as possible in as short a time as possible. All the bit’s and bobs that may prove nessessary for Military Service are completely unnessessary for any legitimate Civiilian purpose. Is it any wonder that nmoe and more authotities ard coming down on the side of banning this kind of firearm?? And nearly $US3000 and I suspect with a few Dick -Swinging supposedly ‘must have’ accoutrements near $US 4000.
Fake limey spouting bs again.
Albert the Fudd is back and still hasn’t looked up any facts. Hammers, knives, and cars all kill more people than semi automatic rifles. So tell me again why these rifles are such a problem?
Any military purpose = a civilian purpose.
Why? Because if we aren’t prepared to resist a tyranical government, up to and including defending our communities against the military, then we will earn a tyranical government. It’s in the govt’s interest to disarm their populace. The more defenseless a populace, the less the people can resist, and the more govt. actors can subjugate the populace to their own benefit. Civil asset forfeiture anyone? Therefore, it’s in our own best interest to be as prepared as possible. Full stop.
China, the UK, Canada, and Australia are further down this path then the US. Look what civilian disarmament gets you, tyranny. Arrested, access to financials denied, all for being politically incorrect, for refusing to get the jab, for exercising individual judgement.
God Bless you and yours, and may you fulfill your duty to protect those you care about
I but you loved when the AUSSIES were rounding up people and throwing them into camps for refusing the JAB, the GOV’T sticking them into one place and attempting and committing murder against their own citizens..
After all they told their citizens to comply with their distance MANDATES, yet required no distance mandates in the camps, ie “VIOLATING THEIR OWN RULES”!!!!
Don’t forget, Post on Facebook, something the Government doesn’t like, they break down your door and take you to jail. Australia’s have zero rights, only privileges.
Who asked you Fat Albert?