The MCX was further developed into the SIG MCX Spear, which was adopted in its .277 Fury chambering as the XM7 by the U.S. Army in 2022.
History
The SIG MCX was introduced at SHOT Show 2015. The rifle was originally designed by SIG USA, the subsidiary of SIG Sauer based in New Hampshire.[1] In 2016, SIG recalled some of the rifles that had the first-generation bolt carrier group.[6] It has been used by various SWAT teams and militaries, including the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. A SIG MCX was used in the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, which was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, until exceeded by the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.[7]
Design
The SIG MCX series features a short-stroke gas piston[8] system to reduce recoil and improve the reliability of the weapon;[9] this was based on the design of the earlier SIG MPX.[10] The MCX features a system that enables conversion between 5.56×45mm NATO, .300 AAC Blackout, and 7.62×39mm ammunition, using standard 5.56 mm STANAG magazines for 5.56×45mm NATO and .300 AAC Blackout, and specially designed STANAG-compatible magazines for 7.62×39mm.[10] The MCX is designed to deliver optimal performance with .300 AAC Blackout and an optional suppressor.[11]
The barrel's profile is tapered at the crown to enable the installation of muzzle devices and direct-thread sound suppressors without the use of washers that degrade performance and enables the devices to self-center on installation. The barrel can be changed in a matter of seconds to another length or a different caliber. Additionally the barrels are nitride coated for corrosion resistance.[12][13] It features hardened steel wear points.[10][12]
First generation MCX variants have a forend made of aluminum with a KeyMod system to add accessories while second generation MCX variants have an M-LOK handguard. Controls are mostly ambidextrous including the charging handle but not the bolt release. Sig produces four stock configurations are available for the MCX carbine.[10][13] The overall layout of the two rifles is similar.[14] SIG designed the upper receiver to be compatible with standard AR-15 and M16 lower receivers[10][12] with the help of an adapter.[15]
An integrally suppressed upper receiver group based on the MCX was selected by USSOCOM for the SURG (Suppressed Upper Receiver Group) contract in July 2018. These suppressed uppers would be paired with existing M4A1 lowers in SOCOM inventory.[16][17]
SIG Sauer offers the rifle in semi-automatic only in three different configurations for the civilian market:
The SIG MCX PATROL is the standard configuration of the rifle with a 406 mm (16 in) barrel.
The SIG MCX SBR is a short-barreled rifle configuration of the rifle with a 229 mm (9 in) barrel. (Under U.S. federal law, rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches are Title II weapons, which are subject to federal restrictions, as well as being regulated by state laws).[10]
The SIG MCX Pistol is the pistol configuration of the rifle with a 229 mm (9 in) barrel or 292 mm (11.5 in) barrel and comes either with the SIG Sauer SBX (pistol stabilizing brace) or SIG Sauer PCB (pistol pivoting contour folding brace). (This configuration fits the U.S. legal definition of a "handgun", in that it is only designed to be fired with a single point of contact with the shooter's body,[18] though it is really a compact carbine rifle, as it fires an intermediate round. The BATFE previously warned users that shouldering a weapon fitted with the SIG SBX, or a similar forearm brace, and not registered as a short-barreled rifle, constitutes the making of a short-barreled rifle, which is a Title II weapon.[19] However, as of April 2017, this is no longer the case).[20]
The SIGMCX Low Visibility Assault Weapon (LVAW) is a short-barreled, suppressed, select-fire variant available only to military and law enforcement agencies. It is nicknamed the "Black Mamba".[21][22]
SIG MCX VIRTUS
The SIG MCX VIRTUS is the second generation of the SIG MCX series and was introduced in 2017.
The SIG MCX VIRTUS Patrol is the standard configuration rifle that features a 406 mm (16 in) barrel, a 1:7 inch twist, a custom SIG Matchlite Duo Trigger for improved accuracy, a folding and collapsing 5-position stock, four handguard lengths to choose from, interchangeable barrels and a special internal recoil system.[23][24]
The SIG MCX VIRTUS SBR is the short-barreled rifle configuration of the MCX VIRTUS. It features a 292 mm (11.5 in) barrel for the 5.56×45mm NATO caliber, and a 140 mm (5.5 in) barrel and 229 mm (9 in) barrel for the .300 AAC Blackout caliber.[4][3]
The SIG MCX VIRTUS Pistol is the pistol configuration of the MCX VIRTUS which features an SBX stabilizer brace. It features an 292 mm (11.5 in) barrel for the 5.56×45mm NATO caliber, and a 229 mm (9 in) barrel for the .300 AAC Blackout caliber.[4][25]
SIG MCX RATTLER
The SIG MCX RATTLER is a short-barreled rifle variant chambered in .300 AAC Blackout and 5.56. It is intended to serve as a personal defense weapon, featuring a 140 mm (5.5 in) barrel, and comes with a Picatinny rail tail interface for attaching either a compact buttstock or a folding PCB (pistol contour brace).[26] In February 2018, USSOCOM ordered upper receiver group conversion kits for the MCX Rattler in .300BLK for evaluation.[27] The MCX Rattler was later selected as the winner of SOCOM's Commercial Personal Defense Weapon (CPDW) contract in May 2022 and suppressed MCX Rattlers will be ordered in 5.56 and .300BLK.[28]
SIG MCX-SPEAR LT
The SIG MCX-SPEAR LT is the third generation of the SIG MCX, introduced in 2022. With the release of the MCX LT, SIG also designed a new, padded, side-folding stock with an FDE finish option to match the rifles, which civilian versions of the rifle variant are sold with. While the civilian variant is referred to as the "SPEAR LT", referencing the SPEAR from which it derives many of its improvements over the Virtus line, SIG Sauer refers to the military versions as simply the "MCX LT" or "MCX Lightweight".[29]
The defining features of the LT are its new, lightened, handguard and barrel design (borrowed from the SPEAR) ambidextrous bolt catch and release, proprietary SL muzzle device to allow for the use of SIG SAUER's quick detaching SLX and SLH suppressors, and new coyote brown coating (black options are still available for purchase). Intended to serve as a carbine, the civilian model features 11.5-inch (290 mm) or 16-inch (410 mm) barrel and a Picatinny rail tail interface for attaching either a buttstock or a pistol brace. The military model features both of these options, with the addition of 14.5-inch (370 mm) and 9-inch (230 mm) barrels, as well as a custom two-stage match grade select-fire trigger group. It is available in 5.56 mm NATO, .300 Blackout and a 7.62x39mm version with custom 28 round AR-pattern magazines.[30][31]
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.[37] It is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and has selective fire capabilities. It weighs 8.9 lb (4.0 kg) and features a 406 mm (16 in) fluted, 416 stainless steelbarrel, with a 1:10 inch twist, 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 popping off 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-25box magazines.[38]
United States: XM7 being acquired for all DoD branches. SIG MCX Rattler and RSAR (Reduced Signature Assault Rifle) in .300BLK are being acquired for USSOCOM forces. The LVAW (Low Visibility Assault Weapon) and the CSAW (Close Support Assault Weapon) variants are used by Joint Special Operations Command, notably Delta Force.[71]
AR-18, another folding stock assault rifle which its operating mechanism being used on the MCX
References
^ ab"The Introduction of the MCX Assault Rifle"(PDF). Understanding the Sig Sauer MCX Assault Rifle Used in the Orlando Mass Shooting. Violence Policy Center. June 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
^"MCX VIRTUS". sigsauer.com. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
^Federal Gun Control Act 1968 18 U.S. Code § 921 - Definitions, Cornell.edu, "(29) The term “handgun” means— (A) a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand"
^André, Dom (Summer 2018). "SOG (Australia)". FLASHBANG. No. 11. France: NIMROD. p. 60. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
^Joseph, Cpl Jacob (13 October 2022). "Armoury overhauled"(PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1522 ed.). Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence. p. 8. ISSN0729-5685. Archived from the original(PDF) on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
