Sig Sauer recently released a new battle rifle from their MCX lineup that has just signed up for service with the U.S. Army under the designation XM7.
Set to replace the M4 carbine, the rifle has some big shoes to fill.
Thankfully, Sig created a civilian version of this new hotness and named it the MCX Spear. We got our hands on one and took it out to the range to test it out.
While our trials were nowhere near as exhaustive as the military’s, we got a good idea of how this new rifle will perform for our soldiers.
So keep reading as we walk through the specs, features, pros and cons, as well as how it did on the range.
Table of Contents
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Sig MCX Spear Review at a Glance
Pros
- Fully ambidextrous
- Large caliber
- Familiar controls
Cons
- Price
- Weight
The Bottom Line
Although the cost of admission is fairly steep by comparison, there really aren’t many rifles like the MCX Spear. This feature-rich rifle is accurate, reliable, and packs a punch.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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MCX Spear Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 7.62×51
- Action: Semi-automatic
- Width: 2.5”
- Length: 38.3”
- Barrel Length: 16”
- Height: 8”
- Weight: 9.2 lbs.
- Capacity: 20+1
- Comes with: Cardboard box, 20-round magazine
Features
- Adjustable gas system
- Non-reciprocating side charging handle
- Caliber convertible
Source: Sig Sauer MCX Spear
MCX Spear Background
In an effort to replace the M4 carbine, the U.S. Army launched its Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2019.
Sig Sauer threw their hat in the ring with the XM5.
This moniker was later dropped in favor of the XM7 since Colt had already claimed the M5 as the improved version of the M4.
The U.S. Army awarded a 10-year contract to Sig in 2022.
One of the key features the Army was looking for was the ability to defeat body armor, and the XM7, chambered in larger calibers, can do just that. The MCX Spear we tested is the civilian version of the XM7.
Who Is the MCX Spear For?
The XM7 will only be available to those willing to sign up with Uncle Sam but the MCX Spear is within reach to anyone willing to drop the coin.
Currently available in 7.62x51mm with 6.5 Creedmoor and .277 Fury soon being available, the Spear is a true battle rifle.
This rifle is a bit much for home defense unless you live in a wooded area or in rural environments with a lot of offset from neighbors.
Anyone wanting a feature-packed battle rifle, or desiring something very similar to what is issued to U.S. soldiers, will appreciate the Spear.
Fit & Feel
Visually, the Spear has much in common with an M4 though it is beefier. With the Tango6T mounted, this rifle tips the scales around 11 pounds.
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From stem to stern, the rifle is various shades of tan, FDE, or bronze, but the finish seems durable. The overall aesthetic is sturdy and utilitarian.
QD points grace the rail and rear of the receiver, but there are sling slots in the receiver and end of the butt stock as well. M-LOK slots can be found on the 3, 6, and 9 positions on the rail, which was mounted securely to the receiver.
Lockup between the upper and lower was solid. The folding stock worked well, and the range of length of pull adjustment (six positions) was impressive.
The trigger, a two-stage Matchlite Duo, has a mildly curved bow and pull averaged 4 pounds on a Lyman digital gauge. The first stage was short, and the wall was well-defined.
Break was crisp and reset occurred about halfway along the return distance. Reset was very audible and tactile.
Sig included the Tango6T already mounted on our test rifle, and the optic performed admirably. The glass was clear, and magnification was ample enough for MOA testing and shooting steel at 200 yards.
The included 20-round magazine was a Magpul PMAG in 7.62x51mm, which fed reliably (but for one suppressed exception) loaded easily and dropped free when called upon to do so.
It also locked the bolt back without fail when it ran empty.
I particularly enjoyed the placement of the controls on both sides of the rifle. The side charging handle was great and made locking the bolt back, without the usual contortions, a breeze.
How Does It Shoot?
Shooting prone from a rest, we tested the MCX Spear for accuracy, shooting 5-shot groups. Starting off with M80, 147-grain from GGG, the Spear grouped at about 2.2 MOA.
Next up was Federal Premium 168-grain, which was much more consistent. The final shot group was approximately 1.1 MOA.
Up next, we shot Federal Premium 175-grain to keep pushing and see how the Spear liked heavier rounds. This weight averaged 1.5 MOA.
Switching brands, we tried Hornady Black at 168-grains. These came together well, around 1.6 MOA.
Hornady also sent along some 150-grain American Whitetail for us to try out. All in, these did well, too, grouping around 1.5 MOA.
.308 / 7.62x51mm Ammo In Stock
In short, the Spear is accurate. The combination of the 16-inch barrel (1:10 twist) and a good 2-stage trigger create a great package.
As far as recoil is concerned, the Spear does a good job taming the .308. It’s much more significant than an AR-15, but that’s simple physics.
Regardless, I was able to engage multiple targets at a pretty rapid rate of fire without having to fight to maintain a good sight picture.
The reliability was very good. I experienced only one malfunction over the course of a couple hundred rounds, and it was a failure to feed.
I was shooting from a moving vehicle with the Spear suppressed, so I could not easily diagnose what contributed to this problem. Regardless, it didn’t happen again.
Finally, shooting suppressed was interesting in that we used a Banish 30 Gold and completely removed Sig’s muzzle device made for neatly attaching their suppressors.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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I switched the Spear’s gas system over to suppressed, and banged away at some targets from a Bog Hunt tripod.
While standing, the recoil felt reduced, and the sound report was greatly reduced. While I didn’t notice it standing when I got behind the gun prone, I got quite a bit of gas back in my face.
What Sets it Apart?
In many ways, this rifle is similar to an AR-10 at its base. But that’s where the similarities end.
The lack of a buffer tube, side charging handle, adjustable gas system, and fully ambidextrous nature set this rifle apart from anything you might try to compare it with.
In addition, owners of the MCX Spear will soon be able to convert their rifles to 6.5 Creedmoor and/or .277 Fury.
By the Numbers
Reliability: 4/5
Besides the aforementioned failure to feed, I had zero issues with the Spear running a decent variety of brands and weights of ammo.
Ergonomics: 5/5
Sig did a great job making this rifle customizable to a wide range of shooters.
Accuracy: 4/5
Across a variety of brands, styles, and weights of ammo, the Spear averaged just over 1.5 MOA.
Customization: 3/5
This is a brand-new gun, and although it is within an established family of products, it is different because of its caliber. Sig will likely have the swappable barrels coming soon for shooters who want to try it out in different calibers.
Value: 3/5
Compared to an AR-10, the MCX Spear offers a lot more when it comes to features. However, at an MSRP of $4,499, many will have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.
Overall: 4/5
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Upgrades for MCX Spear
Sig Sauer Tango6T
For the purposes of this review, Sig Sauer included their Tango6T and this is a solid optic.
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There is good field of view on the 1x power and sufficient magnification to see your shots at 100 yards.
Cloud Defensive Rein 3.0
Coming in at 6.91 oz. the Rein 3.0 from Cloud Defensive is a little heavier than some competitors, but the 100,000 candela more than makes up for it.
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Given the reach of the Spear, a light with impressive throw is only fitting.
Tripod
A tripod is highly recommended for any kind of precision shooting and really just to take the load off. As we mentioned, our rifle topped out at 11 pounds.
It’s much easier when you have a tripod around to take that weight.
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Suppressor
If you want to spice things up even further, and you have the extra $200 to do so, throw on a suppressor to the Spear. It’s a fun experience and a little quieter.
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We used the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold, but we have more recommendations in the Best AR-15 Suppressors.
Final Verdict
I was really pleased with the MCX Spear; it’s a great rifle. Accuracy was very good, and reliability was sound.
The diversity of the modern battle rifle has truly evolved from yesteryear, and there is no better example of that than the Spear.
This is a rifle with solid ergonomics capable of fitting a wide variety of individuals, it’s capable of multiple calibers for different applications, and I appreciate the fact that Sig included plans for suppressors.
Our modern warfighters are about to have a significant weapon at their fingertips, and the civilian version is very nice, too, if you’ve got the coin!
Will you be picking up an MCX Spear? Let us know in the comments below! For more big bore love, be sure to check out 6 Best .308/7.62 Semi-Auto Rifles: Battle Ready!
54 Leave a Reply
The MCX platform is fantastic. The newer Spear-LT models are even better. Sig has definitely set the bar higher than the competition with these and they deserve respects for adapting and improving their game.
The only issue I have is their muzzle devices. They are made to fit their specific cans which are not affordable nor popular in the market. Changing the muzzle device is truly annoying as they torque the bejesus of these even my professional go-to gunsmith complained it was really hard to remove. The should provide also a taper cap with every purchase IMO.
Other than replacing muzzle device - no complaints. Yeah it's still a bit heavy, but it's feel awesome out of the box.
Are you serious here? SIG happens to be in the right place at the right time to land a gravy government contract. This is just a high powered toy for soldiers to fire full auto or tri-burst all day with less cleanup. For $4400, I'd expect hole in hole accuracy which it does not give. Battle rifle?? Yeah right...how does it perform at 600 yards? Simple physics tells us a 16" barrel gives less muzzle velocity than a 20". Serious snipers will look elsewhere for better hardware. What we have here is an over-priced combat rifle that the taxpayers will pay for and SIG laughs their way to the bank.
To me, this guy only makes sense when I can get it in .277 Fury. Otherwise, it's just a hyper-expensive AR-10.
What will the retail price be for the 6.5 and the 277 fury barrels?
Sucked it up and got one in its current available form (.308). Shot it at Freedom Days last year in 6.5CM, and honestly I wish that barrel was available already, as it was quite a joy to shoot then. The .277 Fury just seemed rather unwieldy. But, this is getting kitted out to be a precision/DMR shooter.
Pairing with an Easy6 5-30x BDX, and one of those wee RRS 60mm rails. That's what this will mostly be for - is a sub for an AR-10/SR25 to be mounted on a tripod, but with the bonus of being able to sling it. (The Cross PRS... the other "mount queen", is, yes, MUCH heavier than this! )
Not for running and gunning. There are other MCXs for that :)
Why would I buy an MCX chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor when I can buy an A10 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor for a lot less money?
So $1,500.00 for the AR platform, and $2,899.00 upcharge because it says Sig and the US Govt purchased it for military. Nope, I can buy better AR platforms for 1/2 the price or better that shoot just as well. Thus far I have found zero reason to purchase anything Sig.
It's also piston operated. It'd add a little to the cost but I'm not sure if it's still worth it for anything other than saying you've got "the new Army, service rifle".
Not likely to buy one unless I win the lottery. And it's ammo is uncommon and expensive.
No question on the price Ted. The 7.62x51 is fairly common, as is 6.5CM nowadays. .277 Fury is finally, slowly, popping up in stores.
I think this rifle would be better utilized in a DMR/SPR application. The Spear LT chambered in 6mm ARC or Grendal would be a better option to replace the M4.
Good point Silky, it would certainly be lighter!
While I like SIG, and think they put out a good products, the MSRP is so far outside this retiree's budget, it's not even feasible. Not unless one falls off the back of a truck.
We're really not being offered the same caliber the military's going with, the 6.8 mm SPC, but the bigger 7.62 X 51. So not to knock this review, but it's technically a completely different rifle than the Military's NSGW, being in a larger caliber. The difference between 7.62 X 51 v 6.8 SPC is as great as the between 5.56 X 45 v 6.8 SPC, as 6.8 SPC theoretically was developed to split the difference between 5.56 and 7.62.
Right Chuck. As I understand it, the other calibers will be made available later and can be swapped in.
The military will not use 6.8 SPC.
They will use 6.8x51
Unless you're very serious into larping there's far better options for the civilian. The POF Revolution DI is over two pounds (!!!!) lighter and is more accurate to boot. The M7 was built to defeat near pear body armor at distance. We now know that at least the Russians have nowhere near that type of armor since they're making new recruits buy their own off Amazon. Seriously this thing is going to be like 14 pounds when fully outfitted for battle.
Realize my opinion is worth nothing, but a small frame rifle like the Revolution DI in 6.5 Creedmoor could handle just about anything a soldier needs.
Haha, I like the LARPing angle, some folks get down like that. And you're so right about the final poundage when accessories get bolted on.
Often times The previous changes in weapon systems (calibers/ergonomics) address the shortcomings of the previous war. So, the COIN war indicated a shortcoming of 5.56 was the distance / terminal ballistics due to target engagement from one mountain side to the other. Ergo: 7.62x51. Even though many folks point to the urban landscape being more infantry intensive in a large scale combat ops.
But it's really difficult to sell a "future rifle for a future purpose, when the next conflict is radically different...or it isn't. Hard to sell potential when the historical data and touch points from last year are so poignant.
Hence we end up with the sig spear. A great rifle for the last war.
Anyway, like someone else said, our troops will get it done. No lack of ingenuity and tenacity there.
Great point Humble, we certainly gain some distance with these calibers, but it's hard to predict what conflicts we may ultimately deploy them in.
Ounces make pounds, pounds make pain. The people that made this incestuous acquisitions.gov/contracting.civ decision have never humped 10k in full kit in 90+ weather with 90+% humidity. Sure, the kids will suck it up and get it done, but will the arguably insignificant benefits outweigh the obvious physical toll?...and the cost? holy crap.
Still a well written article...not trying to shoot the messenger.
Glad I retired.
First thing that should go is the top charging handle.
Totally agree. At 11 pounds (loaded) with optic, I'd hesitate to bolt much else on. And I'm retired too so my getting shot at days are hopefully behind me, appreciate the consideration!
Is it just me or does the SL stock on the beefy rifle make it look super unbalanced?
100%
Wait, they throw in a cardboard box too?!?
Exactly what I thought. That’s a great selling point for that kind of money. Don’t see these flying off the shelves.
Surely it’s that Negrini Italian hand -stitched double-wall construction cardboard Sig is known for though
Whenever it pops up it seems to sell out immediately. We're on the era of Gucci guns.
Glad you noticed Erik! I include that little bit of information because I think it's important. Sometimes you get a hard case with a gun. Sometimes you even get a hard case that still fits when you add an optic. Other times, you get a cardboard box.
I hear ya! I didn’t mind the plastic hard case that came with my 226 Legion, but when I got an 320 AXG Equinox & it came with that Italian leather, I realized there were finer things in life. Almost considered buying one for the Legion even though I never planned on storing them in the cases they came in. Maybe rifles are a different game, but for that price, cardboard almost seems disrespectful. Can’t say Sig is relying on marketing department to sell this one!
Love your reviews, by the way. Keep ‘em coming!
Oh man, I got the P226 Legion and that cool thermal case, but nothing as fancy as Italian leather! That's living high on the hog. Thanks for the support, really appreciate it, and I intend to keep them coming!
I can tell you liked it and obviously it's a potent piece of hardware. But..the one question I didn't get answered: How is this enough of an improvement over the current M4 variants to warrant changing?...particularly from the standpoint of the end user. (You can penetrate Level IV with the right loads from a .5.56 last I heard. Modern combat has been more rounds, closer quarters; not bigger rounds, ancient battleground distances). Viet Nam experience with the M14 brought aboard the M16 in the teeth of military opposition. I lugged the (lighter) 16 platform with all the (lighter) ammo over Quang Nam province and similar weight in a 14 and 7.62 would have been even less fun, not to mention the unwieldiness of the battle rifle compared to a (true) assault rifle. Those extra pounds in gun and ammo add up when you also get handed bandoleers, magazines, illumination rounds and a can of machine gun 7.62 to hump. Did they ask a grunt at any point? I can't help thinking there's more military contractor money at the root of this change than any conclusions from any grunt round table, where the decision ought to have been made anyway. 4K? yeah, I'm thinking typical lobbyist work at the Pentagon...and when the AR is made illegal in any form--so unsafe the military "got rid of it", can you hear Schumer now--confiscation won't be confusing itself with the military stock.
Than You for your service. Welcome Home Sir.
Agree with price comments. I’ll stick with my 5.56. Local Ranges need to take notice When/if a civilian variant of the 6.8mm is produced as it has a significantly greater “distance X” than 5.56 or 7.62. Initial safety guidance from DoD is to use the .50 BMG as a template.
Richard, first and foremost, thank you for your service. My scope was reviewing the rifle so I didn't answer the question you posed. Frankly, I'm in the same boat. At the most, the only gain I see in the higher calibers is a bit of distance. The stated goal of the Army was defeating body armor, but we already have that capability in the 5.56 with correct ammo. This would be heavily (pun intended) offset by the weight gain as you mentioned. This rifle, loaded, is around 11 pounds with the optic. Soldiers will be carrying fewer rounds with more weight. Sig has been chasing and landing military contracts with aplomb lately, profitable business as you've pointed out.
Thanks, Sean, for the reply and letting me rant a bit. Like I said, a great review, I feel I know what to expect from that gun though it's not destined for my safe. But 11 pounds, heavier ammo, less wieldy in tight quarters, the whole reason behind the glory of the M4 and the demise of the M14. It's not change for the sake of change; there's got to be a pile of dough behind it for someone. Frankly, it concerns me when military techies concentrate on hardware while allowing training, support and mission for the lowly groundpounder to get lost in a flurry of social engineering. All anyone would have had to do was survey the boots on the ground: you want more to hump, or not? Heavier gun or lighter gun? Longer barrel, shorter barrel? Do you need something to take out armor-wearing foes at five hundred yards? Or are you more concerned about what's inside that hootch your commanders insist you enter and clear in a narrow street lined with hostile windows and balconies three stories high? I'm sure it's a great gun, though; and while I guess troopers are tending to get airlifted more than back in the day, weight alone ought to have been the primary criterion.
SIG's MCX is an interesting rifle. To me, the 7.62X51 flies in the face of the Military switching from that round to the 5.56 NATO in the first place, less weight, more rounds carried, with less recoil. The weight of the ammo notwithstanding, the gun itself is heavy too at 9.2 lbs empty. The rifle plus a fully loaded chest rig means our Troops will be toting sround quite a load.
I like its reliability, and its ergonomics, its trigger, and the optics (given its caliber). Accuracy is OK too.
In the end, though smaller, I harken back to the days of the M-14. Yes, it's a very different animal, but it Still eats the same ammo and weighs (9.2 lbs empty) about the same too.
Personally, I have my reservations with a Wait and See attitude
Al I agree. I think the inclusion of the other two chamberings make this a little more diverse as far as capability. But again, it remains to be seen.
We speak the same lingo. I still have an issue with the weight.
Humping with an M-4 with a chest rig full of mags is one thing. Adding more poundage with the rifle and ammo is another.
Given the price of admission for the Sig, it's well beyond my meager financial means.
However, if I were flush with cash, I would still stay with my Colt. I really have no need to defeat body armor at any distance.
Sean, diverse is a nice theory. The Rifle won't loose much weight by switching calibers though.
When I went over seas, the M-14 was being phased out, with the M-16 replacing it. Yes, the M-16A1 had issues which were mostly solved with the M-16A2. Today's M-4 is one of the Best Battlefield rifles on the planet.
That said, I can see a role for this rifle. A Marine Squad has 13 Troops, which is broken down into 4 segments. Why not take one of those 3 man units and arm them with this rifle. Then you'd have this 3 man unit, a 3 man machine-gun unit, and two 3 man units armed with an M-4.
FWIW, Al - SIG did get a follow-on contract post NGSW, for the Spear LT. SOF already fields the MCX (Virtus and Rattler variants, as well as the suppressed upper/SURG), as do a good number of other organizations outside of the US MIL. This new contract supersedes any previous orders for Gen-2 MCXs with the LT. And, of course, those are the variants to be chambered in 5.56, 300BLK, and 7.62R. (Yes, timely, should there be a need for it.)
I have it in good faith from a personal contact that certain PMCs have had Virtuses kitted with 7.62R barrels+BCGs for quite sometime now - and hence every so often you'd see that unicorn 7.62R Virtus on GB. And, now, it's mainstream as well. Because... why not? Capitalism, right?
I digress. But, the primary apparent benefit to the MCX compared to its competitors in the NGSW is primarily a minimal impact to Change Management - that the manual of arms / nomenclature for the standard rifle remains only marginally different from that of an M16/M4 - and arguably, anyone who's picked up any variant of an AR15 / AR10 can hit the ground running with an MCX. But, if flexibility is desired, having to utilize supply that's available should the new caliber not be available, say, at a NATO armorer's / depot - then you keep everything from the handguard and receiver and back, and simply do a barrel swap.
That's a tremendous upside.
I've always imagined that the basic rifleman squad composition would eventually settle on one or two of these Spears as DMRs (with that fancy technopop Vortex kit), with the bulk of the team fielding M4s or MCX-LTs (with that low-mag/low-tech SIG LPVO), depending on supply. Of course, the designated "bravo" would have that new M250, with the same .277 loadout as those with the DMR.
But, you get the point, hopefully. There are still ways SIG makes money in all this, and, clearly, the play here wasn't just keeping all their chips in the one NGSW basket. And, they seem to keep winning contracts, save for that of the ammo itself (that went to Winchester - which I thought was hilarious).
"One of the key features the Army was looking for was the ability to defeat body armor, and the XM7, chambered in larger calibers, can do just that."
>
- Yeah, not really. This is what the Army wanted but without a tungsten core AP round this will not penetrate Level IV body armor. 5.56 and 7.62x51 tungsten core AP rounds already penetrate level IV plates, so no gain there. XM-7 is nothing more than what we already have. In some ways arguably worse.
You're right Bill, ammo selection will be key. With the limited ammo testing I've seen thus far on .277 Fury, it hasn't been able to defeat level IV plates. I'm curious about the Army's testing and how they made the selection.
Have a MCX-Patrol which is what this platform is based on and it's a fantastic gun!
Good deal Jim!
Will pass at the price. I have a .308 that works just fine for a lot less.
It's a tough pill to swallow Rich, even with all the added features.
Every review I've read has nothing but praise for the platform, and the new caliber.
Unfortunately, it's way outside my budget, so unless one falls off the back of a truck, it'll be the only chance I'd have of owning one.
Chuck I totally empathize, I'm passing on this one too but will likely pick up something in a bigger caliber that's more reasonable in price.
I love Sig and I realize they are a little overpriced but at what they are charging for this gun they sure as hell aren’t trying to sell very many of them.
I hear you Chad, and yet they will!
Great review, Sean!
Thank you Gary I appreciate that!