SIG MCX

Semi-Automatic Modular Assault Carbine

Switzerland | 2015

"The SIG MCX is a relatively new modular offering from Switzerland and has been adopted by a few notable forces to date."

Image from official SIG-Sauer marketing material.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The classic AR-15 series of automatic weapons retains a considerable footprint the world over. Many manufacturers have adopted the rifle series in varying guises but the internal workings of this sound weapon system remain. This is the case with the relatively new SIG-Sauer MCX series automatic weapons, carrying over the traditional short-stroke, gas-operated piston action (with rotating bolt). As with other modern SIG offerings, the MCX is billed as a highly modular weapons system, capable of being reconfigured in a variety of ways to suit customer requirements. The series was introduced in 2015.

This sort of broad tactical value means that the MCX can also be made to chamber several cartridge types based on the configuration. The typical chambering is 5.56x45mm NATO but other forms chamber the 7.62x39mm Soviet as well as the .300 ACC Blackout round (7.62x35mm). All forms fire from a 30-round detachable box (STANAG type) magazine inserted ahead of the trigger group. The action is available in both semi- and selective-fire, again, to suit operator requirements (and also market restrictions).

Outwardly, the MCX takes on the conventional AR-15 style shape. The shoulder stock is hinged to fold over the receiver and is made to telescope while also absorbing a good amount of recoil. Over the top of the receiver is a long-running section of Picatinny rail for installing iron sights or specialized optics and aimers. The forend is heavily perforated for effective air cooling of the barrel. All controls are seated near the trigger area for ease of reach (including an ambidextrous manual safety). The barrel protrudes a short distance ahead of the forend and sports a three-pronged flash hider as standard. The barrel is user-changeable to fit the cartridge in play.

Overall weight of the system is in the 2.6 to 2.7 kilogram range and length, with the stock completely extended, is 35.7 inches. The barrel measures 16" in the standard carbine form.

The MCX SBR is the "short-barreled rifle" model (hence its designation) and this variant uses a 9" barrel. The MCX Pistol w/ SBX is a semi-automatic pistol model with a 9" barrel - essentially a very-compact-carbine. The MCX Low Visibility Assault Weapon (LVAW) is a suppressed model with a short barrel - reserved for purchase by military and police service only.

The MCX-MR was a "mid-range" offering at one point in contention for the United States Army's Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System program (won by Heckler and Koch). It was chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO. With its 16" barrel, it would have seen service in the Designated Marksman (DM) role.

The newer MCX VIRTUS line includes the "Patrol", "Pistol" and "SBR" forms.

Current (2017) operators of the MCX series includes Singapore (special police), the Netherlands (maritime special forces) and the United Kingdom (police special forces). The Dutch received their MCX rifles in November of 2016.

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April 2022 - The MCX-SPEAR has been selected by the U.S. Army for further development as the XM5 to succeed its aging line of M4A1 assault carbines through the Next Generation Squad Weapons Program. Similarly, the LMG-6.8 in the SIG lineup will become the XM250, succeeding the M249 SAW.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SIG MCX. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,650 ft
502.9 m | 550.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

800
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

3,000 ft/sec
914 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the SIG MCX. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

908 mm
35.75 in
O/A Length

406 mm
15.98 in
Barrel Length

5.84 lb
2.65 kg
Weight

Semi-Automatic; Short-Stroke Gas-Operated Piston; Rotating Bolt Mechanism
Action

5.56x45mm NATO; 7.62x39mm; 7.62x51mm NATO; .300 AAC Blackout (model dependent).
Caliber(s)

30-round detachable box magazine.
Feed

Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SIG MCX Semi-Automatic Modular Assault Carbine family line.

MCX - Base Series Designation

MCX Carbine - Base Carbine Model; 16" barrel length; civilian and police market trigger groups available.

MCX SBR ("Short-Barreled Rifle") - 9" barrel length; variable trigger group options.

MCX Pistol w/ SBX - Semi-automatic machine pistol form; 9" barrel length.

MCX LVAW ("Low Visibility Assault Weapon") - Select-fire action with short-barrel assembly and suppression assembly; military and police market model.

MCX-MR ("Mid Range") - Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) form chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO; 16" fluted stainless steel barrel assembly; 8.9lb weight; M16-style cocking handle.

MCX VIRTUS - 5.56mm NATO or 300 Blk chambering; 16" barrel length; semi-automatic action.

MCX VIRTUS Patrol - 5.56mm NATO or 300 Blk chambering; 16" barrel length; semi-automatic action.

MCX VIRTUS Pistol - Very compact carbine variant; SBX pistol stabilizing brace.

MCX VIRTUS SBR - Short-barreled rifle form.

MCX-SPEAR - Available chamberings include 7.62 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 277 SIG FURY; over-receiver Picatinny; two-stage match trigger; adjustable folding stock.

MCX-SPEAR LT - Features of the Gen 1 MCX with MCX Virtus; 5.56 NATO, .300 Blackout, 7.62x39mm chamberings available; marketed in carbine, SBR, and pistol forms with varying barrel lengths.

XM5 - US. Army developmental designation of MCX 6.8 SPEAR.

XM250 - U.S. Army developmental designation of LMG-6.8.

XM250

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SIG MCX. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): SIG-Sauer - Switzerland

[ Indonesia; Netherlands; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United States ]

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Image from official SIG-Sauer marketing material.

Similar
Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the SIG MCX Semi-Automatic Modular Assault Carbine.

SIG MCX XM5

Going Further...
The SIG MCX Semi-Automatic Modular Assault Carbine appears in the following collections:

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