The firearms world has a new contender for the top spot of best battle rifle. Sig Sauer's MCX Spear was recently selected by the U.S. Army to replace the M4 carbine after emerging victorious from their Next Generation Squad Weapon program trials. 

This new rifle for America's soldiers also has a civilian version that has firearm enthusiasts quite intrigued. Its combination of familiar AR-style controls and more advanced features looks set to make it a highly popular pick. This review will take an in-depth look at the MCX Spear to see if it has what it takes to claim the title of top new battle rifle.

Overview of the Sig MCX Spear

The MCX Spear is Sig Sauer's latest rifle design made to serve as a do-it-all battle rifle for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters. It offers upgraded capabilities compared to previous service rifles like the M4 carbine with the goal of giving soldiers a more versatile and powerful primary weapon. 

The MCX Spear is destined for widespread adoption in the U.S. Army under the XM7 designation. It will gradually replace existing M4A1 carbines as the standard-issue rifle for troops. The civilian version allows firearm enthusiasts to get their hands on this exciting new platform as well.

Key Specifications and Features

Some key specs and features of note on the Sig MCX Spear are:

• Caliber: 7.62×51 NATO 
• Action: Short-stroke gas piston, semi-automatic
• Width: 2.5” 
• Length: 38.3”
• Barrel Length: 16”
• Height: 8”
• Weight: 9.2 lbs. 
• Capacity: 20+1 rounds
• Comes With: Cardboard box, 20-round magazine
• Adjustable gas system for suppressed/unsuppressed use
• Non-reciprocating charging handle accessible from both sides
• Quick-change barrel system to swap calibers
• M-LOK attachment slots for accessories
• Fully ambidextrous controls

Right away, the MCX Spear stands out with some smart features for a modern battle rifle, like ambidextrous controls and switchable calibers. The ability to easily configure it for suppressed and unsuppressed use is also quite handy.

Background and Development

The MCX Spear originated from the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program that was announced in 2019. This major initiative aimed to find a replacement for the ar platform, which has been the chosen rifle platform for American troops since the 1960s. The latest iteration of what has affectionately become known as “America’s Rifle”, the M4A1, has been the primary service rifle since the 1990s.

The goals for the M4 replacement were twofold. First, the new rifle had to offer improved combat capabilities in close-quarters battle scenarios. This included better terminal ballistics to neutralize threats faster. Second, it needed extended range performance to provide increased accuracy at longer distances compared to the M4's 14.5" barrel.

The Army tested submissions from major manufacturers like Sig Sauer, Textron, and General Dynamics. Sig ultimately won the competition with their XM5 prototype. This was renamed the XM7 after Colt raised an objection since they produced the original M4 and M5 carbines.

In 2022, the Army awarded Sig Sauer a 10-year contract potentially worth $20 billion dollars. This makes it one of the largest firearms contracts ever issued by the military. It means we will soon see the XM7 replace existing M4A1s across all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Sig designed the XM7 as a modular platform that can adapt to excel across a wide operational envelope. They worked extensively with active duty combat personnel to refine the system. It incorporates feedback from the soldiers who will actually carry this rifle into harm's way.

The result is a rifle purpose-built for both close quarters battle and longer-range precision fire. It is configurable to meet the needs of different shooting disciplines via its swappable barrels and accessories.

The MCX Spear is the civilian semi-automatic version of this revolutionary new military rifle. It gives firearm owners access to the same performance innovations that soon will be safeguarding American freedom across the globe.

Target Audience  

The MCX Spear is designed as a general-purpose battle rifle tailored towards defensive, tactical, and sporting use rather than as a primary home defense weapon. 

For home defense, its longer barrel length and heavier 9+ pound weight make it less suitable for moving swiftly across tight indoor spaces compared to a pistol caliber carbine. However, the Spear still offers tremendous stopping power and accuracy for rural property defense where engagement distances may be longer.

The semi-automatic MCX Spear, with its modular platform, appeals strongly to firearms collectors, military enthusiasts, and sport shooters looking for flexibility beyond the AR-15’s capabilities. 

With the ability to easily swap barrel assemblies, the Spear transforms from a close-quarters fighter to a long-range precision instrument ideal for hunting medium-to-large game. Its familiar ergonomics but increased power over the AR-15 also make it very attractive as a patrol rifle for law enforcement agencies.

This inherent adaptability and next-gen technology is sure to pique the interest of elite military and SWAT teams seeking to emulate the armament of US Army troops. The MCX Spear takes battle rifle modularity to new heights.

This versatility does come at a premium price point that limits the Spear’s widespread adoption. But for those able to afford its cutting-edge capabilities, the MCX Spear ushers in a new era of rifle performance and flexibility.

Design and Ergonomics

One glance at the MCX Spear reveals the familiar styling cues of an AR-15 platform rifle but with several unique tweaks. It sports a rugged military Flat Dark Earth (FDE) color scheme that gives the Spear a purpose-driven, all-business look. All external surfaces are covered in a durable anodized finish that appears to hold up extremely well to rough field use.

Make no mistake, though, this is a hefty rifle. Despite having a 16-inch barrel, the MCX Spear still tips the scales at a significant 9.2 pounds unloaded. Slap an optic, flashlight, and other accessories on there, and you are easily looking at lugging around a weapon system weighing over 11 pounds. This noticeable weight does provide some recoil mitigation benefits, but can tire out arms quickly after carrying it across long distances.  

The rifle features an adjustable side-folding stock with a generous length of pull range to accommodate body armor and tactical vests. There are also plenty of sling mounting points distributed across the rifle, along with M-LOK attachment slots for adding accessories like lights and lasers.

One really slick feature is that all major controls are fully ambidextrous. This includes the unique non-reciprocating side charging handles, which fold neatly out of the way when not in use to maintain a slimmer profile. The safety selector, magazine release button, and bolt release are all mirrored on both sides of the rifle as well.

During handling, the MCX Spear points naturally and shoulders smoothly. The curved buttstock shape allows for a very positive cheek weld to enable proper and consistent sight alignment. It's clear that everything about the design focuses heavily on enabling swift deployment and ease of manipulation, even under stressful combat scenarios.

Performance Review

During range testing, several hundred rounds were put through the MCX Spear for evaluation. The focus was on assessing essential functionality like reliability, accuracy, recoil control, and general usability. 

To gauge accuracy, multiple 5-shot groups were fired from a rested position using a wide variety of ammunition. Initially shooting inexpensive M80 balls, groups measured around 2 MOA once the sights were dialed in correctly. But accuracy quickly improved to between 1-1.5 MOA when testing with higher quality match-grade loads.

Perceived recoil is appropriately stout for a battle rifle firing full power 7.62 NATO rounds. However, the Spear's 9+ pound heft makes consecutive fast follow-up shots noticeably more controllable and quicker to get back on target. The adjustable gas system also lets users customize the recoil impulse depending on if they are running suppressed or unsuppressed.  

Reliability proved stellar over several hundred rounds with zero malfunctions besides a single failure to feed when firing on the move with a suppressor attached. This suggests that properly configuring the rifle to match accessories and shooting style is important for maximizing reliability.

A particularly enjoyable test was running low light drills with the MCX Spear equipped with both a suppressor and bright flashlight mounted to the M-LOK accessory rails. This setup performed exceptionally well during simulated night raids. The illuminated optic, light, and sound suppression provided startling target speed and accuracy out to 200 yards.

Across all testing, the MCX Spear delivers the expected stellar performance from an elite, modern battle rifle purpose-built for military applications. It achieves excellent accuracy and reliability within an endlessly configurable weapon system.

Comparisons and Competitive Analysis

The MCX Spear has some broad similarities to an AR-10 style rifle but includes more contemporary features. AR-10s are seen as more traditional large frame semi-automatic rifles. The MCX Spear brings greater adaptability and ambidexterity to this rifle category.

Some key advantages of the Spear compared to even higher-end AR-10s are:

• Fully ambidextrous controls
• Folding side charging handle  
• Tool-less caliber switching
• Integrated suppressor settings
• Enhanced modularity

The non-AR design is also appealing for those seeking something more unique. Few rifles allow for similar flexibility to run multiple calibers from the same platform. This expands the Spear's capabilities beyond what most AR-10 style rifles can achieve.

There are certainly cheaper .308 semi-automatic rifles on the market as well. But you would be hard pressed to find one that matches the MCX Spear for features and performance at this $4,000+ price point. 

Pros and Cons

Based on our evaluation, here are the notable pros and cons of the Sig Sauer MCX Spear:

Pros

• Great accuracy and reliability 
• Smooth shooting for a battle rifle
• Fully ambidextrous 
• Easy to accessorize
• Quick caliber switching 
• Adjustable for suppression
• AR-style manual of arms
• Highly configurable

Cons 

• Expensive at over $4,000
• Heavy weight 
• Controls differ slightly from ARs
• Limited aftermarket currently
• Not legal in all areas

Considering its design and performance, the MCX Spear offers good value. But the high cost still puts it out of reach for many. What you get is a rifle bred directly from military testing with immense capabilities.

Accessory Compatibility and Customization

The MCX Spear includes an M-LOK accessory rail for attaching extras like lights, lasers, grips, and bipods. Sig also offers a line of suppressors contoured to neatly fit the Spear's slim profile when folded. So, adding a suppressor is easy for those wanting to dampen noise and muzzle blast.

As this platform matures, expect to see more aftermarket stocks, triggers, optics, etc, become available as well. The military contract means lots of companies will be eager to serve the accessory needs of MCX Spear owners.

The quick-change barrel technology means swapping this rifle between calibers, such as 7.62 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .277 Fury, is a simple process. This level of adaptability is almost unheard of in the semi-automatic rifle world. It lets one base rifle serve hunting, tactical, and long-range shooting needs.

Final Verdict

The MCX Spear makes a strong case for claiming the title as the top new battle rifle and maybe even top modern combat rifle, period. It handily outmatches traditional designs while offering tons of modularity to adapt the platform for any need.

This is undoubtedly the most advanced, and capable rifle being fielded to U.S. forces today, and  civilians can access virtually the same performance innovations by buying the MCX Spear themselves. There are few semi-automatic rifles that come close to providing this degree of versatility and features.

That versatility does come at a steep price, however. For some, sticking with an AR-10 rifle or other alternative might suit their budget better. But, for those wanting one base rifle to serve every application, the MCX Spear is incredibly compelling.

It will be exciting to see how this platform evolves and the impact it has on military and civilian markets alike. But what we have now is clearly a top tier battle implement that should give America's adversaries pause. Sig Sauer has a massive hit with this rifle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What calibers is the MCX Spear available in?

Initially offered only in 7.62 NATO (7.62x51mm), Sig states that 6.5 Creedmoor and .277 Fury variants will also be released soon. The quick change barrel system allows an owner to swap between these three calibers easily.

How much does the MCX Spear cost?

The retail price is $4,399 in most stores. Some vendors charge additional fees, which can put the total closer to $4,700+. Considering its performance and features, it offers good value, but the cost is still quite high.

How accurate is the MCX Spear?

During my range testing, I was able to achieve sub-MOA 5-shot groups using quality match grade ammunition. Mechanical accuracy is on par with other premium semi-automatic rifles. Expect good precision out to several hundred yards in the right hands.

Is this the same rifle being issued to US troops? 

There are slight differences between the military XM7 and civilian MCX Spear models. But functionally they utilize the same operating system and components. The key difference is the military model has a full-auto setting instead of just semi-auto.

How heavy is the MCX Spear?

Rifle weight is around 9.2 lbs. empty. Once you add optics, ammunition, and other accessories you can expect it to tip the scales between 11-13 lbs. easily. This heft helps mitigate recoil but leads to quick fatigue carrying it afield.  

What optics are compatible with the MCX Spear?

The receiver optics rail is a Picatinny style so most modern scopes, red dots, and other optics will mount right up. Sig offers their Tango6T 1-6x24mm scope as an ideal low magnification variable optic for this rifle.