Here's The U.S. Army's New Service Rifles and Ammo

The U.S. Army has selected Sig Sauer to build and deliver its Next Generation Squad Weapon variants to replace its M4/M4A1 service rifle and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).

Sig Sauer has won a 10-year contract with an initial delivery order worth $20.4 million. And under this contract, the company will supply more than 250,000 rifles and light machine guns.

Photo/Video by Sig Sauer

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[snakehuntermm]

I love SIG-Sauer, and everything I've heard about the new ammo sounds good. Here's what I can't figure out though:
-The US military went from the M14 to the M16 to the M4 partially because of weight, so we're going from a 6.5 lb rifle back to a 10 lb rifle
-We're reducing the amount of ammunition we carry from a standard 30 round magazine to a 20 round magazine with an individual round weighing almost as much as a 7.62x51mm round
-From a cost perspective, this new 6.8mm is probably going to be a lot more expensive than the 5.56 we're currently using
-From a lethality perspective, I admit the 5.56mm M855 green tip will never be as lethal as the 7.62x51 BUT, we have found ways to mitigate that. Black Hills 77 grain Match and the Mk318 are two examples. I can see something like the 6.8mm being special issue for a couple of MOS's but not general use
-If we want to increase the weight, reduce the capacity, and increase "lethality" of our weapons, why not just use something like an HK417?

Just my .02

[Loneranger]

Fighting with a suppressor as a standard is a game changer for the shooter. Less overpressure, noise, and recoil, provide a less stressful shooting environment, which leads to dramatically increased accuracy. The ability to audibly communicate more clearly with team members during a firefight (due to less in-shooter noise) cannot be over stated.

[danielmartin]

They don't always choose based on optimal performance. A lot of politics go behind these decisions.

[CaptainCreampie]

Just grab the popcorn and wait for the recall. It is Sig we are talking about after all.

[tundranomad]

On the verge of WW3 is a terrific time to switch to an oddball cartridge which no other military or branch uses.

[brycefelperin]

The rifle is now called the XM7 due to Colt having a patented M5. Also note their designing new versions of the rifle using more titanium to make it lighter in the future. However that is just a rumor I heard to be fair.

[rangercal]

Keep your eye on what Delta Force and SAS choose for a firearm. That will tell you what the actual best choice is.

[Steve_]

The key to this rifle is the next generation Vortex optic. It will turn The average infantryman into a dedicated marksman

[joshuamorales]

I’m skeptical about the combat load taking a hit. With the m4 at least you can carry 7 mags for 210 rounds, but with this bigger round I’m guessing it’s around like 20 rounds a mag? Not great for fire suppression unless you put all that responsibility on solely the SAW gunner. New tactics are coming.

[Survve_Thrive]

6.8mm was about what the British suggested a general use round for NATO after WWII. After extensive testing. But the US went with 7.62 then 5.56. Its been a long journey. 🇬🇧

[joakimperron]

When I see guys that struggle with the 5.56 recoil at the range imagine with this new one lol

[MrJohnny]

I own a 516 patrol, 716 patrol, p226 navy model, p320 m18 and a p365....i shoot all the time and never had a breakage or misfire...but, i keep them clean and tidy and well oiled...

[redus]

Good for Sig man. They're doing some amazing things and keeping America, and much of the world, safe with these innovations.

[xisotopex]

basically a battle rifle but more expensive....

[adam]

If your avg infantry is currently effective up to 500m with current optics, rifles ect... and you can push it up to 800m by equipping them with this rifle/optics... that is a massive advantage even if you cannot carry as much ammo.

[ravenstylea]

I think the 6mm ARC would have been a more efficient option to replace the 5.56 instead of the 6.8 as the ARC is a lighter round than the 6.8 but still more accurate, flatter trajectory and hits like a truck compared to the 5.56

[TodaysDemocrat]

Now they only need soldiers to use them. Problem is nobody is joining up. FJB

[cascadianrangers]

What I have always loved about the m16a4 is that it's ability to penetrate body is completely inconsequential as it's so accurate and easy to shoot that with the right optics you could decide which eye to land a couple rounds in

[LockieRT]

The MCX is a really good, well rounded rifle, we’ve used it in the uk for a couple of years now . Interesting it’s going to be rolled out to replace the m4 tho

[bradIeyyy]

Sig Sauer is a great American company, this will be great