Does The US Military’s New Combat Rifle Kinda Suck?

The Sig MCX Spear (XM7) is the US Army's new service rifle, chambered in the powerful 6.8x51mm (.277 Fury) cartridge, aiming to replace the M4. While it offers increased firepower, the review highlights significant drawbacks like front-heavy balance, a thick barrel profile, and slower controllability during rapid fire compared to intermediate cartridge rifles. The NGSW program also includes the XM157 optic and XM250 automatic rifle, which may be more impactful than the rifle itself.

Professor Shane critiques the U.S. military's transition to the SIG XM7 (M7), highlighting the challenges posed by its 6.8mm cartridge. He notes increased recoil, heavier ammunition, and faster barrel wear compared to the M4's 5.56mm system. While the 6.8mm performs well in the M250, its effectiveness in the M7 is questioned due to heat and longevity issues, potentially impacting soldier training and hit probability.

This review of the Sig 6.8 XM7 (MCX Spear) highlights significant design flaws, including a flimsy handguard causing POI shifts and mediocre accuracy around 2 MOA. The rifle exhibits harsh recoil and a high MSRP. Logistical concerns are raised regarding the heavy 6.8x51mm ammunition, which weighs double that of 5.56x45mm, impacting soldier endurance.

A former Navy SEAL analyzes the SIG SAUER XM5 (MCX Spear), highlighting its advanced 6.8x51mm cartridge designed to defeat body armor at 500 yards. While acknowledging its impressive capabilities and ergonomic similarities to the M4, he questions its role as a direct replacement for the M4 carbine, suggesting it functions more as a battle rifle. The discussion emphasizes the trade-offs in weight and the importance of a family of weapons approach for diverse mission needs.

The Sig MCX Spear, the civilian variant of the US Army's NGSW, is chambered in the high-pressure .277 Fury (6.8x51mm) cartridge. Its advanced features include a 3D-printed flow-through suppressor that significantly reduces gas blowback, a short-stroke gas piston system, and ambidextrous controls. While heavier than the M4, its superior armor penetration and long-range capabilities offer a compelling trade-off for potential DMR or Special Operations roles.

The SIG SPEAR (XM5/XM7) represents a significant shift for the US Army's service rifle, adopting the powerful 6.8x51mm .277 Fury cartridge. This new round utilizes a hybrid casing to withstand extreme pressures, enabling high velocities from its 13-inch barrel. While offering superior performance over the M4, concerns remain regarding increased weight, reduced ammunition capacity, and logistical impacts.

This video tests the 'magic bullet' theory surrounding the JFK assassination using a 6.5 Carcano rifle and a ballistic skull. Recovered bullets showed less deformation than expected, challenging assumptions about the original evidence. The test highlights the unpredictable nature of bullet performance after impact.

This video tests a Pedersoli Baby Philadelphia Derringer replica, the type used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The test demonstrates the .45 caliber black powder pistol's surprising close-range power, capable of penetrating a beverage can and causing significant fragmentation in a ballistic dummy head. The analysis compares the impact to historical accounts of Lincoln's skull fragments, highlighting the effectiveness of historical firearms.

This video compilation highlights critical firearm safety failures, emphasizing the dangers of ignoring basic rules. It features incidents like accidental discharges due to poor recoil management on revolvers and unsafe reholstering practices. The content serves as a stark educational tool, warning against dangerous internet trends and reinforcing the importance of responsible gun handling to prevent life-altering injuries.

This video analyzes the assassination attempt on Donald Trump by replicating the shooter's AR-15 setup and the Secret Service's counter-shot. It debunks conspiracy theories by demonstrating the difficulty of the initial shot and the terminal ballistics of both the attacker's and defender's rounds using high-speed footage and ballistic dummies. The analysis emphasizes that a precise ear-only shot from that distance with the described rifle is highly improbable.