U.S. Army to Introduce XM7 Rifle, Marking the End of the Iconic M16 Series

Trendy Digest ^ | 3/7/24 | Emma Talyor

[MAGA2017]

After over five decades of faithful service, the M16 series, an icon of American military might and a direct descendant of the AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner will be succeeded by Sig Sauer's advanced XM7 rifle. The M16, first introduced in 1964, has been the most-produced 5.56x45mm weapon, marking a significant chapter in the annals of U.S. military history. The latest variant, the M16A4, known for its three-round burst feature, will soon yield to the cutting-edge design of the XM7, a testament to the relentless pursuit of small arms excellence.

[BB62]

You could fire an entire “clip”??

Well… you must be pretty ‘special’, since the M16/AR15 uses a *magazine*. not a “clip”.

[Captainpaintball]

No, he is right. Prove him wrong of you don’t agree.

[broken_clock]

Hmmm indeed!

[Justa]

The M16s will hot fire full-auto. After a mag or two in rapid fire the chamber heats up enough to cook off the rounds as soon as they’re chambered. Don’t even have to pull the trigger. Load a new mag, take aim, release the bolt and 30 rnds gone in about 2 secs. Fun way to close out a range Ammo detail. Then you give the weapon back to the soldier you borrowed it from ; ))

[ARW]

From wiki…” XM7 rifle weighs about 2 lb (0.91 kg) more and each soldier carries roughly a 4 lb (1.8 kg) heavier load with 70 fewer rounds.[3][19]”

[linMcHlp]

But treeline fighting requires the more durable round.

[ARW]

Piston

[Repeat Offender]

Don’t worry - they didn’t fix a thing. The M16A4 I had (I was its first “owner”), required remedial action twice in a firefight, while we were pinned down in the street. Stripping double feeds with a Leatherman while guys are getting shot is tons of fun. I had a buddy, when he was in AFG - his crapped out and he had to use it like a bolt action rifle.

Junk.

[Noumenon]

Heavy? Yes. Too heavy? I don’t think so. I love my NM Garand. Lets me shoot better than I have a right to.

[Liberty Valance]

The older i get the more i like my old 30 cal M-1 carbine.
Light weight and still goes pew pew pew ;o)~

[Texas Fossil]

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/02/28/sig-mcx-spear-army-xm7-rifle/

“One of the more hotly anticipated releases in the rifle world in many years has finally landed. The SIG MCX SPEAR – the civilian version of the Army’s XM7 rifle – is now available for purchase. The first runs will include 7.62×51 and 6.5CM with the .277 SIG FURY (6.8) version due shortly thereafter.”

7.52x51 (.308) , 6.5 Creedmoor , .277 SIG FURY (6.8)

All very good calibers.

[PGR88]

It's expensive and so is the ammunition.

This is exactly the goal for anyone signing a long-term govt contract

[Bonemaker]

They weren't too heavy for the MEN of the time! Probably a bit much for girls. Semi auto action and weight makes recoil tolerable. Try an 8mm Mauser bolt with steel buttplate and see what shade of indigo your shoulder turns.

[rdcbn1]

But treeline fighting requires the more durable round.

---

True, but we are looking a a totality of use.

Back in the day, we had the 45 cal sub machine guns for close quarters, light weight, handy but low power and short range 30 cal M1 carbines and big, big heavy M14 Main Battle Rifles.

The 5.56 x 45 intermediate cartridge has inherent limitations but it has excellent practical accuracy, is very controllable under full auto fire for machine gun applications, is actually better than 45 auto and 9mm for most door kicking and CQB applications, does surprisingly well against armor, (especially soft body armor), and is very flat shooting and has adequate terminal ballistics for acceptable lethal first hit probability at ranges up to 500yds or maybe a bit more with skilled shooters and MK 262 ammo .

It is compact and light weight so more ammo can be transported and carried in the field which has proven to be a critical advantage.

I'm a full power MBR guy myself, but have to admit that the 5.56 NATO is hard to beat as a general purpose issue solution that covers most bases, especially when paired with a handy, light weight M4 style carbine.

This opinion is reinforced by the fact that many troops choose to carry the M1 30 cal carbine into battle over the M14 back in the day despite it's low power and limited range because of it's mobility, light weight and it's compact size combined with the ability to carry more ammo load out in the field.

Full power MBRs as exemplified by the FN SCAR Heavy/17 are a really great compromise as well for highly trained special forces troops but they are still a compromise and even the special forces guys choose some variant of the M4 over the SCAR Heavy for many missions .

[rdcbn1]

There is that.

[fightin kentuckian]

Very true.

[RobertoinAL]

And still requires forward assist!

[Reno89519]

Why the Sig hate? Is this more Glock vs Sig and beyond? Seems odd and out of place.

[Reno89519]

And what does all the DEI BS have to do with a new weapon for the military? Or are you just hung up on racism and trying to use DEI as cover? Sure reads that way.

[Reno89519]

Here's an interesting discussion on the .277 Sig Fury compared to other calibers. https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/blog/277-sig-fury-6-8-51-guide.html