This week, SIG Sauer announced the MCX Virtus, which the company is billing as the most adaptive, accurate and longest-lasting rifle on the market.
Available in .556 NATO and 300 BLK the Virtus is the result of consultations with Special Operations units throughout the world that provided feedback on the original MCX rifle. The goal was to make the MCX even better, to build the most advanced rifle in the world.
“SIG has supplied firearms to meet the unique demands of specialized units for decades,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, in a press release. “Similar to the P320® pistol, the MCX VIRTUS was created to be the ultimate modular platform, a design that will change the demands of the modern rifle for years to come.”
“Virtus” is a name pulled from ancient Rome. It means virtue, courage, bravery, and excellence. SIG believes that their new baby embodies those traits.
More accurate, more modular (over 500 different configurations), and more durable (a service life of more than 20,000 rounds all without a single part replacement), this new rifle is ready for any possible need or mission, says SIG.
More from the press release:
Available in Patrol, Pistol and SBR variants, in Stealth Gray or FDE color, the MCX VIRTUS utilizes the proven SIG SAUER short-stroke piston system and unique internal recoil system that eliminates the M4-style buffer tube. The result is a compact, light-recoiling platform that can be configured for any task.
Cold hammer-forged barrels, available in 9”, 11.5” and 16” lengths, feature an advanced interchangeable design and can be exchanged at the operator level. To increase accuracy, the barrels are of a heavier contour profile. Also assisting with accuracy is the new SIG Matchlite Duo trigger, a two-stage unit that provides the shooter with a crisp, clean feel. A new tapered bolt lug design results in smoother cycling and extends the bolt life. Capping off the upgrades are eight (8) new free-floating M-LOK handguards available in standard and suppressor-ready configurations.
The new SIG Virtus, available in Patrol, Pistol and SBR configurations.
Looks like SIG is doing it again. By that, I mean (to quote Charlie Sheen from circa 2011), #Winning! Coming off the heels of landing the MHS contract, one can certainly make the argument that they are becoming the preeminent firearms manufacturer on the planet.
For more information about the SIG MCX VIRTUS, visit sigsauer.com/virtus.
Also, don’t forget to shop for SIG products on GunsAmerica.
Do I have to run just SIG barrels on my MCX? I know about the gas set up but the barrels bottom looks identical just can’t find out about the size & the gas ports location. Those are some expensive barrels makes one think they should have purchased a DD! Sig must think everyone is made of money!
Love SIG products. Have an M400 Enhanced 556 and a 320c. I’d love to haveMCX Virtus SBR. Just a note from me as an FFL, SIG proponent, instructor, and consumer. There is a fine line between enthusiasm and “obvious salesmanship” (i.e. used car salesman”. I massively respect Adam, his knowledge, and his instructional videos, etc.. I understand time constraints. In this video, however, I might suggest that he throttle-back on his hyperbole and subjective opinions. He does so well with objective presentations that I believe it would be more effective on the end-user. Just my experienced opinion 🙂
By the looks of it, has more moving parts, than an ar, that you won’t be able to get in 5 years, when they invent the next “better” “perfect rifle”. You can build a decent ar for $500-600. With the money left over get a nice optic and a bunch of ammo. Or build 4 different rifle configurations.
Decent? Probably. Nice and reliable? Unlikely. Very nice? Impossible. As nice as any Sig rifle? Impossible. As top-shelf as a Virtus? Insanity. I have created many “builds.
The range has had experience with just one to date, rifle does not cycle 300blkout subsonic, 3 weights, 3 manufacturers, suppressed or not. Adjusted the valve to both settings. Same results. Conclusion.. We cancelled our additional Virtus orders.
Nitpick – “virtus” is the adjective describing virtue, courage, bravery, and excellence (and as such is an excellent name for a battle rifle, just as “parabellum” is a great name for the most popular military pistol cartridge, ever, 9mm NATO).
But the noun – the actual word that means “virtue, courage, bravery, and excellence” is “virtute”. It forms part of Mississippi’s state motto, “Virtute et armis” (Valor and arms”).
Study some Latin. Latin nouns are declined; the ending changes depending on the syntax. Virtute et armis, by means of virtue and arms, ablative case. Virtus, nominative case.
I’d like one for sure. Isn’t it time we eliminated foward assists though?
First off. I’m a Sig fanboy. Alright now that’s out of the way. AR’s are dime a dozen. Thanks Obama (#1 firearm salesman in history). Now every manufacturer that spits out another version of the “Best, modular, dynamic, versitile (another word same as modular)” is only fooling themselves. For half the cost and twice the ammo men sea to shining sea are getting the same results with “inferior” platforms. And who swaps barrels on uppers anymore? Unless your bored and going through your box of leftover parts. Brings a saying to mind. Dress a pig up. It’s still a pig.
Wow. A pig? Your knowledge and experience-base? Are you a pig farmer and therefore know pigs well? ARs have been my operation rifles for years and you likely have seldom or never been engaged and fired-upon.
I own a Sig MCX which had double feeding issue when I bought it brand new. I fired several boxes of brand name 5.56 & .223 ammo. But it took a RMA to get it right. Sig sent me a prepaid label and took a couple of weeks to return it. Then I upgraded the trigger with the Geisselle SSA-E 2-stage (3.5 lb total pull) and just love. Then it came the Sig recall to change the bolt carrier. Then, I have to send the MCX back because of my trigger upgrade. After I got it back plus $50 voucher from Sig, the rifle was the best I ever shot. I wouldn’t sell it or trade it for sny reason. I owned several AR’s including the Colt Socom 5.56 which I also love it. I get a tight group of 3-inch with a 30-round Magpull Gen-3 and the Russian .223 Wolf ammo at 200 yards using the Vortex Strike Eagle 1×6-24 BDC scope. And the “Gas System” of the MCX makes tthe rifle run cooler and cleaner than any other traditional AR. I also like the foldable stock and light weight of the MCX which I can carry to the range in a 32″ long backpack.
The only minus from Sig I forgot to mention is that they failed customers with the offered 7.62 X 39 conversion kit for the MCX. It never got released to the market. I just would think that it was not technically possible. Anyway, it was an empty promise and never explained why.
Roger that!
Me too. I’ve been waiting for the 7.62 barrel for almost 2 years. That ammo is dirt cheap too. So they release the two remaining barrels (5.56 and 300 Blk) and then double the price to $600 per kit for the swap.
Had my interest until I saw the MSRP. If I’m going to spend that much bread on another AR I don’t really need it’s going to be the Nosler Varmageton.
I wouldn’t – the .22 Nosler won’t be alive in 2 years.
The flash suppressor is very similar to the one I had on my M16 which was totally inappropriate–it caught on everything. It looks identical to the one on my MPX carbine. It rang like a tuning fork after every shot. I had to change it out to a closed flash suppressor which I found to be much improved and no longer sounding like a tuning fork. I’m really surprised that they went with the same type when there are so many more effective ones to choose from.
I agree, that’s flash hider was on the early ar’s in Nam and were always catching on foliage and clogging which, of course, is why they later switched to the birdcage version.
If you remember many of the serious soldiers in Vietnam had washers welded on their 3 prong muzzle break to keep from getting hung up in the vines. Then came the A1 break until Dersert Storm the A2 came out with the bottom of the break sealed due to sand blow back in your face. Now we are still using the A2. I actually loved the 3 prong and so did Charlie because he could see it a mile away! Can you imagine if everyone in Vietnam was issued CAR-15’s with 30 round mags and the Army dumped humping the 60 lb ruck sack that wasn’t needed. All any soldiers needed was the 3 day pack, such a waste & no telling how many lives it cost due to the soldiers being exhausted by the time they got into a fire fight! Humping all that weight in 100 degrees & 100% humidity. Now I see these young bucks no having to shave but carrying the equipment they need, even the MRE’s was a huge investment for the soldiers in the bush don’t forget we did have choppers. I still see those Vietnam movies with the soldiers going through the villages & everyone carrying those heavy ass ruck sacks with 5 days of nasty ass C- rations
THAT I agree-with!
After buy one of their Sigg556 Russian rifles I’ll stay away from anything that has Sigg on it, the Sigg 556R was the biggest piece of junk that I ever bought since getting into the shooting sports wouldn’t shoot 6 bullets in a row without some kind of jam no matter where I had the gas vale set at and upper and lower wobbled more than a bobble head toy!
That really surprised me hearing that about the 550r, I didn’t have the 762×39 but the 556 was a very good weapon! It kind of reminds me of the MCX. I never was an AK lover but own 3 due to the price of the ammo. Actually the 300bo that I love reminds me of shooting a AK so many different kinds of ammo that it’ll run. I love the 220 gr BO round reminds me of shooting a 45 Cal down range @ 150 yards
Wow! I thought the Sig556xi was the greatest AR that Sigarms produced. I bought one, but it’s ok but not great. Now I can’t find accessories on the Sig website or anywhere else. How long will this new greatest last? I have a P228 9mm that I love, but I will not buy more Sig products because they don’t back up there products with long term accessories availability.
Oh Wow! The ugliest Black Rifle yet. Isn’t it time the more moronic gun manufacturers realize we are all sick of these classless, ugly, overpriced (for what they are) pieces of crap?
Form over function, huh?
Great quoting crack head Charlie HIV Sheen……………………….LOSING!
Well it looks like Tiny Tim’s crutch setting beside his chair next to the Cratchit’s fireplace… More yawns another boring AR15… Does anyone remember SIG? The inventor and producer of the worlds finest weapons. The 550 series of rifles are the best in the world. The only good firearm Sig Sauer ever produced is the P226 and its too big to carry. Our military has wasted 60 years on this platform, its time for a change.
Opinions are definitely like as*holes, everyone has one. Let me guess, a Glock nut ? Have owned many SIG’s in over 30 years, as well as other brands. Every SIG has been more than reliable and accurate and so have other brands. Have had a few different AR’s over the years, including DD, POF and few other lower end. The 1st series MCX is still my favorite. Have a gen1 MPX SBR, much better IMO than my MP5 and Scorpion. Carry a SIG M11 A1 regularly but have a few other brands to mix it up. As far as wasting 60 years, many still prefer to carry SIG’s and do.
Can they or others start getting away from the black rifle look. This is just another AR in gray….lol
Maybe they’ll offer a pink, hello kitty model for whiny women like you
If we didn’t have sig, Glock, or S&W, whose puff would we have to constantly caress and sing the virtues of? It’s an(other) overpriced AR, for God’s sake.