SIG SAUER has positioned itself as a manufacturer of top tier duty guns for military and law enforcement units. From the P226 in the hands of the United States Navy SEALs to the recent adoption of the P320 by the US Army, SIG SAUER has built a reputation as being a series firearms company for serious people.
The latest introduction from SIG is the MCX Virtus. The Virtus is an evolution of the company’s MCX rifle that was introduced just a few years ago. Although the original MCX has proven to be popular and is already in the hands of units like the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces, SIG was not content to merely ride the initial success of the platform.
Taking feedback from its customers in the special forces community around the globe, SIG SAUER incorporated a number of new features and enhancements to create what it calls “the most adaptive, accurate and longest-lasting rifle available.” Only time will tell if the gun lives up to that very high bar.
As with the original MCX, this is a short stroke, gas piston operated gun. The system is adjustable so you can ensure reliability with a variety of loads and when shooting suppressed. Handguards on these guns have large ports on both the left and right sides to allow easy access to the adjustment knob.
New for the Virtus is a newly designed bolt lug that is tapered to provide longer life and smoother cycling. SIG touts the MCX line as being a much smoother shooting platform than a standard AR-15, so anything that further improves the slickness of the cycling should just be icing on the cake.
The new rifles are fitted with heavy contour barrels that are cold hammer forged. While 16” is the standard length for the patrol rifle, SBR options are available with 9” and 11.5” barrels. Additionally, SIG SAUER will offer a pistol version of the gun with a folding arm brace. Both 5.56 NATO and 300 BLK guns will be available. According to SIG, swapping barrels between the two will be easy due to “an advanced interchangeable design” that allows swaps “at the operator level.”
These guns will ship with a single 30-round Lancer magazine with a smoke gray body. I’ve had good luck with these magazines in the past, and they tend to be well respected in the shooting community.
SIG uses a two-stage trigger of its own design in these guns. Called the Matchlite Duo, it is said to be very clean with a crisp break.
Like most quality products, the MCX Virtus is not inexpensive. The MSRP starts at $2,233 and goes up depending on the configuration. That doesn’t mean it is overpriced. If the gun truly lives up to the statement that it is the “most adaptive, accurate and longest-lasting rifle available,” then that price may be a bargain.
