Indeed SiG's carbine entry looks like a short barrel marksman rifle more than an assault rifle. A weapon intended for careful and precise shooting

Therefore, it cannot win

However, I'm more and more inclined to think that this competition is going to be really different.

Indeed it is the first actual competition for rifle selection since M1 Garand one at the first thirties. Because of this, it CAN end adopting a product and achieving patent agreements for including patented technical solutions of other contenders or even other companies such as MARS'

My bet:

• Textron cartridge
• Hybrid solution for squad weapon, possibly built from Textron proposals and including other counter-recoiling systems
• Hybrid solution for individual weapon, possibly built from GD's adapted to textron cartridge and including other solutions

Another interesting question is: Is there a competition for Fire Control System?

poliorcetes said...

Indeed SiG's carbine entry looks like a short barrel marksman rifle more than an assault rifle. A weapon intended for careful and precise shooting

???  To me, it looks pretty much like a beefier version of the improved M4 carbine used by SOCOM.

renatohm said...

I'd be very surprised if it's anything remotely similar to 'controllable' in full auto.

Since full-auto is rarely used in rifles and carbines, that may not be important.

Look at the back of the receiver 

Done.  I don't see anything unique about the back of the receiver, and the whole rifle still looks to me like a M4 URGI on steroids.

gatnerd said...

Overall their new lightweight LMG - which is backwards compatible with 7.62 and 6.5 Creedmoor - looks very promising.

I agree, although I'm puzzled by the small capacity of the feed device.  It looks like it may hold only about 30 rounds.

As any other recent SiG design, the back of the receiver protudes far from the grip. Return spring are quite different than in an AR-15 design and it doesn't need buffer. Stocks can be foldable

Yes, the feed device is unusual.

It appears to be an open top box, similar to a regular LMG ammo box.

But, it appears to have a vertical "feed tower" in order for it to be inserted into a mag well on the LMG. If that's the case, I suspect the ammo boxes are going to be unnecessary bulky in pouches, due to the need to accommodate the ~2" vertical feed tower. Similar to the problem with storing AR compatible drum mags.

And I agree, the size looks small.

It will be interesting to see more about it, that's for sure.