Sig Sauer is out of German Bundeswehr tender

[greentips]

For the big army, it is actually better off for SIG to submit the SIG 516, with some modification.

I have a feeling the "automatic" adjustable gas system envisioned earlier may have something to deal with patent issue, so they have to go with a flat piston head with conventional gas regulator. The self regulating gas system in HK G36 is patented. DE 19615181 A1, US 5824943 A and EP 0802388 A2

There are only so many ways to "self regulate". That is probably the reason why many manufacturers have their hands tied and they end up with a flat piston head, which can't quite self regulate.

Even if it can self regulate, it looks like for the garden variety of suppressors out there there is still not enough operation range for a self regulating system. Otherwise HK won't see the need to put in 2 position gas block in the 416A5

Fixed it for you. Darned auto-correct!

As you know, the MCX was not designed for "big Army", but rather at the specific request of US SOF. It was designed for the .300 BO cartridge, which is where the idea of the 9" barrel originated. Later in the design process it was decided to make the MCX multi-calibre to capitalize on existing ammo stocks and to make the system more attractive to potential international buyers. The multi-calibre nature of the MCX is largely responsible for the more complex gas system. The designers originally tried to go with a simple auto-regulating system, but abandoned it just as the first batch of rifles hit the US civilian market. They ended up with the more conventional, current arrangement of user-selected, multiple gas settings.

I suspect that the 9" length of the 5.56mm short barrel is simply a hold-over from the .300 BO barrel of the same length. This particular length works well with the design of the upper receiver (how it mates with the removable section of the handguard) and the gas system, despite the fact that it is a sub-optimal length for 5.56mm performance.

 

[capp325]

So they are out since they can't make the rifle in Germany? Really though if it's for the troops, give them the HK 416. Spend a little more where it matters.

I don’t see why Sig couldn’t make the rifle in Germany. They have a factory in Germany where they make the 516 and 716. Shouldn’t be too hard to tool it up for MCX production if needed. There’s got to be another reason why Sig is out.

 

[Stoner99]

I don’t see why Sig couldn’t make the rifle in Germany. They have a factory in Germany where they make the 516 and 716. Shouldn’t be too hard to tool it up for MCX production if needed. There’s got to be another reason why Sig is out.

Actually it is, for joe blow guns and commercial crap it would be easy. But why bother when HK416 is right there Obendorf to be made.

 

[gadget]

I don’t see why Sig couldn’t make the rifle in Germany. They have a factory in Germany where they make the 516 and 716. Shouldn’t be too hard to tool it up for MCX production if needed. There’s got to be another reason why Sig is out.

As mentioned before the MCX is an American design from the USA so ITAR implications are in force, regardless of that Sig USA is the money maker for Sig & not their German operation.

gadget

 

[mebiuspower]

#thanksroncohen

 

[redivivus]

I believe this is a tactical withdrawal from Sig given the politics and reality of the bureaucracy at play. Makes sense for the Army to wish to continue with the current incumbent manufacturer from a logistical standpoint. HK is already the small arm manufacturer of choice for the German Army. No reason to upset the established supply chain and the forgo the learnings from their current engagement especially since the Sig MCX does not add any compelling functionality over the HK entry. Better to withdraw and try again somewhere else than be down selected and be tagged as 2nd best.

 

[Stoner99]

I believe this is a tactical withdrawal from Sig given the politics and reality of the bureaucracy at play. Makes sense for the Army to wish to continue with the current incumbent manufacturer from a logistical standpoint. HK is already the small arm manufacturer of choice for the German Army. No reason to upset the established supply chain and the forgo the learnings from their current engagement especially since the Sig MCX does not add any compelling functionality over the HK entry. Better to withdraw and try again somewhere else than be down selected and be tagged as 2nd best.

The MCX is already 3rd best. Great gun though, I want one.

 

[Suther]

I believe this is a tactical withdrawal from Sig given the politics and reality of the bureaucracy at play. Makes sense for the Army to wish to continue with the current incumbent manufacturer from a logistical standpoint. HK is already the small arm manufacturer of choice for the German Army. No reason to upset the established supply chain and the forgo the learnings from their current engagement especially since the Sig MCX does not add any compelling functionality over the HK entry. Better to withdraw and try again somewhere else than be down selected and be tagged as 2nd best.

2nd best beats DNF (did not finish) any day...

 

[greentips]

I believe this is a tactical withdrawal from Sig given the politics and reality of the bureaucracy at play. Makes sense for the Army to wish to continue with the current incumbent manufacturer from a logistical standpoint. HK is already the small arm manufacturer of choice for the German Army. No reason to upset the established supply chain and the forgo the learnings from their current engagement especially since the Sig MCX does not add any compelling functionality over the HK entry. Better to withdraw and try again somewhere else than be down selected and be tagged as 2nd best.

The German Socom is buying 2000ish HK416, it will be funny if the big army is picking something very different. I suspect Sig probably had submitted the MCX to that tender too. There is no way the big army will pick a spec op tender loser, that won't drive period.

If SIG is smart, they would have submitted SIG 516 to the big army tender, which they have not submitted to the spec op tender. MCX could be a promising system and it is built with the right stuff, but it simply doesn't have the history and track record of HK416, and it probably never will without US and the big NATO spec op purchase. At least SIG 516 has some records with sizeable military purchase, like the Mexican marine.

The MCX will never be a big army rifle, and I suspect SIG cannot drive the price down to the same level as guns made of aluminum extrusion tube and plastic trigger pack either. It will always be a LE and special military unit gun. If HK416 is too pricy, there is no way MCX can beat its price if both are made in Germany, if both SIG and HK want to make the same margin.