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New MCX Owner - Part Upgrade Recommendations

4743 Views 33 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  MrMcGoo
Hello everyone,

Today I ordered my Sig MCX Virtus Patrol 16" 5.56 with a 3 to 6 month wait from Sig. Hopefully, I'll receive it sooner than later.

I have decided on a few upgrades already which include a Geissele MCX SSA M4 curved trigger and a Geissele MCX Super Charging Handle.

What optic do you recommend? I'm looking for a scope style optic and my max budget is approximately $1,500 for the optic. Also, what mount to go with it.

Recommendations for iron sights - Geissele?

Magazine - Pmag or??

Case - Pelican? Is there something better in a hard style case? Also, what is the top soft case choice(if I should even consider one)?

I realized that there are a lot of customization options but I'm not looking to go overboard. If there is any accurizing work someone can recommend ( not even sure it is needed), or a part/option I should consider, your recommendations are welcome. This is a weapon I will keep for the rest of my life, so I want to do it right and pick solid parts and options.

Thank you.

Chiviking
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
Hello everyone,

Today I ordered my Sig MCX with a 3 to 6 month wait from Sig. Hopefully, I'll receive it sooner than later.

I have decided on a few upgrades already which include a Geissele MCX SSA M4 curved trigger and a Geissele MCX Super Charging Handle.

What optic do you recommend? I'm looking for a scope style optic and my max budget is approximately $1,500 for the optic. Also, what mount to go with it.

Recommendations for iron sights - Geissele?

Magazine - Pmag or??

Case - Pelican? Is there something better in a hard style case? Also, what is the top soft case choice(if I should even consider one)?

I realized that there are a lot of customization options but I'm not looking to go overboard. If there is any accurizing work someone can recommend ( not even sure it is needed), or a part/option I should consider, your recommendations are welcome. This is a weapon I will keep for the rest of my life, so I want to do it right and pick solid parts and options.

Thank you.

Chiviking
You will want a suppressor. Troy Industries makes good offset sights. I’m not an optic guru so I don't know what would be good for you at that price range. Geissele is the way to go just make sure it’s compatible with the MCX. Some are not. Not sure what size MCX you got but I use a Hazard 4 sling pack for my 9” and 14.5”. I use the Radian Raptor CH. I have a Nomad 30 for my suppressor. Anyway, congrats hope this helps.
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X2 on radian and nomad…trijicon mro hd works for me..start looking on google..enjoy the foreplay🤡👍
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You will want a suppressor. Troy Industries makes good offset sights. I’m not an optic guru so I don't know what would be good for you at that price range. Geissele is the way to go just make sure it’s compatible with the MCX. Some are not. Not sure what size MCX you got but I use a Hazard 4 sling pack for my 9” and 14.5”. I use the Radian Raptor CH. I have a Nomad 30 for my suppressor. Anyway, congrats hope this helps.

Thank you for the recommendations.
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X2 on radian and nomad…trijicon mro hd works for me..start looking on google..enjoy the foreplay🤡👍

Thank you for the recommendations
Welcome to the forum!!!

The SIG MCX Virtus complete upper can be ordered right now as it is in stock on SIG's web site. There is no telling when you will get a complete Virtus; it could be next week or next year. The upper comes complete with everything except sights. In addition to the complete upper, a SIG match trigger, a SIG MCX stock adapter and a knuckle for a buffer tube is included with the MCX Virtus upper. The Virtus upper is black instead of gray.

I bought the upper and built my own lower from a stripped AR 15 lower receiver. I prefer the black color. A complete all SIG MCX will hold its value better for sure, but since this would be my fifth MCX, I built my own. I don't believe in waiting on SIG. YMMV.

Bill
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Welcome to Sig Talk! SIG's Virtus is a great rifle with lots of setup options. I've enjoyed our Patrol and SBR MCXs with 5.56 and 300Blk setups. Am assuming you're starting with a 16" Virtus in 5.56 caliber. Also given your optic type, this rifle's primary targets are 100yds plus.

Here's our 16" 5.56 Virtus setup for longer targets, with S&B's 1-8x24MM scope.
Office equipment Font Engineering Machine Gun accessory

Virtus' short stroke piston system has many advantages, however weight isn't one of them - They're heavy up front. So, mounting a heavy optic probably isn't a great approach. IMO, quality glass in a 1-8 or 10 x24mm optic provides the greatest 5.56 range without adding an annoying heft to the rifle. Schmidt & Bender isn't in the budget, but there are some nice Nightforce, Trijicon, Vortex, etc. 1x8s that could serve you very well. Here's our rifle's weight with 1-8x24MM optic and M4 style butt stock.
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A much lower priced optic is Primary Arms 5x Prism optics. These aka 'Poor-man's-ACOG' are super tough with fine glass for their price. Sure, those 300yd targets won't look the same as with that 8 power scope, but for $350 - It ain't bad! Here's our 16" Virtus with PA's 5x Prism.
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I'll suggest POF's Roller Cam Pin. It's an inexpensive and surprisingly effective trick to smooth these piston action's cycle. You'll notice the difference hand cycling your rifle right away.
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MCX Virtus heavy profile (SOCOM) barrel is built to last with very high round counts. After running thousands of rounds here, Virtus has much better precision with heavier projectiles. You won't be happy with MCX target groups running typical 55g 223 ammo - She much prefers the >70g stuff.

So, while you're waiting for the rifle, pickup some accessories & ammo during holiday sales.
Machine gun Air gun Trigger Shotgun Gun barrel

Office supplies Font Cameras & optics Film camera Office equipment

Font Office supplies Material property Machine Office equipment


Hope this helps!

Cheers
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The use and purpose of the rifle will determine the right optic. Close range uses dictate a red dot sight for faster target acquisition. Longer distances would be better served with a 1-6 variable or 1-8 or 1-10. True one power optics help with faster target acquisition.

The Virtus generation is a pound heavier than the legacy MCX and the upcoming generation 3 MCX, so a light weight optic and mount will help keep the weight to a reasonable level. The heavier Virtus barrel was added to improve accuracy. The legacy MCX was good to go, but SIG was going for LE/MIL customers that wanted the accuracy potential of the heavier barrel.

Bill
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The use and purpose of the rifle will determine the right optic. Close range uses dictate a red dot sight for faster target acquisition. Longer distances would be better served with a 1-6 variable or 1-8 or 1-10. True one power optics help with faster target acquisition.

The Virtus generation is a pound heavier than the legacy MCX and the upcoming generation 3 MCX, so a light weight optic and mount will help keep the weight to a reasonable level. The heavier Virtus barrel was added to improve accuracy. The legacy MCX was good to go, but SIG was going for LE/MIL customers that wanted the accuracy potential of the heavier barrel.

Bill
Thank you for all of your knowledge and sharing so quickly.

Since weight is an issue, is it worth investing in a carbon fiber hand guard i.e. from Lancer?

My use is going to vary from shooting distance between 10 to 100+ yards, to practicing 'run and gun' on fixed targets. In addition, shooting from many different stances and setups.

Before I posted this thread I had more or less resigned myself to getting both a hollow lens type sight and a scope but Im trying to get expert advice before committing the money.

Did I make a mistake in not waiting until the gen 3 comes out or am I good? I feel confident in my choice, just making sure I'm not missing out on something that would justify an order change/me waiting.

Thank you
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The carbon fiber handguards are trickier and more expensive to attach things to than an aluminum M-lok rail. The Virtus rail is on the long side that is made by SIG. Midwest makes shorter rails for the Virtus as does SIG that would cut a little weight.

Run and gun at distances out to 100 yards screams red dot or holographic sight with perhaps backup irons. Holographics work better for people with astigmatism.

A magnifier could be used with the red dot, but would add weight and ruin the eye box benefit of the red dot. Personally, I don't like magnifiers with red dots.

Low power variables have an eye box that is small compared to a red dot or holographic sight. However, at lower powers target acquisition can be fast with practice.

Bill
I agree that the virtus is hefty. For my 16” I opted for a lightweight and affordable leupold vx6 1-6hd over my razor 1-8gen2. The razor is really heavy and the vx6 puts my patrol at a comfortable weight.
I agree that the virtus is hefty. For my 16” I opted for a lightweight and affordable leupold vx6 1-6hd over my razor 1-8gen2. The razor is really heavy and the vx6 puts my patrol at a comfortable weight.
Thank you for eveyrone's input on the optic. I have good direction there and also going to start hunting down ammo >70gr.

What are your case recommendations - Pelican? or is there something better? How about a soft case - don't bother, or?

Thank you
Welcome to Sig Talk! SIG's Virtus is a great rifle with lots of setup options. I've enjoyed our Patrol and SBR MCXs with 5.56 and 300Blk setups. Am assuming you're starting with a 16" Virtus in 5.56 caliber. Also given your optic type, this rifle's primary targets are 100yds plus.

Here's our 16" 5.56 Virtus setup for longer targets, with S&B's 1-8x24MM scope.
View attachment 456144
Virtus' short stroke piston system has many advantages, however weight isn't one of them - They're heavy up front. So, mounting a heavy optic probably isn't a great approach. IMO, quality glass in a 1-8 or 10 x24mm optic provides the greatest 5.56 range without adding an annoying heft to the rifle. Schmidt & Bender isn't in the budget, but there are some nice Nightforce, Trijicon, Vortex, etc. 1x8s that could serve you very well. Here's our rifle's weight with 1-8x24MM optic and M4 style butt stock.
View attachment 456152
A much lower priced optic is Primary Arms 5x Prism optics. These aka 'Poor-man's-ACOG' are super tough with fine glass for their price. Sure, those 300yd targets won't look the same as with that 8 power scope, but for $350 - It ain't bad! Here's our 16" Virtus with PA's 5x Prism.
View attachment 456148
I'll suggest POF's Roller Cam Pin. It's an inexpensive and surprisingly effective trick to smooth these piston action's cycle. You'll notice the difference hand cycling your rifle right away.
View attachment 456151
MCX Virtus heavy profile (SOCOM) barrel is built to last with very high round counts. After running thousands of rounds here, Virtus has much better precision with heavier projectiles. You won't be happy with MCX target groups running typical 55g 223 ammo - She much prefers the >70g stuff.

So, while you're waiting for the rifle, pickup some accessories & ammo during holiday sales.
View attachment 456155
View attachment 456158
View attachment 456159

Hope this helps!

Cheers

In the very first pic you have posted here at the top, who makes that small fore grip towards the muzzle? Can I still get one?

Chiviking
In the very first pic you have posted here at the top, who makes that small fore grip towards the muzzle? Can I still get one?

Chiviking
That's Striker's ploy Link hand stop. They make an alloy version too.

We have couple Pelican hard cases and rarely use 'em. They're great for overnight travel with your rifle. Their wheels help, but too heavy/bulky for typical range trips. MCX 16" folding butt stock make for a far less conspicuous & compact fit in most 36" soft bags .. like this 511 version.

Cheers
That's Striker's ploy Link hand stop. They make an alloy version too.

We have couple Pelican hard cases and rarely use 'em. They're great for overnight travel with your rifle. Their wheels help, but too heavy/bulky for typical range trips. MCX 16" folding butt stock make for a far less conspicuous & compact fit in most 36" soft bags .. like this 511 version.

Cheers
Thank you, Sir and everyone on this thread who have shared their input and experience.
Unless I missed an updated version the Lancer handguard won't fit a virtus upper. They were designed for the longer legacy uppers.

The Lancer hand guards use mlok. Not sure if mcgoo was talking about the Lancer but it works just like the rest of the mloks I've used.

As far as the gen 3 goes..... that's been coming for awhile. 762x39 was supposed to be a thing by now too. If you want bragging rights, you should have waited. If you're going to shoot it, you'll be happy with the virtus. I'm still shooting my legacy without issue and happy that's it's the "lite" version.

The match duo trigger is plenty serviceable but if you want to burn the extra cash the Geissele, it's definitely "nicer".

Standard CH works 4.0. Besides the Geissele, the Radian and NLA are solid options as well. The latches on the NLA are huge.

I've got a soft spot for the Moss stock but the new low profile AR tubes are a nice upgrade.

As mcgoo mentioned too, there are 16" conversion kits in the wild. Unless you really want a collapsing pdw stock, the adapter on an AR lower will work great and depending on which lower you use, could give you more functionality and save a few bucks.
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The Lancer carbon fiber handguards had proprietary attachment devices similar to M-lok but were better designed to protect the carbon fiber. They were more expensive than M-lok but have been discontinued. The current Lancer MCX handguards look like they fit the Virtus generation MCXs but lack the full extension of the upper rail. I'd call Lancer to verify they fit the Virtus generation.

The SIG Virtus handguard uses aluminum that is about 0.145 in. thick. Midwest uses aluminum closer to 0.10 in. thick. The SIG was intended to be stiifer, but missed the mark. The Gen. 3 handguard is designed to have less play so that lasers will hold zero. The Gen 3 handguard will be narrower and be bolted to the upper on both sides in addition to being held by the front take down pin.

Bill
From the Lancer web site.

The LCH-MCX is not compatible with the MCX Virtus

Mcgoo, do you have a link or pic of the proprietary mlok from Lancer? I've had at least 3 of them, before and after they stopped including the pin retainer, and never saw or heard anything about a specific rail. The only attachment that cans with mine where the short section on the top to late up with the front of the rail on the upper. Literature from initial release indicated m-lok compatible.
The MGW web site sells Lancer carbon fiber hanguards. On their third page is a long listing of discontinued products:Handguards The high prices tell the story of the discontinuance by Lancer of their product line that didn't compete well against Magpul's M-lok attachment devices.

It seems that a call to Lancer would confirm that none of their MCX handguards fits; they may have more than one type of MCX handguard as does Midwest Industries.

Bill
Just the one style for mcx in varying lengths. Looks like the those rails aren't for the mcx handguard.
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