Sig Virtus v. XCR for 300 BLK pistol

[TomAiello]

Can someone who is more current to XCRs give me thoughts on the Sig Virtus v. the XCR?

I've owned 4 XCRs (now down to 2) and run them in 5.45, 7.62x39, 5.56 and 6.8. All my XCRs have been older (I think I bought the last one new over ten years ago).

I have owned and run a sig 556, but no longer own it.


I am in the market for a 300 BLK pistol to run suppressed. If it runs well I'd like to replace my 9mm AR HD gun with it.

My past experiences with RA have not inspired me with great confidence (I originally bought the XCR looking for 6.5G, and drifted away from the platform before it was ever released). I have no real experience with Sig's customer service.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice for me?

[Sean K.]

Can someone who is more current to XCRs give me thoughts on the Sig Virtus v. the XCR?

I've owned 4 XCRs (now down to 2) and run them in 5.45, 7.62x39, 5.56 and 6.8. All my XCRs have been older (I think I bought the last one new over ten years ago).

I have owned and run a sig 556, but no longer own it.


I am in the market for a 300 BLK pistol to run suppressed. If it runs well I'd like to replace my 9mm AR HD gun with it.

My past experiences with RA have not inspired me with great confidence (I originally bought the XCR looking for 6.5G, and drifted away from the platform before it was ever released). I have no real experience with Sig's customer service.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice for me?

The new XCRs are smoother operating, lighter and more slim with the Keymod rail. The Type 3 gas system has more adjustability. They are basically just more refined than they were and RA has upgraded a lot of parts (not sure if you've upgraded your older ones).

The downside is the new Type 2 bolt won't interchange with your Type 1 lowers/bolts....so you can't swap straight across unless you convert the lowers and buy the new bolt/carrier/firing pin/buffer assemblies for your old ones. Personally, I don't think the Type 2s are really any better than the Type 1...we've seen at least one broken firing pin with the Type 2 here, so that obviously didn't fix that relatively unlikely issue.

Does 300 BLK have an equivalent to the 40 grain V-max from Hornady for .223? I'd think that a supersonic round like .300 for home defense would have similar overpenetration issues to 7.62x39 unless it's got a very specialized bullet design/weight like the V-Max....though you may be thinking subs.

I'm biased AF.....I love my XCRs...so I'm not impartial on the Virtus. I'm familiar with them, I just don't really care for the bolt design, ergos, limited calibers or brace options comparatively....I think the XCR is way better built, once you get it running. That last part said.....

RA's quality is much improved, but...I've bought 9 of them and only 3 so far have worked out of the box. To be accurate though...the ones that did run 100%, were all 16" bbl models (2 Ls, 1 M). But my most recent purchases of even the newer designs have had gas issues and didn't work until I modded them....one was a 12" M in .308 and the other is a 11" L in Grendel (still working on the 6.5G). In sum, none of them had major issues....they needed relatively minor tweaks to get running 100% reliably without cleaning or lube on absolutely shit ammo, so to me, they are worth the extra hassle.

SIG USA's quality isn't the best either....look at the P320 drop safety debacle or the first gen SIG 556R and their often contradictory advice from service reps when you call/email. It happens in all companies. Sig isn't a boutique company though...they are mainstream and likely to weather any economic downturn.

Side note: if you want to bury your can inside the handguard, go with the Sig. Can't do it with the XCR.

All that said, b/c there's no shit steel case ammo for .300 BLK, I'm betting the XCR will run out of the box.

Mick and Nate both own MCXs....they are probably your best bet for a fair comparison. Hopefully they'll chime in.

[navalbeaver]

The mcx is nice. But not perfect. I think my xcr shoots better and it definitely has more adjustability for suppressed shooting. I really like the mcx stocks but with the latest adapter, I can use them on my XCRs. Triggers are close but you've got the geissele option on the mcx if you really want.

As Sean mentioned, RA has cleaned up the final product quite a bit from the first offerings. I'd give the edge to the mcx for fit/ finish though.

The mcx is more main stream but still not the easiest to get parts for and when you do they're as expensive or more than xcr stuff.

Full retail. I'd go mcx because I'm guessing it'll hold value better. I can order a 300blk xcr for you for well under retail. I'd expect 8 weeks, plus or minus. Mcx stuff is hard to come by right now. I could work you a deal on a hybrid,(ar lower with conversion kit) in fde or black with a 9 or 6.75 if you're interested. I've got a used xcr pistol in type 2 I'd let go but no spare 300 barrels currently.

[TomAiello]

I'd think that a supersonic round like .300 for home defense would have similar overpenetration issues to 7.62x39 unless it's got a very specialized bullet design/weight like the V-Max....though you may be thinking subs.

I'm thinking subsonic for HD. I'm currently using subsonic 9mm in that role, and the subsonic 300 BLK carries substantially more energy.

[navalbeaver]

I can get some pics/weights for you tonight after the kids get to bed.

[navalbeaver]

XCR 7.5" on a MINI upper. 6lb 12oz
MCX 6.75". Legacy hybrid upper with lancer 12" handguard. 6lb 13oz

Similar setups on each. XCR barrel is longer but the stock is a little longer on the MCX and the MCX has the vert grip. Weights are basically the same. The XCR receiver is longer so even with the same length barrel it's going to lose some compactness. I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker, but being able to tuck the can is nice, especially when the can starts warming up. I've still got some interest in chopping up an older XCR upper to get the lancer handguard to fit.

[Whole Bunches]

I shoot a XCR micro pistol in Blackout and 5.56 with 7.5” bbls. I also have the Sig pistol. All with braces. Accuracy is equal. XCR is slim. Sig bulky. All reliable now. XCR had copper buildup bind the gas adjustment in the first 50 or so rounds. Cleaned copper off and nothing further in a couple of thousand rounds...this was in Blackout not 5.56 bbl assemblies. Spare XCR parts easy to get. Sig spares not so easy and expensive. XCR extractor failed at around 700 rounds...RA sent a new one...never had one fail before...I consider the failure a fluke. Have to give the XCR more gas in cold weather. Sig runs fine with no adjustment of gas. Sig returned for service...Sig had tightened screw holding bbl too much and it wallowed out the aluminum holding the screw such that the bbl could not be removed for cleaning. Sig had to replace the upper.

Considering all, I prefer the XCR and shoot it much more.

[TomAiello]

Whole Bunches, are you shooting suppressed?

[MickeyC]

I have a Virtus in 300Blk and 5.56, and an Original XCR in 300blk, 6.8 and 5.56. It is SBR’d and I prefer the Virtus. It feels better put together, shoots smoothly and doesn’t give me the nagging feeling that it will break randomly.

[navalbeaver]

I have a Virtus in 300Blk and 5.56, and an Original XCR in 300blk, 6.8 and 5.56. It is SBR’d and I prefer the Virtus. It feels better put together, shoots smoothly and doesn’t give me the nagging feeling that it will break randomly.

The plot thickens...