A US Army infantry officer has ignited debate across the military community with a scathing critique of the Army’s new XM7 rifle, a weapon meant to replace the long-serving M4A1 carbine under the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program. Captain Braden Trent, a student at the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School, presented his findings at the Modern Day Marine exhibition, calling the XM7 “a tactically outdated service rifle” that falls short of the demands of modern warfare.

The Weapon and Its Mission

Developed by SIG Sauer and introduced alongside the XM250 light machine gun, the XM7 fires a 6.8mm round—a more powerful caliber than the M4A1’s 5.56mm. The transition to the XM7 was driven by concerns that traditional rounds could no longer penetrate advanced enemy body armor, and to improve engagement range based on lessons learned during the war in Afghanistan.

But according to Capt. Trent’s comprehensive 52-page report, based on interviews with over 150 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” and field assessments of 23 disassembled rifles, the XM7 does not live up to expectations.

Major Concerns: Ammo, Weight, and Durability

Trent’s core criticisms revolve around three issues:

  1. Ammunition Capacity: The XM7’s 20-round magazine (down from the M4A1’s 30) reduces soldiers’ available firepower in combat. In a live-fire training scenario, one platoon reportedly ran out of ammunition within 10 minutes and lost suppressive capability entirely after 15.
  2. Weight and Maneuverability: The rifle’s increased bulk and weight pose significant burdens for soldiers during long missions. Attempting to match the M4A1’s standard ammo load (210 rounds) would add additional pounds to already strained soldiers, according to Trent.
  3. Barrel Wear and Reliability: Perhaps most concerning, Trent observed visible gouging and scratches inside the XM7’s barrel after firing just 2,000 rounds, raising questions about the weapon’s long-term accuracy and safety. He called for a formal investigation using borescopes and engineering tools beyond his scope as a researcher.

Trent concluded that the XM7 would be better categorized as a designated marksman rifle than a standard-issue infantry weapon, warning that its design may not withstand sustained combat in peer-on-peer conflicts.

Responses from SIG Sauer and the Army

SIG Sauer quickly responded to the report, with Jason St. John, senior director of strategic products, calling most of Trent’s findings “patently false.” He emphasized the company’s rigorous internal testing, stating that the XM7 barrel can handle over 10,000 rounds, double the Army’s performance requirement.

The Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier also defended the weapon, noting that it delivers superior lethality—particularly within 300 meters, the range where most infantry combat occurs.

Spokesman David H. Patterson Jr. added that the Army is actively incorporating feedback from soldiers to improve weapon systems, and there is no fixed doctrine for what constitutes a standard combat load, allowing units to adapt based on mission needs.