US Infantry Officer Declares XM7 Rifle ‘Unfit’ for Modern Warfare, Army and Sig Sauer Defend Weapon

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

A U.S. Army infantry officer has raised serious concerns about the XM7 rifle, describing the newly adopted weapon as inadequate for modern frontline combat. Captain Braden Trent, who conducted independent research involving over 150 soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne,” criticized the Sig Sauer-manufactured rifle for multiple operational shortcomings.

According to Capt. Trent’s findings, soldiers frequently ran out of ammunition due to the XM7’s 20-round magazine, a reduction from the M4’s 30-round capacity. Troops also noted that the rifle’s increased weight and bulk impeded their ability to maneuver during extended operations. In a live training exercise, Trent reported that his platoon exhausted their ammunition in under 10 minutes while attempting suppressive fire.

In a 52-page technical report, the officer highlighted early barrel wear after firing just 2,000 rounds, with visible wear near the muzzle and gas block — areas essential to accuracy and safety. He also criticized the charging handle, which requires a full rearward pull, as impractical under combat stress.

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier responded by reaffirming its confidence in the XM7, stating that the Next Generation Squad Weapon program delivers “unmatched lethality” for close-combat forces. The spokesperson emphasized the Army’s commitment to incorporating soldier feedback and continuously improving the platform.

Sig Sauer, the rifle’s developer, firmly rejected the criticism. A senior company official described the claims as “patently false,” asserting that the XM7 is a “robust weapon system” that has passed extensive testing and delivers high-level performance and safety standards.

The XM7, part of the Army’s modernization initiative, is set to replace the M4 as the standard-issue rifle alongside the XM250 light machine gun. Despite the pushback, both the Army and Sig Sauer maintain the weapon meets next-generation combat requirements.