This is the SureFire Intermediate Combat Assault Rifle in 6 ARC we previewed before SHOT Show. It was displayed in the Magpul booth at the show to showcase the new PMAG 25 ICAR GEN M3 Window. There are quite a few little changes from the prototype gun I fired in late November.
Development of this firearm has led to quite a few new capabilities which will begin to influence the SureFire line, like this new muzzle device.
SSD, did they make any external geometry changes to the magazine? Would an ICAR magazine fit in a Six8 lower?
Additionally, are they using a standard Grendel type bolt face or an enlarged one?
It will fit in a Six8 lower. If you’re familiar with other SureFire developments like AROC, you’ll understand the operating system.
The bolt face is more robust than an AR Grendel bolt face, they didn’t only enlarge the lower, the upper and its components has been fitted to the round, and bolt face issues have been resolved in doing this. This is a whole new gun.
Did they indicate a commercial release, or is this gov only?
As of right now, gov only.
This was built for a gov customer, but there will be commercial sales. Also, SureFire will not be the only company making guns in this pattern, there are other companies that specifically make guns that will be manufacturing as well, I don ‘t have much info beyond that.
Out of curiosity, who makes the trigger?
AR Gold/ATC
I do think the 6.8×51 is a great cartridge and has a place for MG usage.
But this embodies what should have been the requirements for the NGSW.
Throw in a hybrid case for the 6 ARC with slightly higher pressure/faster burning powders and an M855A1 style “enhanced” bullet, and you’d have a huge winner. As it stands the XM7 is too big/heavy for infantry leaders, RTOs, medics, and other enablers. They have other stuff to carry and focus on. But this ICAR would provide a huge capability increase with a marginal weight penalty.
100% right.
And I would love to see True Velocity make a 6ARC round.
True Velocity isn’t higher pressure it’s just lighter and suppusedly keeps guns running cooler. It has no performance gains. Even their accuracy gains that are claimed have been disproven.
So who actually won a contract for 6 arc? I’ve seen videos from barrer claiming the rec7 won, noveske, and obviously more recently geissele with the gfr.
Also what kind of barrel is this running? Barrett said cut 416 proof barrels, noveske the DDF button rifled stainless, and geissele is running CHF CL barrels.
I don’t believe there is any 6 ARC program of record. So there are likely several contracts of various sizes without needing a massive trial.
Barret did have a contract, and Geissele has a more recent contract. The Barret contract may still be ongoing, not sure. I’m also not sure what Noveske has sold to USSOCOM in terms of 6 ARC. Again, there is no big program of record here, so all of them could have contracts and they could even be concurrent contracts.
Any word on what barrels they are running?