Last week at the DSEI defense exhibition in London, we had the opportunity to handle SIG Sauer’s product improved M7 rifle. Over the past year, SIG Sauer has taken user feedback from the US armed forces and refined the M7; the result is a handier weapon which feels more like a fighting rifle.

M7 Product Improved, with 10.5in barrel, at DSEI 2025 (Matthew Moss)

One of the key criticisms of the M7 is its weight, with the M7 weighing in at around 9.8 pounds (4.46 kg) with its SLX suppressor. By comparison, the improved M7 weighs in at around 7.5lbs (3.5kg) unloaded, with a suppressor but without an optic. This makes the refined M7 a full kilogram (2.2lbs) lighter. 

M7 Product Improved at DSEI 2025, with suppressor removed (Matthew Moss)

M7 Product Improved at DSEI 2025, with suppressor mounted (Matthew Moss)

SIG Sauer achieved this weight reduction in a number of ways; the barrel has been shortened from 13 to 10.5 inches, and some of the internal components, such as the bolt, have been lightened. SIG explained that the muzzle velocity of the rifle has only been slightly decreased by the barrel length change, with the improved M7 achieving around 2,800-2,900 FPS (870 m/s) compared to the 3,000 FPS with the original 13-inch barrel. SIG say this still more than meets the Army’s ballistic and armor penetration requirements. 

M7 Product Improved with new shorter SLX suppressor at DSEI 2025 (Matthew Moss)

The barrel itself has a lighter profile, and the handguard has been shortened and reprofiled to match the new barrel length. SIG have also removed the folding stock latch, with the fixed stock saving several grams. Arguably, for some applications, this is weight that could be justified to maintain the ability to fold the weapon’s stock for a more compact profile – better suited for vehicle operations.

M7 Product Improved with fixed stock at DSEI 2025 (Matthew Moss)

In addition to a shorter barrel, SIG Sauer has also shortened the SLX suppressor which is paired with the M7, by approximately an inch; this helps improve the rifle’s balance. SIG have also paired the new shorter suppressor with a new lightweight thermal shield, which significantly reduces the heat signature of the suppressor. SIG are also offering a mesh shroud (similar to that seen issued with SURG kits) and an anti-mirage shroud. With the thermal shield, the suppressor’s heat glow under night vision and thermal optics only becomes visible at around 100 rounds, rather than 40 rounds without the shield.

M7 Product Improved muzzle close-up at DSEI 2025 (Matthew Moss)

SIG’s work on the M7 was undoubtedly driven by US military feedback and a desire for refinements, but it is worth noting that it is unclear whether the rifle seen at DSEI will be the configuration the military moves towards in the future. Another variant of the improved rifle, with the shorter barrel and new handguard but a new upper receiver profile, was seen recently at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference 2025 in a released (and subsequently redacted) photo shared by the US Army. The rifle is also seen to be equipped with a Millbrook Strategic Services MFMD suppressor.

M7 Product Improved at DSEI 2025 (Matthew Moss)

The US Army now has around 25,000-30,000 M7 rifles in inventory; it is unlikely that rifles already in service will be retrofitted to the new M7 Product Improved spec. The iterative refinement of the M7 isn’t a surprise; testing, feedback and improvement are key to the Next Generation Squad Weapons program’s spiral development strategy. As such the M7 and M250 only recently completed desert environmental testing with troops in August. Time will tell if the configuration seen at DSEI (or something similar) is adopted by the US Army to supplement the M7s currently in service. In the meantime questions regarding the M7 PI’s accuracy, reliability, parts wear and signatures are yet to be definitively answered but it is interesting to see the potential direction of refinement the rifle is moving in.

Update – 24/9/25:

A social media video shared by the US Army highlighting a visit by the Secretary of the Army to the 101st Airborne included a brief shot of a board that offered some details on the “M7 PIE” and the “M7 ‘Carbine'”. (H/T to @TangirayL) PIE standing for ‘Product Improvement Effort’.

The board lists the major changes made to the two rifles and gives some weight and length specs on the variants. This would indicate that rather than just one improved variant there are two and the one shown at DSEI is the M7 ‘Carbine’ (or PIE RAPTOR).

Update 14/10/25:

At AUSA 2025 SIG Sauer displayed both the product improved M7 [which SIG refer to as the M7 Enhanced Rifle] and the product improved M7 carbine. Solider Systems Daily shared good side by side photos illustrating the two new versions of the M7. Noteably the design of the handguard between the M7 PIE Carbine seen at DSEI and AUSA differs in their side MLOK configurations.

SSD also reports that: “regarding barrel life. The program requirement was for 5,000 rounds which is the same specification as the M4. However, SIG has noted barrel life for the M7 in excess of 10,000 rounds.”

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