The US Army's New Mk18? The Compact SIG SPEAR ASSAULTER K

The US Army's new MK18 could be the Compact SIG SPEAR known as the SIG SPEAR ASSAULTER or SHORTY SPEAR. This 9 inch variant retains much of the power of the Spear but in a much more compact size. This variant could easily be seen within US Special Operations in the near future as the design is smoothed out and perfected. Although there are problems with this variant we discuss all of the pros and cons of this very interesting compact weapon system.
A big thank you to Barbell Apparel for sponsoring this video! barbellapparel.com/garandthumb
00:00 Sig SPEAR ASSAULTER Intro
1:25 Why we discuss the SPEAR ASSAULTER
3:30 In depth testing of SPEAR ASSAULTER
11:45 in Depth discussion about the SPEAR ASSAULTER
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[@xray606]

The shot with the dust on the ground was bad ass.

[@eyelfindu]

YES IT WAS!!!!!!! I was thinking the same thing.

[@JohnZ556]

Crazy loud 😮

[@zacharymurphy2099]

I was thinking holy shit that's a lot of concussion as I watched that

[@narutobroken]

Insane levels of concussion

[@ryanthomas2374]

Its like being on Arrakis..

[@brandonking9780]

2700 fps out of a 9” barrel is wild with a bullet that heavy

[@nathanwoodard6598]

You said it before me

[@AKlover]

Absurdly high chamber pressures that gun is going to break itself in a ridiculously short amount of time.

[@jurpo6]

Not much different than light 308 loads. It only has a slight edge because of the 2piece cases handle more pressure. The 308 will eat less barrels and cost less to shoot.

[@jegsdinogod5091]

@@jurpo6 and honestly i think a steel case .308 can do just as well.

[@ravener96]

Barrels arent actually expensive in the grand scheme of things. The ammo will basically always be the main cost

[@departed402]

The Garand Thumb channel is essentially Future Weapons (of the Discovery Channel) for modern day.

[@GarandThumb]

I can only hope to live up to his reputation

[@kaschtnsamtdiekarbln]

Not sure if you're being serious, but Future Weapons was incredibly dumb. Even as a teenager back then I kept noticing incorrect statements and oversimplifications

[@whytho1690]

I actually confused it with Forgotten Weapons or a second there.

[@Hybris51129]

​@@kaschtnsamtdiekarblnYeah the host back then would make the .22LR sound like something just short of a anti tank round with how he described everything. At least with Garand he will do it as a joke before laughing before dismissing the thought.

[@je2848]

Rip Mack.

[@futurespeak9648]

Dr. Robotnik being the sales guy for SIG is a great career move on his part.

[@Maddog3060]

Good move on Sig's part; no wonder they keep winning contracts. Dr. Robotnik just does the supervillain thing and bam, government contract.

[@thndr_5468]

gotta love the guy

[@muffemod]

Yea but how many did they have to fire to get him? Failure after failure of marketing teams.

[@alanpetrarca238]

I'm fucking dying bro that comment made my morning

[@patrickhooper2843]

😂😂😂😂

[@xshangheighx]

Love when GT says "well put a little video up right here" and there is never a little video put up right there

[@alexmaurice4274]

That’s been a thing for like 5 years with his channel I swear🤣🤣 it’s so often too I actually get surprised when there is a pop up

[@coutxxStatix]

I'm not sure if that's because I have annotations turned off or it's just a meme 😆

[@loneherman4441]

All the time hahaha

[@norad_clips]

I did get an ad just as he said that, though

[@blckandwhtknight]

Sig: How overgassed do you want it? DoD: Yes

[@great_deception]

Overgassed for reliability esp in adverse conditions, HK416 same concept.

[@thejohnhend]

You mean one o’clock ejection pattern is bad? Lol

[@nervonabliss2071]

They didn't want the AK vs AR comparison 😂

[@leftistsarenotpeople]

@@thejohnhend One o'clock? LOL, yeah, from a left handed set up receiver.

[@JFFF6293]

@@thejohnhend 6:19

[@axm2689]

Sig: Would you like a side of concussive TBI and tinnitus with your new mk18? Army: Absolutely!

[@drawnyuun]

don’t worry. it’s not service connected

[@spaz_matic]

that rate of fire is nutty, also love the quick pan to the SIG guys just hanging out off camera

[@RageCreati0n]

Garand Thumb out here trying to convince us he’s not addicted to the MK18…

[@eddiekane1202]

Sig money

[@DennisBrummett-jh6wl]

🤣😂😂🤣😂😂😂 right!🤙🤙🤙

[@GeofenceVictim]

He's definitely addicted to *something*

[@montys420-]

​@@GeofenceVictim Tren??😂

[@ThePatriotParadox]

😅😅😅 #mk18life 🤫

[@thekraken1173]

Wow a fully automatic flashbang

[@bandolierboy1908]

lol thankfully we have suppressors tho

[@sir_vix]

HK51 Mk2

[@dianabarnett6886]

The smoke cloud coming out that thing makes it look like an automatic musket.

[@radekseky4571]

​@@bandolierboy1908Seems like it was made from the ground up with supressors in mind like the normal Spear.

[@JohnZ556]

A POF Revolution 16" would be around the same weight as that 9" Spear(~1884 ft-lb), and provides ~2480fps with 168gr GMMK(~2294 ft-lb). A normal 16" 308 would be way less concussive, no NFA BS, and you would be able to find ammo for that; it may not be the case for full house 6.8 tho. For a round designed to be more powerful than 308. Cutting it that short means all the lost ft-lb from the bullet adds into flash and sound.😨Sure suppressor can help, but that will really cook the suppressor along with the muzzle end of the barrel.

[@jamesdenton8261]

I haven’t seen St. John since the 90’s. He probably don’t remember me but I remember him. I served with him in 3/75.

[@Maddog3060]

Am I the only one who loves how every single ejected casing follows the exact same flight path?

[@Mercpool87]

The top down shot showing the concussive blast disrupt the dirt below might be some of Micah's best work ever.

[@xXCigarXx]

That was honestly was one of the coolest shots Ive seen on the channel.

[@reanukeevesau]

Timestamp?

[@user-bv1zk7tg2r]

​@@reanukeevesauaround 0.40 min

[@xXCigarXx]

@@reanukeevesau :37

[@reanukeevesau]

@@xXCigarXx thanks!

[@Momus121]

St. John has a majestic mustache and an excellent skull shape.

[@supremeovernerd]

we shall raise a glass to his superb physiogonomy

[@shawndooley7778]

Very dali

[@Spencebot42]

I love that Micah keep rebelling with not putting in the edits when he calls for them lmao. Also, I agree with the other guy, bring back the "If you''ve ever... hit that subscribe button" intros!

[@sakalaathletics]

And the "often forgotten, but not by me: ... "

[@00captaincrunch00]

as someone from Canada, I love your patch !

[@JacksonRhodes42]

Yeah, it's epic! Just as cool as the rest of the chest rig IMO

[@thebernice6062]

"We like your AR-10 Mr. Stoner, but can you make it lighter?" History repeats itself.

[@hxpnoticbynx2351]

?

[@RevolverOcelot79]

Uhh.. this is heavier.

[@travelingspartan2035]

Can't wait until the XM7 just evolves into an overcomplicated, overpriced M4 with Sig's shitty QC. At least we're finally getting MLOK rails in the conventional army.

[@devendoffing7004]

@@travelingspartan2035why would you want our weapon’s program to fail? Seems like you’re letting your hate for a private company overpower your love for your country, and that’s not cool.

[@travelingspartan2035]

@@devendoffing7004 Please be sarcasm.

[@SimplexStorm]

I absolutely love how John completely glazed over the 22 YEARS he spent in the Army with 15 of those being with the Rangers lmao. He was like, "yeah I did some cool stuff. What about it?"

[@albinoyak2755]

A quite professional, something that used to be the norm in that particular field of work

[@JohnRodriguez-si9si]

SimplexStorm : A real and true " Quiet Professional" , unlike His Counterpart, the " Noisy Amateur" , needs not to broadcast to each and every other Civilian Clothes - wearing Person what the Warfighter did in the US4CES ( United States Forces) .

[@twistedmetal56]

Quiet*​@@albinoyak2755

[@Beowulf50c]

For real. Guys like to say the only thing harder than getting to regiment is staying in regiment. And dude was there FIFTEEN YEARS? Seriously impressive.

[@bradborgelt60]

He and Robbie Johnson dominated various sniper competitions.

[@benpaterson1734]

I just want to say man- Wearing the CAD/ US patch, shows a lot to us up north here bro. Appreciate you

[@Splarkszter]

Just all the work and dedication. Thank you so much for all you do!

[@bigmustardtiger4169]

Fun fact: the muzzle flash and boom are what kill you and not the bullet

[@rmp5s]

Scares bad guys to death. lol

[@SpartanBrix]

Hitscan guns in games be like:

[@bodidley5015]

Review 2nd verse of Rifleman’s Creed. It’s the hits that count.

[@ceehads]

Directed energy psyops.

[@WasabiSniffer]

and people say i'm crazy for not having a suppressor for home defense. big flash, big boom, it sends a message

[@metalmarker89]

"Real talk, I like chonky gun, small stock!" Micah you're a gem mate

[@markjacksonmusic21]

Just got my Spear LT yesterday. Absolutely beautiful!

[@mantia39]

Another fantastic video! This new round and platform is gonna be a game changer.

[@TheDominantFifth]

That subtle flex with the quad tubes in the intro hurt the most.

[@lynch42o]

yea, I saw the thumbnail and said this fkn guy 🤣

[@MIABot]

His wife must have a sweet job.

[@J711X]

Today on garand thumb ?? Dude what happened to " if you ever.....hit that subscribe button, like and comment, comment section is outta control" I miss this

[@Jackal19x]

I also miss those intros. My fav was "If you've ever gotten a weekend safety brief in which you were told explicitly not to fight the locals... but you fought the locals anyway; go ahead and hit that subscribe button."

[@sterlingreece9355]

@@Jackal19xor “If you ever duck walked in your underwear for an old man…”

[@collinb.8542]

​@@Jackal19xthat's a good one lmao

[@shamancredible8632]

I can sense garand thumb going the way of idubbbz and I've become indifferent to him. Was subbed for like 2 years and now every video he releases completely fails to catch my attention.

[@jacobstewart3428]

Back when he was hyper serious almost the entire time.

[@KM-bs1gf]

Great humor and great collaboration = great video. Please more of these content to come for more teaching the weapon development concept. Thank you.

[@dutch4260]

SIG reps .0005 seconds after the malf at 6:16 : "It's a prototype"

[@jmanswat2457]

Funny how the guntubers always receive the ones that malfunction...

[@antwesvil2]

“Whatever the army decides to use it for” My Brain: “Unga Bunga Noises intensify”

[@claytongross5657]

😆😆😆

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Once again we return Return to monke

[@SnackPack913]

To defeat (civilian) body armor lol

[@adrioumario1369]

*Neuron Activation x90,000,000* edit : 90 million, felt like 90000000 would be hard to read

[@nomad_boreal]

Captain Caveman bout to get a 2-million-year hardware upgrade

[@guysavard5090]

The chinstrap buckle up was such a power move 😂

[@radred609]

John coming in with the chinstrap fix was peak comedy x'D

[@TheLoneRanger745]

I love your videos Mike , great info and always a lot of fun , looking sharp all dreesed out ❤ awesome results❤

[@mr_demeanor6008]

I am amazed you got your hand on it so soon. Only a while ago they had the prototype on display at the AUSA expo...

[@GarandThumb]

Obviously it's going to be a win for them to have a firearm featured on the channel and we are aware of this. This rifle is still very much a prototype but we love to report on potential future military technologies.

[@QuitYoJibby-JabbinFool]

​@@GarandThumb THIS SHIT GONNA BE ABSOLUTELY INSTITUTIONALLY IMMORTALIZED.........THE NEW DEAL

[@noonenoesbutme]

Im not. This is an ad, not a review. What a shame.

[@hops2099x]

28:57 Grandma St John is a legend

[@kbkylebsh]

I would add a 4th, toilet paper

[@joshshepherd5660]

Lol St. John is a fuggin legend for keepin it real like that. Hey, Truer words never spoken, that's for sure! Never go cheap on tits.

[@jamescole7805]

I would just like to point out the production quality of the video and how excellent it looks in general

[@mymicks21]

I appreciate the footage without suppressors. The noise is half the fun 🤙

[@yhnops]

"And you have a lil bit of military experience" - and that stare in the camera made me chuckle :D

[@gouldnj]

GT rockin some “sailor after deployment” forearms. Sheesh

[@robodragon1009]

Popeye

[@L3VELUP_Fitness]

The magic of anabolic steroids. I however do not see it as something bad. Each and everyone of us has the magic thing called free will. If Mike likes it and it makes him feel better and he is ok with the side effects he made his choice. Millions of people smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, they also made their choice. As long as you don't hurt somebody you can do pretty much whatever the fuck you want with this awesome thing called life and being alive. Enjoy the ride gents, it is not a fucking trial run haha.

[@nikoraasu6929]

he's a based Catholic

[@Sikdomeshot]

The power of Raw Milk

[@SeventhCircle77]

@@L3VELUP_Fitnesshas he mentioned this? Or are you just assuming

[@patrickvanherk]

Must say I like this video a lot. Cool and not so goofy intro, great information and cool shots in the rest of the video. Loved it!

[@Mar33322]

5 years from now and millions of dollars later the new 556 cartridge will be the gold standard .

[@NotFluplaxio]

“Taxidermy Tattoos and Tiddies” 😂 Thank you St. Grandma!

[@FryingTiger]

Grantham.

[@stefthorman8548]

*tattoos not taxes

[@NotFluplaxio]

@@stefthorman8548 corrected it good lookin out

[@kobestheg.o.a.t5022]

St garandma

[@CWHolleman]

Meh..So many missed opportunities for success in this comment..

[@jakefrye2390]

Best intro montage in quite a while

[@GarandThumb]

thanks man

[@_np7]

Really enjoyed this video, don't know why but I felt it was a classic Garand Thumb!

[@logan.stark777]

Grand Thumb! Totally digging your helmet and helmet setup!

[@gamerelated3887]

Dude... That Dad advice at the end was choice! LOL I'm gonna take that to heart. Your grandmother would be proud that you just shared that with a million people on the internet.

[@russ.howard]

That shot from above with the dirt moving from the concussion is just 👨‍🍳 🤌🏻

[@dantheman4751]

Love your patch!

[@tobintobintobin]

Love the canadian/USA patch man much love from up here in the north!

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

Turning that loose in full auto would definitely be riding the lightning for some. Thats a lot of bang in a small package.

[@raptorcell6633]

Fun Fact: THE fully automatic flashbang launcher, the HK51 fires 7.62 NATO out of a ~8 inch barrel. Another fun fact: The Spear's suppressor not only serves to reduce the report of the rifle but also to prevent the operator from suffering a concussion. Magdumping the screamer Army ammo out of this perfectly average length rifle would probably give you a TBI.

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

0:37 OMG that shot looks so badass, the DoF resembles the Trinity test footage with the dust blowing after the bomb hit. Noice!

[@TMFShooting]

Another Great Video 💯 Thank you guys 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@edm240b9]

It’s like SIG looked at the HK51’s usage with the SAS and thought “yeah, we’ll definitely get contracts with this.”

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

Nah they probably look at the M4.

[@Shoultes]

I absolutely love the dynamic between GT and St.John...very entertaining and informative.i really enjoyed this content.

[@iglooplazpls6464]

i just finished with the intro bro that was insane omggggg

[@so10xdoY0]

Dope arm.. and St John's grandmother advice was right on 👍👍🙏

[@d.j.6224]

The new era of Future Weapons! RIP Mac. 💯🕊

[@dougiefresh3075]

“Upside-down McDonald’s logo” - also know as … a W 😂

[@Emogeta]

WacDonalds

[@theaspiration]

​@@EmogetaWacArnolds

[@Johnnygunz916]

Best gun channel on KZbin for information and entertainment

[@ianbates7720]

Love the US/Canada patch brother!

[@thatgreenslime9517]

Still can't forgive Canada for Defense Scheme No1

[@PoloMoney]

13:41 real father and son moment, hard to hold back the freedom eagle's tears

[@Phil-ey6yh]

Man, that's a satisfying little package. Hell of a decent velocity out of that 9" too

[@lukestead8534]

Love the vids fella brilliant 🎉

[@bryancosby2262]

Awesome Grandmother advice!!

[@dalestark3343]

Always a great day when you have Jason St. John on the video!! Go Grandma advice, wife was rolling on that one!!!!

[@marcmichaud1643]

Appreciate the patch on your chest. 🇺🇸🇨🇦 🤘

[@richie_0740]

cant wait till garand thumb gets a hand on brandon's finished ak-50 prototype

[@evanjohnson9556]

BROOOO AGREEED

[@kellen-KMK]

Again, I love your intros GT. Watched it three times.

[@NN501st]

Sig really digging deep into the army’s heritage for these new names, Assaulter is really fitting

[@jesseheath6784]

The fact we aren't allowed to see the shot pattern on the target, just shows how new this thing is. These guys have insane levels of privilege with weaponry and it's awesome.

[@RoboSho18]

I was debating on if it was blurred or if I need glasses.

[@crispy_338]

Lmao what. It’s just going to be holes in paper. There’s nothing innovative about a short battle rifle

[@bomaniigloo]

Because it's still mogged by the m4

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

​@@bomaniiglooM4 came off had years of R&D to go off of. And decades of M16 experience onto on the m4. It's way more mature platform. Spear has only started to get into production from 2023.

[@EtomidateEnjoyer]

what are you talking about? not trying to sound rude. but i can't find what youre talking about.

[@muddasarakram419]

Cool to see a product I might have made in one of your videos! (Spuhr mount)

[@Carr4563]

This is the ULTIMATE SBR!!!!! Gorgeous!

[@bobbybrownie545]

Thanks so much to St. John for coming to this great channel again and your last grandma quotes just got me right away hahaha.

[@Xathos]

THE UNITED STATES MILITARY - a subsidiary of SIG.

[@lesliepaulkovacs6442]

Yeah, I wonder how much Stock certain Congress Critters and Military and Executive Branch Folks are receiving to purchase Sig Weapons.

[@jiminysnicket86]

As opposed to being a subsidiary of Colt for 150 years

[@mghegotagun]

I'm waiting to see what general is going to be on their consultation payroll after retirement

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

​​@@mghegotagun probably be hard to tell even then wait 20+ yrs

[@shamancredible8632]

everyone else since forever: AKs NATO: overpriced untested prototypes that are almost never adopted (but paid for by taxes so it's ok)

[@thepadonthepondbythescum]

Thank you for the 3 Ts

[@bmbullman]

What a great ad!! I'm buying one as soon as I get the money together!!

[@sunnybv]

You guys should make a full on movie. The cinematography is excellent. Content is great. I wish there were longer intros.

[@saltwatertaffybag]

Admin has hinted that they are. Admin is a complete film uber nerd, it's his second passion.

[@notengospacebar]

Didn’t they do a mini movie with Travis Haley hunting dinosaurs or something? 😂

[@Poverty-Tier]

“Where we’re going, we don’t need velocity” 4:48 Well shit, I stand corrected, .277 doesn’t fuck around.

[@LootGoblin432]

.277 out of a 9” barrel clappin 5.56 out of a 10.5” across the board

[@Chris09978]

​@@LootGoblin432dude a 6.8x51 put of 9in barrel and have a constant velocity of 2700fps thats on average of a 16" 556 ar that's fucking insane and with the 6.8" shorty only lost 300fps compared to the 13". Imagine what a 18 or a 20" is capable of. The Spear doesn't fuck around and the 6.8 is literally a spear lives up to the name

[@alfpedersen2201]

I’m sure it could also chew up 12 inch block like nobody’s business

[@Chris09978]

​@@alfpedersen2201 maybe who knows, this 6.8x51 is really fucking deadly, if I was wearing level4 plates and some dude had a spear in 6.8x51 I'm just walking in the other direction lol

[@armorers_wrench]

There is a new caliber named 6max that fits in a standard AR15 lower. It's not as powerful as 6.8x51 obviously but SOLGW tested a 10.5 with 55gr ammo and it was chrono'ing at 3,000fps+.

[@railzip]

As always damn great intro!

[@tomeglinton9213]

another absolutely perfect intro

[@TheIronGabel]

I atypically run a 12.5 308, and the issue I run in to often is carrying as much ammo as my 11.5 556. The smaller capacity and larger space make the 556 so attractive for extended range sessions.

[@dvazquez5652]

This video is great - it also does a great job of showing how the 5.56 is still a great fighting round - it does make me wonder how the average Joe getting issued the XM7 will fair with recoil management when they already struggle with 5.56 recoil at times…

[@jmanswat2457]

The shorty is for specops bros so don't think they'll have an issue. But I'm sure that they'll have standard non-hybrid cartridges for the regular army grunts that won't shoot so spicy.

[@luislongoria6621]

Struggling to write your name is when you run out of bullets

[@banjobob5599]

Another bad ass vid, love it!!

[@jordentelderer5507]

Something about a short barrel/ large caliber going full auto, and the opening music too👌🏼

[@Fast-is-Fun]

As always, love the content and I really appreciate the level of quality/editing on these vids. Keep it up!!

[@AndyAdventuring]

So nice of Mike to invite Dr. Robotnik on his channel

[@jasonrad9332]

😂

[@tylerreis7627]

Big brother not even fielded yet and they already chopped it. Awesome

[@Jack-M1113]

That is crazy velocity for a 9" holy shit lol im assuming those are the steel base? And good on sig for being honest on the barrel flex

[@DH81s]

Your videos never disappoint me, Mr Thumb. Semper fi.

[@BloodRain316]

I love the stash, I'm working on getting mine as beautiful as St. John's

[@frankopanklaric]

I see the trend of circumsizing the barrel to cut the legs off of velocity is alive and kicking.

[@blood7927]

I saw the thumbnail and my brain malfunctioned for a second.

[@themadthatcher4869]

Bro same.

[@aaronbaumann5088]

That is like the Mike O’Hearn of guns right there

[@battlestartoaster]

St. John looks like an early 2000's action movie villain.

[@williamlitten2444]

Immediate thought: Oh look, it's a select fire flash bang dispenser.

[@janiebarber7884]

Stealing this...👍😜

[@ruthabigail5939]

I am so happy to be a part of this community (the guntuber-loving community, but specifically GT fan club). This comment section...i have NEVER seen a more positive, supportive, wholesome comment section on this platform, hell, ANY platform. The fact that Mike and the team have created something that brings together such a good group of people says so much about this channel and the contributors and I am so proud and impressed. This may be the best place on the Internet in 2024.

[@mniakan754]

It took us a lot of time and being very very out of control to get to this point

[@TheSlickmelon]

Excellent platform.

[@Scott-qq9jd]

Was anyone else thinking "the spice must flow" watching the concussion kicking up the dust in slow motion?

[@JackManiaky]

I dig the vest patch, man

[@FaustianDaydreams]

Steel cased 110gr 308 out of the shorty AR 10 for the Spear Assaulter we have at home.