FX-05 Xiuhcoatl
Dirección General de Industria Militar · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2008
Also known as: Xiuhcoatl, Fire Serpent, Fusil Xiuhcoatl 2005
Overview
The FX-05 Xiuhcoatl is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Dirección General de Industria Militar since 2008. Safety features include manual safety selector, fire selector, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation. With over 108 years of firearms manufacturing experience, Dirección General de Industria Militar brings established expertise in metallurgy, machining, and quality control to every product in their lineup, ensuring each firearm meets the standards expected by today's demanding market of knowledgeable shooters and professionals.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3890 g (137.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1087 mm (42.80") |
| Folded Length | 887 mm (34.92") |
| Barrel Length | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 956 m/s (3136 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1828 J (1348 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Cold Forged Barrel, Folding Stock, Adjustable Stock, Select Fire, Three Round Burst, Picatinny Rail, Bayonet Mount, Telescopic Sight Compatible, Red Dot Compatible
Variants
- FX-05 Carbine — Compact
- FX-05 Short Carbine — Compact
- FX-05 LMG — Lmg
- FX-05 Sniper — Marksman
Service history
Operators
- Mexican Army · adopted 2008
- Mexican Navy (Armada de México) · adopted 2010 · as FX-05
- Mexican Federal Police · adopted 2012 · as FX-05
- Mexican National Guard · adopted 2019 · as FX-05
Conflicts
- Mexican Drug War (2006-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 50,000 · Production years: 2006-present
Approximately 50,000 units produced. Production continues to equip Mexican armed forces and law enforcement as the standard service rifle.
Origin
Country of origin: Mexico
Notes
The FX-05 was developed in secrecy over approximately 10 years before its public debut in 2006. The initial version had a three-position selector (safe, semi, full-auto), while newer production models added a three-round burst mode and feature a redesigned, smaller receiver. The rifle is available in three barrel lengths for rifle, carbine, and short carbine configurations, as well as LMG and sniper variants. A 100-round drum magazine is available in addition to the standard 30-round box. The weapon was designed with the typical Mexican soldier's arm reach in mind, resulting in slightly shorter ergonomics compared to NATO-standard rifles.
Background
Named after the Xiuhcoatl, the fire serpent of Aztec mythology that was wielded by the war god Huitzilopochtli. The rifle represents Mexico's first domestically designed and manufactured modern assault rifle, a point of national pride. The G36 lawsuit controversy actually helped establish the weapon's legitimacy when Mexico successfully proved the design's originality.