SIG, always a leader in innovation, recently introduced an MCX variant known as the “Rattler.” And I got to shoot it at SHOT Show 2018.
The genesis of what SIG dubs the “shortest rifle ever created” is interesting. The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) requested a new personal defense weapon (PDW). Which in plain speak means a tiny machine gun, usually chambered in a big-boy rifle caliber. SIG not only met SOCOM expectations but exceeded them. At least upon first blush.
SPECS:
- Barrel Length: 5.5 in.
- Gas-piston system
- Cartridge: .300 BLK &
- Stock: Folding PSB
- SIG Enhanced Trigger
- 1:5-in. twist rate
- Overall Length: 23.5 in.
- M-LOK attachments
- MSRP: $2,719–2,727
As of now, the caliber options are 5.56 and .300 AAC. That is an important detail before we talk about overall size. With a 5.5 inch barrel, the Rattler is capable of firing in any mode from it’s folded stock configuration, with an overall length of just 16 inches. 16 inches is small enough to fit inside most briefcases, and absolutely microscopic for something that fires rifle rounds.
The action is the same piston driven success that drives the other MCX models, which our testing has shown to be incredibly reliable. The grip and stock options on the Rattler are unique, a reflection of its intended use. The pistol grip looks abnormal, due to a cut designed to reduce snagging on bags or straps. It still fills the hand nicely though, and I was very surprised by how comfortable it was to shoot.
Prices of the pistol and SBR version.
SEE ALSO: Meet the Shortest Rifle Ever Produced, the SIG MCX Rattler
Though we got to play with the rifle version, a pistol with brace is available for us mere mortals that don’t want to pay the tax stamp for an SBR. Unfortunately only offered in semi-automatic to civilians, this is still a fun little gun to shoot. And the surprise of a lifetime for any bad guys you encounter with a 16-inch bullet hose stashed under the front seat of your Honda.
For more information, make sure you visit the SIG Sauer website.
Bought one today. SO SWEET. Cant believe that guy is talking shit about sig sauer …he must be a glock man…that’s a POS. Had 2 glocks and gave them away. Bought my first sig bout 3 yrs ago, put bout 10000 rounds through it , never a miss fire,and still going strong. I think sig makes a very dependable product and would bet my life on it if I had to use it. If you have the chance to shoot the rattler …..shoot it . You’ll love it
Where’s the promised improved new iteration of the CSASS program’s 7.62mm w/ something like a 12.5″ barrel that the US Army was going to put in to production for it’s new other sub programs? Is it going to be the POF Revolution P308? I wasn’t as big a fan as the others… Lightweight? Sure. But POF is def NOT the same in my mind as the warm and fuzzies I get with a Wilson Combat AR-10-style completely modular AR (or an Aero Precision version, who have that M5E1 that could be converted to an even smaller carbine the size of our M4A1s??).
Here’s my question… SO THE BIG NEWS ABOUT THE BARRETT REC 10 IS THAT IT’S ALREADY BEING ORDERED? OK…COOL. I LIKED SHOOTING IT BUT IT WAS NOT FUN TO TAKE CORNERS WITH UNLESS THEY DROP THE SAME MANEUVERABILITY AND CQB CAPABILITIES AS THE “OOH SOOOO GREAT POF P308!”..LOL. IF THEY WERE JUST TO EITHER BRING THE LWRCI NEW REPR II .308 IN 12.5″–OR–MAKE THE REC-10C (COMPACT) SBR-VARIANT AN ACTUAL REALITY FOR THE DOWNRANGE OPERATORS LIKE MYSELF? THEN THEY’D HAVE SOMETHING. OF COURSE, I’M A BIG, BIG, BIG FAN OF THE SR-25 (MK 11/M110-TYPE PLATFORMS IF THEY COULD SHORTEN THEM TO THE SIZE OF A THE OL’ MK 18 SBRS) AND THAT WOULD BE PERFECT…..NO ONE TOPS KNIGHTS IMHO
Why would I buy this over an mp5 for this price? Add supressor price and stamp. would hate to see the class three price. Silly…
While anyone can build or buy a 556 pistol relatively cheap it’s not going to be piston operated which is something one wants when going this short and suppressed. The LWRC PDW comes to mind and is even a little more costly so this isn’t that bad. I have an 8” 556 PDW built with quality components and while it still didn’t cost this much it was still more than half what the Sig cost and its direct impingement not piston. I’d get one if I had the money but seeing how I don’t I’ll stick with what I have now to include a 7.5” 556 and an 8” 300BLK SBR.
More over-priced novelties from a company that can no longer make a single reliable firearm to bet your life on. They certainly are appealing to the stupid Americans who choose “cool” over dependability. Sig has been churning out garbage for years now, in every model. It’s a shame even our US military fell for their slick marketing lies.
What makes you say this? I am not a sig guy but have heard nothing but good about them. I know they had a drop safety issue but is there anything else that makes you question their reliability?
I love it! Absolutely out fucking standing! I think I\’ll buy one for both the wife and I! Awesome Sig, keep\’em coming!
Never mind ‘need’, but somebody please tell me why would I even WANT one of these for almost 3 grand out the door when I saw an AR-15 pistol with a side folding brace or another version with that very short collapsible wire form “brace that’s about ‘the same size or maybe even shorter than this Rattler with a SEVEN and a half inch barrel for less than half of what this thing costs? And if you really want a compact ‘PDW that you can even shoulder holster under your suit jacket like Pelozi’s body guards have you might really want one of those proven Roni drop in your Glock stocks for various decent CQB rounds, including the highly ‘underrated ‘ 10mm compared to the anemic terminal performance of a Rattler in 5.56 ?
And I thought the military and all the other nascent police state agencies already had a recent AR-15 PDW CQB? SIG must be using a lot of ‘gun oil’ on those G-Biz handshakes???
$2700 for a neutered down AR? Sig is nuts
Remember, they are going after a government contract,so that is nothing to a guy spending tax dollars….
How many of you are paid by a manufacture of another weapon base weapon?