mcxA SHORTER .300 blk canebreak LVA W hen SIG Sauer’s, 5.5-inch barreled, .300 Blackout supersonic .300 BLK load, unsuppressed. Wchambered, MCX Rattler hit the scene in late 2015, The Rattler and Canebrake model both share it redefined what a short-barreled could be. Quite the same short, 5.5-inch, 1:5-inch twist barrel. You literally, nothing else came close. barely get a single twist in the stump of a barrel. A Whispered rumors circulated about the project, the short tube has little effect on the level of accuracy a curtains it was conceived behind, who was using it, and platform is capable of attaining. Instead it is the loss for what purpose. The fire was fueled thanks to a few of velocity that is the issue. details that had leaked out about the Low Visibility In 2012, Barnes Ammunition released the ulti- Assault Weapon (LVAW) project that SIG had worked mate supersonic .300 Blackout load called the TTSX, on with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) or Tipped Triple Shock. This black polymer tipped, to produce an MP5SD replacement, based loosely on the legacy MCX platform. With other US elements and Specifications: allied counter terror units quickly taking notice, and benefitting from the testing the platform had undergone Type: Piston operated, semi-automatic by JSOC, they too jumped on the MCX bandwagon. So Caliber: .300 BLK much so that most, if not all, allied CT units now have Barrel: 5.5 in., 1:5 in. twist the platform in their inventory. Overall Length: 29.25 in. Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. Brace: PCB, side-folding Grip: SIG Sauer Finish: Elite Cerakote, E190 Flat Dark Earth Capacity: 20, 30 rds. Muzzle Device: Training suppressor The extensive joint testing : SIG Matchlite Duo of the MCX by SIG Sauer engineers and Sights: None JSOC led to improvements to the plat- MSRP: $2,897 form, most of which made their way into the current commercially available MCX Virtus line, the version the Rattler and 110-grain all-copper projectile has been dubbed the newer Canebrake—the magic bullet, quickly becoming the standard by which latter of which being the all others are judged. What makes it so special? With- subject of this review— out going too deep into projectile composition, Barnes’ are based on. Rumor has published data states the round will reliably expand in it the previously shortest soft tissue down to 1,400 feet per second (fps). Many MCX barrel, at 6.75 inches, claim that number is actually closer to 1,300 fps. SO- was not quite short enough for COM-entrusted manufacturer—Black Hills Ammuni- a certain customer, who required a compact .300 Blackout tion—loads their round. chambered (PDW) to be short If you’re like us, now know- enough to fit inside of a specific BMW model’s glove box. ing the background of the Rattler, Fast-forward many months and this ultra-compact version of you may be wondering why the the MCX was nearing completion. Unlike the LVAW, which was de- veloped to be suppressed full-time, just like the gun it was replacing, the all-new Rattler was at the opposite end of the spectrum, created to be the shortest rifle caliber PDW possible, firing a specific

1. Fully ambidextrous controls, a two-stage SIG Matchlite Duo trigger, new folding PCB, a SIG compact handgrip and a 30-round Mag- pul .300 BLK PMAG round out the back end/ components and controls. Finish is Cerakote E190 flat dark earth. 1. 14 ontargetmagazine.com 1. Unlike the original Rattler from which this model was 1. derived, the Canebrake was designed to be suppressed from the get-go. From the factory, the 5.5-inch barrel is wearing a larger SD suppressor-compatible M-LOK and non-function- al “training suppressor”, which is easily replaced with the real deal SIG SRD762 suppressor (pictured right).

Canebrake model exists and certainly why it is greater than any would wear a suppressor. As we know, the 5.5-inch barrel has Rattler was not designed to be suppressed, the right to be. At fifty but instead to be the shortest rifle caliber yards—using SIG’s own non-magnify- platform possible, firing Black Hills’ super- ing ROMEO4S red-dot sight—the sonic 110-grain TTSX ammunition. above-mentioned Black Hills 110-gr. The answer is a simple one: SIG has TTSX load drilled a 0.35-inch 5-shot given the commercial market what it has group. Representing the best-per- asked for—the shortest suppresser-ready forming subsonic load, SIG Sauer’s MCX available. The Canebrake is a 220-Grain Elite FMJ printed a 0.75- 2. At the heart of Rattler with an FDE paint job that comes inch spread at the same distance. Other the piston-drive Canebrake is this complete with a suppressor-compatible loads came in right around an inch. dual-captured recoil spring/-carrier handguard, thread-on training suppressor Our suppressed preference in the MCX group assembly, which is not only largely (easily replaced by a functioning one), platform remains the 6.75-inch barrel that responsible for the high level of reliability unique Matchlite Duo trigger and a new JSOC’s LVAW is based upon. But, and durability, but also the ability to run folding PCB. When shot unsuppressed, if you absolutely, must have the sans a buffer tube and be fitted with a the Canebrake—just like the Rattler—is shortest suppressed rifle on the side-folding pistol brace. a joy to shoot. Recoil is soft, the gun is market, accept no substi- quick-handling, compact and very accurate. tutes. The Canbrake When a suppressor is threaded on, the ex- is your huckleberry. cess gas can become uncomfortable during See it at your nearest 2. prolonged shooting sessions, but it is quiet dealer, or for more information, when utilizing subsonic loads. contact SIG Sauer; Tel.: (603) 610-3000; From the bench, downrange precision Web: www.sigsauer.com—Chris Mudgett

3. 3. As evidenced by this 0.35-inch five-shot group at 50 yards Using Black Hills’ 110-gr. TTSX load, the Canebrake has impressive downrange-precision potential —especially taking into account its truncated barrel. Reliability was 100-per- cent through- Performance: Velocity 50-yard Accuracy out testing. Black Hills 110-Grain TTSX 1,925 f.p.s. 0.35 Inches SIG Sauer 120-Grain HT 1,840 f.p.s. 1.20 Inches SIG Sauer 125-Grain V-Crown 1,730 f.p.s. 0.90 Inches 4. Aguila 150-grain FMJ 1,635 f.p.s. 1.40 Inches Hornady 208-Grain AMAX 884 f.p.s. 1.10 Inches SIG Sauer 220-Grain Elite FMJ 861 f.p.s. 0.75 Inches

4. The recoil impulse from the Canebrake is soft, and like its close cousin the Rattler, the gun is compact and quick-handling. With a SIG SRD762 suppressor attached, excess gas can become uncomfortable during prolonged shooting sessions, but it is very quiet when utilizing subsonic loads. 16 ontargetmagazine.com