MCX Rattler

History of the MCX-Rattler

The SIG MCX Rattler is a very new firearm, so it doesn't have a very long history. The MCX family of weapons was first introduced to the public at the 2015 SHOT Show. Just a couple years after the MCX went on the market new variations like the SIG MCX SPEAR and the SIG MCX RATTLER were released. The Rattler with its five-and-a-half-inch barrel was intended to be a personal defense weapon.

One story behind the Rattler is an international soft partner that is close to the United Stated wanted a MCX, but wanted to know how short they could get it. SIG experimented shortening the barrel little by little until it became unreliable then fine tuned the gas system to keep up its reliability. The five-and-a-half-inch barrel was as short as they could go before running into major issues. It was purpose built to be as compact as possible.

In 2017 the US Special Operations Forces began searching for and testing rifles to replace the long used M4/M4A1. One of the points they're looking for is a weapon that is compact and easily portable. The short-stroke piston in the MCX line removes the need for the M4s buffer tube allowing the Rattler to use a folding stock. The piston system also has an advantage over the M4s gas impingement system, since the gases stay in the piston there is far less fouling, and carbon build up in the guns inner workings greatly reducing the risk of jams.

In 2018 SOCOM produced 10 Rattlers for testing and analysis, the testing concluded in 2019 with SOCOM determining that the Rattler had met their goals. In May 2022 a five-year contract was issued ordering Suppressed MCX Rattlers in both 5.56 and .300BLK. The Rattler also has a 7.62x39 version though not common.