TFB Review: SIG Rattler CaneBrake – NFA Edition
During the initial review of the SIG Rattler Canebrake, I ended up liking the firearm more than I initially thought I would. As I mentioned at the conclusion of the original review, I liked it enough that I decided to buy it, and then take things a step further.
Thanks to the currently short eforms form 1 wait times, I was able to get my rattler registered as an SBR in less than a month. The only thing left would be adding a silencer to replace the faux can on the gun. SIG kindly offered to send their new SRD762Ti 10-baffle silencer over to top this build off, and thus the Canebrake NFA Edition was born.
From Pistol to SBR
The first change to the firearm is the addition of the Minimalist Folding Stock. Its lightweight low-profile design was perfectly suited for the Rattler. I also liked the additional two QD-Sling points at the rear of this stock.
Both the factory pistol brace and folding stock use the same 1913 style interface and locking mechanism. The locking mechanisms between the two are identical. As both are manipulated the same way, this makes the transition from pistol to SBR even easier.
Where the Minimalist Folding Stock really shines is its contour when folded. The slim lines keep it out of the way for storage and transport. Added space in-between the stock and the receiver also provides adequate room to access features like the bolt release, while keeping the stock folded.
Buy the SIG Sauer Minimalist Folding Stock
The rear of the stock is canted slightly and allows for a better cheek weld with lower profile sights. It’s a different feel compared to AR-style buttstocks, but I think it works perfectly with the MCX’s higher than average upper-receiver profile.
The Silencer
The Canebrake ships with a direct thread faux suppressor that’s designed to mimic the size and weight of SIG’s SRD762 Silencer. In an effort to make the Canebrake as quiet as possible I opted to use SIG’s newest 10-Baffle silencer, the SRD762Ti. At 9.3 inches long it’s a sizeable increase in length compared to the factory faux suppressor.
Using a SIG silencer on a SIG rifle makes suppressor installation and use all just a little bit easier. The Taper-Lok shoulder located on the inside of the silencer matches the tapered shoulder on the barrel for optimal alignment. If you decide to use a different suppressor, SIG does include a Taper-Lok adapter with the Canebrake.
Find SIG Sauer SRD762 Suppressors
Another nice feature of SIG’s SRD family of silencers are the wrench flats located on the front of the suppressor. These allow you to tighten the suppressor using a 1-inch socket or another 1-inch wrench, without having to remove the rail and tighten the suppressor from the rear.
Refined Performance
With the solid aluminum stock and silencer in place, I took the now much quieter Canebrake back to the range and couldn’t have been more impressed. Subsonic ammo through the oversized silencer makes the gun incredibly quiet and low-recoil.
To better document this, I metered the Rattler using SIG’s 220gr subsonic ammunition. The meter quickly confirmed just how quiet the Canebrake was in this particular configuration.
Gas System Closed (+ Setting)
- 129.9db
- 124.0db
- 127.3db
- 125.6db
- 125.0db
Average 126.4db
Gas System Open (- Setting)
- 128.2db
- 127.0db
- 123.0db
- 124.0db
- 126.6db
Average 125.8db
*Temperature 70 degrees
**B&K 2209 Sound Meter
***A-Weighted Meter
With these refinements in place, it’s easy to put fast and accurate strings of fire downrange. The rail on the Canebrake is large enough, and thick enough, that I never felt the need for a glove on my forward hand. This is something that thinner and slimmer rails on the market struggle with. This was so much of an afterthought that I forgot how hot the gun was after a long course of fire. Only when it came time to put it back in the bag, did I notice the extra heat coming off the exposed end of the silencer.
Pro’s & Con’s
Fully loaded, the Rattler Canebrake is everything I could really want in an SD style PDW. 300 Blackout is the perfect intermediate round for this platform. Both supersonic and subsonic ammunition were hearing safe and cycled flawlessly on both gas settings. This combined with the MCX’s short-stroke gas piston system makes for a reliable host weapon that runs cleanly and reliably.
The Canebrake is already an expensive firearm, so investing even more money into it isn’t the easiest pill to swallow. Installing and removing a silencer tucked underneath a rail isn’t the most fun task, so you’ll want to find a dedicated suppressor for this host. This, of course, is made worse by the currently lengthy NFA wait times. So if you’re looking to share a silencer between two firearms, the standard Rattler might be the better choice for you.
End Result
In the current market, there isn’t another gun that really stacks up against the Rattler Canebrake. In 300 Blackout, this suppressor ready PDW packs a punch and stands alone in caliber, features, and end-user customization. The rail is spacious with a 2-inch internal diameter that will accommodate larger silencers with room to spare. And a large selection of stock and brace options from SIG means you can customize the gun to fit your needs.
Check Prices on SIG MCX Rattler CaneBrake
So if you have the money, and don’t mind waiting on one (or two) tax stamps, I’d take a good look at the Canebrake. I couldn’t be any happier with mine.
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The author is a military contractor who enjoys conducting independent firearms research and reloading. Article inquiries and suggestions are welcome at austinjrex at gmail.com
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Good heavens, don't show MAC this
article, his swooning, anti-Sig head will explode....
“The Canebrake is already an expensive firearm, so investing even more money into it isn’t the easiest pill to swallow. Installing and removing a silencer tucked underneath a rail isn’t the most fun task, so you’ll want to find a dedicated suppressor for this host.”
Does the handguard on the Canebrake mount like the one on the MPX/MCX? If so, you could just wrap some masking tape around your can (optional, just to prevent scratches), pull the front takedown pin, and slide the handguard straight off the front, giving you access to the back of the can/muzzle. Takes 5 seconds (without masking tape step) on the MPX. Obviously, this all null and void if it mounts differently than the MPX/MCX.