SIG SAUER® has a line of very cool high-performance airguns that aren’t only a lot of fun but great training tools, as well. Designed to match the originals, SIG SAUER® CO2 powered rifles and pistols take airguns to a new level of performance and use. SIG SAUER also offers a wide variety of airgun targets and pellet ammunition.
The current lineup of SIG SAUER® airguns includes the SIG MPX, SIG MCX and SIG MCX VIRTUS PCP CO2 semi-automatic pellet-only rifles in .177 caliber (4.5 mm) and .22 caliber (5.5 mm), and the SIG P226, P320, P320-M17, P365, X-5, 1911 We the People and 1911 Spartan semi-auto blow-back BB and .177 caliber (4.5 mm) pellet-only CO2 pistols. They’re matched to original model specs and utilize authentic materials. Expect to see additional models in the future.
SIG SAUER® airguns mimic the weight, balance, controls and feel of the original guns and they have a similar trigger pull. They allow you to hone your skills at home for a fraction of the cost of going to the range. And the skills you learn with the SIG SAUER® airguns translate directly to the actual firearm that’s replicated.
Most of us don’t have the time to train as often as we want or should. And ammo is not cheap these days. Even .22LR is going for a premium, if you can find it. And as I write this, the latter is a big if, at least where I live. Most local gun stores are currently sold out. An airgun is a logical choice to enhance training.
SIG SAUER® airguns are not licensed copies. They are made exclusively for SIG SAUER®. They are designed and engineered to the same exacting standards as SIG SAUER® firearms. Every SIG SAUER® airgun must undergo rigorous testing and be approved by the SIG SAUER® Academy before it ever hits the market.
Although SIG SAUER® airguns are designed primarily for training purposes, one cannot ignore the fun factor. SIG SAUER® didn’t either. The company is offering an assortment of airgun targets that are high on the fun factor, including spinners, traps, and a Texas Star with nine center-mass targets that spin around a central axis. All of the targets are compatible with .177 ( 4.5 mm) and .22 caliber (5.5 mm) airguns. The targets are recommended for use with lead airgun pellet and lead shot only, not for steel BB use. Power is limited to 20 ft lbs (27.17 joules).
SIG SAUER® also offers a variety of lead-free and lead copper-jacketed pellets. According to SIG, generally specking flat-topped pellets are superior for target, domed designs have greater aerodynamics for long-range accuracy; and pointed tops increase velocity.
SIG MPX Air Rifle
SIG SAUER® provided me with a SIG MPX air rifle in.177 caliber (4.5 mm) and a SIG P365 BB for evaluation. I covered the P365 BB in a previous article for Spotter Up. In this article, I will take a look at the SIG MPX air rifle.
SIG SAUER® reinvented the submachine gun for the 21st century with its SIG MPX. The first submachine gun to feature a fully closed and rotating bolt system, the SIG MPX also features unmatched modularity and the ability to change calibers, as well as familiar M16/M4 platform style controls.
Not surprisingly. the SIG MPX air rifle is one of the most popular airguns in the SIG SAUER® lineup. It’s identical to its centerfire brother in appearance, weight, feel and handling. The housing, controls, sights, barrel and “flash suppressor” of the SIG MPX air rifle are metal and the buttstock, pistol grip, forend and magazine are made out of hard polymer. The buttstock is equipped with rubber recoil pad. The pistol grip features an internal storage compartment.
The only cosmetic differences are in the shape of the magazine, lack of a folding stock due to the CO2 cylinder and lack of QD sling attachment points on the SIG MPX air rifle.
Designed to closely replicate an actual SIG MPX, the controls on the SIG MPX air rifle are ambidextrous except for the magazine release, which is right hand release. The safety selector is positioned for easy thumb operation just as on an actual SIG MPX. The charging handle on the SIG MPX air rifle is fully-functional and is utilized to reset the valve after changing CO2 cylinders. The bolt catch on the SIG MPX air rifle is for cosmetic purposes only and non functional.
The SIG MPX air rifle comes with flip-up, adjustable front and rear iron sights that are identical in appearance and function to those on an actual SIG MPX. A sight adjustment tools is included. A MRD red dot sight package is available from SIG SAUER® as an option. There’s plenty of rail space for optics and accessories.
Like its big brother, the SIG MPX air rifle has an integrated full-length M1913 (Picatinny) top rail. The forend features two moveable M1913 rail sections and a forend hand stop. Although the SIG MPX air rifle lacks any QD sling attachment points, SIG SAUER® offers a low-profile QD socket for QD slings that mounts using any M1913 style rail section, as do a variety of companies.
The SIG MPX air rifle is powered by a single 90-gram pre-filled CO2 cylinder The cylinder screws into a threaded port on the rear of the rifle and is covered by the stock. The use of other types of gas cylinders may damage the gun and could result in injury.
The CO2 cylinders are widely used in paintball and pellet guns and readily available. SIG-branded 90 gram CO2 cylinders are available from SIG SAUER® dealers and come in packs of two.
The SIG MPX air rifle utilizes SIG SAUER’s patent-pending RPM® (Rapid Pellet Magazine) Pellet Drive System. The RPM Pellet Drive System is only offered on SIG SAUER® pellet airguns and allows for true semi-automatic function.
The RPM Pellet Drive System employed in the MPX air rifle magazine is a refillable, belt-driven loading system that consists of 30 pellets traveling along a continuous track contained in a rugged polymer composite magazine. Unlike the MPX centerfire magazines, the RPM magazines aren’t drop free magazines and must be pulled from the magazine well after pressing the magazine release.
Reliability issues, if they occur, generally can be attributed to the pellets being used, failure to seat the pellets properly in the pellet belt or low CO2 cylinder pressure. Pellets must be fully seated flush in the pellet belt for optimal performance. A pellet seating tool comes with the SIG MPX air rifle for this purpose
There are a vast number of airgun pellets on the market. There are many variables. Differences include skirt diameter, overall length and composite materials (lead, alloy metal and polymer composite). These variables impart different ballistic coefficients and impact performance. You can’t go wrong with SIG SAUER® airgun pellets.
The SIG MPX air rifle features an eight-inch (20.3 cm) rifled steel barrel that provides aerodynamic pellet stability and preserves original model weight and balance. Although the SIG MPX air rifle was designed as a training gun not for target shooting, accuracy is quite good.
During my accuracy testing of the SIG MPX air rifle, I was able to keep groups under three inches shooting offhand with iron sights at 25 yards (23 m). SIG 5.25 grain .177 Caliber (4.5 mm) Match Ballistic Alloy Pellets were employed during testing.
SIG Match Ballistic Alloy Pellets are lead free, lightweight and accurate. Recommended by SIG SAUER® for competition and training, they produce tight groups and cut clean holes.
Factory specs for SIG MPX air rifle list velocity to be up to 498 fps (152 m/s). At the range I was getting velocities from the high 400s to the mid-500s fps.
As with any CO2 powered airgun, the number of shots per cylinder and the velocity will vary depending on environmental and shooting factors. You’ll get more shots and greater velocity at warmer ambient temperatures. Also, on any given day, you’ll get the best velocity and consistency with slow fire.
Fast shooting will produce a decease in temperature of the CO2 cylinder and gun, resulting in reduced velocity. This can result in reduced accuracy and fewer shots per cylinder.
The SIG MPX air rifle is made in Japan for SIG SAUER®. It’s a rugged, well-designed and well-built airgun with features that make it eminently suitable for both professional training and recreation. It’s a great companion to your SIG MPX firearm and a defitely heck of a lot of fun to shoot. It’s performance tested for up to 15,000 shots.
The SIG MPX air rifle has a MSRP of $199.99 and comes boxed with a 30-round RPM magazine, sight adjustment tool, pellet seating tool and owner’s manual. Additional magazines are available from SIG SAUER® and include three refillable belts with each magazine. The SIG MPX air rifle is available in either black or Flat Dark Earth (FDE) and comes with a one-year warranty from SIG SAUER®.
Specifications
SIG SAUER® MPX Air Rifle
Manufacturer: SIG SAUER®
Model: SIG MPX Air Rifle
Operating System: 90 gram CO2 Powered Semiautomatic
Caliber: .177 (4.5 mm)
Muzzle Velocity: Up to 498 fps (152 m/s)
Trigger Weight: 7 lb. (31 N)
Stock Type: Synthetic
Accessory Rail: M1913 (Picatinny)
Sights: Folding
Mags Included: (1) 30rd. Pellet Mag
Overall Length: 25.75 in. (65.4 cm)
Weight: 6.2 lb. (3 kg)
Country of Origin: Japan
Warranty: One Year
MSRP: $199.99
Material Disclosure
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.
Photos courtesy SIG SAUER®.