Q Honey Badger Pistol
Q, LLC · Personal Defense Weapon · In Production · 2017
Also known as: Honey Badger, Q HB, AAC Honey Badger
Overview
The Q Honey Badger Pistol is a compact suppressor-optimized AR-pattern personal defense weapon chambered in .300 AAC Blackout. Designed by Kevin Brittingham (originally at Advanced Armament Corp around 2009 to answer a USSOCOM requirement for a suppressed MP5-SD replacement, then refined and commercialized in 2017 under Q, LLC), it pairs a 7-inch stainless 1:5-twist barrel with a 6-inch M-LOK handguard, adjustable low-profile gas block, Cherry Bomb muzzle brake, and Q's two-stage match trigger in a 7075-T6 billet aluminum receiver set. The pistol configuration uses an SB Tactical SBA3 stabilizing brace on a telescoping receiver extension, keeping it outside NFA jurisdiction. The fast 1:5 twist is engineered to stabilize heavy 220-grain subsonic projectiles, making it exceptionally quiet when paired with the matching Q Honey Badger suppressor.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2041 g (72.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Folded Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Barrel Length | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 13 N (2.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 320 m/s (1050 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 730 J (538 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Type Iii Hardcoat Anodized |
Calibers
- .300 AAC Blackout · primary — also known as 300 BLK, 7.62x35mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Stanag Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: 70 Degree Safety Selector, Trigger Safety
- Features: Ar15 Pattern, Two Stage Match Trigger, Two Piece Bolt Carrier Group, Adjustable Low Profile Gas Block, Cherry Bomb Muzzle Brake, M Lok Handguard, Radian Raptor Charging Handle, Sba3 Pistol Brace, Suppressor Compatible, Optics Ready Picatinny Rail
Variants
- Honey Badger SBR 7" — Nfa Sbr
- Honey Badger 8" — Barrel Length
- Honey Badger 12" — Barrel Length
- Honey Badger 16" — Non Nfa Rifle
- Honey Badger SD — Integrally Suppressed
Service history
Operators
- USSOCOM (AAC prototype evaluation) · as AAC Honey Badger PDW
Production
Production years: 2017-present
Production briefly disrupted by August 2020 ATF cease-and-desist letter; resumed after 60-day suspension and the broader 2021-2023 ATF pistol-brace rule-making process.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Kevin Brittingham
Notes
Manufacturer lists weight at 4 lb 8 oz (~2041 g) bare; secondary sources reporting ~2438 g typically include the dedicated suppressor. Velocity figures shown reflect 220 gr subsonic loadings - the 7" barrel produces ~580-630 m/s with 125 gr supersonic loads. Trigger spec changed across production runs (early units shipped American Trigger Corp AR Gold; current uses Q's proprietary cassette two-stage). MSRP $2,399-$3,150 depending on configuration.
Background
On 3 August 2020 the ATF issued Q, LLC a cease-and-desist letter declaring the Honey Badger Pistol an unregistered short-barreled rifle solely because of its SB Tactical SBA3 brace - sparking the firearms-rights firestorm that ultimately produced the ATF's 2023 pistol-brace Final Rule. The name itself nods to the viral 'Honey Badger Don't Care' meme.