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The AAC Honey Badger is an AR-pattern personal defense weapon, designed primarily for use in a suppressed configuration. It is chambered in .300 AAC Blackout and was originally produced by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC).[2] The weapon is named after the honey badger.[3]
| Honey Badger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Carbine Personal defense weapon |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Advanced Armament Corporation |
| Produced | 2011–2020 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.5 lb (2.9 kg) (unloaded) |
| Length | 24 in (610 mm) retracted with suppressor 29 in (740 mm) extended with suppressor
|
| Barrel length | 6 in (15 cm) |
| Cartridge | .300 AAC Blackout |
| Rate of fire | ~800 rounds per minute cyclic |
| Feed system | STANAG magazines |
| Sights | Picatinny rail provided for optics |
History
editReplacement
editIn 2013, AAC began focusing their efforts on the production of suppressors. "We made the decision that we are getting out of the rifle-making business", stated Jeff Still, Director of Accessories and Silencers at Remington Outdoor Company. "We are going to focus all of our efforts on silencers and related accessories".[4] In 2017, Kevin Brittingham founded a new company named "Q, LLC". Along with suppressors and a bolt-action rifle of their own design, Q has also developed and marketed an improved Honey Badger.
Cease and desist
editOn October 6, 2020, the ATF sent Q a cease and desist letter, asserting that the Honey Badger pistol was a short-barreled rifle.[5] Though Q tried to resist this claim, they ceased production of the weapon, and confirmed this in an official statement on October 14.[6][7] On October 15, the ATF gave their cease and desist a 60-day suspension, but Q chose not to resume production of the Honey Badger until the ATF made a definitive decision, as they believed "the ATF could arbitrarily withdraw the suspension at any time."[8]
Design
editBoth the rifle and the cartridge used were developed in close co-operation with American Special Operations units to create a suitable and effective replacement for the HK MP5 and similar close quarters combat weapon systems. The rifle is designed to be very convenient for military use where M16s are issued and in common use, since many similarities would exist in the fire controls, weapon manipulation, and magazines. The weapon is suppressed and it can be made even quieter by using heavy subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition.
Kevin Brittingham, the founder of AAC, wanted to design a weapon which had the ease of use of an AR-15, but the portability of an MP5.[9]
The Honey Badger was developed with a standard M4 upper and lower receiver, a short barrel with a very short gas impingement system and fast rate of rifling twist, a large conventional detachable silencer, and a proprietary buffer tube and collapsible stock featuring two prongs.[10] Whilst with the added silencer, it is 7.62-15.24 cm longer than the MP5SD, the mass is nearly identical unloaded.[9]
See also
edit- Colt MARS – shortened M16 rifle chambered in 5.56×30mm MARS
- GA Personal Defense Weapon – another AR-15-based PDW, chambered in 7.62×37mm Musang
- Knight's Armament Company PDW – similar AR-based PDW
- Magpul PDR – a bullpup PDW chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO
References
edit- ^ "The Honey Badger". liveqordie.com. October 25, 2013.
- ^ "Honey Badger SD by Q Review | The must have .300 Blackout rifle". Lynx Defense. October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Honey Badger® by Q SBR". January 5, 2023. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Honey Badger Cares: AAC Getting Out Of Rifle Market - Tactical Retailer". Tacretailer.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ C, Luke (October 6, 2020). "BREAKING: ATF Issues Cease And Desist For Honey Badger Pistol". The Firearm Blog.
- ^ C, Luke (2020). "SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop producing Honey Badger Pistol". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020.
- ^ Q, LLC. "UPDATE: ATF ISSUES 60-DAY CEASE & DESIST SUSPENSION" (PDF). Live Q or Die. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ Weingarten, Dean (October 15, 2020). "ATF Pistol Brace Reversal Political Move, 60-Day Suspension of Honey Badger Decision". AmmoLand. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "AAC .300 BLK Honey Badger PDW". Gears of Guns. December 5, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- ^ "AAC's HONEY BADGER PDW (with video)". Tactical-life.com. November 15, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2017.