AAC Honey Badger

The AAC Honey Badger PDW is an integrally suppressed personal defence weapon based on the AR-15. It is chambered in .300 AAC Blackout and produced by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC), a subsidiary of Remington Outdoor Company.[1] The weapon is named after the honey badger.

Honey Badger
TypePersonal defence weapon
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerAdvanced Armament Corporation
Specifications
Mass2.95 kg (unloaded)
Length24 in(609.6 mm) (fully retracted with suppressor)
29 in (736.6 mm) (fully extended with suppressor)
Barrel length6 In (152.4 mm)
Cartridge.300 AAC Blackout
Rate of fire~800 RPM cyclic
Feed systemSTANAG magazines
SightsPicatinny rail provided for optics

Design

Both 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. Despite the weapon being integrally-silenced, it can be made even quieter by using 14.26 g subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition.[2]

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.[3]

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, integrated detachable customized silencer, and a proprietary buffer tube and collapsible stock featuring two prongs.[2] Whilst with the added silencer, it is 7.62-15.24 cm longer than the MP5SD, the mass is nearly identical unloaded.[4]

Replacement

As of 2013, AAC is focusing their efforts on the production of suppressors. Whilst in transition to suppressor production, the project was shelved and SIG Sauer launched their SIG Sauer MCX products that replaced the Honey Badger as the versatile PDW.[5] “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.”[6] 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.[7]

On 6 October 2020, the ATF sent Q a cease and desist letter, asserting that the Honey Badger pistol was a short-barreled rifle.[8] Though Q tried to resist this claim, they ceased production of the weapon, and confirmed this in an official statement on the 14th.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. "Honey Badger SD by Q Review | The must have .300 Blackout rifle". Lynx Defense. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  2. "AAC's HONEY BADGER PDW (with video)". Tactical-life.com. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. "AAC .300 BLK Honey Badger PDW". Gears of Guns. 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  4. "AAC .300 BLK Honey Badger PDW". Gearsofguns.com. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  5. "How SIG SAUER's MCX Killed the Honey Badger - The Truth About Guns". Thetruthaboutguns.com. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  6. "Honey Badger Cares: AAC Getting Out Of Rifle Market - Tactical Retailer". Tacretailer.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  7. "The Honey Badger". liveqordie.com. 25 October 2013.
  8. C, Luke. "BREAKING: ATF Issues Cease And Desist For Honey Badger Pistol". The Firearm Blog.
  9. C, Luke (2020). "SHUT DOWN: Q LLC Forced to stop Producing Honey Badger Pistol". The Firearm Blog.
  10. Q, LLC. "UPDATE: ATF ISSUES 60-DAY CEASE & DESIST SUSPENSION" (PDF). Live Q or Die.
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