Q has once again pushed the limits of firearm design with the introduction of the 8.6 BLK Boombox, a rifle that combines power, precision, and versatility. Designed to bridge the gap between the compactness of an AR-15 and the ballistic performance of a .308 rifle, the Boombox is making waves in the firearms community with its revolutionary design and impressive capabilities.
A Bold Vision for a New Platform
Originally envisioned as a submachine gun with the versatility of the .300 Blackout, Q quickly realized the potential for something much greater. As the company stated, “The goal started out as a submachine gun in a bigger cartridge than .300 Blackout with those super and subsonic capabilities. But then we saw the gun was so much more and had so much more potential.” The result is the Boombox, powered by the new 8.6 Blackout (8.6 BLK) cartridge, designed to deliver superior terminal ballistics while maintaining the low-profile benefits of subsonic fire.
Kevin Brittingham, owner and CEO of Q, shared more details with The Firearm Blog (TFB) about the development process: “I’m so fucking proud of the entire team here at Q that helped bring the BoomBox to life. After years of hype and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammo, I can officially say that the BoomBox is now shipping out to gun stores across the country. This is a true milestone for our company, and I appreciate all the excitement from our customers about this gun.
Other companies will pick a day on the calendar and then release new products on that date, whether ready or not. We refused to do that, much to the dismay of all y’all eagerly awaiting the arrival of this gun. We could have released this gun two years ago, made our customers part of the research and development process, and then perfected the design of the Gen2 BoomBox. Instead, we put the BoomBox through the most comprehensive testing we’ve ever done on a gun and built something special before making it available…So, I’m sorry for the wait, but we wanted to ensure we engineered the best possible version of the gun before we released it.
But we didn’t just develop a gun; we created an entire system. The caliber, the gun, and the ammunition were all developed by our in-house engineering team. We Did something no one else can do with an unwavering commitment to innovative excellence. This is generations ahead of anything else going on in the gun industry. This is about blazing a new trail and setting new standards. The BoomBox is far lighter than anything else like it. It’s also probably the most reliable and durable gun we’ve ever built.
This gun personifies Q as a company and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to building the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced battle rifles. We didn’t invent the BoomBox as an upfront solicitation from the military like contract guns often are, though. Instead, we built something the military didn’t know they needed yet, and now they’ve certainly taken notice. Now we’re excited to finally unveil the commercial version of this gun for the US tactical market.”
At the heart of the Boombox’s success is the pairing of the 8.6 BLK cartridge with a host of cutting-edge design features that make the rifle versatile, powerful, and user-friendly. A 12-inch 416R stainless steel barrel with a 1:3 twist rate provides the optimal stabilization for the 350-grain subsonic rounds the rifle is designed for. The result is 1 MOA accuracy at 300 meters, an impressive feat for a subsonic rifle.
The firearm weighs just 5 lbs 8 oz, making it lighter than most rifles with similar capabilities. The collapsible 2-position stock and Reptilia CQG-NB grip further enhance control, while the rifle’s XL Cherry Bomb muzzle device ensures minimal recoil and added suppression capability.
Specifications
• Operating System: Semi-Auto – Direct Impingement
• Caliber: 8.6 Blackout
• Weight: 5 lbs 8 oz
• Barrel Length: 12 inches
• Barrel Material: 416R Stainless Steel
• Barrel Finish: Bead Blasted
• Twist Rate: 1:3
• Muzzle Device: XL Cherry Bomb
• Threading: M18x1.5 (Tapered Shoulder)
• Mag Type: SR-25 (20-round capacity)
• Trigger: 3.25 lb – 3.75 lb (Literally The Best Trigger Ever Made)
• Handguard: 11-inch Q-Sert
• Stock: 2-position collapsible
• Overall Length: Collapsed: 26.75 inches, Extended: 31.25 inches
• Receiver Finish: Clear, Hardcoat Anodize
• Silencer: Not included, but recommended options are the Porq Chop or Short Chop
One of the standout features of the Boombox is its modular design, allowing users to swap barrels for other popular calibers such as .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. This flexibility is achieved without the need for a bench or vise, making it easy for shooters to adapt the rifle for different missions or environments in minutes.
Durability was also a top priority during the development of the Boombox. The inclusion of steel feed ramps in the receiver and a rigid forend ensures that the rifle can withstand high levels of stress and abuse without sacrificing accuracy or reliability. As Q explains, “Every piece of this gun is intentionally unique for performance, not for flash… for peak performance.”
The Boombox represents a milestone for Q, with the rifle now being shipped to stores nationwide. While the firearm is undeniably innovative, it comes at a premium price. As mentioned by Kevin Brittingham, the Boombox “is far lighter than anything else like it. It’s also probably the most reliable and durable gun we’ve ever built.”
However, the cost of this innovation doesn’t come cheap. With a MSRP of $4,399, the Boombox is priced as a high-end tactical rifle for serious shooters. Additionally, the 8.6 BLK ammunition is still relatively expensive, ranging from $2.50 to $3.00 per round, which may affect its wider adoption in the shooting community.
With its cutting-edge design, modular capabilities, and unmatched performance, the Q 8.6 BLK Boombox is a powerful entry into the tactical firearm market. For shooters looking for a reliable, high-energy platform with versatility and precision, the Boombox delivers in every aspect. Though its price and ammunition cost may limit accessibility for some, there’s no doubt that this rifle sets a new benchmark for innovation in the firearms industry.
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Source link: https://theloadoutblog.com/2024/10/11/q-introduces-8-6-blk-boombox-a-new-standard-in-innovation-and-power/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=q-introduces-8-6-blk-boombox-a-new-standard-in-innovation-and-power by Drew Bryant at theloadoutblog.com