Hey all -

Hoping to get some suggestions and eduction. I am interested in a short (pistol config I think) 300 blackout home defense/plinker to run suppressed. I am thinking Q Honey Badger or Sig Rattler MCX + a nice flow through suppressor. A couple of questions -

1) I am left eye dominant but right handed - I shoot handguns right handed but long guns like a lefty. I am also pretty sensitive to gas in the face so would prefer a left side ejection port - don't imagine that is an option - do either manufacturer do custom lefty builds? How gassy are these things with a flow through suppressor?

2) Any general differences between the two that I should be aware of - they seem very similar but obviously have differences.

3) Any other choices (particularly in left handed config) that I am missing?

4) Suggestions for a low backpressure very quiet can (not too concerned about price) for one of these?

My brother has a honey badger and I've only shot it once (I also am right handed but left-eye dominant so shoot long guns lefty) and I don't remember it being terrible or particularly noteworthy as far as gas to the face. Take that with a grain of salt.

If you like the Q philosophy and sense of humor and products then go that way. IMO you'll probably find better accessory/parts availablity with the SIG if it matters. The Q suppressor mount setup is IMO the best and is becoming the new standard. I'm not informed enough to opine on number 4. I'm sure there are several options for left-hand eject .300 BO ARs and you might want to consider that. It does make a difference... IME the primary gas you feel to your face comes from the chamber/loading port rather than the charging handle area, so if you shoot a suppressed RH gun lefty it's always going to be worse than it could be.

I shoot lefty with a SIG Rattler LT. I have to use a very low back pressure suppressor and it’s perfectly fine outdoors. Indoors, gas is noticeable and just bearable. If you use a quiet(long) suppressor to get the most out of subsonic .300BLK, then the Rattler can be very gassy.

I believe the Q has a screw adjustable gas block so you can tune it to minimize gas and only cycle with the suppressor. With that said, I’m not sure the upcharge for the Q brand gets you much, if anything, over other premium ARs like Geissele.

Thanks both - appreciate the thoughts. I have a FrankenAR (Colt LE 6920 lower with a custom left handed 16" upper) with a Dead Air Sierra 5 suppressor and it isn't really what I hoped for. Still pretty gassy shooting indoors (even with the left side ejection port) and very loud even suppressed (5.56 duh) as well as being too long and front heavy for home defense.

I also have a Springfield Kuna with a Huxwrx Flow 9kTi that is almost perfect on indoor ergonmics and hearing safe outdoors at least (although still loud enough that I don't use it for plinking with neighbors ~150 yards away). But I'd like to get something with a similar form factor, noise level and better ballistics than 9mm 147gr which got me thinking about these AR-like non-buffered pistol/SBRs in 300 blackout. Other than being pricey, and the lack of left handed ejection port they seem perfect.

I'm now wondering if there is a true custom AR-style (but looking for a pistol/brace config which rules out real ARs) high end manufacturer like Wilson Combat who would make me exactly what I am looking for - short, left handed, high quality, short barreled pistol with brace (or SBR)

The Honey Badger is still DI whereas the Rattler is gas piston with a two-position gas block valve. Theoretically a gas piston gun should have less gas coming out of the ejection port and charging handle.

My issue with the Honey Badger is the telescoping brace. Looks great and helps keep OAL down but it only has two positions - closed and fully extended, which is the same LOP as a fully extended M4 stock, and that's too long IMO. The ability of the Rattler to take folding braces, or telescopers with more positions and similar OAL to the Honey Badger when fully closed

Another issue is the recoil spring and guide rod that make the Honey Badger more complicated to take down and reassemble. You can't just break it open like a normal AR. The cherry bomb suppressor mount and mating suppressors are good, but I already have a Surefire 7.62 can so I have to install a Surefire 3P in either case.

I have a Rattler 5.5 and just got an LT so I don't need the 5.5 anymore.

The LT is fully ambi which is nice, but the Honey Badger, like most AR's, really only needs an ambi mag release. Shooting left-handed, an ambi bolt stop isn't needed as long as you can reach the ping pong paddle with you left index finger.