Something Different - Q LLC is Not Your Usual Firearm Company.
By Slaton L. White
Q LLC is an innovative manufacturer of firearms, silencers, and accessories based in Dover, New Hampshire. It was founded by Kevin Brittingham in 2016. Earlier in his career Brittingham founded silencer manufacturer Advanced Armament Corp., which he eventually sold to Remington. After a stint at SIG Arms, he decided to strike out on his own by creating an entity devoid of the usual corporate hierarchies found in large corporations. His passion and creativity is attracting like-minded individuals to his enterprise. SHOT Business recently sat down with Cody Osborn, vice president of sales and marketing, who recently arrived from Walther, and Jordan Porter, director of marketing, to discuss Q LLC’s product line and marketing plans.
SHOT Business: Your website states: “We aren’t here to compete. We’re here to change the world…We want to tackle engineering challenges, fill specific niches and build products we are passionate about.” So, let’s discuss the specific engineering challenges you wish to surmount and the specific niches you wish to fill.
The mission statement also says you want to “build products you are passionate about.” Years ago when a new car magazine debuted the editor-in-chief told the press they would cover “no boring cars.” I hear an echo here, possibly spurred by the ingenious names of your products—Honey Badger, Boombox, Sugar Weasel, and The Fix. This is a departure from the nomenclature used by most firearm manufactures. What spurred this direction?
Cody Osborn: We’re not in the business of making run-of-the-mill firearms—or giving them forgettable names. Our team includes hunters, competition shooters, and professionals who all want products that stand out, and that we’d personally use. Each name serves as a reminder that these aren’t your everyday guns; they’re labors of love that spark genuine excitement. If we pour our passion into making them, our customers will feel that passion the instant they pick one up.
SB: At first glance, one might assume this is another line of AR rifles. But your rifles are different. Given the design of your rifles, what’s the appeal to a buyer?
CO: The appeal is getting a rifle that’s light, modular, and particular without sacrificing reliability or performance. We didn’t just tweak an existing Rem 700 design; we rebuilt everything from the ground up, so you’re getting genuine innovation. You’ll feel the difference the moment you pick it up, fold the stock on the Fix, or pull the charging handle on the Boombox.
SB: What separates Q LLC from the competition?
CO: We’re not just another “me too” company cranking out the same tired designs. At Q, we do the entire job—no shortcuts, no half measures. We push boundaries by identifying capabilities people don’t even realize they need, and then we invest the time, money, and sweat to make them a reality. It’s about true innovation, from the guns and silencers to the accessories, so that when you pick up our products, you immediately know you’re holding something different—and better. That’s what separates us from everyone else.
SB: How do you intend meet the expectations of your customers?
CO: By doing the whole job—no shortcuts, no compromises. We start with a goal that goes beyond what the market demands and then push ourselves to exceed it. If there’s a problem, we bend over backward to fix it, because we take it personally when customers invest in our gear. We don’t just deliver a product; we deliver on the promise that it’ll surpass anything they’ve used before. There is saying we use at Q: “The best customer service is the one you don’t have to use.”
SB: How do you keep your dealers informed about new products? What types of dealer support do you offer?
Jordan Porter: At Q, we’re all about giving our dealers the support they need to succeed. We provide comprehensive training—both virtual and in-person—to help your sales teams stay at the top of their game, and we host range days and live-fire events so everyone can get hands-on with our products and the Q experience. We sweeten the deal with exclusive dealer promotions, demo programs, and buy group perks, ensuring you can stand out in any market. Plus, our Top Shelf Dealer Program prioritizes inventory allocations for key brick-and-mortar retailers and specialized targeted marketing. And because we believe in rewarding success, our retail rewards program is targeted to recognize and boost your sales efforts year-round.
Model nomenclature at Q LLC departs from industry tradition, opting instead for such novel names as Honey Badger, Sugar Weasel, and The Fix.
SB: Do you sell dealer-direct or do you also use buying groups?
JP: We sell directly to dealers as well as to the three major buy groups—NBS, Sports Inc., and Worldwide. Currently, we don’t offer any serialized items (apart from small-batch exclusives) on our website, which means all demand for our products is channeled straight to our resellers.
SB: Kevin developed an intriguing new round, the 8.6 Blackout, often referred to as the big brother of the 300 Blackout. Used in short-barreled rifles with a very fast 1:3 twist rate, the 8.6 Blackout is a formidable load for challenging big game. There is also very little recoil. Can you talk a bit about the development of this round?
CO: After wrapping up the 300 BLK at AAC, Kevin and Ethan Lessard (our vice president of engineering) set their sights on what would eventually become 8.6 BLK. They knew we wanted a round that could stand alongside the Blackout family, offering both supersonic and subsonic capabilities while pushing the envelope on range and lethality. They dug in by experimenting with subsonic ammunition and found that increasing the twist rate gave us the perfect balance of accuracy and terminal performance, all while keeping the system short and lightweight. After years of testing, refining, and dialing in the ballistics, we launched 8.6 BLK into the commercial market in 2023—and we couldn’t be more excited about what it brings to the table.
SB: The name of the company is unusual. What prompted Kevin to use the letter “Q”?
CO: Kevin’s first company, Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC), was a mouthful to say or type, so for the next venture, he wanted a name that was easy to remember, looked great on a T-shirt, and could be cleanly engraved on a receiver. After countless conversations, we landed on “Q.” For us, it’s more than just a letter—it’s a symbol, much like Nike’s swoosh. We get a kick out of all the theories floating around the internet or tossed around at events about what “Q” might stand for; honestly, it just confirms we made the right call.