Q Fix Rifle 16" - First 100 Rounds

What happens when you take a few engineers from Q, a 60-year-old bolt gun design, a few cases of beer, and lock them in a room? You might get something like the Q Fix Rifle. By the way, I'm told this is 100 percent how the Fix was developed. A few months ago, I was able to build my own Fix rifle at Q in New Hampshire and had a blast interacting with all the guys that work there. Today, I bring you my initial impressions on the rifle after 100 rounds through it. I'll also layout how I have the rifle currently set up.

More Q @TFB 

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• Q Fix Review: Does It Actually Live Up to the Hype?
• Kevin Brittingham Explains Why the Q Honey Badger is Better than the AR-15

The Q Fix Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and the Q Seakeasy Suppressor were provided for this article, and while I am allowed to keep these products indefinitely, this will not influence my opinions on any current or future offerings from Q. Q has not been allowed to preview this article prior to its publication. I have shot a little over 100 rounds through the rifle at this point, with most of that being at the range. I have taken it on a few bear hunts and plan to use it through the Fall hunting season here in Maine.

Specs - Q Fix, 16” in 6.5 Creedmoor

Caliber - 6.5 Creedmoor

Barrel Length - 16 inches

Barrel Twist Rate - 1:7 RH (5R rifling)

Barrel Profile - Lightweight contour

Barrel Material - Stainless steel

Muzzle Threading - 5/8x24

Muzzle Device - Cherry Bomb brake (included)

Weight - (Unloaded) 6.4 lbs

Action Type - Bolt-action (one-piece receiver, 45° short-throw bolt handle, AR-style controls)

Handguard - Free-float Q-Sert M-LOK

Magazine Compatibility - SR-25 pattern

MSRP - Rifle Only $3475 - As Configured $7623

Initial Setup and Impressions

If you're interested in seeing how I have set up my version of the Fix, I have linked all of the accessories below.

Optic - Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2 3-18x44

Optic Mount - AUS Direct Mount for THE FIX and MINI FIX by Q

Suppressor - Speakeasy by Q

Bipod - Kickstand by Q

Sling - Echo Niner Original Strap Ver 2

I built this rifle while I was at Q, and there was a range day while I was there. Q has a lovely range that goes out to about 500 yards. Don't quote me on that, but the point is there is a variety of targets and distances to engage from. I probably put 50 or so rounds through it that day and had a blast shooting it suppressed and unsuppressed. But more on that later. Like most people, I have shot a few R700-style actions before and was accustomed to how they operate and feel. I have shot hundreds of rounds through my Bergara B14 Squared Crest Carbon Rifle at this point and love how smooth that action is. Initially, I felt the Fix’s action was pretty tight and not as smooth as I expected it to be. After a few magazines, the bolt smoothed out, but I would definitely say my Bergara B14 is smoother overall.

The rest of the rifle is really a joy. The 45-degree bolt throw does take some getting used to, but it's very fast once you figure it out. The trigger is very light and crisp and allows me to put down some pretty nice groups. The AR-15 style safety and magazine release make the controls very familiar for 99 percent of shooters out there today, and I appreciated this feature. The folding stock is nice to have for when I need to throw this rifle in a range bag or walk through the woods. Overall, this rifle feels very compact and handy at only 34 inches, and that's in no small part due to its light weight of only 6.4 lbs.

I installed a Cherry Bomb muzzle device when I built this rifle, and figured I should send a couple of rounds down range, unsuppressed, to see how it felt. I was shooting under a corrugated aluminum roof on the range that day, and even with ear pro in, I was dumbfounded at how loud the rifle was, so I shot a few more rounds and then attached a suppressor, which fixed that problem. I’m sure the corrugated aluminum roof had something to do with the crazy sound, but since then, I have only shot this gun with a can attached.

My Thoughts So Far

The Q Fix is nothing short of remarkable. It's incredibly lightweight and accurate, and looks amazing too. The trigger is outstanding, and I love the controls. I'm disappointed the action is not smoother, and I think that has something to do with the 45-degree bolt through, but that's really my only gripe with the rifle at this point. It's certainly not a gun for everyone, and I understand why some people will hate this thing given its price tag. I'll be sure to follow up with a full-fledged review in the next year on this rifle and give my final thoughts.