TFB Review: Q Unveils SPEAKEASY And BLIND TIGER Silencers

No matter what you think about Q’s brash style, outrageous naming conventions, or frontman Kevin Brittingham’s smashmouth offense, there is no questioning the dedication of what has to be one of the most enthusiastic teams I’ve come to know in the firearms industry. You see, to know Q is to understand where that all comes from, and my personal experience with the company’s staff and products alludes to a deep pride in everything they do. Considering what I know of innovators both past and present, I can’t say I find this disposition all that surprising. I might even compare it to the swagger of a star athlete at the peak of their game, willing to put it all out there, push boundaries, and carve their own unique path. Well, it seems the mad engineers are back at it again, and I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last few weeks with their latest creations, the   SPEAKEASY and   BLIND TIGER .30 caliber silencers.

History

Having established Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in 1994, Kevin Brittingham has been in the silencer business for over three decades, not just commercially, but also supplying the military, including units one might consider the tip of the spear. All of his experience has culminated in what we know today simply as Q, a company recognized for developing lightweight platforms with a philosophy that demands the last five yards out of everything they do, from research and development, design, engineering, and manufacturing, to brutal testing schedules meant to push the limits of a final product before putting it into the hands of the end user.

What’s New?

Q is pushing those limits once more, calling upon manufacturing technology from outside industries known as Deep Draw Stamping. Combined with the increased ductility of 17-7 stainless steel used to construct the SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER, the process enables Q to create an internal baffle design with a thinner geometry, reducing weight and yielding a lower scrap rate, effectively cutting manufacturing costs and passing the savings on to the consumer.

The SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER feature overall lengths of 8.5” and 7”, while both maintain a 1.75” diameter, arguably making them the stainless steel counterparts to the titanium   THUNDER CHICKEN and   TRASH PANDA, if not just a hair longer. Here’s where things get interesting, however, as the weight increase you might expect from stainless steel construction is all but nonexistent. The SPEAKEASY weighs only 16 ounces compared to the THUNDER CHICKEN’s 14.7 ounces, while the BLIND TIGER sits at 12.5 ounces with respect to the TRASH PANDA’s 11.8 ounces. And while all of this is a welcome outcome, it is a peripheral benefit of the overall goal, which is to achieve superior performance through the most foundational understanding of how sound suppression works, internal volume.

Greater internal volume allows extremely hot and high-pressure gases from a gunshot to expand and cool down, producing a quieter sound signature and a much safer and more pleasant shooting experience. Internal volume is king when it comes to suppression. But like most things in life, there are tradeoffs, and not a whole lot of options exist that increase volume without increasing the size and weight of a silencer. One example that Q has employed for quite some time is the use of a semi-automated laser welding system, increasing volume while mitigating size and weight by eliminating the need to stack baffles inside a tube. Instead, the outside of the baffles themselves makes up the tube, as seen on most of the silencers Q offers today, including the THUNDER CHICKEN, TRASH PANDA,   JUMBO SHRIMP,   SHORT CHOP,   PORQ CHOP, and most recent   SOUTHPAW. See what I mean about those naming conventions?

The SPEAKEASY and the BLIND TIGER take things a step further, as the thinner internal geometry is achieved through a process that involves seven stamps per baffle, altering grain structure while cold working and displacing material. Additionally, the baffles are annealed after the initial hit, a procedure that relaxes the grain structure and restores ductility to the stamped material. According to Q engineers, who were kind enough to give me a glimpse into the science, the finished product is just as strong as titanium and weighs about the same, while increased internal volume makes the SPEAKEASY the quietest silencer Q could design without sacrificing efficiency. The BLIND TIGER follows the same path with excellent sound performance in a shorter design that prioritizes agility in the field.

The engineers at Q spent approximately sixteen months testing a variety of configurations to determine the number of baffles and overall geometry that would achieve the best performance without diminishing returns. The finished designs were subjected to heat cycle testing over an abusive course of 1,440 rounds, reaching temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees without any degradation of sound performance. The SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER also underwent long-duration heat testing, where high temperatures are maintained for a prolonged period without allowing the silencers to cool down. Once again, both silencers maintained sound performance levels throughout this phase of testing. 

The SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER, like all Q Silencers, also undergo a specialized machining process known as Wire EDM, using a thin, electrically charged wire to cut through conductive materials, particularly useful for machining tight tolerances, which is how Q ensures concentricity and minimal runout between silencers and the taper system on their   CHERRY BOMB muzzle device. Lastly, the SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER are coated in Melonite, a salt bath nitride finish that permeates the material, acting as a heat treatment that increases surface hardness.

Additional benefits of the SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER steel construction include increased durability under extreme heat, which can be detrimental to titanium, as such conditions cause it to become brittle. Stainless steel also helps to reduce sparking and flash at the muzzle, making these new silencers a well-balanced solution that is anything but one-dimensional.

How tough are the SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER? Q tells me that both are rated for use with .300 Winchester Magnum and a barrel length restriction of 16”. At this time, I am not aware of any barrel length restrictions that apply to .308 Winchester or 300 Blackout ammunition.

These new stainless steel silencers are by no means a replacement for titanium models, according to Q, as the company is focused on innovating and offering options that provide added value and capability to their customers. Speaking of capability, silencers can only be as good as their mounting systems, and this is another area in which Q has configured a system where each component complements the next. By this, I’m talking about the CHERRY BOMB, a unique-looking muzzle break with 360-degree circumferential ports that eliminate the need for timing and shims. But rather than just looking cool and being convenient to install, the CHERRY BOMB provides a rock-solid taper mount with the necessary friction to prevent your silencer from backing off the threads during hard use. Lastly, while we’re on the subject, the design of the CHERRY BOMB turns the device into a sacrificial baffle when used with a silencer. This is important as silencers are wear products subject to a replacement lifecycle; however, when used with the Q CHERRY BOMB, one can expect to see a significant delay in the internal erosion process, increasing durability, longevity, and long-term performance.

The SPEAKEASY is available now for an MSRP of $850, as is the BLIND TIGER for an MSRP of $800.

Achieving those last five yards is a costly and challenging endeavor that may not be something for everyone, but it is likely everything for someone. For those customers, appreciation comes in abundance. Of course, manufacturing high-end products that come with an equally high-end price tag can be a thankless job at times, as there is never a lack of those who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. So why bother? This is a question rarely asked by those who prefer the road less travelled. It is also the mark of those whose creativity and distaste for conformity allow them to pursue the type of innovation that provides us with capabilities we did not previously have. Don’t believe me? Do a quick Google search on the origins of both 300 and 8.6 Blackout, then meet me back here to see how this all adds up on the range.

On the Range…

Having recently relocated, I had the pleasure of meeting the owners of   Shooters Cerakote & Laser Engraving in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where most of the shooting for this review took place. Aside from being great guys and having an excellent selection, the back door led to a range that was so stunning, I didn’t know whether to set up a target stand or a picnic. But it was time to get down to business, so I stopped drooling over one of the most picturesque shooting facilities I’ve ever seen and got to work.

On the Mini Fix

First up was the   Q Mini Fix with an 8” barrel chambered in 300 Blackout. The timing of this review gave me the opportunity to try out the new   AUS Direct Mount, a joint project between Q and   Reptilia that eliminates the need for the top Picatinny rail while saving weight and adding to the seamlessness of the rifle. This is clearly the way. Nestled into the mount is a   Primary Arms PLxC 1-8x24 first focal plane LPVO. I started off shooting Fiocchi Range Dynamics 220gr Subsonic loads through the SPEAKEASY from 25 yards out. While I feel obligated to say you should wear hearing protection whenever you shoot, I didn’t bother, and that suited me just fine since this setup was quiet… Like, real quiet. Five-shot groups were stacking up nicely as well when I did my part, with an average velocity of 895.12fps.

Going back to the SPEAKEASY, I tried my main subsonic load from   HOP Munitions, a spicier   220gr BTHP with an average velocity of 1000.4fps in the Mini Fix. Performance was great, but that’s what I’ve come to expect from this ammunition. Additionally, I couldn’t discern any point of impact shift, neither by switching ammunition nor by swapping silencers back and forth. I’ll chalk the latter up to consistency from the taper mount.

Before moving on to the   Q Honey Badger, I decided to run some HOP Munitions   220gr POLY rounds, which also ran well in the SPEAKEASY-equipped Mini Fix to the tune of 948.6fps average velocity. With these, I did notice a slight point of impact shift to the left, but it was very close.

I wasn’t sure how my aging eyes might handle shooting groups with a non-magnified Aimpoint T2, but here’s a pat on my own back for a better job than I expected. Again, 5-shot groups looked great, and the SPEAKEASY made quick work of suppressing the Honey Badger’s sound signature. Of course, I didn’t bother with hearing protection during this test either, as I was already completely comfortable with the SPEAKEASY’s performance. Fiocchi 220gr ammunition out of the Honey Badger’s 7” barrel ran at an average of 836.5fps.

Curious how my ears would fare with supersonic loads, I stepped out from behind the bench and decided to ring steel with some Ammo Inc. 110gr ammunition I had on hand. Look, don’t do this. My hearing has already been damaged, and I have had full-time tinnitus in both ears for a long time. I’ll also count this practice as an occupational hazard, but I really wanted to know. To my surprise, I found an entire 30-round magazine quite tolerable. While the supersonic crack is ever-present, the SPEAKEASY did more than its fair share to take the edge off. With the Honey Badger being an obvious choice for a bedside gun, I felt I made the right choice pairing it with the SPEAKEASY for all things that go bump in the night.

On the Fix

Now it was time to test both silencers on the   Q Fix chambered in .308 Winchester with a 16” barrel. There has been no better time to test out some HOP Munitions   190gr Subsonic BTHP ammunition, so I jumped on the opportunity. This time, however, I went with the BLIND TIGER. The Fix is a very lightweight and well-balanced rifle, but relative to the shortys I had been shooting all day, I had a sneaking suspicion that I would appreciate the lighter weight and shorter length of the BLIND TIGER out front.

At 50 yards, the HOP subsonic ammunition was lights-out accurate, with help printing very tight 5-shot groups thanks to a bit more magnification from the great folks at Nightforce, who generously provided an   NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 optic for this review. Set in the Q Fix version of the Reptilia AUS Direct Mount with the optic in Nightforce’s Dark Earth finish, it all struck me as meant to be. The 190gr subs made for an enjoyable shooting experience with the BLIND TIGER, especially through the Fix’s 16” barrel. Additionally, I was looking at velocity on the ragged edge of the sound barrier, with an average of 1106.5fps. I appreciate being able to get as much terminal performance as possible while keeping sound to a minimum. This was a big win.

What I really liked about this setup is the versatility, as the Q Fix and BLIND TIGER combination was also a perfect host for match-grade supersonic loads. This time, it was Hornady Match 168gr that got the call. The supers were impacting high and a little to the left, so I used the top right corner of the box beneath as a point of aim. The BLIND TIGER did a great job suppressing full power .308 at 2498.6fps, and while my ears are still capable of being rung, it just didn’t happen, even without hearing protection. I’m going to stress this again, however, especially when shooting larger caliber supersonic ammunition. Don’t do this. Your tolerance level will vary, so please leave that curiosity to me.

I had to try the SPEAKEASY on the Fix, and found that the difference was not as much as I may have expected. The BLIND TIGER was more than capable of shutting down the sound from the subs with a 16” barrel, leaving me thinking the added length of the SPEAKEASY did not provide much more suppression in this configuration. The SPEAKEASY did take a little more edge off the Hornady match; however, it wasn’t enough for me to pair it with the Fix in my permanent setup since the BLIND TIGER did the job more than adequately without the added length or weight. I will note, however, that my velocity average did go up a little with the SPEAKEASY, with an average of 2510fps.

Final thoughts

The Q SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER have made a solid impression on me, and like a typical gun guy, I’d be unable to choose just one, so I’m thankful to have both. I’ve also become a true believer when it comes to the taper mount, especially on the Q CHERRY BOMB. I’ll also give credit to outside-the-box thinking and creativity, which is definitely the catalyst behind Q’s forward-thinking search for solutions that continues to encourage growth and competition within the industry. Would I recommend the SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER? I absolutely would, and even more so, I have to say that combining them with these three rifles made for a lot of fun downrange.

I also wanted to remark on company culture, as I’ve had the opportunity to interact with members of the engineering, sales, and marketing staff over the course of this review. Having worked in the firearms industry before becoming a writer, I can definitely say that there is a freedom that drives creativity and innovative thinking within the halls of Q. For the record, I have never met or spoken to Kevin Brittingham, but staff unanimously credits the work environment to his leadership style, trusting his people and giving them the tools to succeed while believing in their abilities sometimes more faithfully than they do themselves. I mention this because environments that foster appreciation for hard work and dedication will always be the ones that lead when it comes to innovation. Thank you to everyone at Q who provided the technical information for this article and the gear for this review.

Let me know if you’re a silencer junkie like I am, and give us your thoughts on Deep Draw Stamping, taper mounts, and the Q SPEAKEASY and BLIND TIGER in the comments below.

For more information on all things Q, please visit   liveqordie.com.