My entry for the Gun Challenge! Pew pew!

The Byakko 84 has been an idea stuck in my mind for a while now. I started off wanting to design a 9 mm submachine gun, but then I shifted towards a marksman rifle, and then a permanently suppressed sniper rifle… and this wierd lil gun was created! I dubbed it a “Quick Reaction Carbine,” or QRC (I know it’s a silly name, bear with me).

The Byakko 84 is a hybrid specialist carbine chambered in .45 ACP. Before I try to categorize this, I should explain its intended purpose. Intended range: no more than 200 meters, reasonably. I wanted this to be a versatile system, fit for both medium-range stationary positions, reconnaissance, or more aggressive CQC maneuvers. I also wanted to maximize potential for accuracy, while maintaining smooth ergonomics and a minimal weapon profile. I designed an M4-style stock adaptor, and attached an ACE Skeleton Stock Short.

As you may have guessed, the primary focus of this weapon is stealth. The (admittedly oversized) suppressor is permanently integrated. I chose .45 ACP specifically due to the fact that it is inherently subsonic, yet retains excellent stopping power. In short, the weapon is quite silent. I tried to keep the overall physical profile small, and I imagine the weapon to be easily disassembled for convenient transportation.

The magazine holds 20 rounds. There are only two fire modes available: semi-automatic and 2-round burst. Again, I’m trying to distinguish the role of this weapon, as an accurate system through which the user should carefully draw their shots to maximize lethality, and not a gun that should be sprayed in fully automatic mode, like the MP7 or the KRISS Vector.

The other attachments are an ARMSTAC Tactical Bipod (for single-shot stability), an Aimpoint ACO, and the Aimpoint 3XMag on a twistmount. Plenty of additional side rail space as well.

So, trying to address the burning question, what kind of gun is this? The calibre and the fire mode lock, as well as the fact that the magazine is fed through the grip, might suggest a pistol or machine pistol. Conversely, the general ergonomics an function of the gun remind me of an SMG or PDW (in fact, when this build was completed, I saw little elements from a bunch of different subguns, like the VBR PDW and the Bizon). Or… is it really a pistol carbine? Small calibre rifle? I doesn’t help that this gun reminds me of a bunch of other weapons, like the QBU-88 and QCW-05, for no apparent reason

Ultimately, I imagine the Byakko 84 to serve two roles. Without the magnifier, the weapon is a versatile PDW suited for covert operations and silent target elimination. With the bipod and magnifier deployed, the Byakko becomes a short to medium-range marksman rifle, capable of surgically picking off targets from a distance, or providing suppressive fire for infantry. The gun’s silence is a major asset, and the operator should remain out of sight to maximize their effectivity. Hopefully, the name Quick Reaction Carbine surmises its role well enough… I don’t know, let me know what you think in the comments!