The 360 Precision Recon CQB SBR is a 12.5-inch short-barreled rifle chambered in .223 Wylde, built for shooters who want the maneuverability of a compact platform with the ergonomics of a proper rifle stock. It ships as a factory-registered SBR, so you get the stock without doing your own Form 1 build. At its core is a 12.5-inch Criterion Core Series chrome-lined barrel, one of the most respected duty-grade barrels on the market, paired with a carbine-length gas system that keeps the action smooth and reliable across a wide range of .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition.

The .223 Wylde chamber is not just a 5.56 chamber with a different name. It uses tighter tolerances than a standard 5.56 NATO chamber, which means better accuracy with match-grade ammunition while still safely firing mil-spec 5.56 at full pressure. You get the precision of .223 Remington and the reliability of 5.56 NATO in one chamber.

Built on the same billet 7075-T6 HD15 Gen2 ambidextrous platform used across the entire 360 Precision lineup, the Recon CQB SBR features a TriggerTech AR-15 Duty PVD flat trigger at 3.5 lbs, a Toolcraft DLC-coated BCG with 9310 bolt, a 360 Precision Vector-3 muzzle brake, and an 11.75-inch M-LOK handguard that provides full-length accessory rail space for lights, lasers, and optics. The Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) stock gives you a consistent cheek weld and a solid shoulder platform, with an overall length of 30″ inches collapsed and 33 1/4″ extended.

Every Recon CQB SBR is machined, assembled, registered, and tested in 360 Precision’s Warminster, PA facility.

Who should buy the Recon CQB SBR?

The Recon CQB SBR is a strong fit if you want:

• A compact .223 Wylde / 5.56 NATO rifle with a real stock, a repeatable cheek weld, and a shoulder platform that does not compromise on accuracy under recoil.
• A registered SBR without the Form 1 process. You skip the engraving, the build, and the wait before you can assemble it.
• A dedicated suppressor host. A 12.5-inch barrel with a can attached stays shorter than most 16-inch rifles, and the carbine gas system handles the added backpressure better than a pistol-length system.
• A Criterion chrome-lined barrel that delivers accuracy comparable to match-grade stainless while standing up to high round counts and sustained training schedules without degrading.
• Full ambidextrous controls, billet construction, and your choice of seven Cerakote or anodized finishes.

If you already own suppressors or other NFA items and the paperwork is not a barrier, the SBR is the better-shooting version of this platform.

Recon CQB SBR or the braced Recon CQB pistol?

Both are the same rifle from the receiver forward. Same Criterion barrel, same trigger, same BCG, same handguard, same price. The difference is what goes on the back and how it gets to you:

• Recon CQB SBR: A proper rifle stock instead of a brace. Better cheek weld, better shoulder contact, more consistent shot placement. Requires ATF approval before you take possession, and the stock does not collapse. Choose this if you want the ergonomics and the paperwork is not a dealbreaker.
• Recon CQB pistol: Not NFA-regulated. No tax stamp, no wait, no registration. Ships through your local FFL like any other firearm. Collapses for storage and transport, and crosses state lines without a permission slip. Choose this if you want it now or you travel with it.

Same money, same performance. You are trading months of wait time and some travel flexibility for a better interface with the gun.

Why 12.5 inches instead of 10.5 or 11.5?

If you are paying a tax stamp anyway, barrel length becomes a pure performance decision. The 12.5-inch barrel is the point where 5.56 NATO ballistics start to perform meaningfully better than shorter configurations:

• Velocity: The 12.5-inch barrel gains 100 to 200+ fps over a 10.5-inch barrel, which directly improves terminal performance and extends the effective range of both defensive and match ammunition.
• Powder burn: More barrel length means a more complete powder burn. That translates to less muzzle flash, less concussion, and less unburned propellant compared to shorter barrels – all of which matter for indoor use and suppressed shooting.
• Reliability: The 12.5-inch barrel runs a carbine-length gas system rather than the pistol-length gas required on shorter barrels. Carbine gas produces a smoother recoil impulse, less bolt carrier velocity, and less mechanical stress on the action. That margin matters even more when you add a suppressor, since a can raises backpressure and drives the action harder.

The trade-off is a few extra inches of length and roughly half a pound of weight compared to a 10.5-inch build. For most shooters, the ballistic and reliability gains far outweigh the marginal size increase.

How does the Recon CQB SBR compare to the Bandit 300 BLK Pistol?

These are the two compact platforms in the 360 Precision lineup, but they serve different roles:

• Recon CQB SBR (.223 Wylde, 12.5″ barrel, $2,020–$2,205): Higher velocity, better long-range terminal performance, wider ammunition availability. The .223 Wylde / 5.56 NATO caliber is effective from close quarters out to 300+ yards. Choose this for general-purpose compact use, duty applications, or if 5.56 / .223 is your primary caliber.
• Bandit 300 BLK (.300 AAC Blackout, 8.3″ barrel, $1,855–$2,040): Purpose-built for suppressed shooting. The .300 Blackout caliber is optimized for short barrels and subsonic ammunition. More compact at 24.25 inches collapsed, and it is not NFA-regulated. Choose this for suppressed home defense, subsonic shooting, or if you prioritize maximum compactness without the stamp.

Both run on the same billet 7075-T6 platform with identical ambi controls, TriggerTech triggers, and Toolcraft BCGs. The decision comes down to caliber, intended use, and whether you want to file paperwork.

How does the Recon CQB SBR compare to the full-size Recon Rifle?

The Recon CQB SBR and Recon Rifle share the same billet platform, trigger, BCG, and ambidextrous controls. Both wear a rifle stock. The differences are barrel and paperwork:

• Recon CQB SBR (12.5″ barrel, $2,020–$2,205): Compact and maneuverable, with a Criterion CORE chrome-lined barrel and a carbine-length gas system. NFA-regulated. Best for CQB, home defense, suppressed use, and anywhere size matters.
• Recon Rifle (16″ barrel, semi-auto rifle, $1,775–$1,975): Full-length, higher velocity, midlength gas system, no NFA paperwork. Built around a 416R stainless steel dimpled SPR barrel. Best for all-around use where compactness is not the primary concern.

The SBR trades barrel length, and the velocity that comes with it, for portability and a shorter overall package when suppressed. The Recon Rifle trades that for ballistic performance, a smoother-cycling midlength gas system, and a same-day transfer. If you want the same compact upper without the full build purchase, the 12.5-inch complete upper is available separately and drops onto any Mil-Spec lower.

SBRs are prohibited in several states, so check your state law first. 

If you want this platform without the paperwork, the Recon CQB pistol is the same rifle with an SBA3 brace, at the same price, and it ships as a standard firearm transfer.