A top-tier drop-away rest that offers micro-adjust, launcher arm dampeners, and a racy look, QAD’s 1776 MX2 is a 2026 win.
by Jace Bauserman
Testing archery gear is a big part of my job, and I love it. From bows to sights to rests and arrows, I do my very best to find the very best. Typically, with a full gear slate lined up for the year, I discover several new pieces of equipment I favor. I also test and discard plenty of sub-par items. We are at the pinnacle of archery tackle design. There is no room for junk.
Concerning my compound bow and bow-mounted accessories, everything works in harmony to achieve one goal: accuracy. Accuracy is king. Accuracy will fill your freezer and your wall. That’s why, for over two decades, my bow-mounted rest has been a QAD.
Since my first UltraRest Hunter, I’ve never looked back. I’ve never had a single QAD rest failure, and when I do my job, my arrow hits behind my pin. QAD rests are bombproof, easy to tune, and becasue the manufacturer doesn’t rest on its laurels, QAD rests continue to evolve and get better.
Integrate Mounting System
We waved good-bye to the Berger hole in 2020, when QAD lifted the veil on its IMS (Integrate Mounting System) design on a Mathews flagship. The IMS, via a pair of slits integrated into the back of the bow’s riser, accepted a dual-locking rest clamp. The clamp eliminated the mounting bar and mounting screw, and the new design created an in-line rest that was lighter and more streamlined than ever.
Six years later, the IMS system is everywhere. Other rest makers have adopted it, and almost every compound flagship on the market offers IMS rest-mounting capability. In the world of archery gear, we throw the words “game changer” around like a rag doll. We shouldn’t. The rangefinder was a game changer. Expandable broadheads were game changers. Slider-style (movable) bow sights were game changers. The IMS system deserves a place in the “game changer” category.
QAD MX2 1776 Edition
Yes, I know the Fourth of July and America’s historic 250th birthday have passed. Does that mean you can’t take advantage of QAD’s historic 1776 MX2 rests? No. I don’t know about you, but I appreciate my freedom and liberties, and want to show my appreciation for those who fought and died for them every single day. I love gear that screams AMERICA. If you’re like me, take advantage of QAD’s limited run of 1776 We The People MX2 rests.
Made from aircraft-grade aluminum and weighing just 2 ounces, these Made in the USA drop-away rests come in two designs: Stars & Stripes Red, White, and Blue, and Stars & Stripes Black & White. If you prefer some red, white, and blue accents, go with the 1776 Red, White, and Blue. If you want to keep it basic, go with the 1776 Black & White.
Is The MX2 1776 A New Rest?
The MX2 1776 is a new-for-2026 rest offering from QAD. The 1776 was made as a limited-run, dealer-only rest. Click HERE to find the dealer closest to you. Aside from the aesthetic changes, the rest is QAD’s MX2.
The MX2 1776 Build
The rests come with Launcher Dampers installed, but if you want to color-customize, raise the launcher arm and push the Rubber Dampers in from the outside. A pair of tweezers will help with insertion and removal. However, don’t pinch or grip the rubber too tightly. After the pre-installed dampers are removed, insert your color of choice. Personally, I like the red arm dampers that come with the Red, White, and Blue, and the tanish/brown that comes with the Black edition.
The Berger Hole Plug is ultra-easy. Put your color of choice into the Berger hole and forget about it. The entire process of replacing the dampers and installing the Berger hole plug took less than five minutes.
Next, I recorded all the settings, including the cord lengths, and removed my standard MX2 rests from my PSE Sicario and Xpedition NexLite 33. Both bows were tuned perfectly, and I wanted to make sure the rest swaps were seamless.
With windage, elevation, cord length, and other rest settings recorded, I made the swap. Both compound bows have more than 500 arrows through them, so there was no reason to go to the range before paper tuning. Both Easton 5.0 arrows cut perfectly through paper, and no additional tuning was necessary.
QAD MX2 1776: On The Range
I’ve been shooting both MX2 1776 rests for close to three weeks now with zero issues. That was expected. My 70-pound, 29-inch draw PSE Sicario with 381.5-grain Easton 5.0 is sizzling downrange. I love how well the Rubber Arm dampeners and Berger hole dampener tame the slight twang this speed demon creates.
The Integrate MX2 is drop-away-rest perfection. I’ve shot the Sicario and NexLite 33 from 20 yards to 120 yards at 3-D targets, spots and dots on bag and square foam, with field points and all styles of broadheads. The results are what I’ve come to expect from QAD: pinpoint accuracy.
With the Integrate Mounting System, the rest will never rotate up or down. The IMS locks it in, and I love that you can shoot the rest with the side locking plate off. When you know the rest is tuned up perfectly, the two-part locking system, married with the IMS and the rest’s Dovetail Locking, ensures the riser is level on three axes.
Another feature I want to point out is Smart Rest Technology, which gets overlooked. After using the thumb wheel to raise the launcher arm to 80 degrees, I can draw my bow and know without question that Smart Rest Technology brings the launcher arm to 90 degrees (the most repeatable shot angle to shoot from), and should you need to let down your bow, the arm remains in a vertical position. The arrow stays contained via the design of the launcher arm and capture bar.
The arm drops forward at the shot, and arrow clearance is maximized via the rapid drop and Lockdown Technology. This technology locks the launcher in the drop-away position, which means no bounce back.
Total Containment Technology is another QAD win. When the launcher arm is locked, the height of the launcher arm bars and the capture bar prevent the arrow from falling out and making contact with the bow’s riser or shelf. This makes the rest ideal for all forms of hunting and target shooting.
Final Thoughts
The QAD MX2 1776 drop-away rest truly stands out as a top-tier option for bowhunters. Its thoughtful design incorporates features such as .0019-inch micro-adjustments and launcher-arm dampeners that enhance performance. With a sleek aesthetic that reflects a proud American spirit, this rest is not just functional; it’s a statement piece.
Having relied on QAD for over two decades, I can personally attest to the reliability and precision these rests deliver. The Integrate Mounting System has revolutionized rest mounting, ensuring a lightweight, streamlined setup that performs flawlessly. Whether in the field or at a range, precision is paramount, and the MX2 1776 delivers exactly that. For anyone serious about bowhunting precision, this is a must-have addition to your gear.
