When the phrase “bullpup” comes up, the first thought going through the minds of most people is likely to be along the lines of picturing an English bulldog or pit bull puppy.
That’s not what we’re talking about today (sorry, UGA fans).
No, today we’re talking about firearms (which is what you would expect on this site, right?), and specifically, we’re talking about bullpup shotguns.
Now, most people are familiar with the “normal” type of shotgun, which looks similar to a rifle, or they may think of a sawed off shotgun if they’ve seen too many episodes of Miami Vice or Cops.
Bullpups, while still definitely shotguns, are a very different breed than those other types of shotguns. So, what is a bullpup shotgun? Elwood Shelton writes,
Essentially, the bullpup—be it bullpup shotgun or bullpup rifle—is simply a design that moves the action from above the trigger to behind it. It’s as uncomplicated as that and has a profound effect on performance. At the same time, it shortens the overall length of the firearm, while maintaining its ballistic potential. It’s quite a feat when you consider it.
Again, from Shelton:
Conversely, the bullpup ignores [the idea of shortening] barrel length [to reduce the length of the gun] and shortens the system by kicking everything back a few inches.
It’s actually a pretty fascinating design concept, only made possible since it was first created about a century ago by technology advancements.
And the design has some pretty notable benefits:
– Compact size helps it excel in close-quarters
– Support hand closer to the muzzle makes it more controllable and nimble
– Mass closer to the body makes it easier to manage for longer periods of time
– Longer barrel improves ballistic performance
Like anything else, though, there is a trade off such as some bullpup designs being “difficult to reload quickly” and the design being “inherently tail heavy.”
In other words, like any time you change from one type of firearm to another, if you change from a traditional shotgun design to a bullpup, you will need to adjust how you use it which takes time and makes your performance with the gun slower until you’re used to using it.
Also, Shelton notes that, while there are several reputable companies making bullpup shotguns, there are also quite a few less than reputable companies making them, so, if you get a bullpup, it’s worth making sure that you’re getting one that is worth the money.
Still, if you like something a bit different, it may be worth it to you to take the time and to buy a quality bullpup shotgun for your next firearms purchase.