Over the last few years, a “midsized” firearm has become more and more popular. Bigger than a pistol and typically shorter than a rifle is a middle ground that has traditionally been owned by carbines.
But bullpups have come out to target that midsized option which many people want for higher accuracy than a pistol but more maneuverability than a full-sized rifle. To further muddy the issue, many bullpups have been chambered for shotgun shells, but that’s not the only chambering option.
Now, if you’re not familiar with what makes a bullpup different than a standard rifle, Jason J. Brown & 1800 Guns & Ammo Staff write,
Bullpup guns place the action and magazine behind the trigger assembly and closer to the shooter’s body. Since the chamber is further to the rear, the barrel is moved backwards, as well, and could eliminate the need for longer buttstocks. This results in potentially shorter, more maneuverable rifles with the same barrel length as their conventional cousins.
So, the idea is to get the advantages of the longer barrel of a rifle with the maneuverability of a carbine.
And Springfield Armory has decided to jump into this crowd, too, with a bullpup chambered in 5.56. A writer at AthlonOutdoors.com writes,
Last year, Springfield Armory unleashed Hellion on the masses, with its 5.56 bullpup […]. Since then, the company has added new barrel-length options to the popular model. Now, preventing the hot bullpup from cooling down, Springfield offers the Hellion in three new colorways to suit any operation.
Based on a Croatian design, the Hellion delivers a capable bullpup design with multiple modifications and enhancements. Specifically, the ability to feed from AR-pattern magazines, replaceable AR-pattern pistol grips, M-Lok slots, and QD mounts. Not to mention the availability of models with various barrel lengths.
In addition, the Hellion features a reversible ejection system that requires no extra parts or tools. Likewise, a full set of ambidextrous controls makes it ideal for right- and left-handed shooters. Likewise, a five-position collapsible buttstock and two-position adjustable gas system keep the platform comfortable for all-day range excursions.
If you want to see the Hellion in action, you can see it in the video below.
All told, the bullpup design has a number of potential advantages, but, as you know if you watched the video, it may not be for everyone.
Still, if you’re in the market for a bullpup (and don’t mind a nearly $2,000 MSRP and a weight of over eight pounds), then, the Springfield Armory Hellion may be a gun to consider.
