*Pictures by the writer except in any other case famous
I’ve by no means actually considered brief equalling good. I’m solely 5’7” myself and am shorter than all 4 of my grownup sons. Heck, I’m shorter than Napoleon was. My dad’s household was vertically challenged. However on the planet of firearms, typically brief is nice.
Let’s discuss rifles particularly. Most rifles are longer than a yard, particularly these in centerfire calibers. There’s nothing flawed with that in case you are utilizing it for mundane functions corresponding to searching or casual goal taking pictures.
However what if that’s not what you’re doing together with your rifle? What in case you are attempting to clear homes of insurgents one room at a time? What in case you are laying your life on the road daily together with your rifle? A shorter weapon may turn out to be useful, particularly for close-quarters conditions.
Enter The Bullpup
The bullpup design, by definition, places the set off in entrance of the rifle’s motion. So, the journal is behind the set off as effectively. What this does is, in essence, make a rifle’s general size shorter whereas nonetheless permitting a full barrel size. That approach, you’re not sacrificing ballistics.
So far as I do know, the primary bullpup rifle was a 13-pound goal rifle in 1860. It was in .60 caliber. Later, in 1901, a bolt-action bullpup was produced – the Thornycroft carbine. The primary occasion of a bullpup utilized in fight was in WWII. That was the Czech PzB M.SS.41 anti-tank rifle, produced for the SS to make use of underneath German occupation.
Totally different experiments with bullpup designs happened on and off, till the Austrian Steyr AUG was adopted in 1977. It has been known as the primary profitable bullpup. Right here is extra details about bullpups on the whole, should you’re .
The Hellion
We now have earlier than us a slightly distinctive rifle. Springfield Armory (SA) sells 13 completely different Hellion fashions. This explicit Hellion is a semi-automatic model based mostly on the VHS-K2, a confirmed bullpup design utilized by Croatian forces.
The rifles are made by HS Produkt in Croatia, as are SA pistols. The one I ordered is a semi-automatic copy of the selective-fire rifle that’s issued to designated marksmen in Croatia. It got here full with a bayonet lug and an (non-obligatory) bayonet.
This bullpup, with its 20” barrel, excels at each shut quarters encounters and in addition has the power to succeed in out if wanted with a full-length Pic rail for optics.
(Hellcat, Hellion… I wish to have a dialog with the particular person or individuals who named these weapons — I’d wager it might be attention-grabbing!)
Options Of The 20” Hellion
QD Factors: There are QD factors on each side of the rifle to will let you sling it from both facet.
Ribbed, 20” Barrel: Full with four-prong flash hider and bayonet lug. Melonite coating, as effectively.
Two-Place Gasoline Block: Run the fuel system as both regular or suppressed.
Flip-Up Sights Included: Windage and elevation adjustable, the rear has a five-position aperture.
Handguard: M-Lok®. That opens up a whole lot of customization.
Bayonet: The non-obligatory $299 Waffentechnik bayonet provides to the look and navy provenance of the rifle.
Specs
Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 REM)
Shade Black
Barrel 20″ CMV w/ Bayonet Lug, Melonite®, 1:7
Entrance Sight Built-in Flip-Up, Elevation Adjustable
Rear Sight Built-in Flip-Up w/ 5-Place Aperture, Windage Adjustable
Bolt Service Group Proprietary, Melonite®
Gasoline System 2-Place Adjustable, Quick Stroke Piston
Handguard Polymer, M-Lok®
Inventory 5-Place Adjustable w/ Cheek Riser
Muzzle Gadget 4-Prong Flash Hider
Charging Deal with Ambidextrous, Non-Reciprocating
Security Lever Ambidextrous
Grip BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Mod 3
Journal (1) 30-Spherical Magpul PMAG Gen M3
Weight 8 lbs 6 oz
Size 32.25″ – 33.75″
MSRP $2,031
Go right here for extra full data about this rifle.
The place To Purchase
Dealing with The Hellion
I’ve quite a lot of AR-style rifles in my gun cupboard and am accustomed to them, so it was with nice curiosity that I anticipated the arrival of the shorty Hellion. I’ve dealt with bullpup rifles (and a bullpup shotgun or two), often with less-than-desirable outcomes.
Why?
As a result of I’m left-handed, I can’t shoot “regular” bullpups on account of the truth that the fired circumstances come whizzing previous my nostril, or glasses, or perhaps even hitting these areas. No bueno! So, it was with nice curiosity that I realized that the Hellion might be set to eject from both facet.
Lastly! Kel Tec has a bullpup that ejects straight down… now we’re speaking! I perceive that, from a producing standpoint, it prices extra to make a bullpup this manner, however I want extra corporations did that. I communicate for a lot of southpaws on the market who’ve been restricted by way of firearms selection just because we grew up utilizing our different hand. In any case, we’re the one ones in our “proper” minds, because the saying goes.
I took Latin in highschool a very long time in the past – Julius Caesar’s cousin was in my class – and realized that the English phrase “sinister” got here from the Latin “sinestra”, which suggests ”left”. Oh effectively, at the very least Springfield Armory will get it!
For these lefties (or curious righties) who wish to reverse the ejection path (sorry), right here is the way you do it. There’s each a video and textual content/photographs. It’s a bit concerned, however will probably be value it.
Vary Time
We set some targets up at nearly 50 yards in my yard vary to begin with. We selected to shoot the rifle with the sights that got here on it, as that’s what number of shooters will wish to do it, at the very least within the out-of-the-box part, but when we have been to maintain the rifle, we’d undoubtedly mount a crimson dot or scope on it to succeed in out to 100 yards and past.
However for now, the flip-up iron sights labored effectively. (I’ve acquired a few ex-military and ex-law-enforcement associates who can shoot the nuts off a gnat at 200 yards with iron sights, however that was by no means me).
Right here’s what occurred…
The Federal load had one flyer, low, hidden by the field. This load put all of them decrease than the place I used to be aiming. The Hornady load was nearer to P.O.I., with 4 of the 5 within the black. I’d say go along with no matter of those yow will discover on sale, and mount a good optic on the rifle. In fact, there are lots of masses on the market that will work effectively with this rifle, however I had to decide on a pair and get to shootin’.
I used to be typically happy with these consultant teams since I’m not “irons” shooter, plus the bullpup association was uncomfortable for this lefty. If I might’ve gotten down tighter on the rifle’s comb, these teams would’ve been higher. (Not solely am I brief, however I’ve no neck. Possibly that’s why I’m brief!). Excuses apart, the rifle carried out effectively and can proceed to take action or do even higher with the proper optic and ammo.
Summing Up
Bullpup rifles are attention-grabbing, ejection path however. The idea has been confirmed, and there are lots of good examples on the market. The Hellion is one among them. The rifle is constructed of top-notch supplies, is put collectively very effectively, and it confirmed some nice accuracy potential. Plus, it went “bang” each time it was purported to.
The bayonet made me wish to run across the yard, stabbing bales of straw… effectively, no, however I suppose it might occur for any individual. The bayonet is icing on the cake. In case you are , it’s a $300 choice. Talking of choices, there are 16” and 18” variations of the Hellion accessible at barely diminished prompt retail costs. Right here’s an outline.
These Croatian designated marksmen who’re issued the selective-fire rifle that this rifle relies on are lucky. (That will be the VHS-K2 as I discussed on the high). This semi-auto model works simply wonderful, and is decent-looking as well. It’s not low cost, however nothing of high quality is. It ought to final you at the very least your lifetime… that speaks volumes about it. Hopefully, one of many 13 fashions they make may be best for you. Quick IS good!
