It can’t have escaped your notice that the Bullpup 223 and other weapons like it have become evermore popular in recent years. As a singularly unique rifle, it’s an option that those in combat have tended to gravitate towards and there are a number of benefits that come along with owning one.
That said, it’s not perfect – few weapons ever are. Before you get into the pros and cons, let’s first explain to the initiated what exactly a Bullpup rifle is.
What Is Meant By Bullpup Rifle?
When talking about Bullpups, they are unique in that the design – one that features a trigger that’s positioned ahead of the breech – something you can see for yourself in the Bullpup 223. What does this mean to the shooter? Well, it means that your face is much closer to the action – hence why other styles put the trigger further back to protect the user.
So, What Are the Benefits of Using a Bullpup?
Bullpups have become favored by military bodies around the world – especially as Bullpup technology has advanced somewhat since the turn of the century. As such, there are a bunch of benefits that are on offer to the user. Let’s see what they are.
- Improved range of motion – due to weapons like the Bullpup 223 being quite a bit smaller than other weapons, the primary benefit on offer is enhanced range of motion. It’s essentially a shorter weapon that offers improved balance without having to compromise on barrel length. For those using it in the field, this improved manoeuvrability makes a big difference.
- Minimal recoil – most good Bullpups will also feature an adjustable gas system, which not only makes firing more reliable but also greatly reduces felt recoil. You do get AR15s with this feature, but they’re quite thin on the ground. This is good news, especially if you’re using a suppressor that’s increasing your Bullpup’s recoil.
…and the drawbacks?
In the interests of impartiality, there are drawbacks to having a bullpup. One of them in particular relates to left-handed shooters.
- Left-handing shooting is an issue – if you’re one of the 10% of people who call themselves left-handers, you’re going to have a few issues using a Bullpup. The problem is that Bullpup’s are typically side-ejectors, meaning that having your arm in the way is an issue. There are costly kits out there to convert your Bullpup, but it’s all a bit too much hassle.
- Bullpups aren’t standardized – While AR-15s all follow a standardized design, Bullpups don’t, which means that when you’re looking for parts, your options are fairly limited. This may change in the future, but we wouldn’t hold your breath!
In Summary – The Bullpup 223 Is an Interesting Option
Bullpups aren’t the cheapest weapon on the market, with most models not giving you too much change out of $2,000. So, if you’re going to go for one, it should suit your needs perfectly. As we can see here though, anyone wanting good range of movement should see the 223 as a very interesting option.
