Bullpups- ‘Gun Stories’

By G&A Online Editors

The Bullpup rifle, designed with the magazine and action behind the pistol grip, seems like an excellent solution to the constant military demands of shorter, and lighter. But, after decades of service in major militaries, the verdict is still out on bullpups. Why should that be?

The Steyr AUG, an Austrian acronym for universal army rifle, burst on the scene in the 1970s, and seemed poised to finally give the bullpup its day in the sun. It was short, light, fully modular for different tasks, and had superb handling characteristics. Adopted by the Austrian army and a number of other militaries around the world, the civilian semi-auto version of the AUG hit a snag, when in 1994, the Clinton Assault Weapon Ban was passed.

Recently, the latest generation of Steyr AUGs is the A3 Semi-Auto, is once again available in the American market, and selling extremely well.

One of the longest serving bullpups is the French FAMAS, adopted in 1978 and still in use. Oddly, and perhaps very French, although the FAMAS is in NATO Standard 5.56, the action will only function with steel-cased French ammo. Thus, negating the whole idea of a single ammo for NATO forces. France is currently considering a …Read the Rest

Source:: Guns and Ammo