Bullpup

From Airsoft Community Wiki

Bullpup is a firearm configuration in which the action (or mechanism) and magazine are located behind the trigger. This increases the barrel length relative to the overall weapon length, permitting shorter weapons for the same barrel length, saving weight and increasing maneuverability. It also allows for longer barrels on weapons of the same length, improving trajectory and accuracy. (credit: [Free] Online Resurces [img]http://www.airsoftcommunity.co.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif.1[/img] )

Examples of such layouts are the Steyr AUG, the SA80, and the FAMAS --KSG 12:49, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

A debate rages about the merits of either; most recent weapon designs have been bullpups, but most special forces choose to use conventional weapons such as the M4. It's worth noting that the Steyr AUG, SA80, and FAMAS are the Australian, British, and French Armed forces primary infantry weapon respectively.

Bullpup Advantages

• Longer barrel in a compact package;
• No folding stock means it is always ready for accurate firing;

Conventional layout Advantages

• Can be fired from either shoulder to make best use of cover - cartridge ejection precludes this in bullpups (Note this is irrelevant to airsoft, and some recent designs e.g. F2000 have a solution with forward ejection tubes )
• Reloading magazines is slightly more natural (i.e. Faster) - 'hand finds hand'.
• Chamber further away fromthe body - visibility of the ejection port makes dealing with stopages easier. A catastrophic faliure will cause less injury to the user. (again irrelevant to airsoft; stripped gears are unlikely to cause injury to the firer )

Other issues

• Handling: depending on the length of barrel and weight distribution, a conventional layout can sometimes feel more netural, ie. placing the weight between the hands on the pistol & foregrip. Usually Bullpups are derrided for feeling 'back heavy' whilst conventional rifles are can feel 'front-heavy'. Proponents of bullpups point out that the centre of gravity is pulled in toward the body and as a consequence aiming is faster.

• Some designs allow the barrel and sight lines to be closer - e.g. on the original AK, and the G3 - though most rifles such as the M16 have an 'inline stock' for controlability in automatic fire.