A bullpup rifle or shotgun is a firearm that has its action and magazine behind the trigger. This makes it more compact than other types of firearms with the same barrel length and allows for better handling in close quarters combat situations such as home defense or tactical scenarios where space is limited.
The term ‘bullpup’ comes from the German word ‘büchse’, which means box.” For example, an AK-47 assault rifle would be considered a ‘box gun’ because its magazine sits inside of an ammo box attached to the stock at an angle (as opposed to being straight up like on most rifles).
This type of firearm design was first developed during World War II by John Garand as part of his work on developing semi-automatic weapons for American troops fighting in Europe after World War II ended in 1945.”
What We Reviewed?
Here are the amazing Bullpup Guns we managed to review:
Top 8 Best Bullpup Rifles in 2022
1. IWI Tavor X95
- Won Shooter's Choice award from Guns & Ammo Magazine
- Outdoor Life's "Great Buy" picks three years in a row.
- Won the Rifle of the Year award at the SHOT Show in 2016
2. Desert Tech SRS-A2
- Won the 2018 Golden Bullseye Award for Rifle of the Year
- Worth every penny
- Incredibly versatile
3. Desert Tech MDRX
- Accuracy of Rifle + Size of Shotgun
- Lightweight & Easy to Maneuver
- 2020 Best Bullpup Rifle—National
4. FN FS2000
- Won two awards for "Best Military Rifle"
- Perfect for short to mid range shooting
- Very reliable weapon
5. PS90
- Won awards such as "Best Rifle of the Year" from Guns & Ammo
- "Best Bullpup Weapon System" from Small Arms Defense Journal
- "Best Tactical Rifle" from Tactical Life magazine.
6. Kel-Tec KSG
- Super Lightweight
- Great for Home Defense
- "Top Ten Best Bullpup Rifles and Shotguns" list by Guns & Ammo
7. Steyr AUG
- National Rifle Association's Golden Bullseye Award in 1985 for Rifle of the Year
- Accuracy and reliability
- Easy replacement of parts like barrels and stocks
8. CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Carbine
- Coolest looking rifle on the market
- Much Shorter Gun
- Accurate for size and caliber
- Firearms Industry Choice Award for "Rifle of the Year" in 2015
#1. IWI Tavor X95
I’ve had my eye on the IWI Tavor X95 for a long time. Ever since the first rumors of its creation, I’ve been fascinated by this bullpup rifle with the best of both worlds: Israeli and American design.
Like many other gun enthusiasts, I was thrilled when it won the Rifle of the Year award at the SHOT Show in 2016. But what I thought would be a short-lived success has truly turned into a powerhouse in its field.
In the years since, it’s won Shooter’s Choice awards from Guns & Ammo Magazine and Guns & Gear TV and has been named one of Outdoor Life’s Great Buy picks three years in a row.
It continues to impress, with new features like the Geissele Super Sabra trigger pack and new accessories like flashlights and lasers, which make this gun an even better choice for tactical shooters and civilian users alike.
#2. Desert Tech SRS-A2
I’ve been a fan of bullpup rifles for what seems like forever. There’s just something about them that ends up making me want to buy one—even though I already own a few other guns in the same style. So, when I came across the Desert Tech SRS-A2, I couldn’t resist taking it for a spin.
Even though it has an MSRP of $4,000, this rifle is worth every penny. Its trigger is crisp; its action is smooth; and its ergonomics are absolutely perfect. The Desert Tech SRS-A2 won the 2018 Golden Bullseye Award for Rifle of the Year, and it’s easy to see why.
This rifle offers one more thing that sets it apart from the competition—it’s incredibly versatile. It comes with a number of different stocks (including a few designed specifically for lefties like myself), and you can switch calibers depending on your needs.
#3. Desert Tech MDRX
It’s a gun you can use for competition, hunting, or defense—and it’s ready to fire as soon as you shoulder it. With the Desert Tech MDRX bullpup rifle, you get the accuracy of a rifle the size of a shotgun.
Weighing in at only 7.5 pounds, this gun is incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver—especially since the magazine is located behind the trigger and grip. You’ll find that it’s also much shorter than most rifles, making it easier to handle and carry.
Ambidextrous charging handle for left- or right-handed shooters.
Quick-change barrel system (QCB) makes switching out barrels fast and easy.
- 2020 Best Bullpup Rifle—National
#4. FN FS2000
The FN FS2000 is the best bullpup rifle in the market today—and we’re not saying that just because it’s built on the same platform as the FN SCAR. This rifle has won two awards for “Best Military Rifle,” and has been featured in countless video games and movies.
The rifle is designed with a long-stroke piston operation and a rotating bolt, which makes it accurate at longer distances than other bullpup rifles. It’s also crafted out of polymer to make it very lightweight and durable.
This weapon is perfect for short- to mid-range shooting, but not so well suited for longer ranges. Overall, the FN FS2000 is a very reliable weapon, and will serve you well in any situation.
#5. PS90
The PS90 is a bullpup configuration semi-automatic rifle from FN Herstal. It is chambered in the 5.7x28mm cartridge, making it well-suited for tactical and defensive use. The gun’s overall length is just over 26″ with a 16″ barrel, which makes it an excellent choice for home defense in confined spaces, as well as a great personal defense weapon for police officers and military personnel. It comes with two 30-round magazines and sells for around $1,900.
The PS90 has won awards such as “Best Rifle of the Year” from Guns & Ammo magazine, “Best Bullpup Weapon System” from Small Arms Defense Journal, “Best Tactical Rifle” from Tactical Life magazine.
#6. Kel-Tec KSG
Kel-Tec’s KSG is a great choice if you’re looking for a bullpup shotgun. It’s super lightweight, with a high capacity magazine tube that holds six rounds of 12-gauge ammunition (or seven rounds of 3-inch ammo). It has a pump action and can be fired in pump mode or semi-automatic mode, making it great for home defense.
This firearm has been honored on the “Top Ten Best Bullpup Rifles and Shotguns” list by Guns & Ammo, and it was featured in the “Top Ten Best Tactical Shotguns” list by Personal Security Zone.
Weighing in at only 6.9 pounds, this gun is perfect for tactical use.This firearm also features a Picatinny rail for mounting and an integrated side saddle shell holder so you can carry your ammunition wherever you need to go. If you’re looking for a quality weapon that will serve you well, check out this versatile firearm.
#7. Steyr AUG
When we think of bullpup rifles, the Steyr AUG is one of the first guns that comes to mind. It’s been in production since 1977 and has seen plenty of action on battlefields around the world.
It’s a gas-operated, selective fire rifle with a modular design that allows for easy replacement of parts like barrels and stocks.
The AUG has won numerous awards, including the National Rifle Association’s Golden Bullseye Award in 1985 for Rifle of the Year.
This Austrian gun is known for its accuracy and reliability, but it does come with a few drawbacks. It shoots from a closed bolt, meaning that you can’t safely chamber the round while the gun is cocked.
#8. CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Carbine
The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Carbine is one of the coolest looking rifles on the market, and it has a ton of features to back up that appearance.
The “bullpup” layout of this rifle means the action is near the trigger and behind the magazine, resulting in a much shorter gun than would be possible with a standard layout.
Despite its short appearance, the Evo 3 S1 still has an 18-inch barrel, which makes it a legal rifle in most states.
Sitting in the sweet spot between submachine gun and carbine, the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Carbine is a fun little gun. It’s lightweight, easy to shoot, and has great ergonomics. It’s also surprisingly accurate for its size and caliber.
I’m not alone in loving this gun: it has won a variety of awards, including the Firearms Industry Choice Award for “Rifle of the Year” in 2015.
What’s the Most Reliable Bullpup?
In our opinion, the most reliable bullpup is the Tavor 7 by IWI. The Tavor is a battle-proven rifle that has been used on the battlefield for decades. It has been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq in numerous theaters, but it has also been deployed by countless SWAT teams across the United States.
While some other bullpups are known to have issues with reliability, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Tavor will fire round after round without any issues.
This is all thanks to its ergonomic design that has been refined over decades of use on the battlefield and in real life situations.The Tavor 7 is not just reliable, it’s also incredibly accurate. The bullpup design allows for a longer barrel length without increasing the overall length of the weapon.
This means you get more accuracy out of a smaller package, which makes it perfect for shooting at longer distances. The average Tavor owner can easily hit targets out to 600 yards with ease!
Are Bullpup RiflesBetter?
Are bullpup rifles better than conventional rifles? It depends on who you ask. The primary benefit of a bullpup weapon is that the weapon’s overall length can be significantly decreased without reducing the barrel length. This allows a bullpup weapon to be more easily maneuvered and concealed than a conventional weapon with similar barrel length, especially in tight spaces.
To be sure, there are plenty of disadvantages to using a bullpup rifle or shotgun. Since the magazine is behind the trigger, it weighs down on the front of the gun, which can make it difficult for some users to aim accurately. They also have a higher potential for accidental discharge as a result of their design, since your trigger hand is more likely to cross over the muzzle when firing.
But let’s say you’re sold on buying one—which one do you choose? We’ve got you covered with this list of our top picks for best bullpups available today!
Are Bullpup Rifles Worth It?
In the world of firearms, the bullpup rifle is a unique design that places the action behind the trigger group. In this way, it achieves a longer barrel length in a compact package. There are practical advantages to the bullpup rifle design, which is why it’s found favor in law enforcement and military roles. You may have seen them on TV or in movies as sci-fi looking weaponry, but they’re actually quite practical.
To be clear: Bullpup rifles are not for everyone. But there are plenty of reasons why you should consider adding one to your gun collection. The first is that they’re highly accurate. Next, they’re easy to handle, despite their length. Finally, they’re relatively affordable compared to other types of long guns.
The best bullpup rifles and shotguns will give you the accuracy and control you need when shooting at long distances or in close quarters combat situations. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites above.
Is the AUG the Best Bullpup?
The AUG A3 M1 is the best bullpup choice for home defense, duty use, and multi gun competitions. It features very low recoil, an efficient flash hider, and is chambered in a capable and common self-defense round. It’s a thoroughly modern rifle that allows the end user to customize it to their needs.
The bullpup configuration allows for shorter overall length without sacrificing barrel length. This makes it more maneuverable in tight spaces and easier to handle in urban environments.
It uses polymer extensively, which aids in keeping weight down while still remaining strong enough to be a durable weapon system. Additionally, the stock is adjustable for length of pull, so you can tailor the fit of your rifle to your body type.
Final Words
The best bullpup weapons are state of the art self defense. The rifles that we made a list includes are proven and most reliable in both short range, long range, multi-purpose and even in tactical combat scenarios.