December 30th, 2024
7minute read
In this article, Will Dabbs considers the graySpringfield Armory Hellion rifle.
The gun in this article was provided to the author as a loan from the manufacturer.
Yes, there are some loud detractors to the concept, but Ive always been a fan.
The Hellion bullpup in gray offers users a 5.56mm that, even with a suppressor installed, offers a short and handy defensive firearm. Image: Max Jacobsen/PNW-PEW
This gives you compact dimensions with impressive performance.
Oh, and it also looks super awesome just sitting in the gun box.
For me, that latter color in particular looks like something out of a science fiction movie.
With fully ambidextrous controls and impeccable performance, the Hellion is an excellent option for the bullpup enthusiast. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Particulars
The Hellion has all the bells and whistles.
The chrome moly vanadium and Melonite-coated barrel is a full 16 long and features a 1-in-7 twist rate.
The gun eats 5.56x45mm or .223 Remington ammo with comparable enthusiasm and weighs 8 lbs.
The left side of the Springfield Armory Hellion showcases its sleek gray finish, offering a modern and tactical look. This versatile bullpup rifle combines innovation with style in every detail.
The short-stroke gas piston-driven action was inspired by that of Gene Stoners classic AR-180.
This system is recognized as an excellent balance between accuracy and reliability.
The gas system is readily adjustable without tools to select between N for normal and S for suppressed modes.
The author’s gray Springfield Armory Hellion, outfitted with a red dot sight and suppressor, is ready for the range. This custom configuration highlights the rifle’s adaptability and sleek aesthetic.
Even with a suppressor installed, the overall length is still shorter than many unsuppressed AR rifles.
Thats a nice touch.
The furniture is rugged environmentally resistant polymer.
The gray Hellion and Remington UMC ammunition prove to be an effective pairing, as shown on this target. The rifle’s ergonomic design and consistent ammunition deliver impressive results.
The handguard is nicely textured and shaped to accommodate the human form.
Where most bullpup buttstocks are fixed, that of the Hellion adjusts through five positions.
If you cant optimize the Hellion to fit your particular form, you might not actually be human.
The author takes aim with his gray Springfield Armory Hellion, demonstrating its comfortable handling and precision. The rifle’s unique color adds a modern touch to this dynamic shooting experience.
One of the biggest challenges associated with bullpup rifles is managing ejection.
Swapping the gun from right- to left-handed ejection can be undertaken at the user level in minutes without tools.
In addition, the Hellions charging handle is ambidextrous, and the safety is bilateral.
With its gray finish and sci-fi-inspired design, the Hellion looks ready for a cinematic adventure. The author highlights its lightweight build and modern appeal in the field.
Gray Hellion Specifications
Origins
Nobody is completely sure where the term Bullpup originated.
Like the canine, such a beast was compact and homely while remaining powerful.
This seemed an appropriate appellation.
Technically, most all autoloading handguns are bullpups.
Using that observation as a metric, the bullpup concept has indeed been around for quite some while.
The Hellion is compact enough to stash comfortably in a vehicle yet still produces rifle-grade muzzle velocities.
The Hellion itself is a product-improved version of the VHS used by the Croatian military.
The VHS originally spawned from a bullpup based on the classic Kalashnikov.
Extensive mechanical evolution eventually produced a design that was completely fresh and new.
The Hellion we have here is the civilian-legal, semi-auto version of the VHS-2.
The manual of arms is intuitive and easily mastered.
The triggers on lots of bullpup guns are long and mushy.
However, that of the Hellion is exceptionally nice indeed.
There is a lengthy, weightless and predictable take-up followed by a nice crisp break.
We modern gun geeks have gotten way spoiled to accurate rifles.
Back in the day, two or three MOA was typical accuracy.
Four MOA (four inch groups at 100 yards) was considered acceptable for the classic M1 Garand.
Nowadays, we can do better.
The Hellion shoots plenty straight.
My best ones flirted with half that.
The Hellion is a nice-shooting combat rifle indeed.
Ruminations
Its tough to capture in prose how cool this rifle looks.
I know I shouldnt care, but I honestly cannot help it.
Go to forum thread
