Automatic rifles: bullpup versus normal layout
There is a huge number of small arms weapons of various types and purposes, various calibers, layout diagrams and technical solutions. Sometimes, both between gun lovers and between professionals who use it in their work, fierce disputes arise about the advantages and disadvantages of one or another solution.
For example, there is still debate about the advantages / disadvantages of intermediate cartridges of 5,45 mm and 7,62 mm, and it is unlikely that even the appearance of promising cartridges of an even more "intermediate" caliber of 6,5-6,8 mm will stop them.
But today we're going to talk about another source of controversy in the weapons community - the choice of a normal firearms layout or a bullpup layout.
Recall that in the normal layout the trigger is located behind the magazine with cartridges, and in the bullpup - the trigger is located in front of the magazine with cartridges.
The bullpup scheme appeared much later than the normal layout scheme. For the first time, the bullpup weapon was introduced in 1901 in Great Britain - it was an experienced Thorneycroft cavalry carbine, which did not interest the British military.
Thorneycroft's cavalry carbine. Image en.wikipedia.org
The PzB M.SS.41 anti-tank gun of 7,92 × 94 mm caliber, developed by Czech specialists in 1940-1941, which, in an amount of several thousand copies, entered service with the fascist Germany. In fact, this is a classic "anti-material" rifle with a telescopic sight, which, as such, was most often used (its characteristics are quite relevant now).
At the time of the appearance of the first serial weapon made in the bullpup layout, small arms created according to the normal scheme had long been used on the battlefields and were produced in huge series.
Advantages and disadvantages
Compared to the normal layout, the bullpup option has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages, of course, include a general reduction in the length of the weapon: on average, it can be about 15–20 cm. Such a decrease in length is especially noticeable when operating indoors or in wooded areas, where “long” weapons are extremely inconvenient to use.
With the same length with a weapon of a normal layout, a weapon created according to the "bullpup" scheme will have a longer barrel length, and, accordingly, a greater bullet energy and firing accuracy.
It is more convenient to shoot from the "bullpup" from behind an obstacle - when reloading, you do not need to move your hand over the obstacle to replace the magazine.
The shift in the center of gravity towards the butt leads to a decrease in the barrel toss when firing. However, the change in the center of gravity towards the butt is sometimes attributed to disadvantages - it is believed that although the toss of the barrel becomes less, it is more difficult to control it, while it is possible that this is a factor of habit.
The author has never fired from a weapon created according to the "bullpup" layout, so there is no personal opinion about the comfort of shooting from such a weapon, but in terms of carrying, holding and aiming, the "bullpup" seemed much more convenient.
The disadvantages of "bullpup" primarily include the release of shells and powder gases near the shooter's face, this is especially true for left-handed people - however, this is solved by changing the scheme of ejection of shells downward or forward.
Another drawback is the inconvenience of using large-capacity magazines and replacing magazines when shooting while prone.
Let's put it this way: how often are large-capacity magazines used on assault rifles / assault rifles?
The answer will be - extremely rare. And “inconvenient” does not mean impossible.
As for the inconvenience of replacing the magazine in the prone position, the answer here is more likely to lie in the development of skills - how many ways are there to cocking an AK bolt that does not have a double-sided handle, which have been developed over the years of operation of this weapon?
And the inconvenience of replacing the magazine when shooting while prone is fully compensated by the great convenience of replacing it when shooting from behind an obstacle.
Such imaginary drawbacks as a shorter aiming line and a lower trigger sensitivity, less convenience in twitching the shutter can be solved, respectively, by using optical / collimator sights and by optimizing the design.
Experimental
During the second half of the XNUMXth century, many experimental machines in the bullpup arrangement were presented.
In 1946, an experimental machine gun TKB-408 designed by G.A. was tested in the USSR. Korobov chambered for 7,62x39 mm, made in a bullpup layout.
Automatic Korobov TKB-408
In the mid-60s of the XX century, the designer Nikolai Afanasyev in the bullpup layout developed the TKB-011 assault rifle of 7,62x39 mm caliber.
Afanasyev's TKB-011 assault rifle. Image wikipedia.org
A little earlier, in 1962, G.A. Korobov developed an ultimatum "bullpup" TKB-022, in which there is simply nowhere to move the store further back.
It can be assumed that the TKB-22 with its phenomenal compactness and "nimbleness" could become an ideal weapon for the crews of armored vehicles.
Automatic Korobov TKB-022. Image wikipedia.org
In 1984, within the framework of the Abakan ROC, the designer I.Ya. Stechkin developed the TKB-0146 assault rifle chambered for 5,45x39 mm, which took second place, behind only the Nikonov AN-94 assault rifle.
Stechkin assault rifle TKB-0146. Image wikipedia.org
In 1993, the Tula TsKIB SOO developed the OTs-14 "Groza" grenade launcher for 7,62x39 / 9x39 mm cartridges and 40-mm VOG-25 / VOG-25P grenades, which was 70% unified with the AKS74U assault rifle.
"Groza" was produced in small quantities, managed to fight during the war in Chechnya, and even exported to the United States, the Czech Republic, Croatia and France (in small quantities).
OTs-14 "Thunderstorm"
In a concept similar to the "Groza" in the early 90s of the XX century, the A91 assault rifle was developed at the KBP State Unitary Enterprise, in fact, also a rifle-grenade launcher complex, in which the grenade launcher is structurally combined with the assault rifle.
The A-91 assault rifle was originally developed as a bullpup (and not as a reworking of the Kalashnikov assault rifle), so it is devoid of many of the drawbacks inherent in bullpup, for example, the sleeves do not fly out in front of the shooter, but are retracted forward, being thrown out next to the handle.
5,56A-91 assault rifle in NATO caliber 5,56x45 mm. Image wikipedia.org
A fairly large number of projects of small arms in the bullpup layout were developed in Western countries.
For example, one of the promising rifles, created under the American program SPIW (Special Purpose Individual Weapon - individual special-purpose weapons), was developed in a bullpup layout. The Springfield SPIW rifle was supposed to fire high-speed swept bullets. The capacity of her magazine was 60 rounds. A three-shot 40 mm grenade launcher was integrated into the design.
Experienced rifle Springfield SPIW. Image en.wikipedia.org
Another experienced "bullpup" that did not make it into the series was the Steyr ACR rifle, developed in the late 80s of the XX century as part of the American program of the same name ACR (advanced combat rifle).
Experienced rifle Steyr ACR. Image en.wikipedia.org
And finally, one cannot fail to recall the German Heckler-Koch G11 rifle for caseless 4,7x33 mm ammunition, which was offered both to the German armed forces (AF) and participated in the ACR program. The magazine in the G-11 rifle was located on top, with most of it located in the front of the rifle, nevertheless, the supply of cartridges was carried out behind the handle and trigger, which makes the Heckler-Koch G11 a bullpup.
Heckler-Koch G11. Image wikipedia.org
In service
It would seem that small arms of a normal layout scheme unconditionally reign supreme, the leading armies of the world, the US and USSR / Russian armies, all the time chose weapons of the traditional layout scheme, respectively, the M-16 / M-4 series rifles and various modifications of Kalashnikov assault rifles. Nevertheless, many countries of the world, including those who are quite intensively at war, are armed with small arms created in the bullpup arrangement.
Most of the Chinese small arms are licensed and unlicensed copies, modifications and alterations of small arms developed by other countries.
At the same time, in the mid-90s of the XX century, a light automatic rifle Type-95 (QBZ-95) was adopted by the PRC for a new Chinese intermediate cartridge of 5,8 × 42 mm caliber. How good the Type-95 rifle is is an open question. Nevertheless, it is used not only by the armed forces of China, but special units of Cambodia and Pakistan, the armed forces of Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Sudan.
Chinese light automatic rifle Type-95 (QBZ-95). Image wikipedia.org
In the French armed forces, the Bullpup FAMAS assault rifle has been in service since 1977 and has gone through a huge number of colonial conflicts, in which the French Armed Forces and the Foreign Legion participated. Nevertheless, despite the long and relatively successful operation of the FAMAS assault rifles, the French army is switching to the German HK416F rifle of the classic layout.
FAMAS assault rifle. Image wikipedia.org
The British Armed Forces are still sadder.
Their L85A1 assault rifle, also a bullpup assault rifle, is renowned for its disgusting performance. However, this is not a problem of the bullpup layout as such, but rather of the developers of the L85A1 rifle.
In 2000, the L85A1 rifle was modified by the specialists of the German company Heckler & Koch to the L85A2 variant, which significantly increased its operational characteristics.
British assault rifle L85A1. Image wikipedia.org
Much more interesting is the choice of Israel - one of the most belligerent countries in the world. During its existence, the Israeli Armed Forces have used various types of small arms.
One of the most interesting samples can be considered the Galil assault rifles (Galil), created on the basis of the Finnish Valmet Rk 62 assault rifle, which, in turn, was created on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Also, the Israelis used American M-16 and M-4 rifles.
However, then the Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) company developed a new TAR-21 Tavor assault rifle, made in the bullpup layout, which has been adopted by the Israeli Armed Forces since 2001. Given that Israel is actually in a state of continuous war and has the ability to quickly test the weapons used in real combat conditions, there is no reason to doubt the validity of the choice of their armed forces.
TAR-21 Tavor assault rifle. Image wikipedia.org
On the basis of the TAR-21, the IWI X95 modular assault rifle has been developed.
Since 2013, the Russian special operations forces have adopted the ADS rifle complex (two-medium special assault rifle), the design of which is based on the aforementioned A91 assault rifle and includes the assault rifle itself and an integrated 40 mm grenade launcher. The machine gun can fire both conventional cartridges of 5,45x39 mm caliber, and special cartridges designed for firing under water.
It can be assumed that this is one of the most perfect bullpups of his time.
Shooting complex ADS. Image wikipedia.org
It is worth mentioning two more of the most striking representatives of the bullpup layout.
The Austrian army is armed with the Steyr AUG rifle, developed in 1977. For its time, this rifle looked extremely futuristic (and even now it looks quite modern), and often for many, this particular rifle is primarily associated with the bullpup layout.
The Steyr AUG rifle is used not only in Austria, but also in the armed forces of Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Uruguay, special forces of the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Croatia and many other countries.
Rifle Steyr AUG. Image wikipedia.org
In 2001, the Belgian company FN Herstal developed the FN2000 automatic rifle, in which all the disadvantages of previous generations of bullpup were taken into account as much as possible. For example, the cartridge cases in the FN2000 are ejected forward - they fly out almost at the muzzle. The control of the FN2000 rifle is completely two-sided, equally convenient for right-handers and left-handers.
The FN2000 rifle is used by special operations forces in a number of countries - Belgium, Chile, Croatia, India, Pakistan, Poland. A fairly large number of FN2000 rifles were purchased by Slovenia and Saudi Arabia.
Automatic rifle FN2000. Image wikipedia.org
Upcoming prospects
At the moment, US armed forces are implementing the NGSW program, which includes the creation of a new generation squad rifle NGSW-R (Next Generation Squad Weapon Rifle), designed to replace the M-4 rifle, and a new generation automatic rifle squad NGSW-AR (Next Generation Squad Weapon Automatic Rifle), designed to replace the M249 machine gun.
One of the samples that reached the final of the NGSW program is the prototype of the RM277 rifle of the General Dynamics-OTS-Beretta group of companies, made in the bullpup layout.
Rifle prototypes RM277. Image by beretta.com
RM277 Rifle Promotional Spot
According to the author, given the conservatism of the American military, the Sig Sauer company has the greatest chances of winning the NGSW program, with its rifle and cartridge of the classic layout, if the NGSW program is generally recognized as successful, and does not repeat the fate of other American promising small arms programs. such as SALVO, SPIV, ACR or OICW, but who knows ...
In the event of victory of the RM277 family rifles in the NGSW program and their adoption by the US Army, the bullpup weapon will be in service with one of the largest and most belligerent armies in the world.
Conclusions
There is no doubt that machine guns and rifles of the normal layout are currently leading in the overall standings. At the same time, the leadership of the normal layout is not unconditional.
Small arms in the bullpup layout have also been actively used and are being used, moreover, by very advanced militarily countries.
In fact, often on the way of small arms in a bullpup arrangement, not only and not so much their real or perceived shortcomings can arise, but also a certain conservatism inherent in any bureaucratic structures, including the largest and most powerful armed forces on the planet.
Improvement of technologies and construction materials in combination with the use of modern layout diagrams will eliminate the drawbacks of bullpup. The need to conduct a maneuverable battle in a confined space requires a reduction in the total length of the weapon while maintaining a sufficient barrel length - a folding butt will not help here, because the weapon must be compact in the unfolded combat state.
The length of the weapon is especially relevant in connection with the emerging trend of using silencers on automatic weapons in combination with powerful supersonic cartridges.
Taking into account the above, there is no doubt that the bullpup layout will be in demand in the development of promising small arms (including new generation machine guns / rifles), which will take its rightful place in the armed forces of the leading countries of the world.
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