Is The Springfield Hellion Our New Favorite Bullpup Rifle?

Introducing the Springfield Armory Hellion

The video opens with the hosts jokingly misidentifying the rifle as a Tavor, AUG, or MDR before confirming it is the Springfield Armory Hellion bullpup. Clint from Classic Firearms is joined by Kaia and Sarah to put the Hellion through its paces on the range. The rifle is described as a newer bullpup that the team first handled at the NRA Annual Meeting and again at SHOT Show before getting this example for live fire. The group notes their different levels of bullpup experience: Clint has run several models in drills, Kaia has limited time behind bullpups like the AUG, and this will be Sarah’s first time shooting a bullpup platform.

Ambidextrous controls and bolt operation

The Hellion’s fully ambidextrous layout is highlighted as a key feature. The non‑reciprocating charging handle sits forward and can be locked at a 90‑degree angle, reminiscent of the HK G36, and can be used from either side. The safety selector is a short‑throw, HK‑style lever accessible from both sides of the rifle. An ambidextrous magazine release is positioned at the rear of the magwell, protruding slightly when a magazine is inserted. The bolt catch is located inside the magwell on a small internal tab rather than as an external button, which the hosts find awkward, especially when thinking about malfunction clearance. The bolt can be released either by pulling the charging handle or by pressing a rearward‑acting bolt release located just behind the magazine, very close to the mag release.

Trigger, barrel, gas system, and sights

The hosts examine the Hellion’s trigger and basic configuration. The rifle uses a 16-inch chrome‑moly barrel with a four‑prong flash hider. It features an adjustable gas system, which the team notes should make it a viable suppressor host. The trigger is evaluated with dry‑fire: there is noticeable take‑up, a distinct wall, a bit of creep, and then the break, followed by a reset that feels somewhat long. The group agrees the trigger is not exceptional but is acceptable for a bullpup, with a slightly spongy feel. Integrated flip‑up iron sights lock solidly in place and are deployed or stowed via small buttons. The hosts appreciate that the sights are sturdy and prefer the more positive locking mechanism, even if it requires deliberate effort to move them.

Field-stripping and left-hand ejection setup

The Hellion’s disassembly and ejection options are discussed. The rifle is based on the Croatian VHS‑2, a short‑stroke piston‑driven design. Field‑stripping is toolless, using several captive pins to separate the stock and access internal components. Once the stock is removed, the bolt carrier group can be withdrawn by pulling back on the charging handle, and the assembly is described as resembling a PTR roller‑delayed style unit. The Hellion can be configured for left‑hand ejection without purchasing additional parts. After removing the bolt, it is rotated 180 degrees and reinstalled, and a locking dust cover pin is moved to the opposite side to secure the new ejection port position. This allows straightforward conversion between right‑hand and left‑hand ejection while keeping the system self‑contained.

Ergonomics, AR grip compatibility, and setup

Ergonomics and user interface are examined before live fire. The Hellion accepts standard AR‑15 pistol grips, and the supplied grip has a beavertail and a grip angle the hosts find comfortable and smooth. The stock offers adjustable length of pull, and the cheek piece can be raised to accommodate higher‑mounted optics, though it is kept low here to align with the iron sights. The team notes that while the control layout is fully ambidextrous, some elements feel unconventional, especially the internal bolt catch and the close proximity of the bolt release and magazine release. Manipulating the bolt release during reloads requires rotating the support hand slightly rearward, which feels less natural than on some other bullpups like the Steyr AUG or IWI designs. The group plans to see how these ergonomics translate once they start running drills.

Range impressions, recoil, and height-over-bore

On the range, the shooters begin firing the Hellion and immediately notice the impact of the sight height over bore. At closer distances, rounds impact low relative to the point of aim, leading them to hold on the head area of the target to achieve center‑mass hits. Once adjusted, hits line up well, and the group comments on the visible target effects. Recoil is described as very soft and easy to control, contributing to a generally enjoyable shooting experience. One shooter notes that the rifle does not feel like it is kicking much at all. The team agrees that the Hellion is fun to shoot and that the mild recoil and compact bullpup configuration make it easy to manage during strings of fire.

Trigger speed, accuracy corrections, and platform learning curve

After several magazines, the hosts share more detailed performance observations. The long trigger take‑up and reset limit how fast they can comfortably run the rifle compared to more familiar platforms. With some practice, they expect the trigger timing could be learned for quicker follow‑up shots. While performing faster strings, one shooter notices hits drifting slightly right and low but is able to correct point of aim while still firing, suggesting the rifle’s low recoil makes on‑the‑fly adjustments manageable. Overall, the Hellion feels good in action, but the mechanics and control layout clearly differ from an AR‑15. The team emphasizes that the bullpup format requires some adaptation, particularly for reloads and trigger work, yet the rifle’s soft recoil and handling characteristics leave a positive impression.