The video opens with a direct head-to-head comparison between two modern bullpup rifles: the IWI X95 Tavor and the Springfield Armory Hellion, derived from the Croatian VHS. The host frames both as contenders in the current bullpup market and sets up a controlled test environment. Each rifle has its OEM muzzle device replaced with a three-prong SureFire QD mount to run a SureFire SOCOM RC2 silencer, allowing a fair evaluation of which platform makes the better suppressor host. Both rifles retain their flip-up iron sights and wear nearly identical Sig Romeo 8T red dot optics, differing only in color to keep variables consistent. Early discussion highlights how bullpup architecture moves the chamber and ejection behind the trigger, raising questions about comfort and safety when shooting from the non-dominant shoulder. The plan includes unsuppressed and suppressed shooting, gas system tuning, ergonomics analysis, and timed reload drills to reveal real-world handling differences between the Hellion and the X95.
Attention turns to the IWI X95 Tavor’s control layout and ambidextrous features. The rifle uses an AR-style ambidextrous magazine release and a left-side safety that will feel familiar to AR shooters, while the bolt release is positioned at the rear, requiring a specific motion to lock the bolt back. The Tavor can be converted for left-side ejection, but the bullpup design means spent casings exit close to the shooter’s face, especially noticeable when firing from the non-dominant shoulder. The trigger is demonstrated with clear take-up, a heavy break, and a long, pronounced reset, typical of many bullpups and less refined than quality AR triggers. The rifle sports a full-length Picatinny top rail and hidden Picatinny sections under removable rail covers, plus QD sling points. The host notes a robust aftermarket for the X95, including extended rails and M-LOK conversion kits that require some modification but significantly expand mounting options for lights, lasers, and accessories.
The focus shifts to the Springfield Armory Hellion, emphasizing its short-stroke piston system and adjustable gas block, which is presented as more suppressor-friendly than the Tavor’s setup. The Hellion’s gas system offers dedicated positions for suppressed and unsuppressed use, making it easier to tune for different configurations. Its integrated, low-profile flip-up iron sights echo the Tavor’s concept but sit on a raised Picatinny rail that provides ample space for optics and accessories. The charging handle is a G36-style ambidextrous flip handle tucked under the rail, allowing the shooter to run it from either side. Unlike the Tavor’s proprietary grip, the Hellion accepts AR-compatible pistol grips, giving users access to a wide aftermarket. The trigger guard is more conventional, and the safety selector is ambidextrous but intentionally stiff and less comfortable than a typical AR lever, a design choice likely aimed at preventing accidental engagement or disengagement under stress.
The Hellion’s safety selector is examined in more detail, described as ambidextrous yet deliberately stiff and somewhat uncomfortable, though still reachable without breaking the firing grip. The host then critiques the Hellion’s magazine well, which is notably unflared and demands precise magazine insertion. This tight, square magwell raises questions about how quickly and reliably magazines can be seated in combat conditions, especially compared to the VHS military platform it is based on. The magazine release is a single, subtle rearward button that favors retention and reduces the chance of accidental drops when wearing gear like plate carriers, but it is slower than the Tavor’s more forward, easily hit release that can speed up reloads. The Hellion’s bolt release primarily serves to send the bolt forward; manually locking the bolt to the rear requires pulling the charging handle back and pushing up on the catch through the magwell. In contrast, the Tavor’s rear bolt control doubles more intuitively as both catch and release, giving it a slight ergonomic edge.
Ergonomic nuances of the Hellion are explored further, particularly the bolt release location. The shooter finds it more efficient to use the support hand rather than the firing-hand thumb, because thumb activation requires rotating the hand off the grip. The thick polymer M-LOK handguard is scrutinized; while it offers M-LOK slots, their depth and spacing raise questions about how practical they are for mounting common accessories. There is no Picatinny rail on top of the handguard itself, but the main top rail is roughly the same length as the Tavor’s, providing sufficient space for optics, lasers, and lights. A notable advantage is how easily the Hellion can be converted to left-side ejection by rotating a few internal components, making it more flexible for left-handed shooters. The rifle also features an uncommon bullpup trait: an adjustable length of pull via a spring-tensioned buttstock that can be extended or collapsed without disturbing the cheek weld, plus QD sling points at both ends.
The video transitions to live-fire impressions, starting with unsuppressed mag dumps from both rifles. The X95’s long-stroke piston system delivers a smooth recoil impulse with minimal muzzle rise and only mild gas to the face, even during rapid fire. The Hellion’s short-stroke piston system, likened to designs such as the HK G36, AR-18, and SIG Spear LT, is then evaluated under similar conditions. The host demonstrates the Hellion’s adjustable gas system, switching between suppressed and unsuppressed positions, and notes that any difference in recoil softness is subtle and hard to distinguish in practical shooting. Both shooters comment that the Hellion feels relatively soft and controllable regardless of gas setting, suggesting that the adjustment is more about fine-tuning reliability and gas flow than dramatically changing recoil. These unsuppressed tests set a baseline for later suppressed comparisons, highlighting how each bullpup manages recoil, muzzle movement, and shooter comfort before adding a silencer.
The Hellion’s gas system is examined more closely with a suppressor attached, using both the primary host and a second shooter, Kai. The host cycles the rifle between its suppressed and unsuppressed gas positions while shooting, paying attention to recoil impulse, gas to the face, and overall feel. Despite the theoretical benefits of tuning, both shooters report only a very slight, almost imperceptible difference between the settings. The recoil remains relatively soft and consistent, and the rifle continues to run reliably in both modes. This suggests that the Hellion’s short-stroke piston and porting are already well balanced for suppressed use. After this gas-system evaluation, the video transitions into a structured one-reload-one drill. The host explains the drill format: fire one shot, perform a reload from bolt lock, and fire a second shot, all on a timer. This drill will be used with both the Tavor and the Hellion to quantify how their control layouts and magwells affect reload speed under mild pressure.
Timed one-reload-one drills begin with the IWI Tavor X95. The primary shooter runs multiple iterations, starting with times around 3.66 seconds and gradually improving to approximately 3.22 seconds as familiarity with the bullpup’s controls increases. The Tavor’s more forward magazine release and intuitive rear bolt catch/release help streamline the manual of arms, allowing the shooter to develop a consistent rhythm. After several runs, rain forces the team to move under a shed, but the drills continue. A second shooter, Kai, who has limited bullpup experience, repeats the same drill with the Tavor. His times range from about 4.2 seconds to nearly 6 seconds, with some fumbles attributed to slippery hands and unfamiliarity. Despite the slower times, he expresses general satisfaction with how manageable the Tavor feels, reinforcing that its control scheme is relatively approachable even for shooters not accustomed to bullpups.
The timed reload drills shift to the Springfield Hellion, immediately revealing how its different control layout affects performance. The primary shooter initially struggles, posting times above 5 seconds as he adapts to the rearward magazine release, tight magwell, and less intuitive bolt catch procedure. With practice, his times drop into the mid-3-second range, showing that speed is achievable but requires more deliberate technique than with the Tavor. Under the shed, the second shooter, Kai, attempts the same one-reload-one drill with the Hellion. He finds the rearward controls and the need to reach into the magwell area to manipulate the bolt catch more challenging. His times generally fall in the 5–6 second range, slower than with the Tavor. Repeated comments highlight difficulty seating magazines cleanly due to the non-flared magwell, reinforcing earlier critiques that the Hellion demands more precision during reloads, especially under stress or with less-experienced users.
As the reload drills continue, the shooters’ preferences become clearer. The second shooter experiences repeated hang-ups inserting magazines into the Hellion’s tight, unflared magwell and openly wishes for a flared design to guide mags more easily. These issues contrast with his smoother performance on the Tavor, where the more open magwell and forward magazine release support faster, more intuitive reloads. The shooters discuss how the Hellion’s rearward controls and bolt catch arrangement require more movement and precision, particularly when trying to maintain a solid firing grip. This leads to a general preference for the Tavor’s control layout in the context of speed reloads. The segment underscores that while both bullpups can be run quickly with practice, the Tavor’s ergonomics and aftermarket support give it an advantage for users prioritizing rapid, consistent reloads, whereas the Hellion feels more demanding and less forgiving when hands are wet, cold, or under time pressure.
The focus shifts to suppressed shooting from the non-dominant shoulder, an important test for bullpup designs where the chamber is close to the face. The Tavor X95 is fired suppressed from the left shoulder by a right-handed shooter. He reports significant gas and carbon blowback to the face, describing the experience as unpleasant, though not physically painful. The gas exposure highlights a common bullpup concern when running suppressors, especially for left-handed or shoulder-switching shooters. The narrator notes that aftermarket solutions exist to mitigate this, including sealing the Tavor’s unused left-hand extraction port to reduce gas escape when configured for right-hand ejection. These modifications can improve comfort for suppressed use but require additional investment and installation. This test sets a benchmark for evaluating how the Springfield Hellion behaves under similar conditions, particularly in terms of gas blowback, ejection pattern, and overall comfort when fired from the non-dominant side.
The Springfield Hellion is then tested suppressed from the left shoulder, with its adjustable gas system evaluated in both unsuppressed and suppressed settings. Shooters notice noticeable gas to the face and, more critically, a rearward-shifted ejection pattern that sends hot brass toward the chin and arm, causing actual burns. Compared to the Tavor, which delivers more gas but less physical impact, the Hellion is judged more painful for left-shoulder suppressed use. At the same time, the Hellion earns praise for its ambidextrous charging handle under the Picatinny rail, its adjustable gas system, and a well-placed magazine release, even though the tight, non-flared magwell remains a major drawback. A trigger comparison concludes that the Hellion’s relatively light, flat-faced trigger with some mush is still better than the Tavor’s heavy, long-reset bullpup trigger. The Hellion also exhibits a softer suppressed recoil impulse, while the Tavor feels more violent and gassy. The video closes by questioning whether the Hellion can overtake the Tavor’s entrenched position in the U.S. bullpup market, given the Tavor’s superior aftermarket ecosystem.
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