Last updated and checked October 29, 2026 · By Nick Hall, bullpup rifle shooter who has tested the Tavor, AUG, MDRx, and Kel-Tec RDB
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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun.
Winners at a Glance
The Steyr Aug A3 is still the best bullpup rifle money can buy, but there are more options these days.
Here are our top picks.
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
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Steyr Aug A3 |
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See Live Prices |
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FN PS90 |
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See Live Prices |
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Springfield Armory Hellion |
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See Live Prices |
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Desert Tech MDRx |
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See Live Prices |
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Kel-Tec RDB |
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See Live Prices |
Table of Contents
The best bullpup rifles offer the performance of a full size rifle in a much smaller package, and you should have at least one in your gun safe.
Left handed shooters get ambidextrous controls on most of these picks, and the Kel-Tec RDB and FN PS90 eject downward, so they need no conversion at all. Once you get used to the bullpup rifle design, too, there are significant advantages over an AR-15 standard rifle.
The compact layout of this Close Quarters Combat weapon brings the center of gravity closer to your body, making the rifle feel lighter in your hands than a carbine-length AR. It’s a shorter gun you can move through your home more easily, without sacrificing barrel length and range.
1. Steyr Aug A3 M1
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO/223 Rem
- Action: Semi Auto
- Barrel: 16 inch (1:7 twist)
- Length: 28.125 inch
- Weight: 7.65lb
Pros
- Quick-change barrel, proven since 1977
- 16-inch barrel in 28.125 inches
- Optional 1.5x or 3x Steyr optic
Cons
- Left-hand swap needs a new bolt
- Dealers list it near $2,000
- Linkage trigger is heavier than an AR
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
This Austrian icon is a contender for the most famous bullpup rifle in the world. Mass adoption of the assault rifle by military and law enforcement is one reason, but the Steyr Aug A3 has also starred in a ton of movies.
The Steyr Aug simply looks like nothing else and that draws the visually minded movie prop folks like moths to a flame.
A short stroke gas piston with a two-position gas regulator (one setting for normal use, one for cold or dirty conditions) runs the action, and the chrome-lined barrel is chambered in 5.56 NATO.
It ships set up to eject right. Lefties can convert it to left ejection by replacing the bolt and modifying the stock, as Steyr’s manual explains.
You can order some great sounding colors from Steyr Arms too. Get the black, white, green or mud. Don’t worry about fancy multicam, burnt bronze, or any of that nonsense here.
2. FN PS90
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Action: Semi Auto
- Barrel length: 16.04 inch
- Length: 26.23 inch
- Weight: 6.28lb
Pros
- Downward ejection suits left-handers
- 30-round top-mounted magazine
- Light at 6.28 pounds
Cons
- $2,330 MSRP
- 5.7x28mm ammo costs more
- Top magazine takes practice to load
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 2/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Show me a more stylish, wackier way to send 5.7x28mm rounds. There just isn’t one.
From the top loading magazine and high rail to the thumbhole stock and fully ambidextrous controls, this was a work of design genius when it launched in 2005. The ejection system is at the bottom, too, which is brilliantly obvious, and yet so rarely done this well.
Special Forces and Counter Terrorist units adopted this bullpup semi auto rifle, which led to armed forces, specialist military and law enforcement units in more than 40 countries placing orders.
In the United States, Houston SWAT proved its efficacy in 2003 and by 2009 more than 200 units around the country had the FN P90 in its arsenal. New customers included the US Secret Service and Federal Protective Services.
Those agencies carry the select-fire P90, but this 16.04 inch civilian version still comes in at 26.23 inches, and FN’s SS195LF load can reach 777 m/s (2,549fps) from the PS90’s longer barrel.
3. Springfield Hellion
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Action: Semi Automatic rifle
- Barrel length: 16 inch barrel
- Length: 28.25-29.75 inch
- Weight: 8lb
Pros
- Ambidextrous controls throughout
- 16, 18 and 20-inch versions
- Takes standard AR-15 magazines
Cons
- $2,040 MSRP for the 16-inch
- Heavy at 8 pounds
- 28.25 inches with a 16-inch barrel
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 2.5/5 | 3/5 |
The Springfield Hellion is a rebadged version of the Croatian VHS-2, and that’s a good thing. The VHS-2 is the Croatian military’s service rifle.
The VHS-2 is a famously smooth shooter in fully automatic mode. As a semi-automatic the performance has amazed, delighted, whatever you want to say. It’s good, is the short version and the full auto version is a work of art that active soldiers seem to genuinely enjoy shooting.
With the Springfield Armory Hellion consumer version, you get an adjustable length of pull. It’s already longer than most of the best AR-15s. But this goes longer still, with an adjustable cheek riser and iron sights on the Picatinny rail.
A red dot sight is faster for work at distance, but the irons do the job on the Springfield Armory Hellion.
Other neat touches on these Springfield Armory Hellion bullpup firearms include a cassette mounted Fire Control Unit that pops out with the touch of a button if you’re struggling with trigger group issues etc.
Again, ambidextrous controls mean it is super easy for left handed shooters to switch the ejector and avoid a face full of hot brass and there’s no slop in that Springfield Hellion battle rifle rail, or anywhere.
4. Desert Tech MDRx
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO/223 Rem
- Action: Semi Automatic rifle
- Barrel: 20 inch barrel
- Length: 31.5 inch
- Weight: 8.89lb
Pros
- Swaps between four calibers
- Forward ejection on .308 models
- True ambidextrous design
Cons
- 20-inch barrel only in 2026
- $2,038.50 to $2,447.10 MSRP
- Heaviest rifle on this list
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 2.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
The MDRx is the updated version of Desert Tech’s MDR, and Desert Tech still sells it alongside its newer WLVRN bullpup.
Desert Tech says this short stroke gas piston rifle can switch between .308 Win, .223 Wylde, .300 BLK and 6.5 Creedmoor. The current store lists the 5.56 rifle with side ejection and the .308 rifle with Desert Tech’s patented forward ejection.
Desert Tech calls it a true ambidextrous design that works for left and right handed shooters without reconfiguration. With red dot sights up top, this is a beast.
Desert Tech’s store currently lists the MDRx with a 20 inch barrel in 5.56 NATO ($2,038.50) or 7.62 NATO/.308 Win ($2,447.10).
Even the trigger pull is good, by bullpup standards, and that slightly longer barrel is good for accuracy. The bullpup rifles reviews love these military small arms, and so do we.
5. IWI Tavor X95
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel: 16.5 inch barrel (1:7 twist)
- Length: 26.125 inch
- Weight: 7.9lb
Pros
- Proven Israeli service design
- 16.5-inch barrel in 26.125 inches
- Left-hand model available
Cons
- $1,999 MSRP
- New production is 5.56 only
- Linkage trigger feels heavy
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 3/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
The IWI Tavor X95 was designed with the tight spaces and alleyways of Israel in mind. So it’s compact, reliable, and also serves as a club when you’re out of bullets.
For the full test, including the discontinued 9mm and .300 BLK models and the Restricted State version, read our IWI Tavor X95 review. Ours ran 1,000 rounds without a malfunction.
I mean any bullpup style gun does, we guess. But the Tavor X95 was actually designed with tight spaces in the parameters.
Aside from that it’s a long stroke gas piston that evolved from the IWI Tavor SAR rifle that has inspired copies worldwide, including the bullpup shotguns that largely copied the basic layout of the Tavor SAR assault rifle and its adjustable gas system.
The Tavor X95 bullpup rifle is a step forward in several areas. The Fire Control Unit is better, the charging handle has been moved closer to the center mass and there are other small changes like a full length Picatinny rail.
It field strips into two major components in seconds and the bullpup rifle reviews are stellar. You have the magazine in front of the trigger and long linkages. Muzzle rise is also a thing with Tavor bullpup rifles and shotguns.
And yet still, the bullpup design flaws give it a character, a unique flavor of rifle you should own at least once.
6. Kel Tec RDB
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel: 17.3 inch (1:7 twist)
- Length: 27.3 inch
- Weight: 7lb
Pros
- Cheapest rifle here at $799.99
- Downward ejection, fully ambidextrous
- Takes standard AR-15 magazines
Cons
- Polymer build feels less refined
- Smaller accessory market than AR-15s
- 27.3 inches long
| Price | Accuracy | Reliability | Weight | Prestige |
| 5/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
Kel-Tec showed the RDB at SHOT Show 2014, and at a $799.99 MSRP for the RDB17 it is still the cheapest rifle on this list.
So if you’re looking for a cheap bullpup rifle, then this Kel Tec RDB semi auto rifle is your best gun right here.
The patented downward ejection sends spent brass down through the stock, behind the magwell, and Kel-Tec says that makes the RDB completely ambidextrous.
It also makes it even easier for left handed shooters to just pick the Kel Tec RDB up and start shooting, and the buttstock works well in tight spaces. That bodes well for a home defense rifle.
Also check out the similar Kel Tec RFB affordable bullpup rifle, chambered in 308 Winchester, with the longer barrel. The Kel Tec RFB and KSG shotguns are both a lot of fun.
7. Meta Tactical Pistol to Rifle Conversion Kit
- Price: $499
Pros
- Turns your pistol into a carbine
- $499 with 16-inch barrel included
- 30 kits for popular pistols
Cons
- Fits listed pistol models only
- No Gen 5 MOS or Gen 6 Glock 19
- Adds bulk you carry separately
Our trusted retailers don’t stock the APEX kits right now. Meta Tactical sells every kit direct at $499 on metatactical.com, with a fit list by pistol make and model.
Just to be clear there is Glock 19 at the heart of this conversion kit, or a Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0, or a Palmetto State Armory Dagger. Meta Tactical lists more than 70 compatible pistol models.
You buy the right conversion kit, swap in the 16 inch barrel that ships in the box, and slot your gun home. The side charging handle really just racks the slide, but you do get a full length picatinny rail, in plastic.
With all the new rules, this is a bold take that skirts them all by turning a Glock into a genuine bullpup rifle with a proper barrel. It’s mad, and we like this conversion kit concept.
You Want a Bullpup Shotgun With That?
Top bullpup rifles and shotguns go together and if you’re swayed by the bullpup design, get the pros and cons and actually give it a go, you will find yourself investing in a collection. Especially when you see the gun deals we have for you on a bullpup shotgun.
Here are a few bullpup shotguns you should consider.
1. IWI Tavor TS12
- Barrel: 18.5 inch
- Total Length: 28.34 inches
- Weight: 9lb
- Capacity: 15+1
Pros
- 15 rounds of 2 3/4-inch shells
- Semi-auto with three rotating tubes
- 18.5-inch barrel in 28.34 inches
Cons
- Heavy at 9 pounds
- $1,399 MSRP
- Left ejection swap is a factory job
This Tavor TS12 semi-automatic shotgun comes with a revolving set of 3 tube magazines and 15 full-size shells between reloads.
Now this bullpup shotgun isn’t quite as effective as a detachable box magazine in terms of fast reloads. But the Tavor TS12 is a truly unique bullpup shotgun and we love it for outdoor range shooting, especially with red dots.
Would the Tavor TS12 semi auto shotgun be our first choice for home defense with all those complex moving parts? That’s another question… No, is the answer.
The TS12 comes in Black, Flat Dark Earth and OD Green. Lefties should buy the left-hand model, because IWI’s manual says the shotgun needs to be sent to the factory to be converted.
2. Kel-Tec KSG
- Barrel: 18.5 inch
- Total Length: 26.1 inch
- Capacity: 14+1 (2.75 inch shells) or 12+1 (3 inch shells)
Pros
- Twin tubes hold 14+1 shells
- Light at 6.9 pounds
- $899.99 MSRP
Cons
- Pump action, not semi-auto
- Manual selector to switch tubes
- Short-stroking can cause jams
The Kel-Tec KSG 12 gauge shotgun is one of the most famous shotguns in the world. John Wick had one with red dots and it has appeared in more movies than most Hollywood stars.
Is it the top bullpup shotgun? It’s definitely close.
The dual magazine tubes meant it was one of the first high capacity shotguns and this Kel Tec KSG pump action shotgun is still one of the most popular bullpup concepts out there.
Get the buyer’s guide on this bullpup style 12 gauge shotgun and a full review of our top picks.
3. Black Aces Tactical Bullpup 12 Gauge Shotgun
- Barrel: 18.5 inch
- Total Length: 28 inch
- Capacity: 5 + 1
Pros
- $399 for pump or semi-auto
- Takes detachable box magazines
- 18.5-inch barrel in 28 inches
Cons
- Black pump sold out at Black Aces
- Turkish import quality varies
- Ships with 5-round magazines
Black Aces Tactical make great tactical shotguns for personal defense at an affordable price. Compared to most the others on this list, these bullpup design shotguns are just the best gun deals.
This Black Aces Tactical bullpup shotgun is a pump action shotgun, and the semi-auto version carries the same $399 price.
Now the Black Aces Tactical shotguns are fun to shoot, reliable and they get great gun reviews for such an affordable bullpup. Read the buyer’s guide posts, the pros and cons, and you’ll see that people love this 12 gauge shotgun.
For a full review of bullpup shotguns, including mag fed semi auto shotgun option on the American markets, go here.
Where to Bulk Buy Ammo
Our gun deals go beyond the bullpup rifles themselves and we spend a lot of time looking for ammunition prices. Palmetto State Armory is a favorite supplier at the moment, for top bullpup rifles and shotguns, best ammo, pump action shotguns, bolt action rifles, everything.
Palmetto State Armory does have some great ammunition prices and you can buy up to 1000 round ammo cans. 9mm ammo, handgun ammo, rifle ammo, all that from Palmetto State Armory and more.
- Our ammo deals page: deals on 5.56 ammo
- Palmetto State Armory: 9mm ammo in bulk, and 5.56
Other Guns You Need, But Didn’t Know It
So now you want more than bullpup rifles, and you need a concealed carry handguns for a complete personal defense weapon kit.
And some concealed carry insurance.
The Sig Sauer P365 is our best 9mm micro-compact handgun in the big buyer’s guide, although bigger hands may prefer the widely adopted Sig Sauer P365XL.
If you’re going bigger, then the Glock 43x is the best 9mm pistol for everyday carry.
If you need to go hunting, or something more dramatic, check out these bolt action sniper rifles.
Facts and Figures
- All ten picks are in production in October 2026; the Desert Tech MDRx is now sold in 20 inch form only
- Cheapest bullpup rifle: Kel-Tec RDB17, $799.99 MSRP, per Kel-Tec
- Shortest rifle here: FN PS90 at 26.23 inches with a 16.04 inch barrel
- Downward ejection (no left-hand conversion): FN PS90 and Kel-Tec RDB
- Bullpup shotgun capacity: Tavor TS12 15 rounds of 2 3/4 inch; Kel-Tec KSG 14+1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bullpup rifle?
The Steyr AUG A3 M1 is the best overall bullpup rifle: a design the Austrian army adopted in 1977, with a quick-change barrel and a 16-inch rifle that is 28.125 inches long. The IWI Tavor X95 is a close second. For budget buyers, the Kel-Tec RDB17 at a $799.99 MSRP offers excellent value.
Are bullpup rifles accurate?
Yes. Modern bullpups like the Tavor X95, AUG, and Desert Tech MDRx are accurate enough for any practical rifle work with quality ammunition. The longer barrel (16+ inches) in a compact package means you get full rifle ballistics. The trigger linkage adds some travel but does not significantly impact practical accuracy.
Why choose a bullpup over an AR-15?
Bullpups offer a full 16-inch barrel in a package 6-9 inches shorter than a standard AR-15 (the 16.5-inch Tavor X95 is 26.125 inches long; a 16-inch Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport III is 35 inches). This makes them better for home defense, vehicle use, and CQB where maneuverability matters. The tradeoff is higher cost, limited aftermarket, and a learning curve for the manual of arms.
What is the cheapest bullpup rifle?
The Kel-Tec RDB17 at a $799.99 MSRP is the most affordable quality bullpup rifle. The PSA Olcan at $1,399.99 is the next step up with a piston-driven system. The IWI Tavor X95 at a $1,999 MSRP and the Springfield Hellion at a $2,040 MSRP are the premium options.
Are bullpup rifles legal in the US?
Federally yes, bullpup rifles are regulated identically to conventional rifles with the same caliber and overall length. State laws still apply. Several states ban sales of rifles they define as assault weapons or limit magazine capacity, and those lists change, so check your state's current law before you buy a bullpup.
What is the best bullpup rifle for home defense?
The IWI Tavor X95 5.56 leads on overall shooter-friendliness, short overall length, simple manual of arms, and proven IDF service history. The Steyr AUG A3 M1 runs a close second for shooters who want Steyr's optional 1.5x or 3x optic and a quick-change barrel.
How accurate are bullpup rifles compared to traditional rifles?
Barrels and actions are as accurate as a conventional rifle's. The difference shows up in trigger feel: the trigger sits ahead of the action and works through a linkage, which adds creep to the pull. For ranges inside 300 yards, the accuracy delta is invisible. For sub-MOA precision past 500 yards, a conventional rifle has a measurable edge.
Are bullpup rifles worth the higher price?
For shooters who need a short overall length without losing barrel length, yes. A 16.5-inch barrel in a 26-inch rifle gives you carbine ballistics in an SBR-length package without the NFA paperwork. For shooters who already own an AR-15 and just want another rifle, the answer is no, because a bullpup costs more than a comparable AR-15.
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