Bullpup as home defense rifle?

[Balrog]

Anyone use a bullpup as their home defense rifle? The shorter overall length may make moving inside a house easier than a carbine length AR. I would love to hear thoughts on using these for home defense.

The two I am looking at are the IWI Tavor and the Springfield Hellion. Has anyone compared these two?

 

[C-grunt]

Both are battle proven designs. It boils down to which one you like better.

 

[chicharrones]

No direct experience other than shooting my ol’ shootin’ buddy’s FS2000 and PS90. Between the two, he chose his PS90 as his go-to home defense gun for himself and his wife.

Personally, I liked the PS90 better indoors. Shorter, lighter, 50 rounds in one magazine. Kinda like a PCC, but better in some ways.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Sounds options. I may be a minority, but I prefer a handgun, unless I know I'm going to a gunfight.

Of your 2 options, I would go with what works best for you and your shooting style.

 

[jmorris]

Sounds options. I may be a minority, but I prefer a handgun, unless I know I'm going to a gunfight.

If you are using a firearm inside your home, the gun fight came to you.

 

[Balrog]

I guess my biggest concern with a bullpup is the different manual of arms. Lots of years of shooting ARs has that manual of arms ingrained.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

But a Steyr Aug allows you to quote Die Hard as often as you like.

Likely the Aug is my next "modern rifle" purchase with the intention of it being one of my primary defense rifles

 

[Thomasss]

Got a friend that has one as personal defense in the home. It's the only firearm he owns. He uses it for both defense and for enjoyment. He lives in a high crime area. He's a very good shot with it. I have no argument with him using it as such as long as he's aware of the potential of wall penetration.

 

[valnar]

Scope height above bore would be something to think about, especially if intended range is very close. That Hellion is pretty high. 'Just something to think about.

 

[Robert]

I guess my biggest concern with a bullpup is the different manual of arms. Lots of years of shooting ARs has that manual of arms ingrained.

This is why I always hammer on training. Training does not have to be a weekend long thousand round class costing thousands of dollars. It can simply be methodical, slow paced operation of the firearm to build familiarization and muscle memory. Practice reloads, stoppages, and deployment in the dark or low light situation.

But be deliberate about it. Train like you fight and fight like you train.

 

[Gun-Reck]

My only issue would be the limited "shoot" only option, like a hand gun.

Conventional long guns have "non-shoot" options to stop a threat, if one is so trained and inclined.

A bull-pup would be easier to hit with than a pistol, if those are your choices.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I guess my biggest concern with a bullpup is the different manual of arms. Lots of years of shooting ARs has that manual of arms ingrained.

Just throwing this out there, but have you considered the extreme (disabling/disorienting) noise from firing a relatively short 5.56 indoors? Unless a suppressor is in the offing, of course....

There are quite a few compact 9mm PPC out there with the magazine in the grip, though only a few true 9mm bullpups. If you dont need the extra range or penetration of a rifle round, its always seemed a bit of overkill to me, but I can see where some HD applications might call for it.

Never fired a PS90- come to think of it never even seen anyone shooting one at the range- so cant comment on their suitability for indoor HD. Of course the round is famous for penetration, so theres that.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My only issue would be the limited "shoot" only option, like a hand gun.

Conventional long guns have "non-shoot" options to stop a threat, if one is so trained and inclined.

A bull-pup would be easier to hit with than a pistol, if those are your choices.

Buttstock and bayonet?
I dunno though, for 99% of people letting the bad guy getting close enough to touch (or be touched) by your gun is probably an extremely bad idea.

 

[chicharrones]

Scope height above bore would be something to think about, especially if intended range is very close. That Hellion is pretty high. 'Just something to think about.

That's no lie. Luckily, most folks are bigger than the distance between optic center and bore center.

 

[chicharrones]

Never fired a PS90- come to think of it never even seen anyone shooting one at the range- so cant comment on their suitability for indoor HD. Of course the round is famous for penetration, so theres that.

I'm glad I've had hands on trigger time with a PS90. I really like the gun. The only thing that has kept me from buying a PS90 is ammo cost, otherwise I think the gun is a fantastic close range defense option.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Buttstock and bayonet?
I dunno though, for 99% of people letting the bad guy getting close enough to touch (or be touched) by your gun is probably an extremely bad idea.

Basic rifle drill.

Like the option, but that's just me.

Easier to explain in court as well.

 

[Varminterror]

Buttstock and bayonet?
I dunno though, for 99% of people letting the bad guy getting close enough to touch (or be touched) by your gun is probably an extremely bad idea.

100%.

The “shoot vs. non-shoot option” mentioned above is Hollywood movie non-sense, super cringe…

 

[Walkalong]

Buttstock and bayonet?
I dunno though, for 99% of people letting the bad guy getting close enough to touch (or be touched) by your gun is probably an extremely bad idea.

No doubt about it, never let them get that close if you can help it.

 

[kwb377]

Scope height above bore would be something to think about, especially if intended range is very close.

If you're having to make a "hostage" shot...it might be a factor. For a typical home defense shooting at across-the-room or hallway distances, forgetting to compensate for HOB and putting two rounds of 5.56 just below someone's sternum is going to have the same effect as if you put those rounds into their upper chest.

 

[FL-NC]

I have some experience with the PS90, IMO, it would be ideal for HD, with the exception of 2 issues- 1, a HD weapon really needs a light attached to it, and mounting a light on the PS90 can be a PITA. Just not a lot of options for a practical setup that works good. 2- for it to be "at the ready" for HD, it would need to be accessible all the time. I would not have a gun with that price tag anywhere but in my safe when I'm not home, and I'm not going to be constantly moving it in or out of a safe every time I leave the house or come home. Not gonna happen.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Scope height above bore would be something to think about, especially if intended range is very close. That Hellion is pretty high. 'Just something to think about.

If you're making it your home defense weapon you could zero it at or near the distance you would be using it for. Obviously that only works if you are clear from the outset that you will only use it for home defense.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Every Bullpup I have handled has had a mushy trigger feel.

 

[chicharrones]

I would not have a gun with that price tag anywhere but in my safe when I'm not home, and I'm not going to be constantly moving it in or out of a safe every time I leave the house or come home. Not gonna happen.

Due to my family members always coming and going from my house whether I'm home or not, all my guns get locked in the safe when I'm away. Keeps the guns out of the hands of children, grandkids, friends of family, whatever. I'm sure other folks have to do the same.

Which means I'm only armed with a concealed carry pistol when I first walk in the door.

 

[FL-NC]

Due to my family members always coming and going from my house whether I'm home or not, all my guns get locked in the safe when I'm away. Keeps the guns out of the hands of children, grandkids, friends of family, whatever. I'm sure other folks have to do the same.

Which means I'm only armed with a concealed carry pistol when I first walk in the door.

Yep, that's a challenge many people have to live with. Not really an issue for me- only 2 adults and 2 cats live in my house. For me, this means that some guns will be discreetly positioned at the ready for immediate use- but I won't be using high end guns for this task, like my Colt Gold cup, which remains a safe queen. The "at the ready" guns are capable, but there is a risk that a thorough thief may find them. I would rather lose a $500 Glock to theft VS a $2000 1911. In addition, the overall crime risk is pretty low in my area.This is just a part of risk management, and shows that there is no 1-size-fits all solution for everyone.

 

[Dragonfly]

I really like Bullpups—I’ve got an FS2000, Tavor CTAR and a 10.4” PS90—and while the FN and the Tavor are indeed short—especially the CTAR—they’ve never felt as “handy” to me a as a short-barreled AR15, which used to be fairly easy to acquire here. The PS90, though, is smaller and handier than I was expecting, and even with a 16” should be very manageable. With its top-mounted magazine and unusual grips it’s also very short top to bottom too.