M17s idea

[Zundfolge]

I was looking at a Bushmaster M17s
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/m17s/

And I got to thinking how freaking ugly it is ... looks like it was cobbled together by some bubba in the garage.

So I vaguely remember seeing a bullpup rifle a while back that took AR type mags yet had grips similar to a P90 so I fired up Photoshop and came up with the attached image.

I'm thinking it would work ... only thing I'm concerned about is ejection (I wonder if ejected shells wouldn't smack you in the arm since your grip angle would be slightly different from the M17s).

 

[chevrofreak]

I like the idea. To me a bullpup feels better with a radically angled grip like that.

 

[Badger Arms]

It's already been done...

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

that m17S idea is actually doable for civillians, though.

 

[Correia]

It sure looks swoopy. But the vertical foregrip on the P90 was made that way for a reason, i.e. the gun is really tiny. The P90 grip is the best they can do because of the small size of the gun. A true vertical foregrip would be far better for actual use, and you wouldn't need to stick your thumb in the trigger guard. Also the thumbhole stock was designed that way because the P90 uses downward ejection and by having the thumbhole there it prevents the wrist getting in the way of the ejection pattern.

So that is pretty much a waste on a side ejecting, longer weapon. Also the P90 style grip would preclude the use of 20 round magazines, and it would give you less magazine to grab onto and yank should it become stuck for whatever reason, and there is less magazine to hold while you reload.

So it seems like a case of looks over function to me.

 

[George Hill]

I dislike the P-90's grips... but that's another topic...
The reason the M-17 is so ugly isnt' the grips. It's the entire package. But come on, if you want a good looking rifle, go get a Ruger #1 with a Mannlicher stock.
The sight rail on the Bushmaster I think just ruins the lines of the gun. If the rail/handle extended to the end of the reciever you would have something there.
The US Army's rifle trials included several rifles that had that shotgun style rib out across the top and it made snap shooting a... well... a snap. I think that would have gone a long way in helping the M17 that is really only just a curiousity.

If you haven't read it:
http://no-treason.com/laissezfirearm/bushm17s.htm