When it comes to firearms, there are a lot of limitations to modification. Unlike hobby-grade arms, you cannot usually make major changes to the size of a firearm without heavy restrictions. Whether you’re adding a stock to a pistol for compact stability, or shortening a full-sized weapon for close quarters, there are restrictions to keep people from making these changes. There is an option for those that want a compact firearm, but want to avoid ATF restrictions. Introducing the Bullpup conversion.

Demo image of a bullpup conversion. Added polymer body shell is represented in the red outline. Trigger linkage represented in green

Bullpup conversions change nothing about the base weapon. They simply change how you interact with it. The grip is moved somewhere in front of the receiver, where a second trigger interacts with the original trigger through a linkage. Other parts sometimes need extensions to make up for the new configuration. With the trigger moved in front of the receiver, the area around the original trigger becomes the point where the stock is attached.

Usually, in the case of firearms, this is done with a polymer body shell. So the stock and body are one unit that fits over the original gun, covering up the trigger linkage and original trigger. The polymer construction gives bullpups a distinct look outside of the already unusual configuration.

There are complaints around the web regarding the build quality and polymer construction. Bullpup kits can be very hit or miss with quality. The most common complain with Bullpup conversions is the way the Trigger feels. The triggers in these kits are often described as “squishy” because of the trigger linkage.

There is a fair variety of kits available. Most notably are the shotgun kits from Bullpup Unlimited. They offer Bullpup kits for a variety of  shotguns. These seem to offer the most consistent quality if the kits I have looked at. On top of the Bullpup Unlimited kits there are plenty of other kits available for other models. This includes a p90 lookalike that can be built from a Ruger 10/22, and a kit for the SKS.

Bullpup conversion kits offer a way to make a full sized firearm more compact. The quality of these kits can vary greatly, but there are some solid options. These compact offerings can be useful. But bullpup conversions can also excel with hobby-grade arms. That is a blog for another time.

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