Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Should AR Owners Love the Hellion (or Hate It)?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/should-ar-owners-love-the-hellion-or-hate-it/.
I don’t own a bullpup but if I did it would the this.When one showed up at a local LGS I checked it out but it wasn't going to work for me for various reasons, but it may work for others.
Besides I already had the best bullpup already. Perfect simplicity
My .02
The Aug is nice but it's a mostly dated design. You get a lot more features for the money with the Hellion including but not limited to, fully ambidextrous controls and ejection port, better factory trigger, replaceable hand grip with AR style grips, adjustable gas block for shooting suppressed, etc...etc...etc...When one showed up at a local LGS I checked it out but it wasn't going to work for me for various reasons, but it may work for others.
Besides I have the best bullpup already. Perfect simplicity
My .02
I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion.The Aug is nice but it's a mostly dated design. You get a lot more features for the money with the Hellion including but not limited to, fully ambidextrous controls and ejection port, better factory trigger, replaceable hand grip with AR style grips, adjustable gas block for shooting suppressed, etc...etc...etc...
Aside from the 80's movie nostalgia I'm not sure what the Aug offers that the Hellion hasn't improved on.
I had a long screed typed out, went away, and found that this just said it better than I could.I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion.
Saying the AUG is dated is nit-picking. The M-16/AR-15 design has been in service since 1964 but everyone seems to be either adopting/modifying it to one degree or another.
I'll just point out to those not familiar with the AUG that it has an adjustable gas system, the mag release is ambi, the charging handle is more easily accessible and also serves as a secondary bolt release (HK slap), a dual port ejection is there with the appropriate stock & bolt change, and the barrel system is quick detachable. Lastly, the trigger on the AUG can be improved with trigger pack mods which I've done.
And the AUG can be broke down into a shorter package for transport, and for maintenance faster/easier IMO.
OAL between the two is a moot point since my AUGs (both 20"barrels) are only 1.25/2.75" longer, but I'll take the extra performance with the 20" barrel for my conditions over the Hellion 16".
For me...
Stock adjustability is a moot point to me for a bullpup since a short LOP is better for when wearing gear, or hunkering up. The 1.5" adjustability with the Hellion really isn't that much compared to a AR collapsible so IMO it's almost not worth having.
Changing grips is a moot point also since the AUG angle is right for the platform.
With the Hellion, I felt the flip-up BUIS were awkward in relation to the high cheek weld, the ergos with the safety location were undesirable for me as well as the bolt release, and the charging handle location wasn't as good as the AUG.
When I say the AUG is simpler it is, and its worked for many decades for many more countries in mil-use.
If I was getting another bullpup I'd go with a MDT MDRX.
I won't say I hate the Hellion I just found it didn't work for me at various levels.
Too each his/her/its own for what works for you.
I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion.
Saying the AUG is dated is nit-picking. The M-16/AR-15 design has been in service since 1964 but everyone seems to be either adopting/modifying it to one degree or another.
I'll just point out to those not familiar with the AUG that it has an adjustable gas system, the mag release is ambi, the charging handle is more easily accessible and also serves as a secondary bolt release (HK slap), a dual port ejection is there with the appropriate stock & bolt change, and the barrel system is quick detachable. Lastly, the trigger on the AUG can be improved with trigger pack mods which I've done.
And the AUG can be broke down into a shorter package for transport, and for maintenance faster/easier IMO.
OAL between the two is a moot point since my AUGs (both 20"barrels) are only 1.25/2.75" longer, but I'll take the extra performance with the 20" barrel for my conditions over the Hellion 16".
For me...
Stock adjustability is a moot point to me for a bullpup since a short LOP is better for when wearing gear, or hunkering up. The 1.5" adjustability with the Hellion really isn't that much compared to a AR collapsible so IMO it's almost not worth having.
Changing grips is a moot point also since the AUG angle is right for the platform.
With the Hellion, I felt the flip-up BUIS were awkward in relation to the high cheek weld, the ergos with the safety location were undesirable for me as well as the bolt release, and the charging handle location wasn't as good as the AUG.
When I say the AUG is simpler it is, and its worked for many decades for many more countries in mil-use.
If I was getting another bullpup I'd go with a MDT MDRX.
I won't say I hate the Hellion I just found it didn't work for me at various levels.
Too each his/her/its own for what works for you.
They are both excellent bullpups for differing reasons. I shoot them both side x side.
Its like having a blonde and a brunette. Each one has its features
My hellion is now tricked out suppressed(nfa), but I dont have a pic of the 2 sidexside
View attachment 35911
Understand & the sentence was just making a general statement.Talyn said:
I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion. And I'd hardly call a respectable disagreement a p*****g match.
Sorry about the editing I accidentally typed into the wrong box when I was editing my message. I will correct that now.Understand & the sentence was just making a general statement.
One thing I just noticed is some how my original reply was edited.
My original reply had this first sentence. "I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion".
Then in the reply box above it turned into...I won't get into a p---ing match with those that like the Hellion. And I'd hardly call a respectable disagreement a p*****g match.
????
BTW, the adjustable gas system is standard on the AUG.
The Hellion & AUG are seperate stand-alone bullpup designs just like Tavors, etc.
I was not trying to start a p*****g match over which is better and I did not say the AUG is dated. Also I'd hardly call a respectful disagreement a p*****g match.
I said that the Hellion has improved on the AUG's bullpup design by including out of the box all the features you mentioned the AUG is capable of as long as you're will to dish out more cash for them, including the gas plug to shoot suppressed, the needed trigger upgrades, and complete stock replacement to take advantage of full ambi ability.
I particularly like the AUG, but I also know it's not perfect like all bullpup rifles.
Fortunately we live in America and at the moment we have the freedom of options in firearms selection to suit our wants and needs.
They got bumpstocks, 80% lowers, forced reset triggers, and braces. Binary triggers, bird grip "shotguns" like the Mossberg Shockwave, and Bullpubs will be next to be "redefined."The ATF will probably one day deem Bullpups illegal cause they just look short like an SBR.
Aug and Hellion have been on sale recently for $1700Folks should note that the MSRP for the Hellion and Steyr AUG A3 M1 are very close to each other, $1,999 and $2,199 (respectively), so it is a misconception that the AUG is an uber expensive collectors piece.
MSRP is the only "relative" way to compare the prices of the two since street prices are highly variable.