Springfield Armory Hellion
The Springfield Armory Hellion is a 5.56 NATO bullpup rifle that addresses the traditional bullpup’s biggest weakness — left-handed ejection — with a fully ambidextrous design featuring a rotating ejection port that can be switched from right to left without tools. Based on the Croatian VHS-2 military rifle, the Hellion runs a short-stroke gas piston system with an adjustable regulator, a 16” barrel in an overall length of just 28.25”, an M-Lok compatible handguard, and a side-folding stock. It ships with two 30-round STANAG magazines and accepts all standard AR-15 magazines — making it the most practically accessible bullpup for American shooters.
Read our full Springfield Armory Hellion Buying Guide ↓
Hellion’s Ambidextrous Ejection: The Game Changer
Every other major bullpup on the market — the Tavor X95, Steyr AUG, IWI TS12 — either ejects from the right side only or requires a gunsmith conversion to switch to left-hand ejection. The Hellion solves this with a rotating ejection port that reconfigures in seconds using the rifle’s included tool. Left-handed shooters can run the Hellion without brass flying past their face or requiring a dedicated left-hand model. This single feature makes the Hellion the most practically versatile bullpup for shooters who are left-handed or who share the rifle between left and right-handed users.
Hellion Specs: Size, Weight, and Gas System
The Hellion is 28.25” overall with the stock deployed — significantly shorter than a standard 16” AR-15 at 35.5”. The 16” barrel produces full 5.56 NATO velocity. Weight is approximately 8.0 lbs. unloaded, making it slightly heavier than a standard AR but well-balanced due to the rearward weight distribution. The short-stroke gas piston has a three-position adjustable regulator: standard, suppressed, and adverse condition settings. The folding stock reduces overall length to approximately 20.5” for transport. The Picatinny top rail runs full length for optics mounting.
Hellion vs. IWI Tavor X95: Which Bullpup Wins?
The Tavor X95 has the longer track record, the IDF service heritage, and a larger existing U.S. aftermarket. The Hellion counters with ambidextrous ejection (the X95 requires a conversion kit for left-handed use), a folding stock (the X95 stock doesn’t fold), standard AR-15 magazine compatibility, and a comparable price point. For right-handed shooters, both are excellent choices and the decision often comes down to ergonomic preference. For left-handed shooters, the Hellion is clearly superior. For shooters who already own AR-15 magazines and want a bullpup that uses them natively, the Hellion again has the practical advantage.
Hellion Magazine Compatibility: AR-15 Mags Work Natively
The Hellion accepts standard AR-15/M16 STANAG magazines natively — every magazine you already own for your AR-15 works directly in the Hellion with no adapter. This is a significant practical advantage over the Tavor X95 (which uses proprietary magazines) and the Steyr AUG (which also uses proprietary mags). The Hellion ships with two 30-round magazines, and any PMAG, Lancer, or standard metal STANAG magazine in any capacity from 10 to 40 rounds is compatible. For shooters transitioning from AR-15s, magazine inventory carries over completely.
Hellion Adjustable Gas System and Suppressor Use
The Hellion’s three-position gas regulator includes a suppressed setting that reduces gas flow to prevent over-cycling when running a suppressor. Since January 1, 2026, the NFA $200 tax stamp has been eliminated, making suppressor ownership straightforward. The Hellion’s 5/8×24 threaded muzzle (standard .223/5.56 thread pitch) accepts any compatible muzzle device or suppressor. The bullpup layout makes a suppressed Hellion remarkably compact — a suppressor adds length to the front but the rearward action keeps the overall package manageable. The adjustable gas system ensures reliable cycling across the full range of 5.56 and .223 loads.
Shop Springfield Armory Hellion and Bullpup Rifles at Impact Guns
Browse the full Springfield Armory lineup and all bullpup rifles at Impact Guns. Compare with the IWI Tavor X95 and Steyr AUG. For 5.56 ammunition, see our 5.56/.223 ammo page.