Bullpups do take getting used to: there is no way around that, and reloading drills are significantly different. Is one better than the other? Depends on the use.
I could see that in a small unit operation the traditional rifles, ones that can be reloaded without loosing your sight picture might be preferred, or for better iron sight accuracy. After all, most small unit elite stuff will be done at close range, so overall length isn't as much as an issue. Now line units, particularly mounted units, Bullpups I believe are the thing: For the same overall length of rifle, you get around 6 more inches of barrel length, and coupled with the fact that more and more optical sights are being used, negates the short sight picture of a bullpup. Like everything else, depends more on the projected use more than anything. The M4 is gaining ground over the M16 because its shorter and handier, not because its felt that it is a better more accurate rifle. A bullpup - like the AUG/F88, FAMAS, FN2000, and etc - is the better solution IMHO because it has the handiness of a carbine with the performance potential of a full up rifle.
Just my 2 cents of course.
__________________
Member of the Bofors fan club! The M1911 of automatic cannon.
Proud fan(atic) of the CV90 Series.
|