While the X95, which made a little controversy recently as it has been circulated that IDF was retiring (or semi-retiring) the gun and then announced by the IDF that it was buying more and that it wasn’t retiring the gun, is arguably the successful modern bullpup, the most iconic of the genre continues to be the AUG.
Steyr’s 1977 futuristic looking wonder carbine, sporting an optical sight instead of irons, a polymer body, quick change barrel, and a neat trigger system that did semi and full auto by the depth of your trigger pull.
Bullpups are a minority in service rifles worldwide, but several militaries still use them and are continuing to support them. The longest serving has been the Austrian AUG (often pronounced “Aww-gug” like auger or A-U-G letter by letter) but joined by the FAMAS, L85, and at the end of the millenium the Tavor.
The AUG was truly as transitional weapon, going from conventions of the older Post WWII battle rifle types into the newer more ergonomic 5.56 realm. It has received constant updates since, with Australia even dropping quick change barrels as it proved a much more academically cool feature than anything practical. They saved a pound on the rifle by doing so too.
The distinct piston bullpup has endured, only 8 years behind the M16A1 in service longevity.
