>>536849116
To put the Bullpup Dilemma into perspective: Observe Israel. The Tavor rifle is hyped up as the IDF's fancy next-gen rifle platform that's so GREAT and AMAZING. Despite that many of their rank and file, especially IDF conscripts that aren't native born Israelis, are issued AR platforms especially if they're assigned to patrol some nowhere road.
Wherefore? First of all, the Tavor is an overpriced meme. Sure it goes bang when you pull the trigger but the cost thousands of dollars per unit. It has more moving parts, which means it has to be maintained to a more stringent standard with supplies to do which creates a logistics burden. Even if you put fancy optics on it, it's not going to perform much better at the ranges most firefights on open ground happen than an AR platform or even an AK. Speaking of AKs, those Palestinian fighters with $200 Paki AKs had no problem smoking IDF soldiers with their $1,800 rifles plus expensive ass optics.
However, the Tavor can excel in urban fighting because its barrel is closer to the shooter and can theoretically be brought to bear faster. That said, an SMG is going to do that job just fine and potentially better than a Tavor.
In short: Bullpups look cool and sound great on paper but there's a reason they are not adopted as standard infantry rifles by first world militaries with extensive manpower. They do make fine Sci-Fi space guns, but not as fine as my gun waifu.
