French Trials VHS-F2 Croatian Bullpup

The Springfield Armory Hellion, a civilian variant of the VHS-2, underwent a rigorous mud test. Despite its bullpup configuration and closed gas system, it performed admirably, firing nearly a full magazine after submersion. However, mud ingress through the charging handle slot compromised the trigger mechanism after a simulated field cleaning.

The Springfield Hellion, the US import version of the Croatian HS Produkt VHS-2, is a mature bullpup rifle offering significant compactness without sacrificing ballistic performance. It features fully ambidextrous controls, a 5-position adjustable stock, and M-LOK compatibility. Its tool-less field stripping and short-stroke gas piston system contribute to its reliability, making it a robust option derived from military development.

The Springfield Hellion (VHS-2) demonstrates impressive practical accuracy, successfully engaging targets out to 700 yards despite its bullpup design. While feeling over-gassed, its reliability is attributed to its military-grade design. The review highlights its ergonomic improvements with aftermarket grips and its adoption by several international militaries.

The Springfield Hellion (VHS-2) is compared against the IWI Tavor X95 and Steyr AUG, evaluated on features, ergonomics, and performance. The Hellion demonstrates impressive accuracy, achieving 1 MOA groups, and offers a tool-less disassembly process. It also features a unique left-hand ejection conversion. Ultimately, the Hellion and X95 tied for first place in the reviewer's scoring system.

Nutnfancy's review of the Springfield Hellion bullpup highlights its unique aesthetics, drawing comparisons to the H&K G36 and FAMAS, and notes its origin as the semi-auto version of the Croatian VHS-2. Despite excellent accuracy potential demonstrated in testing, the rifle is heavily criticized for its 'garbage' 9-pound trigger and an 'odd,' 'clunky' recoil impulse. Ultimately, Nutnfancy finds the Hellion too heavy and unintuitive, concluding it doesn't offer enough advantages over established bullpups like the Tavor to justify a purchase.

The Springfield Hellion with a 20-inch barrel (VHS-2D) offers a more authentic military configuration than its 16-inch counterpart. This version includes features like rifle grenade launching rings and a bayonet lug, reflecting its mature, decade-tested Croatian military design. Its modular magazine well allows for the use of proprietary VHS-2 magazines, though it ships with AR-15 compatibility for the US market.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.