Springfield Armory Hellion – 5.56 NATO, 18" Bullpup (HL918556B)

The Hellion gives you an 18-inch barrel in a 30-inch rifle. That's the bullpup bargain, and Springfield's version is based on the VHS-2, which Springfield describes as "internationally proven... employed by the Croatian armed forces in demanding environments ranging from Iraq to Africa and beyond." What sets it apart from most bullpups is that it solves the left-handed problem properly: a reversible ejection system that requires no additional parts or tools, plus ambidextrous safety, charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release. Springfield's own words: it "can be easily fired from either shoulder." SKU HL918556B, UPC 706397969448.

Eighteen Inches of Barrel, Thirty Inches of Rifle

An 18" barrel gets you meaningfully more velocity than a 16", and in a conventional rifle that costs you two inches of overall length you have to carry through doorways and vehicles. In the Hellion, the action sits behind the trigger, so you get the full 18" CMV Melonite barrel with a 1:7 twist in a package that measures 30.25" to 31.75" depending on stock setting. It weighs 8 pounds 3 ounces.

Short-Stroke Piston with Adjustable Gas

The Hellion runs a short-stroke gas piston with a two-position adjustable gas block — "S" for suppressed and "N" for normal. Piston operation keeps combustion gas out of the receiver, and the adjustable block means the rifle stays properly tuned when you put a can on it instead of over-driving the action.

Truly Ambidextrous

Most bullpups are right-handed guns with a left-handed asterisk. The Hellion isn't:

• Reversible ejection — no additional parts, no tools.
• Ambidextrous, non-reciprocating charging handle.
• Ambidextrous safety switch.
• Ambidextrous magazine and bolt releases.
• QD sling points on both sides.

Sights Built Into the Rail

The Hellion ships with integrated flip-up iron sights built into the Picatinny top rail — spring-loaded, they pop into position and lock solidly until released. The front is elevation adjustable; the rear has a 5-position aperture and is windage adjustable. An uninterrupted strip of Picatinny rail runs the full length of the top, so optics mount anywhere.

Furniture and Controls

• 5-position adjustable stock with cheek riser.
• BCMGUNFIGHTER Mod 3 grip.
• Polymer M-LOK handguard — nine slots, three each at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.
• 4-prong flash hider.
• Proprietary Melonite bolt carrier group.
• Padded rifle case included.

Springfield Hellion Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a left-handed shooter run it?
Yes, properly. The ejection is reversible with no additional parts or tools, and the safety, charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release are all ambidextrous. Springfield states it can be fired from either shoulder.

Is it suppressor friendly?
Yes — the two-position gas block has a dedicated "S" suppressed setting.

Do the sights come with it?
Yes. Flip-up front and rear are integrated into the top rail.

What's it based on?
Springfield describes it as based on the VHS-2 bullpup used by the Croatian armed forces.

What magazines does it take?
Standard AR-15 pattern. One 30-round Magpul PMAG Gen M3 is included.

All firearm purchases must ship to a licensed FFL dealer. Manufacturer specifications are subject to change without notice.