[FreedomPoster]

Isn't the real issue with bullpup designs, that you need to have glass to get hits at any distance, due to the short sight radius of the configuration? Glass longivity and handling by mass number of troops is a real issue, and you end up with a short range weapon when the glass breaks and you have to fall back to iron sights.

[SBprone]

Optical sights are the coming thing. If they aren't yet robust enough for general use they soon will be. I think bullpups have been having various teething problems involving gas systems leaking and blowing off fingers, etc. Personally I wouldn't want to shoot a Sterling or an AUG for that reason, but it would be a handy weapon for an armored vehicle crew and it would hit a lot harder than an M4 with its 12" barrel.

[Renfield]

The real issue with Bullpups is ergonomic failure. If you shoot left-handed (like I do) and you have to use one of the bullpup-style guns, you end up with a hot cartridge case imbedded in your left cheek. Even with designs like the French FAMAS and Austrian AUG, that are convertible from right-hand to left-hand action, this conversion takes 5 or 10 minutes...not something one can do in the heat of battle. Guns need to be designed so that one can pick up his fallen comrade's rifle in battle, and use it right away without worrying about ergonomic or safety problems.