AllOutdoor Evaluation: Springfield Armory 20″ Hellion

Good day, AllOutdoor reader! Springfield launched two new variants of their Croatian Navy styled bullpup rifle. One with a 18″ barrel and one with a 20″ barrel. At present we take a detailed take a look at the brand new Springfield 20″ Hellion.

Springfield Armory Hellion Protection on AllOutdoor

Springfield 20″ Hellion

The 20″ Hellion is available in the identical smooth rifle case because the 16″ Hellion. The rifle is generally the identical aside from a few small adjustments.

As you may see within the photograph above, the brand new 20″ Hellion is longer than the unique 16″ Hellion that Springfield supplied to the US Market. And right here is identical Hellion in comparison with my M16 clone additionally with a 20″ barrel. Word that the Hellion inventory is totally prolonged.

The 20″ barrel has some adjustments moreover simply size.

The 20″ Hellion has a bayonet lug, cooling fins on the barrel and a rifle grenade mount. See the break up ring and round part between the cooling fins and bayonet lug? That’s for seating a rifle grenade.  The within of a rifle grenade shaft is 22mm in diameter. The break up ring is simply over that at 22.12mm and the barrel mount is barely undersized at 21.89mm.

I bought a used army surplus M31 observe rifle grenade and examined it on the 20″ Hellion.

It seated completely.

I examined launching the M31 observe grenade utilizing the identical 5.56 blanks I exploit. They didn’t go very far, about 10 yards. LOL. There are correct blanks known as M195 blanks used solely for launching rifle grenades.

You’ll be able to see the rifle grenade take a look at video right here.

The recoil from the M195 clean was much more stout that I had anticipated. It felt like capturing a single shot shotgun capturing a magnum load. The 20″ Hellion has the identical fuel block because the common 16″ Hellion so it solely has a fuel setting for regular or suppressed. Even on suppressed there was sufficient fuel stress to cycle the gun and rechamber a contemporary clean.

As talked about earlier, the 20″ barrel has a bayonet lug. It isn’t only for launching rifle grenades. Here’s a Rothco M9 bayonet on the 20″ barrel.

Springfield now presents the army issued Waffentechnik B2k bayonet, the identical one issued to Croatian army however it’s $299.99. I obtained the Rothco for $90 on Amazon. And I simply obtained the brand new SOG BAR15T tango bayonet for beneath $80.

The opposite change for the 20″ Hellion is the security selector. Springfield modified the geometry of the brand new security selectors. See the pictures under. The protection beneath is how the unique 16″ Hellion got here out. Protected had the selector lever at a excessive angle. The brand new 20″ Hellion has the security lever at 90º like an AR fashion.

You pull each of the safeties down, however now the newer fashion security is extra ergonomic shifting under 90º.

Capturing the Longer and Sooner Hellion

UTG Of Leapers Inc, despatched me two completely different bipods to attempt on the 20″ Hellion.  They despatched their MLOK mounting bipod. So I hooked up it to the handguard of the Hellion.

It really works however for the reason that handguard is tapered, the bipod mount doesn’t sit perpendicular to the bottom. So it causes the bipod legs to splay out much more. See the photograph under.

One minor problem with the MLOK mounting bipod is when the legs are folded again. They sit instantly over the security selector and extra importantly compromise my assist hand grip on the handguard.

So I attempted UTG’s Overbore bipod. This strikes the bipod as much as the highest rail. Because of the top over bore for the highest rail, the Overbore bipod legs have to be rather a lot longer than you assume.

Each bipod types work nonetheless the Overbore bipod legs can solely be saved pointing forwards. You can not swing them again to the shooter.

I choreographed the 20″ Hellion and was getting a median of three,219 fps utilizing 55gr 5.56 ammo.

I didn’t discover a lot enchancment in accuracy. I used to be getting 2″ teams at 100 yards. One factor I used to be trying ahead to attempting was stretching out the 20″ Hellion so I shot it at an 800 yard goal.

I managed to hit the 800 yard metal goal 4 instances. However I missed greater than I hit.

Upgrading the Hellion

Not that it wants it however I purchased some upgrades to attempt them out with the Hellion and I like them. Lunartech Designs makes 3D printed MJF flared magwells and prolonged bolt releases.

With a purpose to set up the Lunartech prolonged bolt launch, it’s good to take away the manufacturing unit one. It’s held in place by this metal pin. Punch it out. It doesn’t matter which aspect.

As soon as the pin is eliminated carry the bolt launch up and out. Watch out there’s a spring hooked up to the discharge lever. Take away the spring and reinstall it on the Lunartech bolt launch.

You’ll be able to see how for much longer the Lunartech bolt launch is in comparison with the manufacturing unit one on the fitting.

The magwell is a straightforward clamshell design. Loosen the Torx screw and wrap the flared magwell over the manufacturing unit magwell.

Because of the thickness of the Lunartech flared magwell, the journal launch is now nearly flush with the magwell.

Remaining Ideas On The 20″ Hellion

I actually just like the 20″ Hellion greater than my 16″ Hellion. The upper muzzle velocity is nice, I can connect a bayonet if I would like and if I wish to mess around I can launch rifle grenades. The 20″ Hellion weighs simply 6 oz greater than the 16″ model. It has an MSRP of $2,031 which is simply $32 greater than the 16″ Hellion. There are little or no downsides to the getting the longer and sooner rifle. The upgraded security selector is nicer than the unique design. Sadly Springfield shouldn’t be providing the barrel meeting individually so you can not improve your 16″ to a 20″. Hopefully that can change sooner or later. If you’re a fan of overseas army issued rifles, then the 20″ Hellion is as shut as you may get to the VHS-D2.

We’re dedicated to discovering, researching, and recommending the most effective merchandise. We earn commissions from purchases you make utilizing the retail hyperlinks in our product critiques. Be taught extra about how this works.