Gun Review: FN FS2000

Another review of a bullpup rifle. You'd think I was a fan of them. Well, I am. As a left handed shooter though, they can offer some disadvantages. This primarily deals with ejection/extraction. Because the chamber is where the shooters face is, trying to shoot a right handed bullpup left handed is going to hurt. A LOT.

Not so with the FS2000 though. It's forward ejecting just like the RFB (or rather, the RFB is like the FS2000, since the FS came first). The safety is also completely ambidextrous, located nicely below the trigger.

The first thing you'll notice with the FS2000 is that it's surprisingly stocky. It's more bulbous than other guns I've fired, but still fits nicely in the shoulder. Also, for a rifle that is under 30inchs total, it still has a great length of pull on the stock, making it feel like I've shouldered a full size rifle. Additionally, the balance is superb. Shooting it one handed is certainly doable, though not recommended.

FS2000 with Burris 332 3x sight

There are two flaws with the FS2000 though. While some might point out the trigger, which is typically rather poor on bullpups, the FS2000 isn't that bad. It's not as nice as the RFB, or a good AR trigger, but it's not as horrible as some other guns I've fired. That said the real flaws are the fact that it cannot use PMags, and the standard iron sights are atrocious. The PMags is because there is a rubber "seal" inside the magazine well that hels keep the action clean and free of dirty and debris. You can remove it and theoretically use PMags, but I wouldn't. This means that you're most likely going to be using standard G.I. mags, so make sure they work good, as they have a tendency to suck.

As for the sights, the front sight is actually rather nice. It's clear and well protected, and with a low profile red dot, the dot sits right at the tip of the front sight post. The problem with the sights is the rear sight. The peep hole is way too small, gets gummed up by literally anything and everything, and is a pain to adjust. This means that you need to add your own sights or optic. Luckily there is a full length of Picatinny rail for just such a purpose. My main gripe about this is the fact that the rifle already costs upwards of $2000. I like being able to customize my sights, and would do so anyway, but a decent set of irons for the rifle should be standard.

That said, the FS2000 is plenty accurate. I've got groups that average around 1.5 MOA with decent ammo, and no bigger than 3 MOA with shitty surplus and steel cased. Also, speaking of steel cased, the FS2000 eats literally everything with equal ease. After a couple hundred rounds of dirty Wolf or Brown bear you may need to open the gas port (do NOT do so with your bare hands, it's fucking HOT), but afterwards it'll chug along like a champ.

Take down/cleaning of the FS2000 is probably the easiest thing I've ever had to do with a rifle. You push the gray button out (it's self retaining) and slide the barrel/receiver group forward and out. You then pull the gas piston and bolt out. Clean them however you wish. Reverse the steps and you are done. It's easier than an AK, no lie.

So what can you do with an FS2000? Well for me it's my go to gun for home defense. Loaded with 30 rounds of Hornady TAP ammo, it's more than capable. In my mind, it beats any AR for this role because of how compact it is, but different strokes for different folks. It'd also be decent in local 3 gun events, but the lack of aftermarket parts would probably hurt it. That said, it's certainly cooler than any AR you'll ever see. For anyone who is considering it, and can afford the price tag plus sights/optics, I can't recommend it enough. Go and buy it.