The Bond Arms Bullpup 9 is an innovative and unique design. The Bullpup is a small micro-frame semi-automatic 9mm handgun. It combines the classic look of a traditional semi-auto pistol with a unique bullpup design.
Bond Arms is a gun company based in Granbury, Texas. Their high-quality derringer pistols are probably what they are best known for. Bond Arms makes its pistols in the USA, and they have a lifetime warranty.
Almost every other handgun differs from the BullPup in how it operates. The ammunition in a traditional semi-auto pistol is loaded into the chamber as the slide moves forward. The slide catches the back of the ammunition and pushes the round into the chamber.
The BullPup is a Unique Design
In the BullPup, the barrel sets over the magazine when in battery and ready to fire. After you fire a round, the slide travels to the rear, pulling each round backward from the magazine. Then, when the slide moves forward, it feeds the round into the chamber. This design allows for a shorter frame length, making it easier to handle than a typical semi-auto with a tiny frame because the barrel is more centered over the grip.
The only downside of this design is you have to be careful about what ammunition you choose. For the BullPup to be reliable, the bullets must be well-crimped. If they aren’t, the case and bullet could come apart when the ammunition is pulled back from the magazine, causing the gun to malfunction.
The dimensions are close to a Ruger LCP 380, but the Bullpup has a longer barrel, and they chambered it in 9mm. What caught my attention the most was how easy it was to rack the slide, putting it on par with a Smith & Wesson EZ. I own an LCP, and there is no comparison between it and how easy the Bullpup is to rack.
Specifications:
- Model # BullPup 9MM
- Caliber: 9mm
- Barrel Length: 3.35”
- Length: 5.1”
- Weight: 17.5 ounces
- Ammo Capacity: 7+1
- Action: Double-action only
- Trigger Pull: 6.5 lbs.
- Dovetail drift-adjustable 3-dot
It is a lightweight handgun that is only 5.1 inches long. That makes it easy to conceal and an ideal choice for self-defense. The gun has a 3.35” barrel versus a 2.75” barrel in a Ruger LCP, but the frame length is almost identical. They make the slide out of stainless steel, and it has white 3-Dot metal sights, which are good for getting on target fast. It comes with a Rosewood grip, but if that’s not your color, you can go with the optional Ash.
BullPup 9 Holsters
You can get a variety of holsters for the Bond Arms Bullpup, and it is ideal for a handgun where you are looking for deep concealment.
Considering the size of the gun, the double-action-only DAO trigger was much smoother than I expected. It is hammer-fired, not striker-fired. The downside is that the slide does not hold open on the last shot because of the hammer-fired design. Overall, you really can’t beat the size of the BullPup 9 if you’re looking for a super-compact gun that comes in 9mm.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brian Armstrong grew up in a small farm town in rural Indiana and learned to shoot before he learned to drive. His career began as a firefighter and medic in Ft Wayne, IN. Throughout the years, he has owned multiple businesses, from construction to technology. His life has come full circle, and he is back to his emergency services roots, teaching emergency first aid and firearms courses.
Brian believes that the best way to learn “HOW” to do something is to first answer “WHY” you do something. He is an average guy with views like yours and is now sharing the knowledge gained from teaching, learning from others, and researching the topics you don’t have time to explore. Follow him at @LetsTalkDGU
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Brian; enjoyed your article, thought you may enjoy my take on ‘WHY’. Please consider writing about new gun owners that never take lessons, or never practice shooting. Many new gun owners have never shot a gun before, they need help on what to expect, and what they can do to protect themselves. Following is something I use, when asked:
BEST HANDGUN FOR BEGINNERS
YOUR FIRST HANDGUN: This information may be helpful if you are buying your first handgun. Do not waste your time looking for the ‘best gun’, there is no such thing. What is best for you?
The first concern is NEED. Do you really need a gun:
WHY DO YOU NEED A GUN?
1. Will your gun be used for hunting? On the farm? On the ranch?
2. Will your gun be used for competition? Target shooting?
3. Will your gun be used for home defense? Business defense?
4. Will your gun be used for SELF-DEFENSE? Concealed carry?
If you plan on using a handgun for hunting; farm; ranch, target shooting or competition you already know about guns. You do not need beginner’s help. This is NOT for you! Take lessons and practice!
For home/business defense consider a 410 shotgun and take lessons!
The second concern is SELF-DEFENSE: Beginners need to be aware of these problems: Your gun firing accidentally. You become so nervous you cannot draw the gun. You cannot release the safety’s, or fire the gun. You need to take lessons and practice.
You MUST take lessons to learn about laws and weapons before buying a gun; You MUST take shooting lessons with the gun you purchased; You MUST be legal to carry concealed; and most important, you MUST practice shooting at least once a month. THAT’S WHAT YOU MUST DO!
Very few people will do some of those things much less all of them.
The third concern is beginners that do NOT take lessons or practice shooting should remember these three things:
1. Only use a gun to protect people, NOT stuff. The only time you should fire a gun in self-defense is if you; your spouse, or your children’s lives are threatened:
. If you shoot a gun, you may be detained (arrested), and your gun held as evidence. The police will NOT decide who was right or wrong; who broke the law, or what law was broken. That’s the court’s job.
. If you shoot a person you will probably need to post bond; hire a lawyer, risk both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Don’t argue with the police, they don’t make the laws, they enforce the law! The police are not required to decide if it was self defense – an attacker was close enough to threaten your life (3 to 6 feet). They will probably leave that to the courts.
2. Never show or point a gun at a person unless you are prepared to kill them. Guns are made for only one purpose – to kill! Only use a gun if you, or your family is attacked and a life is in danger. There are of course exceptions when to use a gun, but for beginners – keep it simple.
3. Most guns can, and do go off if dropped, bumped or the hammer is caught on something. Some guns will have safety’s, striker plates, etc.. But they can still fire accidentally if it is dropped or bumped hard enough and a shell is loaded in the barrel’s chamber. If you really need a gun, all beginners should consider a simple light weight; point-and-shoot; hammer-less, double action revolver with the barrel chamber empty.
SAFEST GUN: With the barrel chamber empty it is almost IMPOSSIBLE for a hammer-less revolver to fire without pulling the trigger. There is no bullet to be fired. Yet it is simple to shoot – just pull the trigger. A double action revolver automatically rotates the empty chamber to the next chamber (which is loaded), and then fires the bullet.
Personal attacks can happen very fast. You need time to pull your gun out of a holster; find the safety release(s); cock the hammer with single action revolvers, or rack semi-automatics. In a self-defense situation you will probably only get one or two shots at very short range (3 to 6 feet).
With lessons and practice you may prefer a semi-automatic which has some advantages. Just remember that semi-automatics (and single action revolvers) with barrel chamber empty, need to be cocked or racked before firing. With the barrel chamber loaded they can, and do, fire accidentally if dropped. Beginners may want to stay with the safest gun.
SAFEST POINT-AND-SHOOT REVOLVERS are light weight; 12 or 14 oz; hammer-less; 2” barrel; double action; minimum 32/380, my personal minimum is 9mm/38sp. or as large as you can handle the recoil.
Small point and shoot revolvers (2-3” barrel) may be uncomfortable to hold; possibly the worst gun for shooting long distances, and smaller people may have a problem pulling a 12–14 pound trigger. Be sure and test trigger pull. But they are the safest gun with barrel chamber empty.
NOTE: With a double action revolver there is no need to have the barrel chamber loaded as it is the last chamber to fire. It will rotate the cylinder automatically before firing. At 3 to 6 feet you will only get 1 or 2 shots. For self defense you don’t need 15-30 bullets. For certification a semi-automatic, or longer revolver (4 or 6 inch barrel) can be rented.
AUTOMATICS are really semi-automatic, the trigger must be pulled for each shot. Fully automatic…machine guns, are illegal to own. Semi-automatic pistols are now very dependable; less shock, and are more accurate for many people. However semi-automatics can be difficult to use. They are not practical to carry without loading the barrel chamber as they would have to be racked before firing. But automatics loaded with a bullet in the chamber can fire accidentally if dropped or bumped. With LESSONS & PRACTICE you may prefer a semi-automatic.
Again this information is for first time handgun buyers. There are other factors to be considered in buying a handgun. Learn about guns; ammo; holsters; defensive procedures; pinky pressure; shooting positions, etc..
CONCEALED CARRY: Carrying a gun is not for everyone. But if you must carry…..take lessons, practice and become legal. Consider liability insurance. Please do not carry hand guns in your pocket or purse. Remember ‘Open Carry’ makes you the first target.
A reminder to experts that this is for beginners only. Many people are now buying guns that have never shot a gun. The only lessons they get are from a sales clerk. That’s wrong, but is fact. Keep it simple. Keep your customers safe! Tell them they do have options.
REVIEW: Three problems beginners must deal with:
1. Learn how to safely carry concealed yet quickly draw and shoot a gun:
. Take lessons and practice. Learn to observe and be prepared.
2. Be so nervous you cannot release the safety, aim or fire the weapon:
. Carry a point-and-shoot revolver. Practice; practice, and practice!
3. The gun going off accidentally if dropped or bumped hard:
. Do not load barrel chamber. Use a hammer-less revolver.
SUMMARY: Remember with double action revolvers the barrel chamber is the last bullet fired so why load it? Semi-automatics with the barrel chamber loaded can fire accidentally if dropped or bumped hard enough, even with safety’s on or with striker plates. Best handgun for beginners? keep it simple – a minimum 9mm., or larger…point-and-shoot revolver.
All very good points. I have covered some of those topics and have some more coming up. Only some of my articles are here, and they are spread out among different outlets.
“Many new gun owners have never shot a gun before” Very true, and many go to the range once, and unfortunately, that’s about it. I get very frustrated when someone says they bought a gun because so and so said that’s what they should get.
A perfect example was in Texas this past week for an instructor class, and a few of us went to a local range. There was a younger couple that had just bought a Ruger LCP. That wasn’t the gun for her, but someone sold it to her, saying it would be good to have on her while running because she could conceal it under that type of clothing. They should have sold her a gun she could handle with limited experience, and she admitted she would not be going to the range regularly.
Better advice would also have been to guide her towards an appropriate holster to meet her needs and maybe a little larger frame.
Too many people get into firearms and forget that most people will not practice as much as they should. They fail to teach people the basics and instead recommend what they prefer. I might get to shoot multiple times a week, but I will always remember that the vast majority of people out there don’t know anything about guns.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I have some on here about situational awareness, being out in crowds, and some coming up on different frame sizes.
Thanks for reading,
Brian
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