FN F2000
A fully ambidextrous bullpup with forward ejection and modular grenade launcher.
The FN F2000 is a Belgian-made bullpup assault rifle from FN Herstal, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. Its defining feature is full ambidexterity, made possible by a forward-ejection system that channels spent casings through a tube above the barrel and out a port near the muzzle. The weapon debuted in March 2001 at the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
The rifle is a modular, selective-fire system operating from a closed bolt. It splits into two main assemblies: a barreled receiver group with an integral Picatinny rail for optics, and a frame containing the trigger group, bolt carrier, return mechanism, and magazine well. A removable handguard sits in front of the trigger, enclosing the trigger guard.
The F2000 is gas-operated with a short-stroke piston and a rotating bolt featuring six locking lugs. Its safety and fire selector, a rotating disc below the trigger, come from the P90 personal defense weapon, with settings for safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic fire. The safe position locks the trigger. Steel is used for hammers, pins, and springs, while the rest of the components are nylon injection molding; the shell is composite material.
The rifle accepts standard STANAG 4179 box magazines, typically holding 30 rounds. The magazine catch, located symmetrically in the pistol grip, has an oversized actuator for use with NBC gloves. The magazine does not drop free due to friction from removable dust gaskets; it must be pulled out manually. There is no bolt hold-open device after the last round. The charging handle sits on the left side of the receiver, above the handguard, and is usable by left-handed shooters. The charging handle slot is sealed to prevent debris ingress.
The primary sight is a fixed 1.6× telescopic sight with a low-light reticle, housed in plastic above the receiver on the Picatinny rail. The secondary sight is a non-adjustable fixed notch and front blade molded into the sight cover. Removing the cover and sight module exposes the rail. The chromed hammer-forged steel barrel is claimed to retain accuracy after 20,000 normal rounds. A flash suppressor with an angled cut at the tip directs muzzle blast upward to reduce rise. An optional bayonet lug is near the muzzle, and an adjustable gas regulator has two settings: "normal" for standard NATO ammunition and "adverse" for increased gas flow when fouled or using low-pressure rounds.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Belgium
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 2001–present
- Design Date
- 1995–2001
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal
- Production Date
- 2001–2013
- Weight
- 3.6 kg (F2000) / 3.39 kg (F2000 Tactical) / 3.65 kg (FS2000) / 3.44 kg (FS2000 Tactical)
- Length
- 688 mm (F2000) / 688 mm (F2000 Tactical) / 744 mm (FS2000) / 744 mm (FS2000 Tactical)
- Part Length
- 400 mm (F2000) / 400 mm (F2000 Tactical) / 443 mm (FS2000) / 443 mm (FS2000 Tactical)
- Height
- 259.1 mm
- Cartridge
- 5.56×45mm NATO
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The FN F2000 debuted in March 2001 at the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Its bullpup configuration keeps the action behind the trigger, allowing a compact overall length while maintaining a standard barrel. The weapon is built around two main assemblies: the barreled receiver group and the frame, coupled by an axis pin above the trigger guard. The shell is made of composite materials, with steel hammers, group pins, and springs; other components are nylon injection molding.
The F2000's forward-ejection system uses a swiveling polymer tray that intercepts the empty casing from the bolt face, tilts it clear of the feed path, and directs it into a chute above the barrel. Casings are ejected forward through a port behind and to the right of the muzzle once the ejection tube contains more than five cases. This design eliminates the gas and debris issues common to bullpup rifles and allows the weapon to be used by left- and right-handed shooters without modification. The fire selector, a rotating disc below the trigger, doubles as a safety with settings for safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic fire. The rifle lacks a hold-open device; the bolt does not stay back after the last round.
Reader's Guide
The FN F2000 represents a significant attempt to address the ergonomic and tactical drawbacks of bullpup rifles, particularly the lack of ambidexterity and the proximity of ejection ports to the shooter's face. Its forward-ejection system, protected by patents, removes those difficulties and enables fully ambidextrous operation without modification. The modular design allows the rifle to serve as a platform for a 40 mm GL1 grenade launcher and an optional fire control system (FCS) developed with Noptel, which integrates a laser rangefinder and ballistic software for up to six grenade types. The F2000 Tactical and Tactical TR variants replace the integrated optical sight with Picatinny rails for accessory mounting. While the rifle's magazine must be pulled out manually due to dust gaskets, and it has no bolt hold-open, the sealed charging handle slot and adjustable gas regulator (with normal and adverse settings) enhance reliability in adverse conditions. The F2000's design choices—particularly its ambidextrous controls and forward ejection—have influenced subsequent bullpup development, though the weapon itself remains a niche platform compared to conventional assault rifles.
Did You Know?
- The F2000 ejects spent casings forward through a tube above the barrel, enabling fully ambidextrous use.
- Its fire selector is a rotating disc below the trigger with settings for safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic.
- The optional GL1 grenade launcher uses a reverse pump-action and a double-action trigger.
- The fire control system can be reprogrammed for up to six types of 40 mm grenades.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 2 1-24
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