A truly ambidextrous bullpup.

A truly ambidextrous bullpup.

Kel-­Tec’s RDB-­C is a modern, state-­compliant take on the traditional bullpup concept. Since its inception, the bullpup category has been described with having a pistol grip mounted ahead of the magazine, which allows engineers to design a very compact firearm without compromising barrel length. Such a definition describes Kel-­Tec’s RDB (Rifle, Downward-­Ejecting, Bullpup), which revolutionized this market in 2010. But you won’t find that it applies to the RDB-­C because it lacks a pistol grip.

When the bolt body reaches its most rearward position, a pair of spring-­powered ejectors strike the case and propel it downward through the aluminum-­lined ejection port toward the shooter’s feet.

When the bolt body reaches its most rearward position, a pair of spring-­powered ejectors strike the case and propel it downward through the aluminum-­lined ejection port toward the shooter’s feet.

How does the RDB-­C operate? For starters, there’s an adjustable in-­line, short-­stroke gas piston system. The valve is positioned above the RDB-­C’s 20½-­inch barrel. The rifle utilizes a seven-­lug bolt with the extractor located at the 6-­o’clock position to feed and clear the action. When the bolt body reaches its most rearward position, a pair of spring-­powered ejectors strike the case and propel it downward through the aluminum-­lined ejection port toward the shooter’s feet. The return spring shoves the bolt forward and strips another round from the top of the magazine and shoves it into battery.

There’s a charging handle located on the left side of the RDB-­C near the adjustable gas valve, but its position can be swapped for lefties. When the handle is pulled rearward, it locks into place when engaging a small cutout. As you change magazines, you can either press the bolt-­release button or slap the handle down to send the bolt assembly into battery.

There’s a charging handle located on the left side of the RDB-­C near the adjustable gas valve.

There’s a charging handle located on the left side of the RDB-­C near the adjustable gas valve.

The selector switch on the original RDB model has

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