I love shotguns. I own dozens of them. And the Rock Island Armory VRBP-100 is likely the most unique.
The Rock Island Armory VR series of shotguns has traditionally taken an AR-like approach to semi-auto shotguns. The VRBP-100 12 gauge takes a slightly different route as you’d imagine.
However, it does retain a few AR-ish characteristics here and there. The Turkish-made (by Derya Arms) VRBP-100 is still a magazine-fed shotgun and utilizes the same standard VR mags we’ve seen over previous VR series iterations.
Breaking Down the VRBP-100
Shotguns are generally designed for short-range shooting, especially when it comes to tactical shotguns. That means smaller is generally better and as far as smaller goes the VRBP is quite compact.
The shortest non-NFA 12 gauge technically not-a-shotgun I know of is the Mossberg Shockwave. The Shockwave is 26.37 inches and the VRBP-100 bullpup shotgun is only 32 inches. Less than six inches more in overall length gets me a full-length stock and 20-inch barrel length.
You can also remove two inches worth of spacers for a shorter overall length and shorter length of pull if that works for you. The VRBP-100 weighs 7.94 pounds unloaded. The loaded weight will vary between loads and magazine capacity. The gun can chamber up to 3-inch rounds.
Speaking of, magazine capacity ranges from 5 to 9, to 19 rounds. The gun comes with two 5-round magazines, but I was also sent 9- and 19-round magazines, too. The 9-round is Goldilocks worthy, an excellent balance of length and capacity.
The 19-round magazine is awesome, but impractical in many ways and heavy. If you have to stand your ground against a horde of goblins then the 19-rounder might be pretty handy. These are single-stack magazines and the 19-round magazine looks like a boomerang (it also only accepts 2 3/4 inch shells).
Note that 19-round magazine fully loaded with buckshot weighs in at a stout 3.5 lbs. so make sure you do your biceps curls if you’ll be using one.
The 9-rounder is a bit more balanced and well-suited for practical uses. Both the 19- and 9-round mags have cuts in them that allow you to check ammo capacity, but it also seems like a great way to introduce sand and dirt.
The gun comes with both light and heavy gas pistons for tuning it for the right load. It’s threaded for chokes and comes with three Beretta/Benelli-style Mobilchokes and a choke wrench. The chokes are full, modified, and improved.
The gun also comes with a pair of cheap plastic pop-up sights and a full-length Picatinny rail, perfect for a red dot, or a slug scope. You also get a short section of side rail on the right that would be ideal for adding a flashlight.
Taking the gun apart isn’t hard, but it’s not simple either. There are 17 total steps involved to disassemble it and walking you through those would be an article unto itself. If you follow the instructions you won’t have a problem.
Check the Ergos
Remember when I mentioned some AR-like features? Those mostly come down to the VRBP-100’s controls. Like most bullpups, most of the controls are placed at the rear of the gun. These controls resemble the AR-15 in a few ways.
That includes the safety which is ambidextrous. The magazine release on the right side looks like an over-sized AR mag release button. On the opposite side is a magazine release as well, but it’s a simple button.
Directly above that is a bolt catch that’s very AR-like. There certainly are a number of borrowed ideas from RIA’s VR series. The charging handle is non-reciprocating and mounted forward on the left-hand side. It’s not swappable, unfortunately.
I find the controls very easy to access and reach. The safety, located at the top of the pistol grip, clicks into place positively and is easy to access. The magazine release is also easy to engage and its massive size is a big plus in my book. The bolt catch works fine, but I find it quicker to use the charging handle when it comes to releasing the bolt.
The gun comes outfitted with a robust adjustable cheek rest that can be raised or lowered. I found it fine on its lowest setting, but my gun isn’t running an optic. The ejection port has a dust cover that I’d imagine also helps keep the shells from hitting left-handed shooters in the face.
The foregrip is textured and comfortable in the hand. It’s fairly wide and fills your grip.
The VRBP-100 has a fixed pistol grip that’s textured and features finger grooves, something not all shooters appreciate. They fit me just fine.
The gun is balanced well and when loaded much of its weight (especially with a loaded magazine) is toward to the rear of the gun. This makes it actually much easier to use the heavy-duty 19-round magazine compared to other guns in the VR series. The VR 80, for example, feels much more awkward using that long 19-rounder.
Overall the VRBP-100’s ergonomics are surprisingly good. I’m quite impressed by the design and how well-placed and accessible the controls are.
Running Rounds
The good news is loading magazines is pretty easy overall. The 5- and 9-rounders are a breeze. The 19-rounder doesn’t get difficult to load until the very last round. The mags slide in and lock with ease, even when fully loaded. You don’t have to jam them into the shotgun.
Rock Island Armory suggests shooting a “minimum of 50 rounds before a lighter load.” I’m assuming that means full-powered rounds. It’s advice worth taking.
I originally loaded the 19-round magazine with some cheapo Wally World Federal birdshot. Every few rounds I’d run into issues with the weapon cycling.
I made sure I had the light piston in. It was at that moment that I checked the first page of the manual and hit myself in the head. I used the manual a lot to take the gun apart but never paid attention to that first page.
Armscor sent me a heavy dose of Fiocchi High-velocity birdshot. These 2 3/4″ shells packed 1.25 ounces of 7.5 shot and had a velocity of 1330 feet per second. I powered through a hundred rounds of it with 6 malfunctions total. After that, I stripped and cleaned the gun. Then went through the other 150 rounds of Fiocchi birdshot they had sent.
Next was some famous Olin company military spec double-aught buckshot. Here is where we ran had complete success. The high-velocity break-in seemed to work. With buckshot, I ran into no issues at all. I chewed through about a hundred rounds total.
Next, I went back to the big box birdshot and had perfect success. Even with the cheap stuff.
I’m not a fan of break-in periods, but I did enjoy the break-in process. Well mostly. The gun’s recoil is surprisingly stout. Most semi-automatic shotguns feature a lower perceived recoil impulse, but I would go as far as to say this gun recoils harder than a pump action. It left me fairly bruised and battered.
That being said muzzle rise was non-existent. Just dig in, lean forward and practice your recoil control techniques.
The VRBP-100 has a good trigger, stiff but with a very short pull. Not bad for a bullpup in particular. Also, the reset isn’t just a reset, but a push, or a shove forward.
The gun cycles rapidly — incredibly rapidly. Combine that with the short trigger pull and you can really spray and pray as fast as you choose to. It’s a blast, and the 19-round magazine with cheap birdshot let’s you send a shower of lead downrange amazingly fast. Throw down a dozen clay pigeons and have at it. The VRBP-100 will leave a smile on your face.
From a practical perspective, the gun’s bullpup design is excellent in a scattergun. The shotgun’s strengths are its power and its speed on target. The brutal strength is there by design, but the speed on target is where you can make or break a shotgun.
The VRBP-100’s bullpup form makes it much easier to bring the gun from a low ready position to the shoulder very quickly.
There is less drag and the main benefit of the VRBP-100 is that you don’t overshoot your target when bringing the gun upwards. When the pressure is on with a standard shotgun you’ll often swing the gun up, but the forward weight of the gun and the momentum it carries throws higher than you intended.
It’s often a quick fix, but there’s nothing to fix when it comes to placing the VRBP-100 on target fast.
Target transitions are quick, easy and less taxing overall. Swinging left and right is easier due to the placement and rearward balance of the weapon. Overall, using the weapon is less taxing on the body when it comes to gross movements.
The included sights are complicated for shotgun sights, but they work. The flip up front and rear irons are a bit much for a shotgun and are more AR-like than they need to be. I’d prefer an open or ghost ring sight on a shotgun, or a wider rear aperture but now I’m just being picky.
Reloading isn’t swift, but I’m not used to bullpups enough to make it fast and easy. With the rearward mounting position, that takes some training to do it fast.
That being said the controls are placed for easy access. You press the button, drop the mag and shove another in. It was just different doing it for the bullpup configuration with massive 12 gauge magazines.
The VRBP-100 is a fun gun, perfect for use in the Space Force (or for home defense). One of its biggest draws appears to be the reasonable price tag, which has it retailing for just under $500 from most online outlets. It’s a fun and interesting design, and at the price, it’s a fun range toy once the break-in period is over.
Specifications: Armscor VRBP-100 Shotgun
Caliber – 12 gauge, up to 3-inch shells
Action – Semi-automatic
Barrel Length – 20 inches
Overall Length – 32 inches
Weight – 7.94 pounds
Width – 2 inches
Capacity – 5, 9, and 19 rounds available
Choke Thread – Beretta/Benelli Mobilchokes
MSRP: $774 ($499.99 retail)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Cool Factor: * * * * *
This is the perfect Space Force weapon. It looks cool and very futuristic. I love my wood stocked shotguns as much as anyone, but there is certainly some futuristic charm to this polymer stock gun.
Ergonomics: * * * *
For such an inexpensive semi-auto shotgun I’m surprised it’s so well thought out ergonomically. The controls are well placed and easy to reach. The gun is also very left hand-friendly, minus the one-side-fits-all charging handle. The downside is the gun’s stout recoil, which surprised me.
Reliability: * * *
It’s not going to replace my Mossberg 590. The break-in period seemed long, and this does give some reservations on trusting the gun for self-defense.
Accuracy: * * * * *
It does shotgun things well and at shotgun ranges. It’s more than accurate enough to get the job done.
Customize This: * * *
There are multiple mag sizes, you can add an optic, a light, and there are a few QD sling slots.
Overall: * * * 1/2
It’s fun for sure, and the semi-automatic bullpup shotgun design makes it unique and easy to handle (aside from the recoil and pain). The Rock Island Armory VRBP-100 is a lot of gun for the money. If you want a fun blaster, go for it. If you want a bullpup semi-auto shotgun for home defense, you might consider the TAVOR (but it will run you almost three times as much).
Well, there’s that, I suppose.
Forgot to write my entire thought before hitting “post”.
I’ve fired bullpups, classic 870-style pumps, auto-loader bird guns, and even that goofy 3-tube KelTec novelty thing. To each his own, but for high round loadout, compact platform, and hard punching power, I’ll take a .300 BLK AR pistol with M-Lok accessorability (if that’s a word) over a bullpup shottie. The same size mag will hold 30 rds of BLK compared to 9 shells.
This bullpup above looks fun and might get a few buying customers, but I think the pic with the extended mag curving out far enough to trip a moose killed the reputability for me.
So… Don’t run the 19 round mag? Not sure how mag capacity could kill credibility for you. It’s either a banana or a drum mag, and i’m not even sure how well a drum mag would ergo in a bullpup layout. Hell, I’d be thankful they even considered a 19 round option, personally, even if I didn’t find it overly practical.
True…I would opt for the 9-rd mag, though as I mentioned above, for the same overall size I’d rather just run a .300 BLK pistol with 30 rds.
Glad to see there’s innovation and new ideas out there, so I’m not knocking anyone who might want to buy this. It’s just not for me. Consider my comments as feedback for the article’s author, nothing more.
It’s like an exotic sports car…looks cool, respect the engineering behind it, would love to test drive one, and would give a buddy a smile if he chose to buy one. I just wouldn’t want it myself because it’s not my style.
****
BTW, it would look hilarious if you replied to my comments from time to time under your (temporary?) username. Even if they’re snarky replies. Question…Answer.
How is this left hand friendly, exactly? It doesn’t look like you can switch ejection to the other side and there’s no shell deflector to redirect from the right side. The ejection port is right where a lefty’s face would go, so I would say this is decidedly lefty unfriendly.
I’ve held one before, its decidedly not friendly for lefties. I’m generally not a fan of these gimmick format shotguns. I like that they’re experimenting but for a shotgun a tube magazine and conventional layout is almost always the most useful.
Speaking of killed reputability, when you announced the kel tec as novelty, that killed your review for me, even though I don’t own one, it’s clearly liked by the pros. I got my first bullpup and can’t imagine going back to an old-style long gun. Being able to fire one-handed, fast pointing, short, compact and efficient is a clear win to me.
where can I order a VRBP100-grip retainer -forend?
So……is this a piece on a gun sent to you for review?
As a favor to Armscor? A sponsor.
If so…it would be appropriate to mention.
All of our review guns are either owned by the writer or sent by the manufacturer (most are the latter). This one was sent by Armscor.
We’ve never been paid by any gun maker to review a gun and we never will be.
We review guns made by companies that advertise with us and those that don’t, equally. We’ve given good reviews to advertisers and not-so-good reviews.
They’re all the same to us.
I will say it seems objective. This is definitely not a 5 star all around review that we saw for the R51 in a lot of rags. The gun its self has ups and downs and the article seems to cover both in a balanced way.
Thanks.
Dan, I am a 78 year old gun enthusiast who bought my first gun, a Stevens .22 LR single-shot, at eleven years of age. I served in the Army and as an LEO. I have studied general gunsmithing in community college and also 1911s with three well-known pistolsmiths.
My point here is that I am no neophyte when it comes to guns and I wish to say that when I am looking for a gun review I first search for a review by TTAG. While I don’t always agree with TTAG reviews on every point, I have found them overall to be objective, generally comprehensive, and well worth reading. I don’t discern that TTAG panders to the manufacturers.
Keep up the good work; TTAG is providing an appreciated service to the gun community, as well as to the community at large.
Hey Author here,
This gun was sent me months before I started writing for TTAG regularly and when I approached Dan with article ideas it was simply among the guns I had on hand to review.
Thanks.
It would be nice to mention it.
I dont have a problem with test gun reviews, but there is a difference compared to guns you wanted to purchase.
Like with Jeremy S. If it’s a Canik then he probably bought it……being a Canik fanboy and all.
I agree. The thing I’m always wondering with ‘test’ guns is whether we can know that they are a representative sample. If I were a marketing department I would make sure we give a little extra TLC to the guns going out for review than the line models.
I think if it was something the reviewer wanted to buy then his review would have been different.
So many times people review a gun, point out four or five HUGE pros then dismiss the gun as a gimmick after pointing out one or two small cons, or they just plain don’t like the look of the gun, so it gets a lower rating and even branded as non, or less practical.
I don’t have this particular one but I bet it would beat my Mossberg or Remington pump in almost every way. If anyone disagrees please do tell me why.
Very interesting…and I like the price too….This pup is now in 2nd place behind the TriStar Rapter atac for my next shotgun.
Looks pretty cool. Sorry-NO Turkish guns for me. The new Islamic Caliphate sux…
Same here for Turkish guns.
Too bad, as I’ll never get a funky, inexpensive shotgun.
Why only 3.5 stars? Not a solid 4?
I’m guessing the reliability was weighed heavier than other categories.
A “3” reliability rating means a big fat NO for me.
Those mags look like they lock-in in the same was as the MKA-1919 mags; do you know if these mags work with the MKA-1919 (and clones)?
So many guns and so little money.
Makes me wonder why they didn’t just go for the slightly over 18 inch barrel such that with minimum stock spacers it would still meet the 26 inch minimum… Is there some other major market that requires a 20 inch barrel?
Could be reliability aome semi autos can be picky.
I think some states require a 20 incher for hunting.
My 500 and 590A1 SPX were MADE IN USA. So why would I be interested in a MADE IN TURKEY when I already have Mossberg, Remington and KelTec to pick from?
It seems you’re unwilling to try something new even if it better or equally as good.
You must have missed the super obvious MADE IN THE USA in all caps. Turkey gun is from Turkey, gobble gobble.
I think what Sal may have meant is that if you stick to only made in USA stuff, you might be missing out.
Even the USA doesn’t make a representative sample of everything. (Although it sometimes seems like it does.)
That 19 round mag is for novelty, right?
RIA falls short on their customer service. My Mapp-MS had an underpowered recoil spring (10lbs instead of the standard 19) and they demanded I send the whole thing to them for servicing. When I said can’t I just send the recoil spring and a copy of my receipt, I was told no I have to send them my gun. I sent at least two more emails but they ghosted me. So with that, I went to wolff springs and bought a much better one. All this over something stupid like $8. The worst part is RIA didn’t even make the Mapp-MS, Tanfogglio Italy did. I wonder how much guns the company actually makes and doesn’t just throw their name on it?
I forgot to mention: The gun did not work at all with the underpowered spring. FTF, FTE, it was impossible to work with. Useless until I upgraded it, and the company did nothing to help me. They will never receive my business again.
Having worked the other side of the counter, I can say, without fear of being contradicted, that just because the customer says, “This is what’s wrong,” doesn’t mean that’s what’s wrong. Or that it’s the only thing wrong.
You may be condemning a company for wanting to do the right thing.
Turkey knows how to make nice Nerf guns like UTAS UTS-15
Turkey is turning pro-Putin, pro-Islamic Caliphate, pro-Dictatorship. I feel sorry for those people over there. When they manage to take their country back, maybe I’ll buy something from them.
Right now, they cannot have my fighter jets or my gun buying dollars.
So take that ya’ bastids!!!!
Hello, Mr. Pike. Thank you for your review. Was the VRBP100 that you tested/reviewed for a prior June 11, 2019 article, https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/the-vrbp-100-the-bullpup-mag-fed-monster-review, the same VRBP100 that you tested/reviewed here for TTAG? If so, did you conduct two separate tests/reviews, or did you write two separate reviews from the same test session?
It seems to be from the same session, right down to the “Space Force” joke, but the June 2019 review has some small differences compared to the July 2019 TTAG review, such as the shotgun’s weight, the velocity of the Fiocchi birdshot used, and the number of break-in rounds that the manual recommends (500 vs. 50).
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Good review. Is this leftie friendly? Did you try shooting it left handed?
Any chance we could add a “bounces brass off your face when shooting left handed test” to all applicable rifle, bullpup, carbine and “pistol with a brace” reviews?
Anybody notice 4th pic from bottom of article? Sure looks like there’s a no-no shown. Finger on the trigger anyone? Maybe not totally around trigger, but close enough to be dangerous.
No. Why is there always some annoying safety Sallie trying for e-props in comments? Maybe he wanted to take a picture demonstrating how it fires with no mag and sideways 0_o
Tldr: stfu
I just recently won one of these in a raffle. I pick it up in a few days (stupid waiting periods). It’s not a gun I’d purchase, but I’m excited to try it out. Of course, I will probably end up trading it for something that’s more reliable/practical, but I do appreciate the review. Raffle was 30 days, 30 different guns, my number just happened to be pulled on this particular day and that’s the gun. Was so hoping for the SOCOM M1A or Ruger RPR 6.5cm, or several others on the list, but I’m not complaining.
I love the idea of an affordable semi-auto magazine-fed bullpup 12 gauge shotgun for home defense. In fact, I love everything about that idea. For me, the only reason I am not buying this gun is the recoil. I’ve watched videos of people shooting it and it kicks like a mule. It seems strange to me that other manufacturers cannot figure out what sort of magic is going into the AA-12 that makes the recoil go away almost completely and include that technology in modern day shotguns. The AA-12 can and has been shot on full auto with 1-hand from the hip position. Now THAT is low recoil. The AA-12 can also be purchased now by the public in the USA but I’m not willing to pay the $3250.00 asking price to get put on a waiting list for it. I’m going to wait for somebody to improve on this $500 design and stick with my trusty Mossberg 500 pump for the moment.
I have something very similar to this and it kicks way less than a vepr12 or any other semi auto I have tried, probably because of the small gas piston encompassing the barrel. Not sure why people perceive this to kick more.
I had bought the VR80 and really enjoyed the gun. Bought the gigantic 19 round banana mag for grins and giggles and when I realized it would all fit this and I’d have a smaller form factor I decided to pull the trigger and pick one up. Been really happy after I put about 50 rounds through it. I am a pretty big fan of bullpups and it fits right in with my Tavor X95 and my SKS bullpup. The one thing I wouldn’t mind if it was a bit shorter. My son has the Keltec KSG and it is right at 26″. I would love for this to be closer to that than where it is now. This definitely has more recoil then the VR80 but it isn’t bad.
I’ve been looking for a buildup for a wile but haven’t had much luck. I bought a NO 1919 & it was a blast to shoot but just not what I was !looking for. I really like the look & feel of the VRBP 100 12 gauge, unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot it but a little recoil was never a deal breaker for me anyway.& The price seems exceptional!!..as far as it being made in Turkey, so.E of my best guns were made outside the U.S.A..& The last time I looked our own President was pretty fond of Turkey & Putin also..but this isn’t about politics, it’s about guns!…& Unless someone has a better argument about why I shouldn’t buy one then I believe I will just to try it out myself…Thank you all for the info.
I’ve been looking for a buildup for a wile but haven’t had much luck. I bought a MK 1919 & it was a blast to shoot but just not what I was !looking for. I really like the look & feel of the VRBP 100 12 gauge, unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot it but a little recoil was never a deal breaker for me anyway.& The price seems exceptional!!..as far as it being made in Turkey, some of my best guns were made outside the U.S.A..& The last time I looked our own President was pretty fond of Turkey & Putin also..but this isn’t about politics, it’s about guns!…& Unless someone has a better argument about why I shouldn’t buy one then I believe I will just to try it out myself…Thank you all for the info.
I picked one up back in Sep 2019 and really like it. I slapped an AR-15 Detachable Carry Handle with A2 Sight Assembly w/ an AR15 Super Slim Fixed Low Profile Front Sight on mine and have never regretted owing this puppy. The dust cover blew off within the first 50 rounds, but frankly I do not miss it and it’s easier to check the chamber without it flipping up all the time. Definitely need the break in time, and do not bother with low-brass target rounds. This little beast feeds anything over 1250 fps without issue and last range day (3 weeks ago?) it went through about 100 rounds without a hiccup. Everyone at the range stopped what they were doing and wondered what the hell I was shooting (I didn’t notice–the range cadre told me this after we had gone cold). Too funny. Keep it clean and tightened up between sessions (the breakdown screw tends to back off due to all the recoil) but after owning this for a year and a half and about 400 rounds, I can tell you this thing is money!
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Very nice article, and I made a similar Starship Troopers reference when I was first looking into these. These are some ugly ass guns in my opinion, but I could see them being very effective in a defense situation.
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