January 05, 2026
The P90: Futuristic Bullpup Hits the Big Screen
Photo: Fifty rounds, sideways feeding, and a sci-fi look, here's why the P90 still turns heads.
For a firearm designed in the late 1980s, the FN P90 still looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. Compact, unconventional, and instantly recognizable, it broke traditional design rules and somehow made them obsolete.
What began as a serious military project ended up becoming one of the most recognizable firearms in movies, television, and video games.
Built for a New Kind of Fight
FN Herstal developed the P90 when NATO wanted something more capable than a pistol but lighter and more compact than a rifle. The answer was a radical bullpup design firing the lightweight 5.7x28mm cartridge.
Its most distinctive feature was the top-mounted magazine holding 50 rounds, feeding cartridges sideways and rotating them into the chamber. It was efficient, reliable, and unlike anything else on the market.
Compact and Unmistakable
With fully ambidextrous controls, downward ejection, and a short overall length, the P90 excelled in close quarters and vehicle roles. Its polymer body and integrated optic only added to its futuristic look.
Whether people loved it or questioned it, nobody forgot it.
From Service Weapon to Screen Star
The P90 saw real-world use with military and law enforcement units worldwide, but pop culture is where it became iconic. Its most famous role came in Stargate SG-1, where it became the signature weapon of Earth's defenders and introduced the P90 to millions of viewers.
Fun Fact: The P90's magazine rotates each round 90 degrees before chambering, making it one of the most unique feeding systems ever mass-produced.
Why the P90 Still Stands Out
Decades later, the P90 remains instantly recognizable. It proved that bold engineering could reshape firearm design and showed how a practical weapon could become a pop culture legend.
Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded
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