Garand Thumb: The Cheapest Bullpup You Can Buy
OptimusPrime
10 Feb 2026
Is the KelTec RDB bullpup any good? That's what Garand Thumb will try to find out in this video... "The KelTec RDB is one of the most unconventional 5.56 bullpup rifles on the market — and also one of the cheapest. In this video we break down how the RDB works, why its downward-ejecting system is so different from other bullpups, and what KelTec did right (and wrong) when designing it.
We cover reliability, gas system tuning, recoil impulse, ergonomics, trigger feel, accuracy, and how it stacks up against more expensive bullpups like the AUG, Tavor, and VHS-2. We also talk about the common complaints people have with the RDB, including build quality, early-generation issues, and what you should look for if you’re buying one.
At its price point, the RDB offers something almost no other rifle does: a fully ambidextrous, suppressed-friendly, 5.56 bullpup with a 16.1 inch barrel that stays shorter than an SBR. But does being the cheapest bullpup make it a good one?
Let’s find out."