http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6tOaFzqEp0
By Jeremy S.
This is only a first impression of the IWI TAVOR SAR – a few rounds sent down range and a bit of time checking it out, handling it, and getting used to the unique manipulation of this bullpup rifle. We’ll take care of all of the measurements, stats, and details here, cover a bit of background and include some comments from ex-IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers familiar with the rifle. Expect a much more exciting video a couple weeks from now with follow-up impressions and any updates or changes. It may not be as exciting as these IDF women, but I’ll do what I can . . .
Background
In 2001, the TAVOR TAR-21 (TAVOR Assault Rifle, 21st Century) began limited testing in the IDF. By 2003, it saw a larger rollout and most soldiers were receiving at least some training with it, with quite a few units carrying it. During 2009, it officially replaced the M16/M4 variant rifles, which means many IDF soldiers wrapping up their mandatory 3-year service terms in 2012 or 2013 had never handled an M16/M4 in the service.
Fast forward to a few months ago, and the first TAVOR SAR (Semi-Automatic Rifle) hit the civilian market in the United States. Much to our great joy, this is NOT just some licensed copy farmed out to whatever company that bid highest for the rights to the name and general design. IWI – Israel Weapon Industries – opened up a U.S. branch and IWI U.S., Inc is now distributing and manufacturing the real deal right here in ‘merica. With the exception of the conspicuously missing full auto setting, the SAR has a fully MIL-Standard pedigree, with few if any changes to the IDF weapons.
MSRP: $1,999
A rifle designed as a bullpup from the ground up is decidedly cool. But how many are willing to pay for extra that? How much of the TAVOR’s MSRP pays for the novelty – the fact that, unlike an AR, I can’t get something nearly identical from 50 competing manufacturers? Upon first opening the box and inspecting its contents, I realized that the asking price is justified indeed.
As mentioned before, the SAR is truly military grade. This can be seen in its [made in Israel] cold hammer forged, CrMoV, fully hard chrome lined, 1:7 twist, 5.56 chambered barrel, ordnance grade steel receiver, integral flip-up iron sights complete with Tritium front post, and excellent attention to detail in fit, finish, and assembly. All parts are mil-spec and interchangeable. Field stripping takes all of four seconds with no tool needed, and the long-stroke gas piston stays clean of carbon and requires no lubrication. Detail stripping the bolt and the piston system and removing the trigger group takes just a few more seconds.
Also contributing to that healthy MSRP is undoubtedly the best cleaning kit I’ve ever seen with a new gun. Inside the IWI belt pouch is a slotted rod for patches, four cleaning rod extensions – one with a swiveling T handle, a squeeze bottle for lube/CLP/Manischewitz, a chamber brush, a bore brush, a ‘general cleaning’ bristle brush (I said boar bristle in the video but I doubt it’s treif. It’s natural, not synthetic, though, according to my wife’s infinite arts and crafts expertise). There’s also a large brush for cleaning inside the receiver, and a tool for adjusting the front sight’s windage and elevation.
It doesn’t end there, though, as the TAVOR also ships with a pair of extremely high quality QD swivel studs, a nice IWI magazine (a re-branded CAA MAG-17, complete with a very usable round count window and pop-out button in the baseplate to let you know when the mag’s full), and what is certainly the best owner’s manual I’ve laid eyes on. The “Operator Manual” is full of color diagrams explaining everything from lube points to full detail stripping directions, barrel and caliber swap directions, cleaning and other maintenance protocols, parts diagrams, sub-assembly diagrams, etc. Whew.
Versatility
Leafing through the owner’s manual shows just how versatile the TAVOR platform really is. In a matter of a couple minutes, the rifle can be swapped from 5.56/.223 to 5.45×39 or even to 9×19. The 5.45 conversion requires a new bolt and a new barrel, while the 9mm conversion requires those plus the addition of a mag well adapter designed to accept UZI magazines. You’ll need a special barrel wrench is required to remove the factory barrel and lock in a new one, and a wrench is included with either of the caliber conversion kits.
Southpaw? No problem, as the TAVOR is fully ambi. As it arrives to you, two QD swivel mounts are located on each side, the charging handle can be swapped to either side, the safety can be swapped to either side, and the magazine release is already right in the middle and perfect for righties or lefties.
Although the TAVOR, thanks to ejecting forwards out to about the 1:30 position (with 5.56 ammo), can be fired from either shoulder without suffering brass-in-the-face, it can also be configured to eject from either side of the receiver. To swap from right- to left-hand ejection (or vice-versa, as you can order an out-of-the-box fully left hand TAVOR), though, you’ll need a new bolt. Since the barrel has to come out to complete the L/R switch, IWI ships replacement bolts with a barrel wrench. MSRP is $109 for the kit. The ejection port and brass deflector are then easily moved across to the opposite side.
If we have to compare it with the venerable AR platform (and we must), the TAVOR has a couple of shortcomings. Perhaps most obvious is the fixed stock. Length of pull is not adjustable, and there isn’t a whole market full of stock options like you may be used to. Similarly, the pistol grip is an integral part of the body and can’t be replaced. At first glance I was worried that it might be too skinny, but I find it to be absolutely acceptable. Maybe not as nice for me as the properly-sized, ergonomic grip on my AR, but it’s still comfortable and certainly just as functional. It even has built-in storage, as does the stock (the stock’s is quite limited, but it’s there).
A full-length aluminum picatinny rail runs along the top and a shorter, polymer, 45 degree offset portion is next to that at the very front of the body. If you prefer to mount every accessory known to man on your AR, you’ll find the TAVOR lacking in real estate. A small rail section is sold separately for the front dustcover/foregrip, and would be handy for mounting a vertical grip, bipod, or light. The barrel is threaded in standard 1/2×28, so any AR muzzle device or suppressor will work on the TAVOR.
This 16.5” barrel TAVOR (SAR-B16 – B for black) is only 26.125” in overall length. That’s the same as a 10” barreled AR-15 SBR with its adjustable stock fully collapsed. It gives you the ballistics of a rifle in the overall length of an SBR. Its versatility exists in having a platform that’s comfortable in close, tight quarters but also capable of reaching out there with rifle accuracy and velocity. The compact size is great for easy transport and carrying or deploying it from a vehicle. But despite its extremely short overall length, the TAVOR won’t leave you all hunched up in the shoulders with its normal – maybe even slightly long – 15.75” length of pull. When shouldered it feels like an adult-sized rifle, but it doesn’t balance or swing like one.
Weapon Manipulation
The bulk of the TAVOR’s weight is centered behind the pistol grip. In fact, the actual balance point is between the front of the mag well and the top rear of the pistol grip (that’s with no mag – add a loaded magazine and the balance point shifts even farther back). This makes the rifle easy to hold nice and steady, even without your support hand on it, for extended periods of time. The rubber butt pad is grippy enough to allow your shoulder to hold much of the gun’s weight, leaving your hands free to concentrate on control and aiming.
To use a car analogy, handling is usually better when the front wheels steer and the rear wheels drive. Ask the front wheels to do both simultaneously and each function suffers. Compared to a typical AR-15, which has significantly more weight out there in front of the pistol grip, much of the ‘driving’ on the TAVOR has been shifted to your shoulder leaving your hands free to ‘steer.’
IDF soldiers are apparently trained to utilize six points of contact on the TAVOR. One is the foregrip with your support hand. Two (less obvious) is the front of the trigger guard. You’re supposed to lay your forearm along it. This creates a very stable firing platform. Three is the pistol grip. Four – also easy to overlook – is your strong hand forearm against the magazine. Five is your cheek weld and number six is the butt pad against your shoulder. I must say, the gun is really locked in and stable when you do all of this as taught. It feels fairly natural (and very much prevents ‘chicken wing’ from either elbow).
A common bullpup complaint is awkward magazine changes. Not only is the TAVOR pretty smooth in that area, but I think it’s even better than an AR. Part of this is the balance – it’s just so very easy to hold and control the gun with only your shooting hand on the pistol grip. The other two notable assets are an ideally located, large magazine release and an ideally located, large bolt release. Even without your support hand on the gun, you can shift your shooting hand thumb back and bump the mag release, dropping it free while your support hand is grabbing the next one.
You can also very easily perform a tactical reload (retaining the removed mag) by grabbing the magazine near the top with your support hand and simultaneously squeezing on the mag release with your index finger. This is extremely natural and easy to do. Now, as you seat a new magazine in place, simply flick your mag-holding-hand’s thumb (it’ll be your support hand) back to bump the bolt release and you’re back in business. The same bolt release operates as a bolt catch, if you don’t have an empty mag to do it, by pulling down on the back of it and easing the charging handle forwards (it’s a bit awkward, as seen in the video).
The non-reciprocating charging handle is located at the front and has a bit of a swivel/detent that keeps it in place. When you grab it, it swivels out and can be brought backwards, cycling the action to the rear. The safety is in the same relative location and works the same way as an AR-15’s. The single aperture of the rear peep sight is about the size of the standard small AR rear sight aperture, and the height of the sights is about the same, which means they’ll co-witness with optics at the same height as on your AR.
Function
I won’t personally comment on reliability, as I’ve only put a few [flawless] rounds through my TAVOR so far. I can tell you that, in speaking with three ex-IDF guys at work, they all independently tell me that the TAVOR was significantly more reliable for them than the M16 (all three served during the transitional period and trained on and used both platforms). Whereas they had each dealt with or personally witnessed many dust-, dirt-, and mud-caused stoppages with the M16, they had seen next to none with the TAVOR.
It operates soaking wet, full of dirt…you name it. Two of them mentioned that swapping the foregrip for the version that allows for mounting a grenade launcher makes the gun susceptible to jamming due to dirt and other debris, which accounted for the very few stoppages they had seen. I specifically asked all of them for any ‘dirt’ on the gun, any negatives, any quirks that we Americans probably haven’t found yet, or any common little ‘modifications’ that soldiers make immediately upon being issued a TAVOR. Crickets. They like the thing. A lot.
The TAVOR’s brass deflector is smaller and more flush than an AR’s, but still very effective. It kicks .223 out at 90 degrees (3 o’clock) or just forwards of that, and it kicks more powerful 5.56 farther forwards at about 45 degrees to the bore (call it 1:30). Your empty brass will bear a bit of a penalty for this, though. The deflector dents the body and the case mouth consistently and with surprising uniformity.
Trigger pull is fairly short, with a bit of creep before a crisp break. Reset is highly tactile and audible. The TAVOR’s trigger pulls on a trigger bar/rod rather than pushing on one, which helps with the feel compared to most other bullpups. On the negative side, the TAVOR’s trigger measured 11.5 lbs. and it feels every bit of it, or more.
Maybe because I’m so used to rifle triggers being significantly lighter and, on pistol triggers that are similarly heavy, I’m used to lots of travel. The TAVOR’s trigger feels like you’re pulling against an engaged safety until click – it fires. There are no aftermarket replacements or other upgrades that I’m aware of, at least not yet. That said, I got used to it quickly and it doesn’t bother me for most shooting. It doesn’t do the gun any favors for accuracy testing, though.
Back on the plus side, the TAVOR accepts basically any AR-15 magazine. Some 10-rounders don’t fit well, apparently, but I didn’t have one to give it a try. The Thermold 20-round mag I have worked fine, and even locked the bolt back consistently despite not usually doing that on most ARs. Worth noting is that Magpul Gen 2 PMAGs fit a bit snugly and don’t typically drop free. They function fine and are easy to insert and remove; they just don’t remove themselves when you hit the mag release. Gen 3’s, although I didn’t test one, are supposed to fit with sufficient wiggle room. The included CAA-made IWI mag worked great, as did a Troy Battlemag. Basically, any STANAG mag should work fine.
Overall
So far so good. Better than good. Highly maneuverable, accurate, great balance, easy to control, easy to carry, easy to operate, military grade…in short, cool. I can already tell this is one gun I will not be selling.
Specifications:
Caliber: 5.56×45 / .223 (chamber is 5.56). Conversion kits available for 5.45×39 and 9×19
Barrel Length: Available in 16.5” and 18” versions
Rate of Twist: 1:7
Overall Length: 26 1/8” (16.5” bbl) or 27 5/8” (18” bbl)
Length of Pull: 15.75”
Weight: 7.9 lbs
Trigger Pull Weight: 11.5 lbs
Operation: long stroke gas piston, locking bolt (right or left ejection specific)
Capacity: Accepts AR-15 magazines
Finish: Polymer body available in Black or Flat Dark Earth. All metal parts treated for corrosion resistance
MSRP: $1,999 either color or barrel length. $2,599 in IDF version with Mepro-21 Reflex Sight affixed to barrel (note: this version does not have a full picatinny upper rail)
Awesome write up, thank you… I wish I didn’t have so many other black guns on my wish list.
put it on your list as Flat Dark Earth color, that way you have a reason to buy it before the other rifles
Hahahaha. I’ll have to see if that loophole works with the wife.
Just check if she’s got any outfit-matching handbags…. probably a closet full. So basically add the price of a handbag to the Tavor, to grease the wheels. 🙂
Great review… love the pics and video.
But…
Carrying the rifle in a raquet ball case? Super low profile. And awesome.
It’s the Blackhawk! Diversion Racquet bag that they unveiled at SHOT Show. The Tavor fits in there like it was designed for it, even with the Bushnell TRS-25 still on the rail.
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Diversion-Carry-Racquet-Bag,1867,1561.htm
Any idea how the Tavor will fit with a larger optic on it? Something like a Mepro-21?
The farther forward that the optic is on the rail, the better, as the bag gets wider towards the front. That has to be the front, btw, because the height of the grip necessitates the barrel pointing the direction you see in the photo — the bag’s too narrow if you flip the gun around. The TRS-25 does make a small visible bump in the edge of the closed bag where I have it mounted on the rail. I don’t think you could fit an optic that’s taller. Assuming the same height, you’d have room to move that height basically all the way forwards to the front of the rail with no problem, but probably not backwards at all. (so a scope that started at the high point of this TRS and went forwards should fit okay as well, but not one mounted any more towards the butt stock. If I moved my TRS forwards, it would fit even better… but I like where it is for shooting)
Here’s another pic: http://goo.gl/3GmQR
…my TRS-25 is on a quick detach mount and the rail is numbered, so it would be quick and easy to take it off and put it in the bag separately and then pop it right back on in the same spot when I took the TAVOR out. But… it fits so it stays…
Well that looks like a no go for me then. The Mepro 21 is a larger sight all around and I like having it mounted as far back as I can get it to help with the balence.
BTW just wanted to amend my previous comment. It will fit in the bag facing the other direction, but only without an optic on it at all. You have to push the rail up as close to the top as you can in order to get the bag to close over the bottom of the grip. I definitely prefer the muzzle pointing towards the large diameter end of the bag, though, since that probably goes up when you carry the bag on your back, and I wouldn’t really want all of the gun’s weight pushing on the muzzle inside of the bag (I’d expect that to wear out the bag).
I purchased mine early in may (for my birthday) after sending a few down range i doubt i will ever pick up my s&w m&p again…seriously…
Personal opinion: the trigger is not better than the Steyr Aug, having said that, I like it better than the Aug.
@DZ My buddy bought one. He lightened the trigger by removing some extra spring within the block that seemed to be added to increase pull. No idea, I didn’t quite follow him, just a heads up. I can get the exact details of what he did to you if you want.
That spring is a reset spring. Its to make sure the hammer still resets even if there is debris in it. It can be removed and lightens the trigger by a pound or two, but its there for reliability.
I haven’t removed mine, I don’t think the trigger is all that bad really. Weight isn’t everything.
I saw someone mention that on YouTube. I’ll take mine out and measure the pull weight again. Chances are, though, that I’ll put it back in and leave it in. I’ve put a couple hundred more rounds through the gun and am used to the heavier trigger. It’s short and it’s pretty crisp and I have no problems with rapid fire accuracy with it. It’s just a surprise because I’m not used to a heavy trigger like that in rifle. Like Platypus said, weight isn’t everything. It doesn’t normally factor into my appraisal of whether a trigger is “good” or “bad” like grittiness and creep and stacking and such do. But I’ll measure it w/out that spring and the result will be in the next write-up along with accuracy testing and a 500-round update and whatever else.
Done and done. Verified a drop from 11.5 lbs to 8 lbs and put it on video: youtube.com/watch?v=pd5abMIUdAQ
How about including compare/contrast to the AUG.
I have a Tavor and my roommate has an AUG. I like my Tavor better (obviously) but off the top of my head:
Some cons:
– The AUG doesn’t take NATO mags by default, if you get the NATO stock you lose your bolt hold open.
– The AUG isn’t as ambidextrous as the TAVOR. AUG doesn’t have a brass deflector
– The AUG’s 45 degree side rail is sorta in an awkward spot. My buddy hasn’t figured out where he’s going to place his light yet because he can’t find a spot for the pressure switch
– The AUG has more weight further forward
Some pros:
– Integrated vertical foregrip. I know at least one person who chose the AUG over the Tavor for this very reason
– AUG mags have two locking points, some people like them better than NATO mags
– slightly cheaper, slightly more available (this will probably change in a few months)
– aftermarket accessories available (Tavor will still probably be a few months)
I’m a bit biased though, so take it with a grain of salt. Having shot both (and having shot an AUG first) I much prefer the Tavor.
I swore I would never buy another rifle after my arguably perfect 308…Though I suppose it would be nice to have a handy sbr around…
I made that same promise 20 guns ago 🙂
Yeah, I keep promising myself; no more guns, no more chocolate bars. Even tho I know I’m weak willed and can not keep either promise.
Stupid chocolate bars making me buy more guns…
Channeling my inner Leghorn, I have to wonder when we’ll see a .300 BLK barrel swap setup… talk about an awesome! Add a suppressor, and I’d think that it would make an EXCELLENT hog gun, home defense piece, SWAT/SpecOps weapon, toy, cure for cancer, etc…
I figure it’s only a matter of time… amiright??
“Cure for Cancer”: shooting one tumor at a time. Counts as self-defense, right?
Check out IWI US’s facebook page. They are very responsive to questions. The 300blk conversion has been asked about before and IWI confirmed it was in the works. Sounded like a year or two before its available though, but that’s my guess. They may surprise us.
I got a Tavor recently and its fantastic. I love the Israeli 6 points of contact grip. The rifle feels so solid when I use it, going back to my AR feels unstable!
The trigger is heavy, but at least mine is very crisp, I don’t feel any stacking and the break is very clean. I’m getting used to it and even like it.
I drank the Tavor kool-aid though, so take that for what you will!
Yes, Lord Platypus and his Tavor have cost me handsomely. I recommend you avoid any invitations to touch, shoulder or – heaven forbid – fire one of these evil machines. I’m waiting patiently for my AR Lowers, but I could not manage patience after firing Plat’s Tavor 1.5 weeks ago.
Mine will be here Friday. Pretty sad given that I wasn’t in the market for another rifle.
I shoulda had the Kook Aide analyzed before I decided to try it – there was a mild after taste and I’m pretty certain it was laced.
A great non-restricted rifle for our Canadian friends.
Awesome review and pictures, thank you.
Im not sure how I feel about the trigger guard being so open, seems like it wont take much for something to get in front of the trigger. But I guess thats what safties are for and Im sure it wouldnt be the battle rifle of a major military force if it were an issue.
Anyways I am really interested in this, I hope after they are on the market for a while the price comes down a bit. Maybe Ill win the lotto, who knows.
Thanks again.
I was lucky enough to get two of the first 18″ rifles off the assembly line, and even more lucky to be able to keep one of them here at the shop/range. I’m right down the road from IWI’s facility in Harrisburg, PA and am still in contact with the company. Lots of great people there, and very friendly and supportive of smaller dealers which is something many gun makers fall short on.
Like Jeremy, my two rifles came with a trigger weight tipping the scales, but I’ve already worked out the kinks on my keeper gun to bring that pull down to a much more comfortable 7 pounds. That’s including spring weight, the mechanical letoff is only 5.5. When I have time I’ll be removing some of that slack and squishy takeup, but my goal is to keep the rifle’s bomb-proof reliability intact. I’m extremely happy with the trigger as is though, and it still has room for improvement!
I can definitely see the Tavor proving popular and getting aftermarket interest pretty quickly. I’m still bugging IWI to see if I can get just a stripped polymer stock body to Cerakote!
Sorry, I have no idea what you just wrote, I got stuck on the women of the IDF…
I’l try again and read your article with fresh attention…
Careful with those links… they are prolonging my time on this site…
Right now I’m finishing up a year in Israel and a lot of my friends here are active duty and I’ve heard mixed reviews from them about the Tavor. Most guys complain about the Tavor simply because it is different. But one very interesting complaint I heard last night was about cleaning and lubricating.
The way most people in the army lubricate the weapon is by dunking it in a tub of lube (!) and this lubricant is corrosive to the plastic parts. Not such a big deal with the AR because they take the stock off and the only plastic parts getting dunked are the handguards and grips. But the Tavor can potentially get eaten up after only a few years from this stuff because the whole thing is plastic fantastic. But I think most of the guys here probably don’t keep a bucket-o-lube behind the house and probably won’t do this. But other than that most guys like em. Points well, they can be fired one handed, and easier to maneuver with.
I had budgeted to get one, and then my “Democratic” overlords decided that I can’t have one. Oh well, maybe the CCDL will win the lawsuit (please donate) or I’ll buy a holiday cabin in PA or NH.
Thanks for the great initial review of the TAVOR SAR.
However, one error that I must point out…
Please do not use the sight adjustment tool to unlock the barrel. It is not strong enough and you will most likely ruin the tool.
Use a specific barrel wrench available from IWI US.
Sorry about that, Michael! The video has a pop-up annotation stating that I said that in error, but those annotations can be turned on and off and maybe it didn’t display for you. I’ll make sure to specifically mention that in the follow-up video, which is certainly going to be more interesting. …there’s some 100-yard accuracy testing, shooting w/ a suppressor, exploding targets, run-and-gun w/ the GoPro mounted to the rails, mag dumps, etc… Now that I’ve put a few hundred more rounds through it I think the only real follow-up is going to be that the trigger has grown on me and the gun just gets better and better the more I get used to it.
I still want one. This would be my end-all rifle. If I could only find a way to save for it, and then actually find one.
My desire for this small arm knows no bounds.
There’s a reason everyone loves this gun and it keeps getting glowing reviews — that’s because it’s truly an exceptional rifle. Forget everything you once thought about bullpups and give this rifle try. Most of you will become instant bullpup fans.
Expect to see this rifle to go far in the U.S. market place. Also, don’t fret about 10lbs triggers, given the popularity of this rifle you’re going to see big names in quality aftermarket triggers offering kits for these rifles before the end of the year.
If you’re not already, get on a waiting list for one of these rifles. You can send me a thank you card later.
+100
Tim,
You’re one of the reasons I went out of my way as a dealer to speak to Mr. Kassnar and the folks at IWI about this rifle. I was really surprised how much they support local businesses, and can’t wait to work with them again in the future. I hope they catch up to demand so I can get more rifles!
I wouldn’t give up my two digit serial Tavor for anything. It’s just an optic and more mags away from perfect in my mind! I mentioned it in my other comment, but I completely agree with your thoughts on aftermarket for the Tavor. It’ll be big, and I can’t wait to see what the innovative minds out there will come up with for the Tavor.
If you’re planning future videos about the Tavor, perhaps you could tell viewers a bit about the mechanical lineage of the fire control system and the numerous features under the hood that make the rifle “bomb proof”? I work on a lot of FALs and M1 Carbines and immediately recognized the sear system harkening back to those two rifles, both of which served the IDF (or continue to in some form or another for civil defense if I’m not mistaken)
My one big complaint is the trigger weight. It makes the rifle very hard to shoot quickly. A re-engineered fire control group would make the rifle truly epic.
Check it: youtube.com/watch?v=pd5abMIUdAQ
^^^ I have yet to verify reliability, but will over the next few weeks with another few hundred rounds through it. But that quick work took it from 11.5 lbs to 8 lbs, and is fully reversible.
Having seen more than one catastrophic failure in the AR platform over the last 30 years, I would not feel comfortable having the chamber and magazine that close to my face.
Not saying it isn’t safe, it just is not for me.
At least the BCG and such is wrapped in ordnance grade steel, which is wrapped in polymer, rather than just a little aluminum like an AR.
Let’s see here. The TAVOR. The fur, giving a slight but unambiguously kinky air, the IDI neo-SS chicks… is there a Robert Farago Stylebook for writing at TTAG I’ve missed out on?
I’m getting one of these bad boys ASAP! Finally, I will look the part! Hell, I won’t even bother to take ammo to the range with me. One look at this thing and all the other fellas will know that I’m a HSLD operator who’s prepared social situations of any kind. Kick ass!
Honestly that’s the only negative aspect of it for me! If you can’t tell by the choice of carry bag (Blackhawk! Diversion Racquet bag), I’m more of an under-the-radar type of a dude. Certainly no “Operator.” I badly wanted the TAVOR for multiple reasons (compact, very high quality, fun, unique, mechanically appealing to me, grandpa served in IDF, etc etc), but the “cool factor” of it was a detractor. Oh well. I’m sure the fact that I own one brings down the cool factor at least a notch or two for everybody else haha 😉
That is one damn sexy rifle. I’ve wanted one for a while now, but the cost is a bit too steep for me right now. I might end up with an AR-15 of some type for about half the cost (MSRP).
A friend of mine has one. He says he was at the range and some old man walked up and asked “what all does that thang do”?
Definitely want one of these in 5.45×39, especially considering how it kills 5.56 brass. Might as well run steel-cased ammo if the cases have to be recycled, and if so, might as well run the cheapest steel-case rifle ammo available.
Pity that acquiring one will likely have a negative WAF (wife acceptance factor) until next year, given my other gun spending this year…
I think it’s still reloadable. The case mouth dent will get totally taken care of in the sizing process, and the dent on the side is quite minor. Even the worst examples still slide into the chamber with no abnormal friction at all. From what I can measure, the dents are up to about 1 one hundredth of an inch deep or just a few thousands deeper in the worst cases (and I mean cases both in the “incidents” way and in the actual brass cases way 😉 ). When you fire the round for the second time, it will end up being pressure fit to the chamber and the dent should totally disappear. Then, of course, it’ll get a new one on its way out haha
I’m going to try shooting the gun without the brass deflector on it. I think it will be fine for a right-handed shooter. But… I’ll test it out and see if it saves the brass. Maybe rounding the sharp corner of the deflector will help (I’m not going to modify mine, though, until replacements are easy and affordable to purchase), or putting a small piece of foam double sided tape there or something else to pad that corner.
What’s the reasoning behind such a heavy trigger? I have an FS2000, which has a 9.5 pound trigger, and I find that if I fire a shot every few seconds, by the time I’m halfway through the third magazine my hand becomes so fatigued that I can no longer operate the trigger and have to start shooting left-handed. I realize that these rifles are designed for 18 year olds who have just made it through boot camp, but it’s like the people designing the trigger think that soldiers will never need to shoot while fatigued or injured, but will carry their weapons by dangling them from the trigger with the safety off…
My understanding is that the way the bullpup design is it leaves a long gap from the trigger to the sear. This means having to use a long connecter which makes for a heavy trigger pull. Seems to be the nature of the beast. If I’m wrong jump in and correct me.
I did kind of proffer a random guess in the video, but it may be closer to what jwm said — kind of the nature of a bullpup. That said, there isn’t much friction or contact points going on between the actual trigger on the TAVOR and the sear. The trigger pulls directly on a stiff rod, which pulls on a trigger bar in the trigger assembly. I do not see a real mechanical reason that it has to be heavy. I do believe it’s mostly a choice. Because the trigger pull is so short, I have NOT experienced trigger finger fatigue yet. My next outing will have me shooting about 300 rounds through the gun so I’ll make sure to note anything along these lines. But, unlike when I shoot a pistol with a long, heavy trigger, the TAVOR’s short, heavy trigger doesn’t seem to tire out the ol’ trigger finger.
BTW — check out this video I just put together yesterday. Dropped the trigger weight from 11.5 lbs to 8 lbs in just a couple of minutes, and it’s fully reversible. I haven’t tested for reliability yet but I’ll do that within a couple weeks with a few hundred more rounds through the gun. youtube.com/watch?v=pd5abMIUdAQ
That sounds better than the FS2000 trigger, which has a heavy take-up before you finally get to the even heavier (but clean) break. It’s not actually all that long, but certainly longer than the “engaged safety” feel you describe on the Tavor.
What sling mount were you using and where did you get it?
The gun has QD swivel sockets on it front and rear from the factory and comes with two QD swivel studs. I had http://sandstormcustomrifleslings.com make me the sling that you see in those photos. AWESOME sling at a super good price. The front has a clip so you can convert the sling from 2-point to single point very quickly (similar to what Travis Haley does in the MAC video on his Adaptive Carbine Course when he’s handling the TAVOR).
I think I’m going to do a quick video and written review of Sandstorm’s products soon. Very happy w/ the sling and with a nifty paracord belt that they asked me to try out!
Absolute, crazy gun boner-tastic rifle! Must have Tavor. Nice review as well… Made me want one more.
The OAL on the 16.5″ barrel Tavor when I measure is 27.25 inches. Am I measuring wrong or do they measure without the flash hider? Trying to find the best discreet bag, hence the measurements.
Hey Steve, sorry I didn’t see your response. Haven’t checked back in on this post. You’re absolutely correct in that the OAL measurement of the TAVOR — 26 1/8″ — is done without the flash hider on it. If it included the flash hider you’d be a felon when you removed it, as any rifle under 26″ OAL falls under the NFA (SBR regs, basically).
The TAVOR fit fine in that BlackHawk Diversion bag with the A2 flash hider on it, and it fits even better now that I have swapped for a Rainier Arms Mini Comp.
It fits in my Harley Saddlebag. Just bought it today after reading good reviews.
I’ve decided to get one of these in mid-to-late October. But I really can’t decide between the 16.5″ and 18″ barrels. It’s primary use will be home defense, but it’ll get to the outdoor range at least once a month. I understand that the 18″ will be more accurate, but with the heavy trigger pull I’m wondering if it will even matter much. I’d really appreciate you guys weighing in on this… Thanks!
Loved reading Part 1, when will we get part 2?
What is accuracy at 100 yds to 300 yds? __MOA
If I am looking to pick up a used Tavor, are there any differences between production runs that I should be aware of? Serial numbers to avoid? Anything produced before a certain date? Or, is one Tavor as good as the next? Thanks
There always was a large Christian Arab community in Israel’s north – after all, it was Jesus’ home stomping grounds – and they mostly always QUIETLY participated in all aspects of the State, including military service, which in Israel, leads to very good “GI Bill” benefits. A Supreme Court Justice is Christian Arab, and he’s been there forever. More recently, half a million Russian Orthodox people came in with their Jewish spouses, their churches are everywhere and they have no quarrel with a Hebrew regime. And even MORE recently, there’s been a steady in-flow of Filipinas with work permits. Like 50,000 on the books, and maybe a quarter again of Filipina visa-over-stayers. Quiet ladies who never become police problems or welfare enrollees, so the cops don’t go out of their way to hassle them. The Israeli government even imported a Filipino priest and a Filipina organize to man their Tagalog-language Roman-Catholic churches.. I think there’s 5-6 Tagalog Parishes now in the different large cities. Filipinos with western salaries are pretty much self-supporting and take-care-of-their-own-people mentality. Much easier for us that way, too!
Most recently, we have Ukrainians and Texans showing to work the gas rigs. They usually keep an apartment right in Ashdod, where the crew boats work out of. Many are young, handsome – and they have serious money…. so they’ve been noticed by Tel Aviv girls. I see the occasional marriage in the newspapers.
Long story short, there is a decent-sized, legal agricultural market for pork in the country and there’s a few families up north in the Galilee who do that full time…. so no problem getting boar bristles.
Comments are closed.