He estimates this rifle has about 1500 rounds on it at this point.
Tavor rifle.
Tavor with basic field strip, including special tool (unfired cartridge) required for disassembly. One captive pin and the BCG drops out the back. The buttpad is captive.
Hammer pack removed. Two captive pins retain it and the bolt stop. The bolt stop could be removed at this point but removing it is not part of the normal strip for cleaning.
Bolt carrier group with recoil spring guide rod removed. Guide rod shown partially retracted. The guide rod prevents the bolt from rotating while the stripping lugs of the bolt hit the cartridge at the top of the magazine.
BCG detail stripped.
The stripped BCG. Notice that the points that actually contact the receiver rails are small in length and have clearances between them. I these work as sand cuts.
Bolt details. AR15 bolt for comparison. Note that the locking/unlocking cam path is part of the bolt.
Extractor detail with AR15 extractor for comparison.
Tavor extractor spring. No, nothing is missing and yes, that green jelly cone is the extractor spring. No metal required.
Tavor firing pin with AR15 FP. The slot in the firing pin interfaces with the cam pin, which also retains the firing pin.
Cam pin, with AR15 cam pin for reference. The notch in the cam pin is for the bolt guide rod, which also retains the cam pin, which retains the bolt and firing pin.
Bolt carrier spring detail. Crosspin is inserted across the recoil spring guide ride with the end piece slightly retracted. In the forward position the notch in the crosspin is locked into the recoil spring guide rod.
BCG buffer (muzzle side to right). Molded polymer piece that holds the recoil spring guide rod and bolt guide rod. The top cross hole locates the buffer on the captive pin that holds the butt pad and goes through the receiver.
Buffer from the front.
Bolt (55g) and bolt carrier (405g) weight for a bolt to bolt carrier weight ratio of 7.36:1. For comparison the AR15 bolt is 51g and bolt carrier* is 363g for a ratio of 7.1:1. The AK bolt is 87g and bolt carrier is 424g for a ratio of AK47- 4.9:1.
*Bolt carrier and standard carbine buffer.
CH detail. The lever on the interior end of the CH engages a wing on the barrel. This levers the bolt open when the CH is first retracted.
Barrel latch lock, shown in locked position. To unlock it press in with tip of bullet while rotating barrel latch to unlocked position.
Barrel latch detail. Barrel latch in locked position.
Rotated halfway.
Barrel details from left to right: flash hider, wings for CH unlocking, gas block front that has the gas port in it, the gas pipe that connects to the rear of the gas block, where the gas piston sits with the bolt forward. The top of the gas block is also the optics mounting point.
Barrel/barrel extension notch that engages the barrel latch.
Barrel extension detail showing the three bolt extension locking lugs the bolt locking lugs engage. The top lug is also the stop for the bot guide rod.
Gas block/optic platform detail.
Gas relief hole is under the rear of the gas block.
Twin holes under the gas block are the CH guide holes.
Detail of the gas block where the gas piston enters it. The interior is hardchromed. I couldn’t see how far into the gas pipe the hardchroming extends.
Debris shield. Separates the dirty outside of the weapon from the interior action area. Reversing the notch is necessary if the rifle is changed form RH to LH.
Gas tube which has a aluminum liner with plastic exterior. The grooves on outside seat into receiver. Left is towards the muzzle.
Front.
Gas tube installed in receiver. Open space underneath is for the CH rod.
Gas tube and debris shield together from the front, rifle set up for right handed use.
Debris shield and gas tube in place in receiver with barrel removed.
Barrel, BCG, gas tube and debris shield removed from receiver showing relationships.
Receiver from front, barrel latch in unlocked position.
Rear.
Underneath from magwell.
Underneath from hammer pack area. Black nubbin is rear of trigger bar.
Great photos. I have around 4k through mine at the moment and it looks pretty similar sans one thing. My ejection port is chipping from all the rounds hitting it. Doesn’t impact function at all but I found it to be a little strange.
First, of all I want to thank you for taking the time to do this. Threads like this are why I spend what online time I have, in here. I love to see the designs of those who had a complete clean sheet.
Second, this weapon is starting get more widely adopted in other places in the world. In Asia (Thais, Phils, Indians) and SA in particular seemed to have latched on. All for the more we can see and learn about a gun that is going to scratch the itch of a “budget” modern platform for many armies IMO.
Third, I am interested in the gas system on this gun, It appears that its pretty short when compared to the AR type rifles. I am wondering if the gas port being so close effects velocity (thinking on a F=mv2 wave length). That could there be an over gassing issue? Has anyone any time under this gun suppressed? The TAR 21’s I shot in India were brand spanking new, none of which were suppressed. I have only shot a US civvy tavor maybe 3-4 times and never suppressed. Does anyone have chrono AR vs. Tavor?
Fourth, what is the significance of the weight of the bolt vs the weight of the bolt carrier group ratio?
I like the design and look foreward to learning more.
The gas port is very close to the chamber when compared to most other rifles. I suspect IWI did that to reduce the effects of different barrel lengths on the dwell time. Also, IWI may have determined that with the gas port in that location there isn’t as much variety in port pressure between M193 and SS109 spec ammo, since the Israelis use both. Either way, I think it’s there for increased reliability.
Since the gas port is so close to the chamber (and the port pressure is very high) the active area of the gas piston is very small when compared to most other rifles.
The bolt to bolt carrier weight ratio is something I got interested in from a US Army firearm design handbook. They were claiming that bolt to BCG weight is a good predictor of reliability in bad conditions. The idea is that the bolt carrier only has so much energy stored in it and some of that energy is used to accelerate the bolt up to speed from rest. The higher the ratio the more energy reserve is available. Personally, I’m not sure that that theory is 100% correct, but the ratio is a number I like to have from different rifles.
I can’t really speak about the Tavor and suppressed use since I have no experience with that.
