Had a free day and a chance to shoot a few hundred rounds of 5.56 today.
Did an informal side-by-side shoot with the Tavor TAR 21, a HK SL8-4 (in G-36 drag) as well as an 11.5" AR15.
Some shooting opinions about the Tavor …
Accuracy was better than expected. The full 475mm bbl (18") was great for accurancy and shot placement, although the Mepro M-21 sight was definately not for everyone. Bright day provided for a good sight picture but this wasn’t the case while shooting from under cover (shade). Compared to the HK SL8 (3x hendsolt optic) the Tavor is far easier to handle (shooting while moving etc)
It was agreed that the ergonomics on the Tavor were a winner, although some prefer the standard rifle configuration. Only negative points were the inability for some guys to be able to get a good sight picture (personal preference). It was clear today that the bullpup had a nice advantage in accurancy as compared to the shorty AR15 (overall length comparable)… also not as loud as the 11.5" shorty.
Just my two cents … this is a great rifle and well balanced. As with anything, there are personal preferences and minor adjustments needed, but the quality of the rifle is solid. Standard AR15 mags all fit & functioned flawlessly for those who were curious. All mags dropped free although the mag release needed some getting used to.
Later the same day Tavor was compared side by side to a Norinco QBZ97 as well as a Steyr AUG. The Tavor definately is quality piece of gear. With a proper sling set up (anything is better than the IDF seatbelt sling) this would make a great pack rifle or plinker.
These rifles will be available in Canada. No idea if this will make it to the US.
I still like the AR15 carbines in 14.5" but these bullpups are neat.
there were no malfunctions with the rifle on the day of the shoot.
The mag catch is centrally located behind the shooters hand… and with repetitive training Im sure that one could clear the rifle quickly. Most likely left handed operation to 1. remove mag 2. cycle action with left hand, therefore keeping the rifle in position.
Since my fellow shooters that day were Pro-AR15 … it was a tough sell.
“Still”? AFAIK, IMI has never had a US manufacturing facility. All the IMI guns offered for sale here (Desert Eagle, Baby Eagle/Jericho, Uzi, Galil, SP-21, etc) have been imported. Action Arms brought in the Uzis and Galils back in the day and Magnum Research handles most of the handguns (although Mossberg brought some in a few years back, under the abortive “Uzi Eagle” brand).
[ul]
[li]The rifle is ambi (you can move the mechanism from left to right on the rifle).
[/li][li]The protrusion after the mag is the hold open device.
[/li][li]The safety is as per the top picture (right hand thumb - just like the M16/AR15
[/li][li]Clearing the rifle is easily done while keeping the sights on target.
[/li][li]The iron sights are good, but the poor sight picture came from the Meprolight M-21 that comes standard with the rifle. Reflex sights provide poor dots when under cover or indoors. I would prefer an Aimpont or an Eotech.
[/li][li]The chamber can be viewed when clear. (manipulate charging handle with left hand, move rifle fwd, view empty chamber.
[/li][/ul]
IMI is no longer. The comapny is now IWI as far as I understand. Isreali Weapons Industries. This rifle was also featured on Future Weapons a while back and the accuracy was fielded. Over-all weapon accuracy was documented. If someone can post that link that would be great (Dont know how to do that video stuff)
Im looking forward to my personal rifle arriving later this year. These are still new in Canada.
Interesting thing is that IWI had a choice in designing the Tavor:
-Direct Gas Impingement or
-Gas piston.
They went with the latter.
They fight - in the desert - often. No patent protecting either design. In fact, a DI system w. parts in common with the AR-15 would have saved them $$$ and allowed US aid parts to be used for free.
Funny how people think the Israelis did not like the Galil. True - they dropped it - but ONLY because of weight.
I contacted IMI a few weeks back about the possibility of the Tavor being imported to the United States. I received the following response today.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for approaching us, however, we do not have a distribution
network in the USA, we are planning to have one around 2009.
Sincerely,
Karina Eidelman
Marketing Coordinator
Hopefully, this is something that will continue to develop.
Any comment on the trigger pull. Most bullpups are known for a heavier trigger pull. I’ve followed the TAR 21 for a few years now. I would love to see them imported, as long as they were not converted to single stack 10 rnd mags or some other nonsense. Any other insights would be great. Thanks.
Oh no, ACR, SCAR, TAR 21. I’m going to have to win a lottery:cool:
The South Africans have done something similar with their R4 (Galil) rifles, and it is manufactured by Vektor. I know little about either rifle. How similar are the two designs?
It was mentionned that this rifle was available in Canada (for a price $$$!:mad: ). Do you have any distributor info, contacts, availability? Anything would be appreciated.
Another detail, is this restricted or reserved to military / LE?
