| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| So just what is that Small Weapon the IDF are using? |
| 2009-01-16 |
| Tavor, the new Israeli assault rifle is a lightweight, compact and ergonomically designed bullpup weapon designed to become a 'organic' part of the warfighter. It has already been chosen to arm the IDF. Tavor is based on extensive research and development and close cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces. It was selected by the IDF in 2003, following an extensive competition against the M-4. Unlike conventional assault rifles, Tavor was developed to produce effective, fast and accurate fire in all conditions, including close combat. Its ergonomic design enables the soldier to operate the weapon as part of an integrated weapon system – such system does not rely only on technology, the system must rely on the human senses and capabilities, and respond best to the human needs. Tavor is well balanced and easily operated with a single (right or left) hand. Specific models can be configured for right or left handed users. With its integral optical sight, it can be aimed and fire accurately with both eyes opened, maintaining constant eye contact with the target, improving the soldier's peripheral vision and maintaining effective situational awareness. The compact weapon fits comfortably, aimed instinctively and fired instantly and effectively even by a heavily loaded warfighter, in tight enclosures, where the use of longer weapons is impractical. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #9 #8 too bad. NATO with a short barrel isn't particluarly effective. It is said that the Iraqi insurgents don't fear the M4 because the round is not effective at any useful range, and doesn't have casualty producing effects at that range. The TAVOR has a shorter barrel. So the company, or at least the BN HQ should have enough full size weapons to arm the guys for longer range combat. |
| Posted by: Richard Aubrey 2009-01-16 22:38 |
| #8 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-01-16 14:12 |
| #7 I missed something. What round? |
| Posted by: Richard Aubrey 2009-01-16 14:03 |
| #6 Looks like an Amish version of the "le Clairon." |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-01-16 12:40 |
| #5 The one I fired was the British version. The magazine is damn near in your armpit. Very hard to change. The M-16 mag you can hit the release with your trigger finger while pulling a new mag from your belt/vest, slap it in without changing your body position, drive the bolt home in the same motion and rock and roll without changing your firing position at all (position being rifle still against your shoulder and hand on the trigger handle). Handy when faced with a charging/advancing enemy since the reload can be done in under 5 seconds (or 2 seconds when the adrenaline is pumping). Now the advantage of the bullpup is it is very, very efficient compared to the M-16 (never fired the M-4 so I can't compare it) to house to house fighting. The short stock makes moving around corners and through doorways a breeze. And you don't need to be in a prone position for long periods much in a urban fight anyway. But, in short I liked both rifles very much. They both have things I can nitpick about, but both are excellent and I expect the Israeli one to be just as good. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-01-16 12:39 |
| #4 I watched a piece on the rifle on the Military channel. It seems to be a good, accurate, reliable rifle. On the mag change; I think the problem is that the mag well is so close to the face and body that it has some strange (to me) ergo's to remove and replace the mag. Practice might make it more comfortable but placing the mag in a location behind the supporting hand are hard to see and the leverages are awkward to insure the mag is seated. |
| Posted by: tipover 2009-01-16 12:31 |
| #3 So, when will I be able to pick one up at Walmart? |
| Posted by: Iblis 2009-01-16 12:04 |
| #2 Darth, have you seen the Tavor? I don't see why it would be so hard to swap magazines, unless the mag release is impossible to get to in prone. It's sitting right next to your right wrist when firing. Not out in front of the trigger like an AK but still looks accessible. Note: I've never fired a bullpup configuration. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2009-01-16 11:44 |
| #1 Nice and compact for close quarters fighting, decent punch, and good range. Only drawback of the bullpup design is reloading the magazine. I always found it awkward and hard to do while prone. You have to pull the weapon away from you, turn it over, pull out the magazine and then put in a new one, move it back into position and then re-acquire a shooting position. Other than that, I liked the design. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-01-16 11:36 |