IWI Tavor
TAR-21
Overview
TAR-21
Standard Tavor with MEPRO 21 sight, clearly showing oversized trigger guard.
Source: Israel Weapon Industries -
© copyright lies with original owner
India - Punj Lloyd Raksha
Ukraine - RPC Fort
Thailand
Vietnam
Description
Introduction
The Tavor is a modern assault rifle of Israeli origin. It was developed in the 1990's by Israel Military Industries to eventually replace the M16 in Israeli service. Development continued until the mid 2000's in order to refine the weapon. The original model of the Tavor is also known as the TAR-21, which stands for Tavor Assault Rifle of the 21st century. The name Tavor is derived from Mount Tavor in Israel. Further development has resulted in the smaller X-95, also known as Micro Tavor, and the Tavor 7 chambered for the larger 7.62mm NATO round.
Design
The Tavor is a bullpup assault rifle, meaning that the magazine is placed behind the trigger unit, resulting in a shorter overall length. It has both futuristic and very conventional features. The Tavor uses a long stroke gas system and rotating bolt with the piston positioned above the barrel. The body is made out of high strength polymer and serves as a sort of exoskeleton to hold all the internal parts. Optics are the primary means of targeting and early versions had no iron sights. The fire selector is ambidextrous and an oversized trigger guard is fitted. Several versions of the first generation Tavor have been derived from the basic design, most of which only differ in barrel length and accessories.
Firepower
The Tavor fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from 30 round STANAG magazines. It is a select fire rifle with a cyclic rate of fire of 750 to 900 rpm. The effective range for the full size rifle is 400 meters, although targets at longer range may be engaged when magnifying optics are used. With the center of gravity close to the shoulder engaging targets nearby is faster, although aiming at distance is somewhat harder.
Users
Israel adopted the TAR-21 and CTAR-21 for testing purposes in 2001. In 2009 the Micro Tavor was selected as the standard issue assault rifle, with all TAR-21 out of service several years later. Meanwhile the TAR-21 has been exported to various nations around the world. Several countries in Asia acquired large quantities. In Africa and South America many smaller batches of TAR-21 were sold for both military and law enforcement use.
Variants
TAR-21
The TAR-21 is the standard version of the Tavor. By changing some of the components it can be converted to any version, except for the Micro Tavor. The TAR-21 is usually fitted with the MEPRO 21 or MARS reflex sights.
CTAR-21
The CTAR-21, also known as Tavor Commando, is a slightly more compact version of the full size Tavor. The only thing that makes the CTAR-21 different is the shorter barrel, all other components are identical to the full size Tavor.
GTAR-21
The GTAR-21, also known as Tavor Grenade launcher, is a TAR-21 fitted with underbarrel grenade launcher and associated sights. In Israeli service the M203 is use. In order to mount it an extension must be fitted instead of the flash hider. In Indian service the Turkish T-40 grenade launcher is used which replaces the forearm and covers the barrel. Since 2012 the IWI GL-40 is the standard offering.
STAR-21
The STAR-21, also known as Tavor Sniper, is a designated marksman version of the TAR-21. The STAR-21 basically is the same weapon as the TAR-21, but is fitted with a bipod and magnifying optics. The ACOG 4x sight is most common, but the Picatinny accessory rail allows many kinds of optics to be installed.
Details
Media
CTAR-21
Soldier of the Nahal brigade firing a CTAR-21 with ACOG 4x scope in 2012.
Source: Israel Defense Forces
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
GTAR-21
A soldier of the Caracal battalion holding a GTAR-21 with M203 underbarrel grenade launcher during exercise in southern Israel in 2012.
Source: Israel Defense Forces
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Tavor
Tavor in service with Indian Para Commandos. GTAR-21 with Turkish K-40 grenade launcher on the left.
Source: Panky2sharma
Copyright: public domain
CTAR-21
A Philippine National Police Maritime Group member with CTAR-21 assault rifle seen during an exercise in 2014.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
CTAR-21
Indian special operations forces training with CTAR-21 assault rifles in 2018.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
M203
The GTAR-21 in Israeli service was issued with the M203 underbarrel grenade launcher.