The Micro-Tavor
Posted on 11/30/2007 8:54:34 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
New dual-caliber Israeli rifle could be next Bond star
By YAAKOV KATZ
Actor Daniel Craig might use it in his upcoming James Bond film; it is being touted as the only dual-caliber assault rifle in the world today - and in the coming months, it will hit the international market under the name Micro-Tavor (MTAR).
Developed and manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) - a former subsidiary of the government-owned Israel Military Industries - the MTAR is the micro version of the Tavor assault rifle jointly developed by the IDF and IMI as a replacement for the M-16.
The Tavor utilizes a bullpup design and is configured in a layout that shortens the overall length, but not at the expense of the barrel, which retains a 33-centimeter length. This configuration enables an operator to use the short weapon in urban warfare, but at the same time shoot at targets over 500 meters away thanks to the relatively long barrel.
The Tavor comes in different variations, with the CTAR, or commando version, utilized by the IDF, which purchased 15,000 units in 2002. According to foreign reports, the weapon, which has a sniper and grenade-launcher variant as well, is also in operational use by India, Portugal, Georgia, Columbia and Thailand.
In 2006, the Givati Brigade began equipping its new recruits with the Tavor as part of the IDF's policy to begin weeding out M-16s from infantry brigades. In December of that year, however, Givati commanders decided to suspend the use of the Tavor after soldiers complained of a growing number of malfunctions.
"These were problems that every product has in its early stages," said IWI Vice President for Marketing and Business Development Mark Shahar.
"These problems were located, and they were quickly fixed, making the Tavor today a better weapon."
In the coming months, Shahar said, IWI plans to begin selling the Micro-Tavor, which has dual-caliber capability - meaning that it can operate as an assault rifle like an M-16 and turn into a submachine gun with the use of a compact conversion kit - like the Uzi. Shahar said that this would be ideal for Special Forces, which use different weapons for different operations.
"This way, they won't have to switch weapons and will be able to use the MTAR for all their operations," he explained.
As for the chances that the MTAR will appear in the next James Bond movie, Shahar said he will "believe it when he sees it," but that a producer he spoke to at a recent Paris weapons expo seemed serious about the initiative.
"This is an interesting and sexy weapon, and there is no doubt that it will continue to attract a lot of attention around the world," he said.
The Micro-Tavor
Very sexy!
I want one.
I fail to see the utility of converting to a submachine gun caliber. Modern body armor laughs at handgun ammunition anyway, you really need an assault rifle or battle rifle to penetrate that stuff.
Where is the dual-caliber?
Plus, a number of rifles can switch calibers by switching barrels (and in some cases, bolts and/or magazines.)
Savage?
Get a Mini-14 or Mini-30, then get the aftermarket bullpup stock.
I love mine in 7.62x39.
too bad Daniel Craig is a wussy anti-gun fruit loop.
(though he is the best Bond since Connery, another wussy anti-gun fruit loop)
Next Bond film? Which one they gonna remake now?
No bayonet lug! I wouldn’t want to enter battle without the capabilty for fixing a bayonet.
Conversion from 5.56 to 9mm. Hmmmm....seems like I've seen this before.
Roger Moore is better than Daniel Craig
Micro Tavor
The Micro Tavor (MTAR-21) is an extremely compact weapon
specifically designed for special forces units, as well
as drivers and tank crews.
With the use of a relatively simple conversion kit, the
MTAR-21 can be converted from a 5.56mm assault rifle to
a 9mm submachine gun loaded with 25-round magazines.
A suppressor can also be added to the weapon without
increasing its length.
The Tavor is cool (we’re still trying to get a US manufacturer), but it’s hardly the only dual-caliber assault rifle.
The M-16/AR-15 platform can be changed in seconds with an upper receiver swap and it’s been that way for DECADES.
Moore screwed it up by;
1. Turning every Bond movie into a cheesy comedy and,
2. Staying around too long.
I loved it when Bond turned back to his dark roots with Timothy Dalton in “License to Kill”.
Note the steel pot, and fatigues.
I’m aware of the advantages of the design, but for some reason (with the possible exception of the Steyr Aug) bullpups just don’t appeal to me. Perhaps if I had to carry one all the time my opinion would change.
Semi auto version is available in Canada, not available in the USA since it has “No Sporting Purpose”... ain’t politics grand...!
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