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.
Changed to what?
9mm
6.8mm SPC
7.26x39mm (AK round).
.40SW
.45ACP
.50AE
.50Beowulf
You name it, as long as a magazine will still fit in the lower.
Oh, and you can even slap on a .50 BMG (yes) upper ;)
Try that with the Tavor.
Bullpups are meant for suppressors, and suppressors are meant for bullpups.
I too love my mini 14 along with my Kimber 45 I feel fairly safe.
That looks just like something off a video game.
Seems like a trade off to me, I mean, an M4 isn't exactly unwieldy.
President Bush (King George I) made sure you can't have one.
>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.<
I too can shoot at targets over 500 meters away with my Chiefs Special. The problem is I can’t hit them. Even if I could body armor would laugh at the effort. Is this weapon capable of better performance?
The Bond movies have been the best gun commercials that Walther ever made.....
PPK
P5
WA2000
P99
Hope they help the Tavor enter the US market, too.....
P.S. I want all of the above.... :D
A more practical weapon is the KH M416 that uses the collapsible butt stock of the M4 and provdes a rod operated bolt to keep gasses out of the bolt area.
Upper kits can fit existing M4s.
Must...........have...........one.........
I would think the main advantage would be in urban warfare. A compact weapon works better for clearing buildings.
You're point about the sight radius is valid and would need to be addressed with optics.
hit a target over 500 meters away? this would be a good preformance for an assault rifle. when i was in military we fired the stg77 a2 (steyr aug A2) cal. 5,56 x 45 mm .
It was really easy to hit targets 300-350 meters away. but shooting a target at over 500 meters away? yes it was possible but only when there was no or very very light wind.
I have a mini 14. Any ideas on brand names for that stock?
Think it’s a movie still photo, not RVN.
Camo cover on helmet is FUBAR. Green side out on one side, brown side out on the other!
He has chin strap around his chin! No grunt would do that, even for a posed picture. And that model chin strap looks like either ABN or post-RVN issue.
He has the right suspenders, but what’s that camo flack jacket on his back? Don’t remember camo flack jackets. Were all OD, yes?
Doesn’t have enough “shit” hanging off suspenders and chest.
Too good a shave.
Rifle has a yellow dymo label on upper part of stock. Never saw rifle in RVN with that.
Mag looks like civilian issue 30 rd mag.
Pine tree?
What’s that thing on the underside of the carry handle?
His hands, arms and particularly fingernails are way too clean to be a grunt.
When was that camo screen issued?
Of course, you guys who had three hots and a cot every night might not be aware that........... :~)
I am about to sell a few old weapons to get a .50 Beowulf
Would love the Grendel, but I’m in Florida and can’t envision a 600 meter shot.
I think it’s actually a Winchester.
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