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.
Uh, like from Colt, 30 years ago?
My older brother taught me a good trick when I was just a young man. Buy all the women in your life those real fancy Christmas cards, the lovey dovey mushy ones and they tend to overlook the new toys that we buy for ourselves. Of course remember to say that the toy was on a YEAR END SALE and that you didn’t pay FULL PRICE.
Same here........doubles and drilling’s are beautiful things to behold .
I have a searcy double in 460 Weatherby mag that was a stopping gun by design. Phenolic stock etc .....real rugged build for a professional guide buddy of mine when I was stationed in alaska. He fell on hard times and I was there with the cash at the right time and got it cheap !
No frills, plain jane double , all business !
My favorite here try this gun these days at the range .....:o)
not just beautiful, they’re the most practical gun for dangerous game hunting.
He looks like an actor we have all seen in lots of movies, doesn’t he?
Roger Moore is VERY old. He repleced Sean Connery, but is older than Connery
Mmmmm. Friday gun pron. Thanks, I’ll read
when I get home.
I never really trophy hunt thus if I can’t make fajitas out of it I don’t hunt it. I used to pack a simple Rem 870 Pump riot gun loaded with slugs as my bear defense when stationed up in AK. A friend mentioned that it was far better to have TWO (2) firing pins that one (1) thus I swapped the 870 for a Old US Gun Company Knickerbocker that had ummmm a barely legal set of barrels left on it and loaded that with slugs . Good short easy handling camp & fishing rig.
Poor Boy Howdah per se !
I like the 460 Weatherby double better though as I have it and it works well and I have zero problems with the recoil it generates.
The Knickerbocker is still taken as a camp gun as well for others to use if needed......
Drive Safe ........!
FNH solved that problem.....
The P90 ejects straight down...and the FN2000 pushes the cases out from the front of the gun....
I’d hope the Tavor borrows one of the two ideas...
First time I saw an M-16 was in Okinawa carried by an Air Force AP. He was guarding a parked B-52 (with bomb bay doors closed.)
My unit had M-14's, no M-16's.
The Tavor has ejection ports, one on each side of the receiver. However, you have to partially field strip the piece and reverse a part to change ejection sides.
If you’re left handed, fine, but if you’re in a firefight, that’s not the time to disassemble your weapon just so you can shoot from left side cover.
Roger Moore acted the pompus fop and dandy.
at least Connery and Craig act as if they have a pair...altough they probaby dont in real life.
a german dreiling.....
drei being the number 3
3 barrels.. 2 calibres :)
There’s the WWII M3A “grease gun”. It could be converted in the field from .45 ACP to German 9mm.
Corners don't provide any useful cover except concealment because corners are the easiest part of a structure to shoot through. That's why the modern tactic is to 'slice the pie' and never place yourself right where two surfaces meet in a corner. Another bad thing about corners is that they enhance the enemy's sight picture of you. Enemy bullets also ride down walls pretty well if the deflection is shallow, so it's never a good idea to shoot from a stationary corner in MOUT. Either get to the roof (best of all options), or go through the building from the inside creating a breach if necessary.
Bullpups are designed to facilitate entering and exiting a vehicle with haste.
And again here for the newest version. Both are 308/7.62 NATO. Links work on preview, lets see what happebns after post.
They're all I use. Pricey, but worth it. I've had some issues with the Korean Mil-Spec ones however. But the genuine SA mags work like a charm.
But don't take my word, by all means test 'em.
Dealer had a used FN P90 on the shelf as well for 1700$
My dealer has a brand new one for just about that...
L
I bought all that the guy had @ 45$ each ..........:o(
Wallet was weeping when we crossed the threshold of that stores door.......I was looking for CMI or real GI issue yet they are infested with fakes. Thanks for the info on SA versions.
Will be back late this PM . HAVE to get some sleep !
Been running since 3AM.......babble babble babble......
Stay safe !
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