Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New dual-caliber Israeli rifle could be next Bond star
The Jerusalem Post ^ | Nov 29, 2007 | YAAKOV KATZ

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Israel
KEYWORDS: banglist; israel; jamesbond; rifle; tavor
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-109 next last
To: JamesP81
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.

Not to mention the drastic dropoff in effective range.

81 posted on 11/30/2007 2:28:11 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet

That’s a pretty serious looking dude!


82 posted on 11/30/2007 2:29:25 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: MindBender26
Great observations about the “Hollywood” photo. I merely noticed his expression, and you did a fine job of finding the discrepancies.
83 posted on 11/30/2007 2:32:28 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo

A Stuyer AUG can switch to left or right eject in a matter of seconds.


84 posted on 11/30/2007 2:33:32 PM PST by mad_as_he$$ (Illegal Immigration, a Clear and Present Danger.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

Thanx,

Yeah, he is a little TOO sincere.

:~)

Have a good weekend.


85 posted on 11/30/2007 3:09:22 PM PST by MindBender26 (Having my own CAR-15 in Vietnam meant never having to say I was sorry......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: ASOC

The intended gif page comes up for a moment then switches to a blank gif page before the photo can format. This keeps you from making unapproved links to their website.


86 posted on 11/30/2007 3:11:40 PM PST by B4Ranch (( "Freedom is not free, but don't worry the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share." ))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: B4Ranch

I live and learn each day. Thanks!


87 posted on 11/30/2007 3:23:36 PM PST by ASOC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee; JamesP81; Squantos
I fail to see the utility of converting to a submachine gun caliber

The only reason I could see is if you wanted to use a supressor. If one wished to fire subsonic 9MM or .45 ACP rounds I suppose it might make some sense.

One of the private ranges I do 3 gun shoots at won't allow the use of 5.56 ammo, so quite often we use an AR with a 9MM upper for that event.

Those are about the only reasons I can think of.

L

88 posted on 11/30/2007 3:36:01 PM PST by Lurker ( Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing smallpox to ebola.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: MindBender26

I guess that’s what actors are paid to do.

Great weekend back atcha.


89 posted on 11/30/2007 4:33:47 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Lurker

Good point.


90 posted on 11/30/2007 4:34:10 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: Lurker
The only reason I could see is if you wanted to use a supressor.

Close Quarters Combat, something our military is involved with in Iraq. When indoors, shooting a rifle cartridge that penetrates walls can result in friendly fire accidents.

Also, the stopping power of the .45ACP is proven in Iraq.

You keep the rifle cartridge for battlefield conditions where combat takes place at ranges greater than 50 yards.

91 posted on 11/30/2007 4:38:20 PM PST by Erik Latranyi (The Democratic Party will not exist in a few years....we are watching history unfold before us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: moehoward

Im not sure what title they will use since (I think) all the novel titles are used up. They will probably use one of the titles from the bond short stories, such as “A Property of A Lady, or “Riscio”

It’s supposed to be a reimagining of Bond and a follow up starting right at the last second of Casino Royale, when Mr. White got what was coming to him.


92 posted on 11/30/2007 6:45:04 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Chuin, Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

The mag and the firing mechanism are behind the grip and trigger. That’s the trend these days — a way to reduce the length of the weapon without reducing the length of the barrel.

It looks like it would have a good weight balance and good recoil control. I’d like to get my hands on one and test the hypothesis.


93 posted on 11/30/2007 6:49:55 PM PST by ReignOfError
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Erik Latranyi

I know some cops on the swat team. They had the option of pistol caliber sub guns and they seem to think there really is no difference in stopping power in an 11 or 14 inch bbl, and subsonic 5.56 mm ammo is less penetrative than a 9mm out of an MP-5


94 posted on 11/30/2007 6:52:58 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Chuin, Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: JamesP81
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.

Actually, small diameter high velocity rounds do seem to provide some increased ability to defeat woven body armor. Check out the FN 5n7 for one.

95 posted on 11/30/2007 7:03:09 PM PST by fso301
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki
For a multi-caliber gun, check out the Medusa 47
96 posted on 11/30/2007 7:06:46 PM PST by fso301
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MindBender26

Anyone make a left handed bullpup?


97 posted on 11/30/2007 7:10:06 PM PST by DryFly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: MindBender26; FastCoyote; patton; theDentist; EODGUY
When he said it was a “Dual caliber Bullpup”, I was hoping they had strapped an old AGM-12 missile on a modern rifle ....

That would go through most bullet-proof vests ...

98 posted on 11/30/2007 7:14:00 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: fso301

I want one of those! Practice with .38 wad cutters and store it with .357 spreaders.


99 posted on 11/30/2007 7:15:23 PM PST by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: DryFly

Sig and others. Sig best bet.


100 posted on 11/30/2007 7:26:46 PM PST by MindBender26 (Having my own CAR-15 in Vietnam meant never having to say I was sorry......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-109 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson