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.
Not to mention the drastic dropoff in effective range.
That’s a pretty serious looking dude!
A Stuyer AUG can switch to left or right eject in a matter of seconds.
Thanx,
Yeah, he is a little TOO sincere.
:~)
Have a good weekend.
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.
I live and learn each day. Thanks!
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
I guess that’s what actors are paid to do.
Great weekend back atcha.
Good point.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Anyone make a left handed bullpup?
That would go through most bullet-proof vests ...
I want one of those! Practice with .38 wad cutters and store it with .357 spreaders.
Sig and others. Sig best bet.
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.