IDF Beginning The Changeover From M-16 to Tavor T.A.R.-21

Israel National News ^ | 21:21 Jul. 21, '03 / 21 Tammuz 5763

[yonif]

(IsraelNN.com) The Defense Ministry has decided to begin the changeover from the M-16 to the Israel Military Industries Tavor T.A.R.-21 assault rifle. The weapon will be distributed to army infantry units. The first order calls for 15,000 pieces.

[El Gato]

apparently the Galil hasn't been their weapon of choice for the IDF

It's too expensive to produce, so they don't use it for general issue. Some units have them, more do not.

[Dead Corpse]

All I ask is that it matches what I can already do with my DPMS heavy barrel Southpaw Panther. 10" groups at 500 yrds. 5" groups at 300 yrds. Plugging a quarter on called shots at 100 yrds.

I don't ask for much...

[ffusco]

Yup, But I really like the shake-n-bake group!

[ffusco]

Aye gavolt!

[Bobby777]

thanks for the info ...

[The KG9 Kid]

In the IDF, most troops can choose between a Galil in 5.56mm or an M16 rifle of one version or another. Usually, the troops pick the M16 pattern since the Galil is heavier, has a clumsy safety design, and is less-accurate than the M16. The Galil is just a nicer quality Israeli-made Kalashnikov rifle that fires 5.56mm NATO ammunition.

Lots of the IDF M16s have M16-A1 lower receivers and aftermarket upper receivers that host various features -- Flattops with MilStd 1913 rails, various optical sights, tactical charging handles, etc. Some M16 receivers are genuine Colt M16A1 products that were given to Israel from the USA when the US military upgraded to the M16A2, and some were bought wholesale from smaller US companies like Bushmaster/Quality Parts, etc.

I don't know whatever became of the plans, but Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. (the same Robbie Barrett of the world-famous 'Barrett .50 BMG rifle) had a contract to build a civilian version of the Tavor for the US market.

I've seen a Tavor rifle disassembled, and it seems to me that Israel Military Industries (IMI) isn't even trying to hide the fact that they basically copied the Austrian Steyr AUG in designing it's new Tavor bullpup. Of course, they copied the Galil from the Soviet AK-47, and the UZI from the Czech M23 and ZK476 SMGs.

Going with what works is a smart idea.

[grapeape]

About time we officially replaced the M16.

[archy]

"Optional Accessory: Silencer."

On a 5.56 round?
Should this read: Suppressor?

Possibly, but not necessarily. The Ops, Inc cans for 7,62mm rifles come pretty close, and a 5,56mm suppressor is quite feasable so long as full-auto fire isn't a requirement; for that purpose a suppressor is a much better bet, my favourite being the Finnish Reflex designs from BR-Tuote....

-archy-/-

[archy]

apparently the Galil hasn't been their weapon of choice for the IDF

It's too expensive to produce, so they don't use it for general issue. Some units have them, more do not.

IMI just delivered 10,000 of the shortened Galil *micro-Galils* for use by the elite Israeli Armoured force, who found that the fragile plastic and aluminum components of the shortened M16A1 and M4 versions of the M16 were not quite up to the rigors of service for the Israeli tankists. So it looks as though the micro-galil will be the replacement for the venerable Uzi machinepistol. And it looks as though Turkey may also pick the Galil as their new infantry rifle over the Tavor for much the same reason, maintaining a common weapon between tank crews and infantry.

[txzman]

Looks like the perfect assault rifle to use in confined and urban areas.

[Jim Noble]

I say we grease this ratf**k son of a bit*h right now.

[Sparta]

http://www.isayeret.com/weapons/assault/tavor/guide.htm

[archy]

apparently the Galil hasn't been their weapon of choice for the IDF ... at least I haven't seen it mentioned much ... maybe they're just trying to be "NATO"ish ... I dunno ... perhaps our Jewish friends or military guys have some input?

U.S. Foreign Military Assistance Programing funding has to be spent on U.S. produced products, so the Israelis are happily accepting new US M16s and rebuild kits for the ones already in service, which happily gives them about 4 M16-family rifles for less than the price they could spend on producing a Galil or Tavor of their own. And in the pricing of military equipment sold abroad, the Israelis figure in the expense of replacing the weapon sold withe a newer one for their own use in the cost of the item, as with their foreign Tavor sales to Croatia and sales of Galils and heavier weapons to Estonia.

For the same reason, the Israelis have pretty much quit development of their own sniper rifles and are happily buying Barrett M82A1s and Remington 700/M40A3/M24s instead.

[Bobby777]

I've never really thought that much of him as an actor, but boy, he played the slimy "company boy" perfectly in that film ... I'd almost nominate him for an Oscar because it was nice to see the aliens caught up with him after he tossed so many to them indiscriminately ...

[archy]

By the way, didn't the IDF use the Galil? Do they still make it, to some degree? Even if it's only for export? Do they still make spare parts for the ones in service at least?

Yep. It looks like the Turkish military equipment sale, which includes reworking the Turkish armored fleet of M48 and M60 tanks to Israeli Magach 7 standards and eventual production of the Merkava 4 in Turkey, may be for Galils rather than Tavors- Turkeys old FN G1 rifles and G3s are getting a little weatherbeaten, but by comparison, the Galil is still quite an improvement, and is as reliable as a Kalishnikov [so long as you refrain from firing rifle grenades with the thing]

But the Galil remains very much in production and available from I.M.I.

[FNG]

The United States Colonial Marines sent to LV-426 were equipped with the M40A1 pulse rifle. It fire a standard 10mm caseless light armor piercing round, and it is equipped with 30mm over and under pump action grenade launchers.

[Bobby777]

good info ... I guess if it's American-funded I don't have a problem that American goods must be used ... I don't like giving them to the PA "security force" though ...

[archy]

Looks like the perfect assault rifle to use in confined and urban areas.

Nope. *Perfect* would include downward or forward-through-the-handguard ejection, making the rifle suitable for use by a left-handed or master-eyed shooter, or in urban or other close-quarters conditions, immediately possible without adjestment.

That the Tavor is adjustable to suit the needs of a leftie is a good start, and puts it ahead of most other bullpup offerings other than the French FAMAS G2 Clarion which can also be switched over. Less advanced designs such as the Austrian AUG or Australian F88 AusSteyer can be made lefthand-compatable with the addition of a special leftie-version upper assembly, but standard versions aren't capable of being so switched.

[Bobby777]

yes, but the LED readout on the count of rounds might be too hard to read in direct sunlight ... LCD might work better ... would be cool at night ...

8)

[archy]

The United States Colonial Marines sent to LV-426 were equipped with the M40A1 pulse rifle. It fire a standard 10mm caseless light armor piercing round, and it is equipped with 30mm over and under pump action grenade launchers.

Poor guys. They shoulda had Morita pulse rifles. They might have had a fighting chance.