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.

[archy]

You only need a left-handed bolt to switch an AUG to shoot fairy, Archie.

My misunderstanding; Though I've shot the Austrian F88 *AusSteyer* the leftie conversion wasn't available, and I've never haad one of the southpaw versions. I imagine those who go to the bother of getting one have good reason to hang onto them.

I'm right-handed, but had lopoked at either a AUG or USR as a possible motorbike rifle, since the saddlebags on the BMW I ran for over a decade could handle a rifle with an overall length of but 21-inches, making either a really short receiver [with a minimum legal barrel length of 16 inches] or a removable barrel a must.

My initial answer was a rifled-barrel 12-gauge and a 9mm Uzi carbine, which was okay, but I really wanted something a bit more serious. The left-hand bolt [and, I thought, carrier] of the AUG would have worked nicelty with a bike, since the operator's habd is occupied with the throttle; but I wasn't really planning on doing a lot of shooting while moving anyway. I'd also considered a Johnson with folding butt, and a removable-stock #4 Enfield came pretty close to fitting.

Butr I've since gotten rid of that bike, and no longer have that particular need, though I wouldn't turn up my nose at an AUG if one came my way. I do have a bullpup project on my back burner, but it's more akin to Jensen's original EM-2 than to the Tupperware rifle from Austria.

-archy-/-

[The KG9 Kid]

Heheh... I have a feeling that I want to give a wide berth to anywhere folks might need a rifle to plug things while riding a motorbike. :D

Wouldn't a Thompson Contender or a Magnum Research 'Lone Eagle' in .45-70 fit the bill here?

I've seen those stainless steel breakdown-style Alaskan Guide lever actions in seriously powerful offerings if that helps.

Anyway, last I checked the lefty AUG bolt sells for $200 or so. They are not impossible to find.

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

I am wondering how they are going to put an M-203 grenade launcher on this firearm.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... I am wondering how they are going to put an M-203 grenade launcher on this firearm."

They will mount it on the carbine model with the slightly longer barrel than the Micro-Tavor.

[conservativefromGa]

ugly ass bullpup sucks bump

[American in Israel]

That looks a bit better, I like a rifle I can get my front hand on.

[Joe Brower]

Yuck! Is it just me, or is that "civilian" version of the TAR-21 not worthy of it's original design? I expressed my feelings to Ronnie Barrett's daughter about this at the SHOT Show, and, while she put up a good face, it was obvious that she'd heard that lots of times already.

I think I'll wait until the 1994 AW ban sunsets $:-), and then we can get something much closer to the real thing.

[ExSoldier]

This thing still reminds me of the Steyr Aug and I hated the plastic trigger group on that...if this follows in those steps...forget it. I also think that the cyclic rate is way too high. Is there a burst selector?

[Ancesthntr]

Does anyone know if this gun accepts M-16 mags? If not, then even with a sunset of the AWB the mags will end up being very expensive.

[Joe Brower]

"Does anyone know if this gun accepts M-16 mags?"

A-yep, it sure does. No modifications necessary.

[Joe Brower]

"This thing still reminds me of the Steyr Aug and I hated the plastic trigger group on that."

I hear you! That was my first impression of the AUG as well -- the trigger was awful! For that kind of money, you could get yourself a nice FN FNC that also provides the benefit of accepting relatively cheap and readily available AR-15 mags.

[Jacob Kell]

You're right. THe Uzi was the weapon with the grip safety, not the Czechslovak subgun. Still, I clearly remember that the Czech gun does indeed fire by gently squeezing the trigger for semi-auto and pulling firmly for full-auto. THe Uzi uses a more conventional selector switch. I woudn't be surprised if that wasn't the only difference between the two guns.

[harpseal]

I note the 890 m/sec is meters per second so it is in standard 5.56 mm X 45 mm velocity.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I liked a line from the show "Mad About You." They were in a discussion and someone said "Did you ever see "Alien."
Paul Reiser quickly blurted out "just the first one."

[ExSoldier]

Yah, thanks...Shooter2.5 already pointed it out to me....

[The KG9 Kid]

"... This thing still reminds me of the Steyr Aug and I hated the plastic trigger group on that..."

You won't find a better fire control group anywhere.

[The KG9 Kid]

... Er, I meant 'more rugged fire control group anywhere'.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... That was my first impression of the AUG as well -- the trigger was awful! For that kind of money, you could get yourself a nice FN FNC that also provides the benefit of accepting relatively cheap and readily available AR-15 mags."

FN-FNCs have dainty firing pins that break easily when dry-firing, or after extended use of ammo with hard primers.

Trust me on that one. They ain't cheap either.

[The KG9 Kid]

.. While I am still talking, have you ever tried the trigger pull on an FN-FNC? It's exactly like an office stapler.