Posted on 06/24/2006 8:36:25 PM PDT by Lurker
I'm watching Future Weapons on Discovery Channel and saw this new rifle the Israelis will be issuing soon. I thought it perfect for a Saturday Night Gun Porn Thread.
Here's a pic of one of the variants:
Here's the blurb from the source URL:
The Tavor TAR-21 is a gas operated, selective fire, magazine fed assault rifle of bullpup configuration. It is available in several configurations, which differ in the barrel lengths and accessories. The basic configuration is the TAR-21 assault rifle with the 460mm (18.1 in) barrel. Next are the compact assault rifle, called CTAR-21, with the barrel 380 mm (15 in) long, and the micro assault rifle, with the barrel of only 250 mm (10 in) long, called MTAR-21. The latter rifle also featured a redesigned front part of the housing, for a more comfortable hold of the short weapon. TAR-21 utilizes a now-common long piston stroke, rotating bolt action, with the gas piston rigidly attached to the bolt carrier. Gas cylinder is located above the barrel and is completely enclosed by the gun housing. The rotating bolt is similar to one found in the M16 rifle and has seven lugs. The ejection ports are made on both sides of the weapon, and the right or the left side ejection can be selected by installing the bolt with the ejector mounted on the right or on the left, respectively (and, of cause, this change requires the gun to be partially disassembled). The bolt carrier rides on the single guide rod, with the return spring unit located above it, behind and inside the hollow gas piston rod. The charging handle is located at the front left side of the gun and does not reciprocate when gun is fired. The charging handle slots are cut on the both sides of the gun housing, so it can be installed on either side of the weapon, as required. The trigger unit is more or less conventional, with the ambidextrous fire mode selector / safety switch located above the pistol grip.
The TAR-21 has no separate receiver. Instead, all parts are mounted within the high impact-resistant plastic housing, reinforced with steel inserts where appropriate. The access to all the internal parts is controlled by the hinged buttplate, which can be swung down for internal inspection and disassembly.
TAR-21 has no open sights. It is fitted with the standard Picatinny-type accessory rail on the top of the gun. At the present time the standard sighting equipment for the TAR-21 series rifles (except for the STAR-21 sniper rifle) is the Israeli-made ITL MARS, a complicated and expensive reflex-type sight with the built-in laser pointer. For the night time operations the MARS could be complemented with the ITL Mini N/SEAS compact night vision device.
Israel is replacing its world-famous Uzi sub-machinegun and U.S.-supplied M-16 assault rifle with a new flagship firearm.
The design of the Tavor is based largely on lessons learned during military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the 34-month-old Al Aqsa intifada. The first Tavors, made by Israel Military Industries (IMI), have been issued to elite Israeli infantry units, part of an order of 15,000 announced last month by the Defense Ministry.
Security sources said deals were under way to sell the weapon, retailing at $1,000, to "friendly foreign clients.". "The Tavor is probably the finest assault rifle now available. Its commando variation weighs 2.8 kg (6.2lbs) compared with the Uzi's 3.7 kg and M-16's 3.4 kg. Bullets are loaded through its stock, allowing for a snub barrel.
End Blurb.
It is chambered in 5.56mm NATO and is designed to use the SS109 type ammunition.
Retail price to 'friendly foreign clients' is said to be about $1,000.00 US.
L
"What are the advantages/disadvantages of the bullpup compared to a standard assault rifle configuration? (Just curious; I've used an M-16 but have never handled any other rifle.)"
One advantage would be that you are getting the accuracy of a longer barrel in a smaller package.
If we're talking about the same one, it's an old show that has been around for several years.
Is there enough spacing in there to use the 100 round C-Mag magazine? And how will a C-Mag affect the balance of the rifle?
L
Still working on the prototype....
Downward ejection, between the two magazines. For California, the land of the 10 round magazine, well, ten round mags give you 21 rounds....
And can quick change barrels to switch to 5.56mm, or 12 gauge shot shells, less lethal rounds, or the Marine Corps developed 12 gauge grenade cartriges.
From what I understand this is a weapon that the Israeli military doesn't want. It is very expensive to produce. They prefer to buy the M16, or its variant.
I would love to have one of those.
Believe it or not....this SA80 has a bayonet...looks like it's side mounted.
L
Ding Ding Ding, we have our daily "RAIN ON YOUR PARADE " winner!!!
Let me know if you need anyone to test fire it for you.
L
They are about $1500 a piece minimum.
hmmm, still workable.
The OICW is dead. D-E-A-D. Dead! And it's been rotting in the grave now for a year.
It was loaded with problems and the advances didn't really pan out.
H&K has since simplified the concept and produced the H&K 416 which, because H&K hates America's 2nd Amendment rights, they will only sell to mil and police.
[Reminds me a lot of the Steyr AUG or the British L85A1. I guess everyone's going bullpup.]
The much troubled British rifle is a perfect reason to /avoid/ the bullpup design. As is the Bushmaster bullpup, which just cannot feed reliably.
Besides, bullpups are no fun to shoot, at all. Check out the design of the rifle and see the proximity between the chamber (where the gun goes BANG) and your ear.
it's as close as i come to owning a bullpup... 
[Is there enough spacing in there to use the 100 round C-Mag magazine? And how will a C-Mag affect the balance of the rifle?]
I don't think this is an issue, cuz I know of no military that issues a Beta-C mag on a small arm. It won't be an issue for you or me, either, cuz we'll likely never be able to buy this rifle.
Bad idea IMHO.
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