As its name implies, the attop model sports a long Mil Std 1913 rail on top for mounting

optical sights. Flip-up emergency sights are in the rail.

THE BIRTH OF IWI US, INC.

he exciting news for the American shooter and collector is the Tavor will soon be available in the USA as a semi-automatic modern sporting ri e. To nd out more about this interesting development I spoke with Mike Kassnar the VP of Sales and Marketing for IWI US, Inc. Kassnar is not new to the Tavor. He actually rst began working on importing the Tavor back in the summer of 2008 when he was running KBI. However he was not successful at this time and KBI went out of business in 2010. In the summer of 2011, he was hired as a consultant by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) after they decided to open up their own operation in the USA. Rather than dealing with an importer, IWI decided to bring products directly to the U.S. market. In doing so they would be the master of their own destiny. Their plan was to import components from Israel and assemble Tavor ri es in the USA using the required number of American parts. A search for a suitable facility led to IWI purchasing the old KBI facility in Harrisburg, Pa. This had originally been set-up for rearms production and sported an indoor 50-meter range, and so was well suited for their needs. IWI US, Inc. was formed, paper work led and work began on this joint US/Israeli project. Supervisors were sent from the Israeli factory to train U.S. workers and production of Tavor ri es recently began in the USA. IWI US, Inc. currently plans to concentrate on commercial sales. However they will have a LE division in place by the 4th quarter of 2013 and a dealer program in place in 2014. They actually have many exciting plans in store for the US commercial market for 2014. While the Tavor coming to the US is exciting, I believe the big news is really the founding of IWI US, Inc. By founding a U.S. subsidiary IWI has made a serious commitment to the U.S. commercial market. This means the Tavor is just the rst of many products IWI is planning on bringing here. For those of you unfamiliar with IWI, lets take a quick look at this company itself. Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) or Taas was formed in 1953 and is an Israeli weapons manufacturer. Among the items they produced were small arms, ammunition and military technology. In 2005 IMI split off and privatized the small arms Magen division, which subsequently became Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). IWIs product line includes the Uzi submachine gun, Galil and Tavor assault ri es, Negev light machine gun, Jericho and Barak pistols. They also produce the Desert Eagle for Magnum Research. IWI US, Inc. has some big plans for the U.S. market and it will be very exciting to see what they introduce next.

Its extremely short 261/ 8-inch overall length means the Tavor is maneuverable even in very tight quarters, comparing favorably with even an SBR, Fortier says.

The Tavor feels very different in the hands compared to a conventional ri e. However, it doesnt take very long to begin to appreciate its many positive attributes.

[Cont. from page 14]

If your optic should fail, the attop model features ip-up sights. The front sight even sports a tritium insert for low-light emergency situations.

The Tavor features a well placed safety lever which can be swapped to the opposite side if the user so chooses. The location wil seem familiar to AR users.

[Cont. from page 10]

Other features include ambidextrous QD sling swivel mounts and a rubber recoil pad. The body is manufactured from a high strength polymer. All metal parts feature a protective corrosion resistant nish. 18-inch barrel models come with a Mil Std bayonet lug. As to be expected, the design is easily eld stripped for routine cleaning. Thoughtfully, cleaning gear can be stored in the pistol grip.

Fortier mounted an IOR Valdada 1.5-8x26mm tactical scope during testing. This optic performed splendidly and exhibited excellent optical performance.
THE HEBREW

In addition to the standard 5.56x45mm ri es, IWI USA, Inc. will also be offering 9x19mm and 5.45x39mm conversion kits. The 9x19mm kit will come with a cold hammerforged 1:10 twist CrMoV barrel while the 5.45x39mm kit will come with a 1-7.5 inch twist. Also offered are lefthand bolts for 5.56x45mm and 5.45x39mm ri es. These allow a standard ri e to be quickly and easily converted to left hand side ejection. Plus each ri e is supplied with a polymer 30-round IWI magazine. These feature a round count window on each side to allow quick veri cation of remaining rounds. Quality wise, these magazines are standard issue with the IDF. I had previously shot an IDF model and I found the re ex sights reticle blocked out more of the target at a distance than I liked. So I spent my time testing the at dark earth attop model with 16.5-inch barrel. I mounted an IOR Valdada 1.5-8x26mm tactical scope onto this. The IOR is an impressive high quality optic built on a fat 35mm tube. The elevation turret features BDC marks from 100 to 800 meters. If you prefer to hold using the illuminated reticle, this model features 15 mils of bul-

let drop compensation in .5-mil increments. This compact optic offers a very wide and useful magni cation range, quick to employ reticle and surprisingly good optical performance. With the IOR mounted, I selected six different loads for testing. These ranged in weight from 55 to 77 grains. Loads consisted of American Eagle 55-grain FMJ, Black Hills 60-grain VMAX, Federal 69-grain Gold Medal Match, Lapua 69-grain Scenar Match, Wolf Performance Ammunition 75-grain steel case and HPR 77-grain Match. While gathering loads I was pleasantly surprised to learn Wolf Performance Ammunition is now importing
[Cont. to page 16]

Lapua ammunition and components. This is good news for shooters, as Lapua ammunition and components should now be easier to nd. The Tavor was never intended to be a bench gun, and frankly it doesnt make a very good one. The ri es shape just doesnt lend itself to shooting off bags. Even so, the stubby carbine acquitted itself very well with loads it liked. I red four 5-shot groups with each load at 100 yards. Four of the six loads averaged 2 inches or less. Federals 69-grain Gold Medal Match load posted the tightest average at 1.4 inches at 2825 fps. Right behind it was American Eagles 55-grain FMJ load, which averaged 1.5 inches at 2763 fps. Black Hills 60-grain VMAX load averaged 1.7 inches, while Wolf Performance Ammunitions 75-grain HP load averaged 2 inches. So accuracy, despite a very heavy trigger pull and 20 mph wind gusts, was excellent for a rack grade semi-automatic ghting ri e. Next I moved from the bench and proceeded to run the Tavor through some drills from 2 to 100 yards. Here it performed very well. Practical accuracy is excellent and it is an easy ri e to operate. Although very different than an AR or AK, it was easy to get the hang of with just a bit of practice. Length of pull, though, at 15.7 inches, is very long. Even so, the bullpup shouldered quickly and handled well. Its short overall length is an obvious advantage in tight quarters. Compared to a friends 10.5-inch AR short barrel ri e I found the Tavor noticeably shorter even with the ARs stock fully collapsed. Stepping out past 100 yards, the Tavor had no issues making hits on a man-sized target at 200, 300 and 400 yards. The 1.5-8x26mm IOR proved a real asset at these longer distances. From a solid sitting or prone position the Tavor proved quite capable. Recoil is mild and the piece is easy to control. I fed the ri e using both Magpul P-MAGs and IWI magazines and experienced zero issues of any kind. Reliability was absolutely awless, even with Russian steel case ammunition. With a suggested retail price of $1,999, for attop models and $2,599 for the IDF model, the Tavor is not cheap. However the price is not out of line compared to top end ARs, Bushmasters ACR or FN USAs SCAR. Is the Tavor perfect? No, but what is? The trigger is a mite heavy and Id have to scratch my head a bit setting up the ri e. Mainly it would take me a bit to gure out the
THE HEBREW

best way to run a white light on it. While short, the ri e is also a bit chunky and its certainly not ultra-light. While not perfect the Tavor is a very interesting design sure to catch the imagination of many shooters. If youve ever lusted for a registered short barrel ri e but didnt want to submit paperwork to the ATF, youll love the Tavors short OAL. If youve caught the AR-15 blahs, the Tavor may just turn your head. Without a doubt its like a breath of fresh air. Is the Tavor right for you? That I cant say, but it certainly deserves a look.

IWI US, INC. TAVOR

SPECIFICATIONS
Caliber: 5.56x45mm Operation: Long stroke gas with rotating bolt Barrel Length: 16.5 or 18 inches cold hammerforged, chrome lined Barrel Twist: 1:7 RH twist OAL: 261/ 8 or 275/ 8 inches

SOURCES
IWI US, Inc. www.iwi.us IOR Valdada 303-979-4578 / www.valdada.com Black Hills Ammunition 605-348-5150 / www.black-hills.com Federal 800-322-2342 / www.federalpremium.com HPR Ammo 888-966-8477 / www.hprammo.com Wolf Performance Ammunition 888-757-9653 / www.wolfammo.com

Length of Pull: 15.7 inches Weight: 7.9 or 8.1 pounds (IDF model 8.5 pounds) Feed: Standard AR-15 detachable box magazines Sights: BUIS with either attop rail or Mepro-21 re ex sight Price: $1999 for attop, $2599 IDF model

ACCURACY & VELOCITY CHART

Load American Eagle FMJ Bullet Weight Velocity Average (grs.) (fps) (ins.) 55 60 69 69 75 77 2763 2586 2825 2916 2586 2625 1.5 1.7 1.4 2.3 2 3

COVER
IWI US is importing a semi-auto version of the Tavor bullpup now issued by the Israel Defense Force. The IDF model features the Mepro-21 sight used by Israeli troops. Photo by Mike Anschuetz.

ON THE

Black Hills VMAX Federal Gold Medal Match Lapua Scenar Wolf HP HPR OTM

Groups are an average of four 5-shot groups red from a rest at 100 yards. Velocity measured at 12 feet from muzzle using an Oehler 35P chronograph at an ambient temperature of 50F at 1030 feet above Sea Level.

HAMMER

HAMMER