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July 08, 2007
The latest in Urban Warfare
"The Tavor is the latest assault rifle to enter on the world stage of weapon systems. It posesses the fire power of the M-16 but is smaller. Designed specifically for close quarter combat, but it is as accurate as a sniper rifle."
The new rifle is very different from other rifles. Its body is made from alloy-like metal substitutes; it is extremely lightweight, is a dark green color, and is very well insulated, so that it does not heat up after prolonged firing.
The Tavor was not equipped with the normal metal sight that requires closing one eye for shooting. Instead, the Tavor has an optical sight known as a "red dot." The soldier looking through the sight sees both his target and the red dot. When the red dot aligns with the target, the bullets fired will make exact hits.
The rifle can also be equipped with a dual-purpose sight: at the press of a button, the sight can be adjusted to a laser finder, so that the rifle can be fired from hip height, using the laser to illuminate the target.
The Tavor is also designed for night fighting. Night goggles can be taken from the soldier's helmet and attached to the rifle, making the red dot system effective also at night. The entire rifle was designed to be user-friendly.
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 Tavor would be useful anywhere where close quarters battle is the rule, and from vehicles," said Charles Cutshaw, firearms editor at Jane's International Defense Review Magazine.
H/T: JChannel
Posted by LindaSoG at July 8, 2007 08:19 AM
Comments
I saw this on Future weapons, Israel has a lot of great firearms. Too bad they aren't for civilian recreational purposes.
Posted by: DoubleU at July 8, 2007 10:16 AM
Outstanding!!! I'm a fan of Israeli firearms, and just love the Desert Eagle. I have one of my rifles fitted with open sights and a 'red dot' aiming device, it was developed for the Rhodesian Army, uses a Tritium source and once sighted in by the user it's awsome. Just put the dot on target day or night and pull the trigger, you don't even have to practice squeeze control which makes it such an effective sight device for rapid target acquisition. It can be fitted to almost any weapon, it takes some getting used to for a rifleman, the one eye thing, but once you get used to using both eyes it's a joy.
I knew a gentleman who had this sight on an Ingram MAC10 in .45 ACP he could cut wood 24/7.
Posted by: Jack at July 8, 2007 02:00 PM
Yeah, I'd like to get my hands on one of those.
Maybe while I'm Israel, I'll get to touch one. heh.
Posted by: LindaSoG at July 8, 2007 08:17 PM
Linda, not much new here. "Bullpups" have been around for over 70 years. The Tavor is a close relative of the Steyr AUG (carried by the Austalians and New Zealanders). The SA80 (carried by the Brits) is also similar. The expanded use of synthetics is a good step.
None of which should be inferred as a criticism of the Tavor; the AUG and SA80 are fine weapons as well, and the bullpup design has some distinct advantages for CQB and vehicle work. BTW, red-dot sights are pretty standard on military carbines (got one for my M4, and we all had 'em in Baghdad), and no professional "has to close one eye" to use traditional fixed sights...especially at close quarters.
Posted by: Fred Jameson at July 9, 2007 08:50 AM
Linda, you can probably shoot one if you know the right people in Israel. As Fred says, it's very much like the Steyr AUG, but with what appears as better close range sights.
Florida may have ranges that rent full autos.
Posted by: Mark at July 9, 2007 07:02 PM
I like its size, it looks like it would be a comfortable fit for me. I've not had the opportunity to shoot anything similar to it, yet!
I likely will get to shoot one in Israel, and if I do, well, I guess I'll have to report back about it.
Posted by: LindaSoG at July 9, 2007 07:15 PM
I wanted to be part of a combat team which uses such latest weapons(Against terorists)
Posted by: srikanth n at July 19, 2007 01:07 PM