Tag Archives: IWI

Analytics and Reports, Global Small Arms Analytics, Rifle Analytics

IWI Tavor Series: Innovation in Modern Military Firearms

Executive Summary

The transition of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from traditional small arms architectures to the Tavor platform represents a significant shift in twenty-first-century military engineering. Developed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), the Tavor series—encompassing the SAR, X95, and Tavor 7—was engineered to address the shortcomings of the M16 and Galil families in urban combat and mechanized infantry roles.1 By relocating the action behind the fire control group, IWI successfully produced a weapon system that provides full-length rifle ballistics within the physical footprint of a submachine gun.2

This analysis indicates that the Tavor series is defined by a design philosophy that prioritizes mechanical reliability and combat durability over match-grade precision. The use of a long-stroke gas piston in the 5.56 NATO variants creates a robust, self-cleaning action capable of functioning in extreme environmental conditions, albeit at the cost of increased reciprocating mass and complex barrel harmonics.3 Customer sentiment remains positive regarding ergonomics and balance, particularly with the X95 iteration, which corrected the ergonomic idiosyncrasies of the original SAR model.4

However, the platform faces ongoing scrutiny regarding mechanical accuracy, which typically hovers in the 2.5 to 4 minute-of-angle (MOA) range, and the challenges of suppressed fire due to gas leakage from the polymer chassis. Despite these critiques, the Tavor series remains the market leader in the bullpup segment. The Tavor 7 further expands the platform’s utility by introducing a short-stroke piston and tool-less ambidextrous conversion for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge.6 Ultimately, the Tavor is a specialized tool offering distinct advantages for close-quarters engagement and vehicle-borne operations, provided the user accepts the trade-off in long-range precision.

1. Historical Foundations and Strategic Necessity

The development of the Tavor was a direct response to the operational failures of traditional rifle designs in Middle Eastern combat theaters. Following the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the IDF identified critical deficiencies in the FN FAL and the early Galil.1 The FN FAL was excessively long for rapid vehicular deployment and suffered from reliability issues in desert silt.1 The Galil, while reliable, proved too heavy and lacked the modularity for emerging technologies.1

In 1995, Israel Military Industries tasked designers Zalmen Shebs and Tamir Porat with creating an infantry weapon offering 16-inch barrel ballistics within a carbine-length package. The resulting Tavor-21 (TAR-21) utilized a bullpup configuration to reduce overall length by approximately 10 inches compared to an M4 carbine. By 2001, the Tavor entered mass production, and it was adopted as the IDF’s standard-issue rifle in 2006.

Table 1: Historical Comparison of IDF Service Rifles

MetricFN FAL (Paratrooper)IMI Galil SARIWI Tavor X95
Barrel Length17.0 inches13.0 inches16.5 inches
Overall Length39.0 inches33.1 inches26.1 inches
Weight (Empty)8.8 lbs8.2 lbs7.9 lbs
Action TypeShort-stroke PistonLong-stroke PistonLong-stroke Piston
Primary ComplaintSand SensitivityExcessive WeightGassy (Suppressed)

2. Engineering Evolution: From SAR to X95

The Tavor SAR’s introduction to the U.S. civilian market in 2013 provided a reliable bullpup alternative, but iterative design based on military feedback led to the X95, which corrected several SAR-era issues.2

2.1 Ergonomic Modernization

The transition to the X95 was driven by human factors engineering. The original SAR featured a magazine release paddle in front of the magazine well, requiring a non-standard manual of arms.4 The X95 replaced this with an ambidextrous, button-style release located in the traditional AR-15 position above the trigger.4 Additionally, the charging handle was moved rearward to a mid-mounted location, preventing hand contact with optics and bringing the mass closer to the center of gravity.2

2.2 Mechanical Refinements and Trigger Evolution

The X95’s trigger mechanism addressed the SAR’s 10-11.5 pound pull.4 The X95 factory trigger breaks at approximately 5 to 6 pounds.2 While still described as “mushy” compared to AR-15 triggers, it represents a significant improvement for a combat-oriented bullpup. Later X95 models also adopted a dual-ejector bolt to ensure more vigorous ejection during high-fouling or suppressed operation.9

3. The Long-Stroke Piston System

The engineering core of the Tavor SAR and X95 is a long-stroke gas piston system, where the piston is physically attached to the bolt carrier and moves as a single unit.2

3.1 Reliability Benefits of the Long-Stroke Action

The long-stroke system eliminates the need for gas to be piped into the receiver, keeping the bolt carrier group cleaner than direct-impingement systems.3 The substantial mass of the combined piston and bolt carrier creates significant inertia, allowing the rifle to overcome debris or lack of lubrication.3

3.2 Trade-offs: Reciprocating Mass and Accuracy

The reciprocating mass of the heavy piston rod and bolt carrier creates a unique recoil impulse and shifts the rifle’s center of gravity during the firing cycle.1 This movement, combined with the barrel mounting system, complicates mechanical accuracy.

Mechanical balance layout of the Tavor X95, showing shoulder pivot, pistol grip, center of gravity, gas block, and muzzle points.

4. Performance Analysis: Accuracy and Ballistics

The Tavor is frequently at the center of accuracy debates, with reports ranging from 1.5 MOA to 5 MOA.14

4.1 The Barrel Band and Harmonic Interference

The Tavor is not a free-floated system. To maintain chassis rigidity, the barrel is connected via a “barrel band” or “barrel ring”. This connection introduces stress as the barrel heats, potentially leading to point-of-impact shifts. Furthermore, the top Picatinny rail is attached to the barrel and gas block; heavy pressure on the rail from bipods or slings can lead to zero-shift issues.17

4.2 Ammunition Sensitivity

The 1:7 twist rate is optimized for heavy 5.56mm projectiles like 62-grain M855 or 77-grain Mk262.5 Using 55-grain ammunition in a 1:7 twist barrel can result in over-stabilization, widening group sizes.

Table 2: Accuracy Testing Matrix (X95 with 16.5″ Barrel)

Ammunition TypeProjectile WeightAverage 5-Shot Group (100yd)
PMC Bronze (FMJ)55 grain3.5 – 4.5 inches
Federal M855 (Green Tip)62 grain3.0 – 4.0 inches
Hornady Frontier (BTHP)69 grain1.8 – 2.5 inches
IWI Razorcore (OTM)77 grain1.2 – 1.8 inches

5. The Tavor 7: A Battle Rifle Re-Engineered

The Tavor 7 is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO and represents a departure from the 5.56mm architecture.6

5.1 The Shift to a Short-Stroke Piston

The Tavor 7 utilizes a short-stroke gas piston to manage the increased pressures and reciprocating mass of the.308 cartridge.6 It features a four-position gas regulator (Regular, Adverse, Suppressed, Off) for varying conditions.19

5.2 Tool-less Ambidexterity

The Tavor 7 allows users to swap the ejection side in the field by rotating the bolt 180 degrees, a significant upgrade over the X95, which typically requires a separate left-hand bolt and armorer installation.19

5.3 Performance of the Tavor 7

The Tavor 7 typically delivers 2 to 3 MOA with match ammunition.19 While not a precision sniper rifle, it is a robust battle rifle capable of engaging targets out to 600 yards.19

6. The Tavor TS12: A Unique Approach to the Shotgun

The TS12 applies the bullpup concept to a semi-automatic 12-gauge platform. It features a rotating triple-tube magazine system with a 15+1 capacity.2 While high-capacity and ergonomic, it is primarily viewed as a specialized home-defense or range tool due to its weight and unique manual of arms.23

7. Competitive Market Analysis

As of 2025-2026, the Tavor competes with the Steyr AUG and Springfield Hellion.23

7.1 Tavor X95 vs. Steyr AUG

The Steyr AUG is praised for its balance and classic design. However, the X95 offers modern ergonomics and uses standard AR-15 magazines, giving it an edge for many U.S. shooters.2

7.2 Tavor X95 vs. Springfield Hellion

The Springfield Hellion (VHS-2) includes an adjustable gas system, making it a better host for traditional suppressors than the X95.27 It is also generally reported to be slightly more accurate.27 However, its longer length of pull can be uncomfortable for some users.28

Table 3: Bullpup Competitive Specs Matrix

FeatureIWI Tavor X95Steyr AUG A3 M1Springfield Hellion
Caliber5.56 NATO5.56 NATO5.56 NATO
Mag TypeSTANAG (AR-15)Proprietary / NATOSTANAG (AR-15)
Adjustable GasNo (Factory)Yes (2-Pos)Yes (2-Pos)
Trigger Weight~6.0 lbs~9.0 lbs~7.0 lbs
Length of Pull14.75 inches15.0 inches16.0 – 18.0 inches

8. Customer Sentiment and Ownership Experience

8.1 Reliability as the Primary Selling Point

The overwhelming majority of Tavor owners identify reliability as the reason they keep the rifle, often reporting thousands of rounds fired with minimal maintenance.2

8.2 The “Tavor Face” and Suppression Issues

Suppressed fire often results in “Tavor Face,” where excess gas is forced into the shooter’s face via the ejection port. This is mitigated by using flow-through suppressors or aftermarket port covers.

8.3 Spare Parts Availability Concerns

Intermittent availability of spare parts (e.g., firing pins, springs) from IWI US is a recurring theme in customer dissatisfaction.

Tavor X95 customer sentiment performance chart: Reliability 9.8/10, Maneuverability 9.7/10, Ergonomics 9.2/10.

9. Industrial Maintenance and Longevity

The Tavor is designed for a long service life. Its chrome-lined, cold-hammer-forged barrels are resistant to heat and erosion.

9.1 Maintenance Schedule

  • 1,000 Rounds: Basic field strip and cleaning of the bolt face and piston head.
  • 5,000 Rounds: Deep cleaning of the gas tube and inspection of springs.30
  • 10,000+ Rounds: Inspection of recoil springs and firing pins.

9.2 Potential Points of Failure

Common issues are often user-related, such as crimping the gas tube by failing to remove the charging handle before unlocking the barrel.

10. Economic Analysis and Value Proposition

With an MSRP around 1,999 USD, the Tavor is a premium purchase.

10.1 The “SBR without the Stamp” Value

The Tavor provides short-barreled rifle maneuverability without the 200 USD tax stamp or NFA wait times, as it retains a 16.5-inch barrel.2

10.2 Aftermarket Investment

Many owners invest an additional 300 to 500 USD in upgrades, such as the Geissele Super Sabra trigger, to improve the platform’s performance.

11. Conclusion: Is the Tavor Worth Buying?

The IWI Tavor series is an engineering solution for personal defense and urban maneuverability that remains virtually unsurpassed in reliability.

It is worth buying if:

  • Compactness is the Priority: It provides a full-power rifle in a footprint manageable in confined spaces.1
  • Reliability is Non-Negotiable: The long-stroke piston is proven to function in harsh conditions with minimal maintenance.2
  • NFA Avoidance: For those wanting SBR maneuverability without federal registration.2

It is NOT worth buying if:

  • Sub-MOA Accuracy is Required: Marksmen targeting small game at 300+ yards may find the 3 MOA average limiting.14
  • Suppressed Fire is the Primary Use: Shooters using traditional baffled suppressors may prefer the Springfield Hellion or an adjustable-gas AR-15.27

Appendix: Methodology for Small Arms Industry Analysis

This report was produced using a structured analytical process to filter raw engineering data through real-world performance and market sentiment.

1. Engineering Documentation Review Technical specifications were sourced from primary manufacturer data provided by IWI US and IWI Israel.3 This included analysis of gas block configurations and bolt assembly architecture.9

2. Empirical Performance Synthesis Analysis of accuracy (MOA) and reliability was derived from cross-sections of professional testing data and study-grade comparisons.14 Variables such as ammunition grain weight and barrel temperature were considered.

3. Qualitative Market and Sentiment Analysis

Customer sentiment was measured by aggregating recurring themes from enthusiast forums and long-term ownership reviews. This identified key issues such as gas blowback and spare parts availability.

4. Competitive Matrix Construction The Tavor’s market position was determined by comparing it against the Steyr AUG and Springfield Hellion across metrics including ergonomics, modularity, and suppression.23

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Sources Used

  1. IWI Tavor: History and Development – Firearms News, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/iwi-tavor-history-and-development/77860
  2. IWI Tavor X95 Review: X95 vs SAR [UPDATED] – Gun University, accessed February 18, 2026, https://gununiversity.com/iwi-tavor-review-sar-vs-x95/
  3. Review: IWI Tavor X95 – Blade-Tech, accessed February 18, 2026, https://blade-tech.com/blogs/news/review-iwi-tavor-x95
  4. Expert’s Corner: Tavor X95 vs Tavor SAR – IWI, accessed February 18, 2026, https://iwi.us/blog/experts-corner-tavor-x95-vs-tavor-sar/
  5. Rifle Review: IWI’s Tavor X95 – The Next Generation Bullpup! – Somarriba, Inc, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.somarriba.com/single-post/rifle-review-iwi-s-tavor-x95-the-next-generation-bullpup
  6. Tavor 7 – 7.62 NATO Bullpup Rifle | IWI US, accessed February 18, 2026, https://iwi.us/firearms/tavor-7/
  7. IWI US Tavor X95 Rifle | An Official Journal Of The NRA – Shooting Illustrated, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/iwi-us-tavor-x95-rifle/
  8. Gun Review: IWI Tavor X95 Suppressed | thefirearmblog.com, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/04/22/review-iwi-tavor-x95/
  9. X95 “Generational” Differences? : r/Tavor – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/Tavor/comments/dhycwf/x95_generational_differences/
  10. IWI US Expert’s Corner: IWI Tavor X95 Bolt Group Variants – YouTube, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frCVqpdyW-0
  11. Thinking about buying an X95 but worried about parts availability. : r/Tavor – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/Tavor/comments/17btqwp/thinking_about_buying_an_x95_but_worried_about/
  12. Issues with new x95 : r/Tavor – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/Tavor/comments/zjknwi/issues_with_new_x95/
  13. IWI Tavor X95 Bullpup Review – Guns.com, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.guns.com/news/reviews/iwi-tavor-x95-bullpup-rifle-review
  14. what’s up with x95 accuracy? : r/Tavor – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/Tavor/comments/u2281y/whats_up_with_x95_accuracy/
  15. X95 Accuracy vs Colt Rack-Grade 6920 M4 by Military Arms Channel | thefirearmblog.com, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/05/13/x95-accuracy-vs-colt-rack-grade-6920-m4/
  16. Tavor X95 – Accuracy Potential | Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/tavor-x95-accuracy-potential.2486549/
  17. 18.5″ X95 approaching its final form. Surprisingly great groups using a Caldwell Lead Sled. : r/Tavor – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/Tavor/comments/uobcgh/185_x95_approaching_its_final_form_surprisingly/
  18. Tavor: acute change in accuracy | Sniper’s Hide Forum, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/tavor-acute-change-in-accuracy.7242635/
  19. Review: IWI Tavor 7 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/review-iwi-tavor-7/
  20. IWI TAVOR 7 in 7.62 NATO – Review – GunsAmerica, accessed February 18, 2026, https://gunsamerica.com/digest/review-iwi-tavor-7-a-bigger-hammer/
  21. Tavor reliability? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/b4qta7/tavor_reliability/
  22. Is The Tavor 7 Accurate? – GAT Daily (Guns Ammo Tactical), accessed February 18, 2026, https://gatdaily.com/articles/is-the-tavor-7-accurate/
  23. 9 Best Bullpup Rifles & Shotguns [Updated 2026 ] – Gun University, accessed February 18, 2026, https://gununiversity.com/best-bullpup-rifles-and-shotguns/
  24. Best Bullpup Rifles & Shotguns – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-bullpup-rifles-shotguns/
  25. What is the Best Bullpup? AUG vs. Tavor vs. Hellion – The Firearm Blog, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/09/20/what-is-the-best-bullpup-aug-vs-tavor-vs-hellion/
  26. Our Favorite Bullpup Rifles in 2025 | The Mag Shack, accessed February 18, 2026, https://themagshack.com/our-favorite-bullpup-rifles-in-2025/
  27. SFA HELLION VS TAVOR X95 : r/guns – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/16yal1f/sfa_hellion_vs_tavor_x95/
  28. X95 vs Helion : r/everythingbullpup – Reddit, accessed February 18, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/everythingbullpup/comments/1fdmntw/x95_vs_helion/
  29. Hands On with the IWI Tavor X95 Bullpup – Inside Safariland, accessed February 18, 2026, https://inside.safariland.com/blog/hands-on-with-the-iwi-tavor-x95-bullpup/
  30. any one with IWI Tavor experience – Shooters’ Forum, accessed February 18, 2026, https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/any-one-with-iwi-tavor-experience.3858600/latest
  31. IWI Tavor X95, the “civilized” warrior (field evaluations) – GUNSweek.com, accessed February 18, 2026, https://gunsweek.com/en/rifles/articles/iwi-tavor-x95-civilized-warrior-field-evaluations
Israel

The 5.56 Tavor X95 Is Still Here Three Years Later Because I Really Like It

It’s really rare that I hold on to a firearm for more than a year. I bought my Tavor X95 in August of 2021. It’s now August of 2024 and it’s still here and probably not going anywhere soon. Why? Because I like it – how’s that for a reason?

There Is A Learning Curve

I’ll start with the one negative – you definitely need to learn how to operate the Tavor. I guess I have spent too much time on AK and AR platforms of various types because I always fumble around with the controls when I get to take it to the range – which only a few times per year.

Close-up of a 5.56 Tavor X95 with Vortex optics.
It has a left side charging handle. To the right and rear of that is the mag releaser button and further to the right of that is the safety selector.
Black 5.56 Tavor X95 bullpup rifle with a magazine inserted, close-up view.
The Tavor uses STANAG MagPul magazines. To the right of the magazine on the undersideis the bolt release. The two domed pins retain the trigger pack.

What’s interesting to me is that the Israelis are phasing the Tavor out. The Israeli military has always been pragmatic and has decided there are too many negatives with continued use of the Tavor. They are actually moving back to the M4 platform with local companies producing the rifles plus a new firing mechanism.

Compact With Full Power

With that said, the Tavor’s bullpup design does allow for a compact weapon that has a surprisingly long barrel. The X95’s barrel is 16.5″ long allowing for higher velocities to be achieved and thus a longer range.

Black 5.56 Tavor X95 bullpup rifle with red dot sights and weapon light.
There is a 16.5″ barrel in there!

Reliable

IWI designed the Tavor to be reliable in their harsh conditions. I must say I have never had a failure to feed or failure to eject with the Tavor. Now my round count is probably around 1,000 or just over. So, not thousands and in Michigan vs. the sandbox but I’ve enjoyed shooting it.

By the way, I use bulk M855 ammo. We had the Tavor out just a few weeks ago and experienced one round in the Tavor that was a dud. I recall we were shooting, my niece pulled the trigger and nothing happened. We waited a minute, kept the rifle safely pointing down and ejected the round. There was a good primer strike but probably a bad primer. Our range has a misfires tube that goes down to a bucket buried a few feet down and I dropped it in there.

I’ve found both Magpul and Lancer mags to work just fine with the Tavor. I prefer windowed mags or the translucent Lancers so I can see how many rounds remain.

Trigger

Bullpup triggers are a cludgy affair at best. You have the trigger in the middle of the rifle that is then connected to a linkage that then transmits the pull back to the hidden trigger mechanism in the action at the rear of the rifle. As a result, you tend to get rather wierd triggers – long relativey heavy pulls with spongy breaks in mass produced rifles.

The Tavor’s original trigger was so-so. I looked back in my notes and did not write down the details in terms of pull weight. I installed a Timney trigger with a 4# 9.7oz average pull but it broke – note, Timney has sinced revised their design to address the problem I had with a pin moving out of position and jamming the trigger pack.

The Tavor now has a Geissele Super Sabra that has run just fine. I reported the pull as 4# 12oz from five test pulls when I first did the swap back in February 2023. I did it again now out of curiosity. I did 10 careful pulls and came up with 4# 9oz. It also breaks quite cleanly.

Geissele Super Sabra trigger pack, caution: do not disassemble.
I’m very happy with the Geissele Super Sabra trigger. It gives the Tavor a nice clean 4# 9oz trigger. Note, I just installed the Super Sabra trigger pack. I did not buy their optional Lightning Bow Trigger. It’s supposed to make the Tavor feel even better but I liked what I had and didnt see the need to buy it.

Accurate

I feel the Tavor X95 is just fine. I had no problem keeping bulk M855 ammo in a 2-3″ group at 100 yards with the combination of the Vortex AMG UH-1 holographic sight and Vortex Micro 3x magnifier. My intent with the Tavor was always for relatively close range shooting – within 100 yards most of the time and maybe out to 200 max.

Like the Optics Combination

I really like the flexibility of the Vortex AMG UH-1 optic and magnifier. There are a few pros and cons though. Swing the magnifier out of the way and you have a wide field of view and the benefits of a holographic sight. Swing the Vortex Micro 3x magnifier in place and you have a little bit better view of further targets. The cons are the weight of the two separate components and a reticle that is meant for speed vs. precision – the sheer size of the dot covers up quite a bit of the target at 100 yards so you are in the ballpark with repeat shots.

Now, I bought the rifle for relatively short ranges as mentioned above. I wanted speed, flexibility and good enough precision. I truly feel I got exactly what I wanted. I now have two of the Vortex AMG UH-1 sights. The second is sitting on my 10mm Stribog.

Black 5.56 Tavor X95 bullpup rifle with red dot sight and flashlight.
The combination of a Vortex AMG UH-1 and Vortex Micro 3x magnifier allows for a wide field of view and fast target acquisition. If you want the 3x magnification, you can flip the magnifier down into place. I also recommend the Streamlight ProTac light – you can use it with a thumb activated switch like I have or wire a pressure pad into the Tavor’s Picatinny rails that are hidden under covers. You can see the rail behind the light for example.

The Wow Factor

From the moment I open the fitted Peak case, there is a decided “wow” factor from whomever I am shooting with. It turns heads with its looks. The Tavor X95 looks like it stepped out of a Sci-Fi movie with its unique lines and modern look.

Tavor X95 5.56 rifle in custom-cut foam case with magazines and accessories.
The rifle always grabs attention as soon as I open the fitted Peak case. I have it full of loaded mags and spare batteries for the UH-1 and Streamlight ProTac weapons light. The top translucent mags are Lancers and the bottom mags are Magpul windowed units. Note, the original Tavor trigger pack is in the big plastic bag. I kept it in there just in case but haven’t needed it.

I’ve also found it is great with new shooters because of its weight further absorbing the already light recoil of the 5.56 round. The new shooters always want to get a photo with it.

So, It’s Still Here

Yep – I still have it. I tend to buy firearms, take them apart, maybe modify them, go to the range once or twice and then sell them. The Tavor X95 has been the exception so far. I bought it in 2021 and I’m writing this in August 2024. It was just on an outing with some family members that were new shooters from Canada and they all had fun with it.

Woman shooting a 5.56 Tavor X95 rifle at an outdoor range.
We had a recent family get together and of course they wanted to go to the range. Here, one of my nieces is shooting the Tavor.
Man shooting a 5.56 Tavor X95 rifle at an outdoor range.
Yours truly putting some lead down range.

Summary

I’d say the Tavor X95 bullpup is primarily a close in weapon if you want to move up past 9mm but it also has the legs to reach out further. It has a steep learning curve and you can’t do a c-clamp grip. As the Israelis found – you might well be better off with an AR with whatever barrel length you prefer. Always assess your needs before you buy.

Would I recommend the Tavor X95 to people? Yes and mainly because of the unique design’s “wow” factor. I still tell people to think about how they want to use a firearm – the use case – and then buy accordingly. Without a doubt though, the Tavor X95 is cool, reliable and accurate.

I hope this helps you out.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Gunsmithing

Timney Trigger Pack Failed in My Tavor X95 – I Switched to the Geissele Super Sabra

Back in August 2021, I bought a Tavor X95 and everybody told me to switch the stock trigger cartridge. I did some research and at that time people were recommending Timney or Geissele. My first choice was honestly Geissele because I really like their AR triggers but I couldn’t find them. Timney was the same way so I ordered both – I ordered the Timney on 8/17/21 direct from them and they shipped on 10/6/21. I also backordered a Geissele Super Sabra 05-267 with the thought that I could write a blog post at some point and compare them. The Timney arrived first and that’s what I installed and used up until yesterday. Let me explain.

I took my daughter’s fiancé, Kris, visiting from out of town to our local Berrien County Sportsman’s Club range for a few hours of shooting. The Timney trigger pack was in the Tavor and has been since I bought the Tavor. It has maybe 300-400 rounds through it – I’ve not shot it since I posted about taking it to the range last fall and the great time we had. At any rate, we shot a number of pistols and then it was rifle time – I told Kris that the Tavor is my favorite rifle right now and we start shooting.

I shot about 5 rounds to show the controls and make sure everything was good. I then handed it to Kris who then shot a few rounds and then things got weird. He pulled the trigger and nothing happened. I took the Tavor from him, and explained how to safely handle misfires and ejected the round. There was a barely noticeable dent on the primer. “Huh” I thought – must be a flaky hard primer. I loaded it again and tried – same thing. I took the round to the range’s misfire tube and dropped it down the pipe.

This is Kris wondering why it didn’t just fire.

I cycled the Tavor empty, it seemed okay, I then inserted a mag and made sure it was fully seated, handed the X95 to Kris who then charged it, we made sure the bolt was all the way home and he pulled the trigger. Nothing. Okay … something weird was happening. I took the X95 and ejected the round – same thing – a very light dent on the primer. At this point I was beginning to suspect something was wrong with the Tavor – we were shooting Winchester bulk M855 that normally I don’t have any problems with and absolutely never twice in a row.

I had Kris try again and this time I heard something. He would pull the trigger and nothing would happen but when he released trigger there was a delay followed by a click and then if he tried again it would fire. Okay …. something funky was going on inside the Tavor.

I removed all of the ammo and I could replicate it. Something was going on with either the rod that transfers the trigger pull back to the “trigger pack” or “sear mechanism assembly” – what IWI calls the trigger pack – or the trigger pack itself. It was time to pack the rifle up and we moved to an AR I brought that ran just fine.

Taking the X95 Apart

I have a love hate relationship with aftermarket parts. Most of the time when I take and replace a stock part with an aftermarket and something goes wrong, it’s the fault of the aftermarket part. To make a long story short, the problem at the range was caused by the Timney trigger pack.

On a Tavor, the trigger pack normally pulls out very easily once you pull out the two retaining pins. Not this time. It did NOT want to come out. I had to pull pretty forcefully to get it out and the culprit was a big silver dowel/axle pin located in the top front of the pack. Both it and a smaller one in the middle were way out towards the right side. Why? No idea. I tapped both the pins back in with a nylon head soft blow hammer in my Weaver gunsmith kit. I tried to get it to “fire” and it wouldn’t so I switched gears and installed the Geissele Super Sabra instead that was still new in the box.

Both of these pins were sticking out on this side. I already tapped them back in before I took this photo.

I lubricated the Super Sabra per their instructions and it dropped right in and worked. So, right now I have an inoperable Timney that I can’t get to do anything on the bench that I think I will try and have Timney do a warranty repair on – I’m kind of curious what they will do or not do. In the mean time, I will happily run the Super Sabra.

The Geissele Super Sabra on the left and the Timney Tavor trigger pack on the right. Note how the Super Sabra is using screws vs. pins.
Here’s the other side of the trigger packs.
I have always found Geissele’s engineering to be top notch. This trigger pack dropped right in and felt great. If I were to bet money, and I guess I already did since I bought it, this pack will last. The Super Sabra 05-267.

The Super Sabra feels really good – I am still using the stock Tavor trigger itself – the part you actually pull with your finger. Geissele sells a replacement trigger but I am not using it – just the replacement Super Sabra trigger pack.

For a bullpup trigger the Super Sabra is quite decent. There is a long pull but it breaks pretty nicely at 4 pounds 12 oz on average. To get that number, I did 10 test pulls with my Wheeler digital gauge. The lightest pull was 4 pounds 2oz and the heaviest was 5 pounds 1 oz. Very manageable and will be what I use going forward.

As I was writing this blog post, I had the Timney trigger pack in front of me. I tried repeatedly to actuate the hammer by pulling on the little lever that connects to the transfer rod in the rifle. Boy, it would not move – not one bit. I’d put a ball pin in the “U” and pull – it would not budge. I just tried again right now and heard a loud click just like we did at the range. I pulled on the lever again while controlling the hammer with my free hand and it “fired” – the hammer came up. In looking inside the cartridge i have no idea what has happened but don’t want to take it apart and void a warranty either. When I closed the hammer, it made a funny clunking abnormal sound and now doesn’t want to open/fire again. Weird. Something has gone wrong, that much I know.

I was able to eventually get it to open while I was writing the post. It made the same odd click sound that we heard at the range and after that it opened.
When I closed it, an abnormal clunking sound came from the pack and it will not open again.

Summary

Not sure what happened but the Timney trigger pack stopped working. I plan on contacting Timney to see if they will look at it under warranty and will report back how it goes – I emailed them on 2/12/2023. I’m now running the Geissele Super Sabra pack and will see how that holds up.

I’m hoping Timney will do a warranty repair so I can compare both units down the road as I had originally hoped. I’ll update the blog post with how that turns out. By the way, I’ve had a number of Timney triggers over the years and this is the first problem I’ve had with one.

3/28/2023 Update: Got a nice update email from Timney. They are revising the design of the disconnector and will start production in June. That’s pretty cool that they are learning and improving their design. They offered me a refund or to wait for the new model and I opted for a refund at this point and they processed it (I bought it direct from them in this case). So, I am happy with the result.

3/25/23 Update: Really not happy with Timney customer service – I sent them polite emails asking for a status or even if they have the trigger (I can see they do from the tracking #) but they don’t even reply. Last email I told them I don’t mind waiting but please give me an idea of the lead time – no reply. I literally have no idea of the turn around time – they never gave me an estimate.

2/17/23 Update: Timney customer service was really easy to work with. They asked me to send them the trigger pack and they would take care of it. So, I sent it via priority mail with insurance on 2/16. I’m curious if they will tell me what went wrong.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Reviews - General

My Favorite Rifle of 2022: The IWI Tavor X95

I like compact rifles but that means you have some combination of shorter stock and/or barrel. With that shorter barrel also comes trade-offs in terms of velocity because the ammunition is expecting a longer length of barrel and unburned powder exits the muzzle – often with a really cool flash. Other than shock and awe, that wasted powder isn’t turning to gas to shove the bullet down the barrel. It’s all a game of trade-offs. So, what if you don’t want to play the trade-off game?

This is where you enter the world of bullpups. A bullpup refers to any weapon where your cheak is basically resting on the action with the magazine under it. The barrel can actually be much longer now because the buttstock is gone and so you have a compact weapon with higher velocities. So what’s the catch?

Well, a lot of bullpups have a huge trigger problem. They typically use a solid linkage to take the movements you create by pulling what looks like the trigger and transfers them to the rear of the weapon where the actual trigger, disconnector are at. The result is long mushy feeling triggers …. unless you have a plan and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) did have a plan when they designed the Tavors.

My first encounter

The first time I saw a Tavor was a number of years back. My friend, Scott Igert, who owns Michigan Gun Exchange, had one in and it caught my eye. It looked like something out of a SciFi movie and I wasn’t really sure whether I would like it or not plus it was way more than I could afford at the time. I shouldered it a few times and had Scott put it back. I read a bit about them and decided it didn’t fit into my plans … at least not then now fast forward a few years – like maybe 3-5 years.

What changed my mind? Why did I go back?

Interestingly enough, a number of things happened. First, I had learned a lot more about firearm design. Second, I’d worked a lot more with both IMI and IWI Galils in both 5.56 and 7.62×51. Third, because of the Galils I became interested in Isreaeli weapon designs in general and what drove the industry constantly towards innovation (existential threats to the state are certainly a big factor. Fourth and final, I was getting kind of jaded towards short barreled rifles excluding pistol caliber carbines. I guess I should mix in a healthy dose of curiosity across alll of those.

So, I wound up older, maybe a bit wiser and more interested in the Tavor. I could also afford one I must add, but it was still going to be a chunk of money. So, I ordered one with the intention of selling it if things didn’t work out – as Scott will tell you, I rarely hold on to firearms of any kind.

What’s up with the name?

I’ve always found why something is named what it is of interest. If you’re really into the history of words you study what is known as the etymology of a given word. Me … I’m a redneck from Southwest Michigan and am just curious where they come from so I can sound smarter than I am when drinking with friends.

Ok, “Tavor” – where did it come from? Well, you may know it’s modern English name of Mount Tabor and it romanized name from Hebrew is “Har Tavor”. It is a real mountain located in lower Galilee, Israel. According to the Hebrew Bible, a great battle was fought there between the Israelite army and the army of the Canaanite King of Hazor. It’s also considered the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There is so much history around Har Tavor that there is a whole wikipedia page devoted to it.

Is the Tavor X95 a new design?

Not exactly, the design team to create the Tavor began work in 1995 with Zalmen Shebs as the team lead. They wanted a rifle that could withstand sand and the elements, be accurate enough and also compact enough to be readily carried in vehicles. Of course, they wanted something better than the American M4 and the Galil had proven itself to be too heavy and large for continued use by the Israeli miliary.

By 2001 they had versions of the Tavor in trials that helped them learn better what was needed and refined the design to better handle fine sand for example. It was issued in November 2001 as the TAR-21. From 2001 to 2009 a number of refinements were made. In November 2009 the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced they would adopt the Tavor X95 as their standard infantry weapon.

That’s a short summary and the whole point is that it is not brand new and your not risking a bunch of money to be a guinea pig. The Tavor has seen real combat use and performed respectably. If you buy an X95, you are getting a proven weapon that has a good combination of accuracy and reliability in a variety of environments.

Ok….So what did I buy?

I bought a model XB16 in August 2021. This model of Tavor is black (you can also get them in flat dark earth or olive drab), is in 5.56×45 NATO, has a barrel length of 16.5″, an overall length of 26.125″ inches and weighs 7.9 pounds empty.

I wanted to pair it up with an optic that would excel in close quarters with rapid sight acquisition and a wide field of vision but that I could also magnify a bit if needed. I went with the Vortex UH-1 holographic sight and a 3x flip up magnifier. I had a red dot and magnifier combo on an AR many years ago and did NOT like it. The UH-1 and 3X magnifier pairing on the Tavor were made for each other. If you want speed, flip the 3X out of the way. If you want some magnification, flip it back into place.

There is only one change that I made internally. A lot of Tavor owners were removing their original trigger packs and installing either a Timney or a Gisselle. I backordered both and the Timney showed up first. Changing a trigger pack in a Tavor is super easy – it’s a modular cartridge that goes up through the bottom of the bullpup. The Timney did make a world of difference.

I put a Streamlight 88509 weapons light on it along with a real IDF Zahal sling. For mags, I use a combination of Magpul Pmags and Lancer Advanced Warfighter mags – I like both and just grabbed some spares.

Lastly, I did go for one accessory I don’t normally buy – a fitted Peak Case. Normally I just go with some generic carrying case but decided I wanted something a little “cooler” and more protective than a softsided case. Click here to go to their page in a new tab.

By the way, the Zahal sling can be purchased off ebay from here.

Unlike some of my reviews, I don’t have a ton of unpacking and assembly photos. Why? Your’s truly misplaced/lost/deleted almost two months of digital photos and I have no idea how. What I can do though is jump ahead to the results:

The Peak case comes pre-cut for the Tavor and a handgun off to the left. I actually have the original trigger pack stored in there for Click here for their web page.
Here’s the Tavor with the Zahal sling and the Vortex optics mounted.
The rail covers slide off once you depress the button.
Pushing that button allows you to slide a rail cover right off.
The Tavor X95 design immediately made me realize that I needed to read the manual and a couple of Youtube videosto learn how it works. In this photo, we are looking at the back bottom. You have the mag well hole and behind it is the bolt release lever for when the bolt locks open on empty.
There’s the trigger with the mag release to the above left and the safety selector lever to the back right.
Combining a Vortex UH-1 with a Vortex 3x magnifier gives you a lot of versatility. When you want a wide field of view for close-in work you can flip the magnifier out of the way as shown in this photo. When you want 3x magnification, just flip ti down.
The Vortex UH-1s are great optics. This is my second and I can’t recommend them enough. Rugged, bright, easy to use, reliable and a no-nonsense fix or replace warranty – what more could you want?
With the Timney trigger pack installed, I did 5 trigger pulls and the average pull weight was 4 pounds 9.7 ounces. The minimum pull weight was 4 pounds 3 ounces and the max was 4 pounds 15.4 ounces. One thing you tend to notice with good triggers is both a lighter and more consistent pull weight.

Preparing for the range

I’ve written about this before – do not take a new firearm straight to the range or you are going to have a lousy time. Instead, field strip it, clean & lubricate it and then cycle the action about 200 times to let the parts wear in and get to know each other – no, you don’t need to pull the trigger 200 times. It makes a world of diference with most firearms.

Range Time

We were able to take the Tavor to the range twice this summer and put about 300-400 rounds of bulk box M855 through it. The Tavor ran flawlessly – no problems feeding or ejecting. The control layout does take some getting used to – the more I use it then the more I will get used to changing magazines I’m sure.

Jim shooting the Tavor – he definitely liked it. I mentioned it in my blog post about taking the Stribog to the range that same day – Jim forgot his hat and the only spare I had in the truck was my wife’s. Nice hat Jim 🙂
Niko fire the Tavor from a number of positions and really liked it as well.

I honestly did not think I would like it but I actually do. It takes some getting used to in terms of the controls and swapping magazines but these are things that practice can overcome. Think about it, you have a 5.56×45 NATO rifle in the same form factor you would normally find a SBR or braced pistol with a much shorter barrel.

This photo highlights the advantage of a bullpup over a traditional firearms design. The weapon on top is a Grand Power Stribog SP9A1. It has a F5 Manufacturing Modular Brace, the action in the middle and then only has an 8″ barrel. The Tavor has the rear “stock” and action integrated with a 16.5″ barrel that can achieve far higher velocities from the 5.56×45 cartridge than a shorter barrel could. Yet, the over all lengths are almost identical.

We were shooting at paper targets and plates – not for accuracy – at about 10-15 yards. The Tavor just handled wonderfully. I couldn’t have been happier.

After a bunch of rounds we needed to let it cool down before putting it back in the bag.

By the way – I like the weight and rear-biased balance. Granted 5.56 does not have much recoil to begin with but the Tavor is very pleasant to shoot. Again, if you hear people mentioning it is awkward, well, bullpups in general take getting used to because the mag is so far back.

Summary

I kid you not, I really didn’t expect to like it as much as I do. It’s compact and reliable. The trigger is good enough … some day when I have time, I need to take it to the range with match ammo and see how it does but for now, I am quite happy. I’ve tried a number of different rifles this past summer but this takes first place and my IWI Galil Ace .308 takes a very close second [click here for my review of it]. The rest are all “ok” in comparison.

There are a ton of positive Tavor X95 reviews out there and now I know why. If you are on the fence about buying one, just get it 🙂

I hope this post helps you out.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Israel

My Galil Ace .308 DMR

Okay, I wrote about Galil Ace .308 Pistol some years back and it got sold at some point to fund other projects. However, when I sell firearms it’s not that there was any problem – like tons of other projects, I finished it, learned from it, got bored of it and sold it … that’s my usual progression for 99% of the firearms I buy. At any rate, some time last year it really dawned on me that the hands down best factory manufactured rifle that you can buy in the US today are the Galil Aces. I’m sure someone will argue with me but the evolution of the design that they did is remarkable regardless.

This is the original 308 Galil Ace before updates. I took the photo right as the sun was going down so everything had a bit of an orange hue to it.

RS Regulate Handguards

So, I bought a .308 Galil Ace rifle knowing I would get rid of the handguard. Yes, the factory one is functional but it is way too fat for me I prefer a long narrow one aluminum handguard. Even before I bought the rifle, I knew I would get one of RS Regulate’s GAR-14M-N handguards. The biggest problem you will run into with an RS Regulate product is finding one – his scope mounts are the best out there and the handguards are excellent as well. As a result, you may have to hunt around. I found one in grey thinking I would refinish it but the contrast actually looks pretty cool so I am running with it.

The original handguards do have rails under those covers but the combination is too fat for my taste.
This is the RS Regulate GAR-14M-N handguard in Desolation Grey. Installation is very straight forward and instructions are provided.
The two short screws and spacers are for attaching the handguard to the barrel. The long screw is for the rear. Install the rear end cap before you install the rear screw. Use blue Loc-tite on all. Use needle nose pliers to hold the spacers in place when you side the side screws into the handguard and on to the barrel.
The end cap goes to the bottom rear of the handguard and sits on the inside. Two additional short screws are in another bag for it. See the long needle nose pliers at the top? Something like them will enable you to install the spaces very easily.
This is the end cap right before I installed the screws.

Vortex PST II Scope

Because of the accuracy reports (1 MOA-ish) I also planned on getting a decent scope to make the Ace a designated marksman’s rifle (DMR). To explain, a DMR is a supporting rifle that usually has better accuracy and/or reach than the rest of the squad but it typically doesn’t have the accuracy of a true sniper rifle. From what I read, the Galil Ace would fill a DMR role no problem so I wanted a scope with a decent range starting with a low value so I would have a decent field of view (FOV). What I bought was a Vortex PST II 3-15×44 — first off, Vortex is my favorite scope maker and second, the second generation PST scopes are very clear and have good light transmission. I purposefully did not go with a 50mm objective because while it does pull in more light all things being equal, I didn’t want an topic standing up a mile above the receiver either.

American Defense Scope Mount

I’ve become a scope mount snob over the years after having a ton of problems with cheap ones – screws stripping out, moving on the rail, letting the scope move, quick release levers that bend on break off, crappy finishes, etc. To be honest, I am done with the cheap ones. My go to for scope mounts is American Defense – I also use the offset Vortex mounts that are also made by American Defense.

Why American Defense? They are solid quality all the way through – they are everything the cheap ones are not and have never let me down. So, yes, I will pay a premium for them and be happy about it. For this build and the smaller objective, I used a AD-Recon-X-30-STD.

This is an American Defense AD-Recon-X-30-STD scope mount with quick release levers. Excellent quality.

In Case You Are Wondering – Why .308?

Well, I am done adding yet another caliber and had a good selection of range and match .308 ammo that I can try out. When I do take this to a range, I’d like to find out what this particular rifle likes and buy more. By the way – for folks relatively new to firearms – you will find out that some ammo works great in one firearm and horrible in another so always experiment and find out what load your rifle likes. Handloaders spend hours agonizing over every possible details to find the round that works best at a given range and situation.

The Result

It came out pretty cool – I thought I would refinish the grey but it grew on me.

In Closing

The .308 Galil Ace is pretty slick. I really like the components I picked and now need to find time to go to the range. I will be adding a Magpul bipod before then as well.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Sniper / Precision Rifles

PSA Has Some Cool Rifles In: 7.62×51 Galil Ace, FIME Molot RPK-74 and Breda M1 and M1D Garand Rifles – Wow!

I have and IWI Galil Ace rifle in 7.62×51 NATO and it’s exceptionally well made. I notice that IWI has it in and an Italian version of the Garand known as the “BREDA” in 7.62×51 also. I thought I would spread the word – I sure wish I had the funds to buy both models of the BREDA.

IWI GALIL ACE 7.62 NATO SEMI-AUTO RIFLE, BLACK – GAR1651

ITALIAN BREDA M1D/ TIPO-2 T.S. GARAND WITH M84 SCOPE AND CRATE, VERY GOOD SURPLUS CONDITION – BREDAM1S

ITALIAN BREDA M1D/ TIPO-2 T.S. GARAND RIFLE 7.62X51, VERY GOOD CONDITION – BREDAM1

Just to make the lack of funds hurt even more, they have a FIME Molot RPK-74 in stock also. Where these came from, I don’t know but they command a princely price.

IWI GALIL ACE 7.62 NATO SEMI-AUTO RIFLE, BLACK – GAR1651

If you are looking for one of the above and can afford it – rock on! I hope this helps you out.

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

Optics

The Vortex UH-1 Sight and V3XM Magnifier Are An Amazing Combination On A Galil Ace Pistol

Well, the pandemic threw all my plans right out the window including having time to go to the range. I bought and customized my 7.62×51/.308 Galil Ace Pistol in the Fall of 2019 and just recently was able to take it to the range with my daughter and good friend Niko.

Niko having fun with the Ace and optic combination.

When I was planning the customization of the Ace, I wanted a holographic sight for rapid target acquisition in close, parallax free viewing and also a magnifier to help me out to a hundred yards or so. By the way, tons of guys go further even without a magnifier but this is just me.

Being a Vortex Optics fan and having read good reviews of their Razor AMG UH-1 optic, I bought one plus the V3XM Micro 3x magnifier. I have to admit that I was nervous. Years back I built an AR-15 and installed both a full size red dot and a full size 3x magnifier and honestly did not like it. The combination used a ton of top rail space due to the size of the two parts and it was heavy. To be honest, I found myself wishing I’d just bought a 1-4x or 1-6x optic at the time.

Why Bother With A Magnifier?

In case you are wondering why I even wanted the 3x magnification, it’s s a simple answer. As I get older,I find myself needing more magnification for any degree of target shooting as I get closer to 100 yards and beyond. Yeah, make fun of me but in talking with a lot of 50+ year old guys, I’m not the only one. I tend to favor 1-6 and 1-8x Vortex Strike Eagles for relatively close in optics – they are light, rugged and allow me to trade off field of view and magnification.

The optics combo fits nicely on the Ace. I like the quality quick release levers they used. The levers clamp very well and have a repeatable zero when removed and re-installed.
Here the magnifier is swung out of the way for 1x viewing through the UH-1. All controls are very easy to use.

At any rate, back to the UH-1, the UH-1 itself weighs about 11oz and the Micro 3X (V3XM) magnifier adds 9.55oz. So you are looking at about 20-21oz or just over 1.25 pounds for the combination. A 1-6x Strike Eagle weighs 18.5oz and then you need to add at least a basic cantilever mount at 1.3oz, you are totalling 19.8oz.

Why am I bringing this up? Some situations really require variable magnification optics and the 1-6x and 1-8x Strikefires are hard to beat. In other cases, you are expecting situations where you will need little to no magnification then the UH-1 wins hands down. Why? Target acquisition is screamingly fast and you don’t have parallax. No parallax means that no matter how you look at the projected recticle (the hologram), the recticle is on the target. With regular scopes, as your eye position changes relative to the recticle, the point of impact changes. This is one reason why a good consistent cheek weld is so important with a traditional optic. Bottom line is that holographic sights seriously rock when it comes to speed of target acquisition.

A 7.62×51 Galil Ace Is Not A Distance Weapon

Another thing to point out is that this weapon is not a target rifle by any stretch of the immagination – it’s for close in work. The 7.62×51 Galil Ace pistol has an 11.8″ barrel and that short length is really going to limit the weapon to less than 200 yards and that is just my opinion because that short length will reduce the velocity of the bullet and there will be more bullet drop at a given distance. The reason is simple – the 7.62×51 and .308 cartridges are still burning powder, generating more pressure and bullet speedwhen the bullet exits the muzzle – all that burning powder makes for an impressive muzzle flash but that’s actually a waste of powder and why it will have less velocity than a weapon with a longer barrel.

How far do I intend to shoot the Ace? Now that’s the real question and is what drove the selection of the optic. I honestly plan to shoot it under 50 yards the majority of the time. I can flip the magnifier out of the way if I don’t need it.

A Bit Of Range Time

How did it work at the range? It was fantastic. The Ace itself ran great with PPU M80 FMJ ammo and the optic pairing was way better than I expected. The recticle was nice and bright even during mid-day son and it was easy to swing the magnifier in and out of position. All three of us liked the Ace and optic combination. After shooting the Ace for the first time, I can definitely see why they have such a excellent reputation.

Even in close the magnifier worked nice. It still has a pretty wide field of view — 38 feet at 100 yards. I went from being cautiously hopeful to really liking the combo.
In this photo, Niko is getting ready to shoot with the magnifier swung out of the way.
I’m still trying to learn the art of getting a decent photo of a recticle. With the UH1 you have 1- brightness levels to select from and I really like it.

In Summary

I really like the pairing of the UH-1 optic and the V3XM magnifier on my Galil Ace. The pairing works really, really well and I am already planning on getting one of the new second generation UH-1 optics for a new build I am planning – a 7.25″ 12.7×42 (Beowulf) pistol 🙂

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.

AK & Related Rifles, Israel

How A Modern IWI Galil Ace Differs From A Traditional AKM – With Lots Of Photos – Part 2

This is the second part of my review of the differences I saw between a 7.62×51 IWI Galil Ace pistol and a typical AKM-type rifle. [Click here if you would like to open the first post in a separate window.] The following round out my observations:

Railed handguard

AK handguards have evolved from wood to bakelite to elaborate affairs made of polymers or aluminum. In the case of the Ace, no rhyme intended, an aluminum handguard with Picatinny rail is covered by sculpted rail covers.

The handguard is U-shaped with rails at the the 3-, 6- and 9-O’clock positions. The top rail is integral with the gas tube. Note now they have a cut out read for a pressure switch and the rails are open on the middle for wiring. There is one socket screw on each slide to fasten the handguard to the weapon.
The two socket screws thread into a retainer and have thread locker on them. When you look at the top of the rail, you see a small circle indentation on each side and then just a bit further back a rectangular shaped indentation. The screws are on each side. Also, you also get a good view of the front sight .
These are the three rail covers for the handguard. They lock into place and can be released by pushing the visible button at the back. The panel in the middle is the bottom piece and it has a lip that serves to help you index your hand.

So, two differences to note – a unique railed handguard and it is held in position with screws vs. the traditional AK front handguard retainer.

As a personal comment, I stopped buying tri-railed handguards some time ago because they feel too fat for me once you add on rail covers. The Ace handguards aren’t too terrible but they are fat and shorter than I would like. The stock unit will be replaced by one of the excellent handguards from RS Regulate – the GAR-9M-N model to be exact and that will be in a future post.

The Gas tube has tabs and a rail but no locking lever

This is a unique little item right here. The gas tube slides into place via tabs on the unit that mate with slots on the rear base. It does not have a locking lever like an AK does.

The top has a Picatinny rail and the whole unit is locked into place when the dust cover is installed, which pushes the gas tube forward into position. The fitment is so well done that the Picatinny rail is level all the way across the top.

The gas tube goes over the nipple on the front sight block. The relieved tube you see with the screws are where the handguard retainer screws thread in from each side.
This is the gas tube with the rail on top. Note the tabs at the bottom rear and the groove on the rail that mates with the rail from the dust cover.
Here’s another angle – you can see the heat shield on the handguard and the slots on the rear block. We can’t call it a Rear Sight Block (RSB) like we would on an AK because the sight is on the dust cover on the Ace. Here, all it is doing is securing the gas tube.
The fitment of the dust cover and the gas tube are so well done that despite being two separate parts, their two respective rail sections align very nicely.

Integral lower plastic assembly – grip, magazine guide

Part of the revisions from the IMI Galil to the IWI Ace was changing 12 parts from steel to plastic. To be honest, I did not hunt down all 12 and itemize each. What I did readily see was the plastic lower assembly that connects with the steel forged receiver. It has the following:

  • An integral grip that has a hollow storage area
  • Ambidextrous magazine releases
  • An enlarged integral trigger guard
  • A natural hand hold curve just forward of the magazine

Folding Brace Assembly

IWI makes two models of the 7.62×51 pistol – the GAP51 without a brace and the GAP51SB with the brace. I really just needed the GAP51 but went with the GAP51SB because the price was so good from Palmetto State Armory at the time.

What you get with the GAP51SB is an IWI designed integral folder with a 1.25″ diameter pistol tube and an SB Tactical SOB brace. The SOB part makes me smile every time I write it. So, it does give you a well designed fixed length brace and a rock solid folder.

The SB Tactical SOB Brace with the unit locked into position.
That hinge is soooooo cool.
A close up with the brace folded alongside the receiver.
The unit is very compact and functional with the brace closed. Note the IWI logo on the brace but it is definitely an SB unit and the butt end has their logow. SB Tactical OEMs for others as well – meaning they will sell units with the logos of other firms displayed.

Magpul Pmags

No AK ever used Magpul magazines so I think this counts as a difference 🙂 The 7.62×51 Ace uses Magpul’s 7.62×51 PMags. You can get them in a number of sizes as well as a drum if you really want to rock and roll. I bought some 20s, 25s and one of the D50 drums. I’ve not tested the pistol yet but expect it will work great with all of them. Note, both PSA and Gun Mag Warehouse have a variety of mags and drums that will fit.

The 7.62×51 Ace uses readily available Magpul Pmags.

The Manual

I can’t say that I’ve ever read a very good AK manual that has tons of illustrations and covers a lot of topics – operating, cleaning, trouble shooting, and a detailed parts breakdown. The IWI Ace manual really is exceptional. The PDF copy is 88 pages long!

IWI puts all of their operator manuals online – click here to visit their site.

Summary

That’s it for differences I’ve noted thus far. In the next post, I’ll share a number of reviews and videos that I watched before I purchased the unit. By the way, this pistol is amazingly well made. It’s the most impressive firearm in terms of design and execution that I’ve seen in a long time. If you get a deal on one, buy it.

References

Please share the link on Facebook, Forums, with colleagues, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email us in**@*********ps.com. If you’d like to request a report or order a reprint, please click here for the corresponding page to open in new tab.