IWI TAVOR

[davsel]

Picked up my new Tavor (thanks Marine24) and took it down to the NRA Whittington Center last weekend. I mounted an Aimpoint Comp M3 2MOA (thanks Jamesonehr) that required a 1/2" riser to co-witness with the built-in irons (dot rides on tip of front sight). I also attached a Rainier XTC comp (thanks thvigil11) for the heck of it.

The original Tavor flash hider is of the A2 birdcage design, but with a twist. It is made up of a lock nut and the hider. The two together are the same length as an A2, but it allows you to easily wrench it on and off and time it properly - no peel or crush washers needed. I assume this is because you must remove the flash/hider to completely disassemble the weapon - to change barrels.

I got it zeroed in at 100 yards and it shot 1.5" groups with some "cheap" 55 gr Federal .223. I then shot some 62 gr green tip M855 that printed the same. I moved out to 200 yards and shot 3" groups with various ammo. I then took shots at the silhouettes on the hill behind the "Sighting In" range and smacked the 400 yrd antelope 7 shots in a row - missed the 8th and called it a day.

The trigger is HORRIBLE. I've read all the reviews saying it has a good trigger because it pulls a bar rather than pushing a bar, but there is a lot of mush before it breaks at what I would estimate around 10 lbs (I do not have a gauge). My finger tip was actually getting sore from attempting to slow-fire for accuracy. I even pulled the return spring from the trigger pack as suggested on some forums, but it did nothing to improve the trigger pull.

The rifle felt great in any shooting position due to the balanced weight. However, a vertically challenged friend I was shooting with hated the length of pull. I had not really noticed, due to the overall oddness of the design, but the length of pull has got to be over 15 inches. I usually set up my ARs around 13.5" or so, and this rifle is easily 2 inches longer - with no way to adjust it. I suppose someone could come up with a shorter recoil pad, but then the overall length would be too short with the 16.5" barrel.

The Tavor worked with all mags I tried: Lancer 20 and 30, USGI 20 and 30, Surefire 60, Magpul Gen2 and Gen3, and of course, the included IWI mag - which is a really nice design that I have never seen before.

Overall, I love the rifle (thanks again Marine24), but it does need some trigger work. I'll wait and see what others do to lighten the trigger pull before breaking out the polishing stones. Perhaps a wider/flatter trigger would help - the stock trigger is profiled like a 1/4" steel bar.

ETA:
Now that I think about it, perhaps the extra length of pull is to move the shooter's head further back so that left-hand shooting will not eject the shells directly into the shooters cheek. (Yes, I know it can be swapped to eject out the left side). Just a thought.

[Marine24]

Nice review and glad you enjoy the Tavor. Your trigger comment was spot on. While I never shot the Tavor, I had a similar impression with my MSAR trigger. Definitely not a Geiselle. Even with the crappy trigger, those are some good groups

[ChunkyMonkey]

Thanks for the review... I shot mine 30x and sold it. One of the worst trigger pulls I ever experienced. The finish was rough too. Where the two sides are infused into one, there are sharp edges. Overall, I see the value being there.

[paddywagon]

I got my 18" Tavor last month and love it as well. I concur on the crappy trigger pull. I have pulled the return spring on mine and am going to work over the surface with some Flitz before I go out again. I am thinking that will help considerably.

[Jer]

I also removed the return spring in the trigger pack and it made a notable difference in the pull. It feels closer to that of an AR15 and, as compared to an AR15, you're not removing functionality. IWI actually added it to combat an issue that AR15's can have when put through torture tests in that the trigger wouldn't reset with enough crud in the fore control group. So removing it doesn't mean it will be less reliable than an AR15 but just less reliable than a Tavor. That's something I can live with because it does increase the pull in an already stiff pull to over 10lbs and probably closer to 11lbs. This spring adds around 4lbs so removing it will put the pull closer to that of a combat trigger in an AR15. If I ever find myself needing to take my Tavor to the middle east to fight I'll put it back in and develop Arnold Schwarzenegger finger but have a system that can run through anything. As it sits that won't be an issue here so in a little baggy it goes and the trigger is noticeably better.

Another option that I cringe suggesting is the spring on the firing pin. On the civilian version of these rifles there is a danger of slam fires on lighter primered target ammo so they added a spring to the fire pin to keep this from happening. This spring adds about a pound and a half to two pounds and would put the pull right in line with the weight we've all come to expect from traditional triggers. IMO this couple of pounds max just isn't worth the potential safety liability added. Just thought I would put that info out there in case anyone has no plan of ever using target ammo in their Tavor. Even if that's your plan I still don't think it's worth it but there's the info.

The previous spring removal doesn't introduce a safety concern plus decreases the pull twice as much as this one so to me it's a no brainer.

[Marine24]

Interesting developments relative to trigger improvements on the Tavor. Geissele and Timney supposedly are exploring trigger upgrades for the Tavor and Shooting Sights LLC has developed a prototype two stage trigger

http://bullpupforum.com/index.php?topic=3194.240

I recently purchased another Tavor and looking forward to running it through the paces and perhaps adding to davsel's review. Definitely will do the mod Jer describes with the return spring.

[Marine24]

Sweet. Does the conversion require sending it back? I'm a righty and my son a lefty, but would like the flexibility of both of us shooting it. Conversion was pretty straightforward on the MSAR but not so sure about the Tavor.

Encouraging to see some of the accessories that are starting to come out in addition to the improved trigger. Debating on what optics to run on it. Aimpoint Pro is where I'm currently leaning, but see a lot of guys run a 1-4x or 1-6X scope.

[Marine24]

Interesting. I looked at the procedure and it is a little more complicated than swapping the bolt on the MSAR but nothing too crazy. Looks like my son is going to buy his own or learn to shoot with the right side eject.

[Jer]

the brown truck just brought my Tavor back from IWI. It is now left handed. woohoo.

[Marine24]

Ouch, that will leave a mark.