Wife wants a Tavor

borsch

borsch

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Folks,
So, our tax refund just came in and we're looking to spend this on the right stuff.

So, my spouse wants a Tavor. I'm more of an AR/CZ858/Valmet guy, so, no experience with this platform whatsoever. All the vigorous googling didn't help. Hence, looking for help from the experts:

1) Were all the Tavors, sold in Canada non-restricted, or were there any restricted versions as well? We're looking for a currently non-restricted.

2) So, X95 is the latest and the greatest, more AR-like feel, OK, got it. TAR-21 - the hell is with Gen-1, but more importantly, Gen 2 and "Gen 2.5"? Will it even matter? We don's customize our guns much, and prefer to just "git gud" with what he have before we change anything, so, softer triggers, etc. don't mean much to us.

3) Don't want the Tavor 7, have multiple platforms for 7.62, including non-restricted, and have way too much .223Rem ammo on our hands. But what about the 9mm version, is it worthwhile?

4) It appears that there are conversion kits for the X95, to convert from .223 to 9mm, but was there ever a Canadian conversion kit to go from a 9mm to .223 that was still non-restricted? (found a US 9mm to .223 conversion kit but, with 16.5" barrel, which would make it restricted, which is not the objective).

5) Do all .223 Tavors take AR mags?

6) With the limited market availability, most likely looking for a used one, anything to look and check for, any known failures from design and/or abuse?

Not looking to stir any crap, not looking for an alternative, just need solid advice on this specific platform. Thanks!

Thanks!
 
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Having shot all of them, all I can say is they all awesome. Obviously your wife is a keeper. I personally like the Tar-21 because I’m biased, but the x-95 has the 9mm conversation, better trigger pack and better sling points. And yes they take Ar-15 mags for 223.

The Israelites know how to build an extremely reliable rifle!
 
I had an X95 and would have one again. Good rifle for sure, I must have put over 10,000 rounds through mine and had ZERO stoppages.

Pros:

1) Very compact
2) Very reliable
3) Feels well built / made
4) X95 trigger is decent out of the box (Geisselle is nicer but at ~$600 its a law of diminishing returns) - my understanding is it is miles better than the standard trigger on the previous versions.
5) Has AR15 style controls.
6) Pretty easy to clean (bolt comes out easily which allows easy access with a cleaning rod).
7) Uses Stanag mags.
8) Built in flip up iron sights
9) Side chargring handle.
10) Removable covers on the front of the rifle cover picatinney rail (not fitted to previous versions)

Cons:

1) Heavier than you'd imagine.
2) Accuracy is OK at best (~3 MOA I'd say) - barrel is skinny and not free floated.
3) I found it to be somewhat of an enigma with regard to accuracy / bullet weight, accuracy does improve with heavier bullets but not by much and while I found mine to be a pie plate gun at 100 but I could consistently hit a gong thats only a little bigger at 430 yards.
4) Despite having the AR15 style controls its still quirky and harder to function.

My understanding is that the there is a 9mm conversion kit for the 223 X95 but none of the other models, and there is not a 223 version for a 9mm X95.
 
Vast majority are non restricted. There are some CTAR with 15” barrels.

Gen 1 was no rail, gen 2 was full rail, gen 2.5 updated trigger pack and some other minor improvements. Not many gen 1 kicking around for sale. X95 are all the same afaik. Just get a full rail gun and you’re good.

Conversion kit is expensive, ends up heavy for a bullpup 9mm. Takes a long time to get ammo costs back relative to a nearly 1k kit.

Have not seen a 9mm to 5.56 conversion with Canadian legal barrel.

All take AR mags. Some issues with early pmags reported by some people.

Not really, guns are military design and quite sturdy.
 
1. The TAR21 had a 15" restricted barrel length available a long time ago, but the vast majority are the 18.6" NR. The Americans got the X95s before us, and so a number of Restricted 16" barreled rifles came up before our NR rifles were widely available. A 13" Restricted barrel conversion kit was also made available for the X95 at some point. Again, the vast majority are NR.

2. "Gen 1" Tar-21s came to Canada with the M21 reflex sight built directly into the barrel. They have no top rail, though some retailers sold a Top rail conversion kit for them that sat over top of the gas tube magnifier mount.
Gen 2 was the flat-top TAR-21, the top rail has built-in flip-up sights with a tritium front post, and is much more solidly mounted.
Gen 2.5 is a Gen 2 with an improved trigger pack. While not an amazing trigger, is still a significant improvement over the original. I don't know about the numbers, but I suspect this is the most common.

This said, the X95 has a number of other subtle design improvements beyond the trigger, rails and magazine release. The aftermarket accessories and spare parts specific to the TAR21 are also drying up as they are out of production. I can really only recommend the TAR21 if you really prefer the classic looks or if you get a really good deal.

3. This is personal preference. I think you'd have a more versatile firearm with easier to find mags with the .223

4. I'm sure I've seen them, but they're uncommon and extremely expensive

5. Tavors and X95s readily accept just about every make and manufacture of AR15 mag under the sun

6. They're very sturdy rifles. That said, if someone tries to pull the barrel before they remove the cocking bar, they will damage the bar. Ask to see that. Some friction wear is normal, but a bend is not. They should be perfectly straight. Also the barrel locking tab on the left side: If the tab is snapped off (pictured here in the unlocked position)- while that alone will not affect the function of the rifle, may indicate neglect. The bolt catch should also have no bends in it, though that is a cheap and easy part to replace.

5XFQ20w.jpg


The only TAR21-specific thing I can really think of is to confirm if it's a 2 or 2.5 by checking the trigger pack.

The X95 has had a few other upgrades. The most recent production will have a distinctly curved charging handle (pictured right), which assists in unlocking the bolt, as well as a bolt with 2 ejectors.
t1h2mxn.jpg
 
PinaKaleada said:
Am I weird to prefer the non-curved charging handles? They don’t rub against the barrel assembly and rubs way less on the charging slot on the body.
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It's a reliability thing. The curved ones will crank that bolt open if they get sandy or muddy. If it's purely a range toy don't worry about it.
 
I’ve had one, and could only get dismal accuracy from it compared to AR platform, could not find anyone else getting them to shoot accurately either.
Would love to be proven wrong on the matter as it would make the crappy trigger worth putting up with.
 
AOWM said:
I’ve had one, and could only get dismal accuracy from it compared to AR platform, could not find anyone else getting them to shoot accurately either.
Would love to be proven wrong on the matter as it would make the crappy trigger worth putting up with.
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What's "Dismal accuracy?" I get about 2.5" at 100
 
Another thing worth mentioning; both the Tar-21 and the X95 have a terrible cheek weld. It will require your sights/optic to be about 2.5” tall. Be very careful when choosing an optic you will need something mounted high with a large eyebox.
 
1. Accuracy. I have always managed to get 1.5 MOA from all my Tavors with handloads or premium ammo. The stock trigger makes it really hard to shoot good groups. But that's not what it's for anyway.
2. The fit thing, Tavor's are definitely a love or hate thing. The Curved butt pad helps a lot. For me, they are perfect. Rolls to the shoulder so much better than any AR i have shot.
3. You have an awesome wife. Why are you still here? You should be shopping!
4. Does she have a sister?
 
At a minimum I recommend the Geissele trigger bow... it's a huge amount of improvement relative to the price. The super sabra trigger pack is also great, but not cheap.
 
jparent said:
1. Accuracy. I have always managed to get 1.5 MOA from all my Tavors with handloads or premium ammo. The stock trigger makes it really hard to shoot good groups. But that's not what it's for anyway.
2. The fit thing, Tavor's are definitely a love or hate thing. The Curved butt pad helps a lot. For me, they are perfect. Rolls to the shoulder so much better than any AR i have shot.
3. You have an awesome wife. Why are you still here? You should be shopping!
4. Does she have a sister?
Click to expand...

same here I can get 1.5 moa out of it if I do my part and I use top ammo in the low grains
 
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