Final two candidates - Swiss Arms vs IWI (update in post 33)
- Thread starter Steel28
- Start date
Having shot and briefly owned both rifles. I can say the Swiss rifle is the better rifle. It's built like a tank and the action sounds like a fine tuned watch when it cycles. The Tavor is a bit of a clunker, but it gets the job done and it's FAR lighter than the Swiss (which could double for a very effective boat anchor).
Really, both are great rifles, but it depends what you want to use the gun for. These rifles were designed for very different purposes. If you're doing alot of prone or bench shooting, get the SAN (what it was likely designed for). If you're doing alot of standing shooting, or carrying the firearm around alot, get the Tavor (basically a patrol rifle for Israeli military).
Me, I sold both and decided to keep a second AR15 in the stable. It's hard to beat an AR15 in weight, precision or ergonomics.
Really, both are great rifles, but it depends what you want to use the gun for. These rifles were designed for very different purposes. If you're doing alot of prone or bench shooting, get the SAN (what it was likely designed for). If you're doing alot of standing shooting, or carrying the firearm around alot, get the Tavor (basically a patrol rifle for Israeli military).
Me, I sold both and decided to keep a second AR15 in the stable. It's hard to beat an AR15 in weight, precision or ergonomics.
TV-PressPass
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Mountains, Alberta
How is this not a poll?
Tavor. You can carry a Tavor all day, plus a backpack and a few other guns.
Tavor. You can carry a Tavor all day, plus a backpack and a few other guns.
I own both and still have both. If you have muscle, go for the Swiss. If weight is you concern, go for the Tavor.
I don't know which one I like more. The Swiss frees better when you shoot it due to the trigger. But I do feel the wiss design is a little old school, even it is a proven design.
Tavor wise you can swap the barrel, bolt etc without the need of a gun smith.
Both rifles cannot do too much dress up due to limited availiability of parts, when you compare to an AR.
If not for non-res, I will buy two DDM4 for any one of these two.
Ask Angryeyebows he has shoot both extensively.
I don't know which one I like more. The Swiss frees better when you shoot it due to the trigger. But I do feel the wiss design is a little old school, even it is a proven design.
Tavor wise you can swap the barrel, bolt etc without the need of a gun smith.
Both rifles cannot do too much dress up due to limited availiability of parts, when you compare to an AR.
If not for non-res, I will buy two DDM4 for any one of these two.
Ask Angryeyebows he has shoot both extensively.
I must have gotten lucky with my Tavor because the trigger on mine isn't that bad. It's pretty decent for a military rifle. I still have both springs in mine.
I had this choice a number of years ago. I bought the Swiss target. A few years later the Tavor. I don't regret either purchase.
That being said my Swiss is set up as a varminter/DM target rifle. While the Tavor has a 1-4x scope when not using a holo sight. Two different uses for mine. That's how you talk yourself into buying both!!
The Tavor is light, handy, has excellent ergonomics including fast AR style mag changes and takes 10 round AR mags. Non restricted in a package as short as a M4 carbine with the stock collapsed. It's a 21st century combat styled rifle.
The Swiss is heavier and a highly modified 50's design. Very well built and excellent detail. The internals are machined beautifully. Like a Swiss watch. The push capture pins for take down are nice. Basically they added some AR features such as the two pins for take down, bolt release paddle on the left to modernize it. Add in an excellent folding stock unlike most which are crap and a triggerguard that folds out of the way. Unfortunately you still have the AK style mag release and charging handle on the right rather than left side. Smart updates, very good accuracy for a piston system based rifle and excellent built quality.
Eventually you'll want both. Decide on your criteria and then make the decision on which one you'll buy first. Most of us pick the Swiss first. That being said there isn't a wrong or bad choice here with either one.
You'll also eventually want a few ARs, and a CZ 858 non restricted. Welcome to the addiction.
I had this choice a number of years ago. I bought the Swiss target. A few years later the Tavor. I don't regret either purchase.
That being said my Swiss is set up as a varminter/DM target rifle. While the Tavor has a 1-4x scope when not using a holo sight. Two different uses for mine. That's how you talk yourself into buying both!!
The Tavor is light, handy, has excellent ergonomics including fast AR style mag changes and takes 10 round AR mags. Non restricted in a package as short as a M4 carbine with the stock collapsed. It's a 21st century combat styled rifle.
The Swiss is heavier and a highly modified 50's design. Very well built and excellent detail. The internals are machined beautifully. Like a Swiss watch. The push capture pins for take down are nice. Basically they added some AR features such as the two pins for take down, bolt release paddle on the left to modernize it. Add in an excellent folding stock unlike most which are crap and a triggerguard that folds out of the way. Unfortunately you still have the AK style mag release and charging handle on the right rather than left side. Smart updates, very good accuracy for a piston system based rifle and excellent built quality.
Eventually you'll want both. Decide on your criteria and then make the decision on which one you'll buy first. Most of us pick the Swiss first. That being said there isn't a wrong or bad choice here with either one.
You'll also eventually want a few ARs, and a CZ 858 non restricted. Welcome to the addiction.
One more thing for you to consider is do you plan on using optics?
If yes then I suggest the flat top Swiss Arms if you go that route. The Tavor has a nice low rail and was designed to use optics.
The standard Swiss with the irons can be difficult to mount optics on, the aftermarket rails feel like a compromise and the optic sits high. If you keep the standard stock you will need the cheeckpiece for it to get a good weld.
It took me a while to find the right setup for mine and now I am very happy with it. Went with a SIG mount and TA11, Its alot sleeker than adding a rail and the whole thing comes off in a few seconds and returns to zero when remounted.
Like Smakdaddy said though you will see a difference in accuracy past 200m between the two. If you plan to shoot at 300, 400 and 500, get the Swiss.
If yes then I suggest the flat top Swiss Arms if you go that route. The Tavor has a nice low rail and was designed to use optics.
The standard Swiss with the irons can be difficult to mount optics on, the aftermarket rails feel like a compromise and the optic sits high. If you keep the standard stock you will need the cheeckpiece for it to get a good weld.
It took me a while to find the right setup for mine and now I am very happy with it. Went with a SIG mount and TA11, Its alot sleeker than adding a rail and the whole thing comes off in a few seconds and returns to zero when remounted.
Like Smakdaddy said though you will see a difference in accuracy past 200m between the two. If you plan to shoot at 300, 400 and 500, get the Swiss.
The Swiss rifle is designed for long range engagments, and the Israeli rifle is designed for close range engagements.
Get both, you will not be sorry.
SIG/Swiss Arms
+ Very finely made
+ heavy duty robust feel
+ Great trigger and smooth shooting
+ Accurate
+ Ambi safety
+ Well made magazines, can clip together
+ Stock folds
- Heavy
- Limited rail estate, harder to scope and will sit high
- Expensive parts support
- Non free float barrel
- Non user changable muzzle device
IWI
+ Compact and very short
+ Modern design
+ Easy to point and shoot
+ User changable barrel and ambi capable
+ Takes STANAG magazines
+ User changable muzzle device
- So so trigger
- Thin semi free float barrel
- Thick body, bullpup manual of arms
- Louder, due to shortness and action right beside your face
- Heavy use on plastic
Get both, you will not be sorry.
SIG/Swiss Arms
+ Very finely made
+ heavy duty robust feel
+ Great trigger and smooth shooting
+ Accurate
+ Ambi safety
+ Well made magazines, can clip together
+ Stock folds
- Heavy
- Limited rail estate, harder to scope and will sit high
- Expensive parts support
- Non free float barrel
- Non user changable muzzle device
IWI
+ Compact and very short
+ Modern design
+ Easy to point and shoot
+ User changable barrel and ambi capable
+ Takes STANAG magazines
+ User changable muzzle device
- So so trigger
- Thin semi free float barrel
- Thick body, bullpup manual of arms
- Louder, due to shortness and action right beside your face
- Heavy use on plastic
Thanks again all, amazing information..had to read and do some thinking yesterday and today and decided to get both. Tavor for CQB and SA Black Special Target for long range fun.
Deposit paid for Tavor which is coming in August and SA will be acquired hopefully during winter holidays
Deposit paid for Tavor which is coming in August and SA will be acquired hopefully during winter holidays
Tommycanada
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Canada
Thanks again all, amazing information..had to read and do some thinking yesterday and today and decided to get both. Tavor for CQB and SA Black Special Target for long range fun.
Deposit paid for Tavor which is coming in August and SA will be acquired hopefully during winter holidays
Congrats on the Tavor! you made a great choice!! And with the swiss in winter, you will have the best of both worlds!
- Location
- big sky country
Thanks again all, amazing information..had to read and do some thinking yesterday and today and decided to get both. Tavor for CQB and SA Black Special Target for long range fun.
Deposit paid for Tavor which is coming in August and SA will be acquired hopefully during winter holidays
Thats the correct answer!
Tommycanada
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Canada
Congrats Man! im sure you'll love it as much as i do!
blaxsun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You may also want to consider the Elcan Spectre 1-4x DR; it's probably the perfect optic for the Tavor. Will run you a few bills more but it's a lot more compact than the optic+magnifier route.
Just as I settled on my choice you had to ruin it for me
I'll take a look at Elcan as well, cheers.
