A Tavor in Winter?

How have Tavor rifles (the X95 especially, but not exclusively) performed, and survived, in the extreme cold, ice and snow?

Apparently, the Ukrainian National Guard is using the X95 to some extent, but there really is not much official deployment of the Tavor in cold climates. After all these years, is there evidence that these poly puppies actually stand up in harsh winter conditions?

Are there any common break points in cold weather shooting?

Any common winter stoppage issues?

Do the rifles maintain consistent accuracy from desert heat to prairie cold?

Can anyone recommend a good source for published Tavor test results?

Enjoy the cold!

I did some shooting in -30C. The rifle functioned flawlessly up until I buried it in snow and it froze preventing me from manipulating the charging handle. I reckon turning any gun into a block of ice wouldn't be a good idea though. I was using an Eotech EXPS 2-0 and a G33 magnifier. Both lenses froze over becoming useless to see through.

Has anyone had a chance to work with the Meprolight M21 red dot, that is sold with and spec by the IWI for use with the Tavor rifles? If so, what are your general thoughts, and any winter-time experiences that you may have had?

I have several M21's. As with all optics, the lens can and will freeze over in extreme cold preventing you from seeing anything through it. The only drawback the M21 has is inherent to all tritium/fibre powered reflexes and that is washout which means aiming from a dark room to a bright room (or just shade to light) can cause the dot to disappear (wash out) entirely. I use washout removers and a polarizer on each one to mitigate this annoying effect. Otherwise the M21 is a tank of an optic. I used them during my service in the IDF and trust them.
 
Specifically from trenches of the Eastern Ukraine. With Tavors there are no issues with reliability, though I can speak only about Ukrainian licensed Fort clones. Cold winters, hot summers, dust and soil - they work just fine. The issue is simple and obvious, who would think in 21th century you would have to reach outside of you trench, reach outside of your dugout, outside of the window of building, outside of pillbox. And this this where bullpups just suck, suck in the most disgracing manner all the way they can. So pamper your old school ar15s or AKs, because these old workhorses will never let you down.
 
Horilka, can you elaborate on reaching out? I'm not following your meaning.

I think he means the short barrel and high sight over bore sucks when it is in a fortified semi permanent trenches - it needs a taller opening. Also think of the the position can be at least two sandbags deep, the muzzle blast may kick up dust and snow ( and rip the sand bags) inside the hole with shorter barrel.

A lot of Ukraine frontlines is almost like the modern day of WW1, opposite trenches are just 50 to 200m apart form each other, and it has been going on for 7 years. People are just manning these trenches and in permanent defensive positions. It is not really the type of fast mechanized warfare most militaries are designed to fight.
 
Specifically from trenches of the Eastern Ukraine. With Tavors there are no issues with reliability, though I can speak only about Ukrainian licensed Fort clones. Cold winters, hot summers, dust and soil - they work just fine. The issue is simple and obvious, who would think in 21th century you would have to reach outside of you trench, reach outside of your dugout, outside of the window of building, outside of pillbox. And this this where bullpups just suck, suck in the most disgracing manner all the way they can. So pamper your old school ar15s or AKs, because these old workhorses will never let you down.

I had read somewhere, that the Ukrainian Tavors are chambered in 5.45x39....does someone have any first hand knowledge of this?
 
The internals of the X95 and Tavor21 are the same (except for the shorter charging rod, and improved trigger pack, IIRC). I've ran my Tavor21 for hours in -20C (and lower) weather, because I'm too stupid to know when to go inside, while having too much fun..
 
It is true. Ukraine builds the Tavor under license and theirs are chambered for 545

Too bad we can't get the 5.45 version here (along with the ammo supply of course)
Are there any reviews out there for this licensed Ukrainian Tavor version?
 
Ive run a Tavor (X95) in all kinds of conditions (way into sub zero temperatures and +40 in the summer) with zero issues.

I must have put 15,000 rounds downrange and never had any issues except once but when I looked inside it it was obvious why (turns out they DO need cleaned every once in a blue moon;))

As others have said they are well built - cant think of anything that broke and mine was used for 3 gun etc where it isn't always babied.

For sure there are more accurate rifles out there but all in all the Tavor is great.
 
My understanding is countries who build the Tavors under license, like India and Ukraine, have a "no competition" clause - they're for military use only. No export, no commercial sales. Don't expect to see a review ever.
 
Funny, I knew India was using it, but I never knew that India was building the Tavor.
Don't tell me it is the same state run factories that underwhelm everyone with the INSAS quality?
 
I'm surprised anyone allows India to manufacture their designs under license after what they did to FN years ago.

Not even the Russian.

India is a disaster. They are incompetent and corrupted at the same time.

They were supposed to build the new AK under license, but killed the deal after the agreement. They accused the Russian of raising price, but you gotta wonder.

The Caracal 815 was supposed to be the 5.56 carbine, they killed it after the selection and the agreement.

The only deal that went through is the SIG 716. I guess sig USA basically just have a take it or leave it approach with hard currency, and they end up buying more because they really need rifles to replace those non functional INSAS.

Read about the France Rafale fighter deal. Money the French received got pumped back to private companies associated with politicians in power. Why would anyone buy 36 Rafael fighters ( like enough for just one squadron) for so much money, while the rest of the airforce is operating some other aircrafts.
 
It snows up in Mt. Hermon...


if79KS5.jpg


xJjiESo.jpg


2NJSjQa.jpg


jMZqlpG.png
 
Not even the Russian.

India is a disaster. They are incompetent and corrupted at the same time.

They were supposed to build the new AK under license, but killed the deal after the agreement. They accused the Russian of raising price, but you gotta wonder.

The Caracal 815 was supposed to be the 5.56 carbine, they killed it after the selection and the agreement.

The only deal that went through is the SIG 716. I guess sig USA basically just have a take it or leave it approach with hard currency, and they end up buying more because they really need rifles to replace those non functional INSAS.

Read about the France Rafale fighter deal. Money the French received got pumped back to private companies associated with politicians in power. Why would anyone buy 36 Rafael fighters ( like enough for just one squadron) for so much money, while the rest of the airforce is operating some other aircrafts.

PIAAF is not better for that as well ...
 
Back
Top Bottom