Advice: T97 or Tavor IWI (Gen 1 or X95)

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PastorOfMuppets

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Comrades,
I am having a crisis of conscience. My beloved T97 is not feeling the love from me. Can't say why, just feel like I want to change it up. I have always hated maintaining it, even with the FTU I find breakdown a pain. I have a line on a gently used Tavor that I've always wanted, but accuracy aside, I keep hearing the X95 is the way to go. This will pretty much exclusively be my coyote rifle/non restricted for walks in the woods, etc. Any advice you all can offer would be appreciated--the advice I received on getting an AR-15 was awesome and I ended up getting a DD that I love.
 
Buy the used Tavor and 500 rounds of ammo and save some money still. Personally I dont think the ergonomic upgrades of the X95 is worth the extra cost then a used Tavor. I prefer the gen 1 Tavor. There is no difference in accuracy between a TAR21 and a X95.
 
You can't go wrong with either. The T97 has, arguably, a better feeling trigger but the IMI products have a more quality feel overall.
If you own an AR type platform, then the X95 is easier to adapt to. If not, then either will work.

If it will solely be a hunting rifle, then no issues. My one problem with the TAR-21 is shooting left handed on a righty rifle. With a normal cheek weld, the empties tend to go off my cheek back into the chamber and cause stoppages. Don't know if this is the case with the X95.
 
The IWI products will have a world of a difference in feel of quality and craftsmanship. I haven't owned a TAR21 but do have an X95 and I like it.
 
just a couple of observations.

In comparison the Tavor feels thick compared to the T97.

The stripping and assembling of the T97 is quite easy and it all comes to pieces quite handily.
While you can take the bolt and piston assembly out of the Tavor easily, taking the bolt apart is a bit of a finger struggle in comparison.

Tavor ergos are nicer.
 
My brother's Tavor is heavier than my T97, but it is far higher quality.
I prefer shooting my T97, but it's only about 95% reliable. It's a piss off when it fails at the worst possible time, like when you have game in your sights.

For me, the Tavor is the best choice and the X95 is the best Tavor.
 
Still alive said:
You can't go wrong with either. The T97 has, arguably, a better feeling trigger but the IMI products have a more quality feel overall.
If you own an AR type platform, then the X95 is easier to adapt to. If not, then either will work.

If it will solely be a hunting rifle, then no issues. My one problem with the TAR-21 is shooting left handed on a righty rifle. With a normal cheek weld, the empties tend to go off my cheek back into the chamber and cause stoppages. Don't know if this is the case with the X95.
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THIS! (the bold part). I own both a TAR21 and T97. I took both out to the range a couple of weeks ago. After a couple of hours on the TAR21, I switched for the T97. My first shot was literally "by accident". Nowhere near as mushy a pull as the Tavor. The T97 trigger is hands down much better out of the box. The TAR21 is capable of the better trigger, but not without hundreds of dollars in upgrades.

I love the smaller, thinner feel of the T97, but when it comes to build quality, the Tavor wins hands down. I like the gas adjustment system on the T97 though. Would have been cool if the Tavor had something similar.

I got to try out an X95 awhile ago. I prefer the TAR21, but it all comes down to personal preference. Functionality wise, they are nearly identical. I just happen to prefer the mag release on the TAR21. I had to do it with 2 hands on non free falling mags with the X95 (press the mag release button with one hand, and pull it out with the other). With the TAR21, I could do both with one hand, and reload while keeping my finger near the trigger.
 
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Suther said:
I've heard talk of them being an AUG variant. Any idea if that's right?
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Apparently (from my limited knowledge), they don't share interchangeable parts, but neither does the AK47 look-a-like .22LR, and it was deemed prohibited so..
 
I'd search for a Gen 2.5 Tavor. Nothing on the X95 makes me want to get rid of the best of the Tav series (jmho) and the less said about the t97 the better. Plenty out there for sale around the 2K mark.
 
It's a slightly modified Aug, so expect prohib. I'm not sure why anyone's getting their hopes up, it's obviously an AUG, I'd be surprised if the RCMP lab even opened them up before making an evaluation.
 
DVX said:
Apparently (from my limited knowledge), they don't share interchangeable parts, but neither does the AK47 look-a-like .22LR, and it was deemed prohibited so..
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Oh, the AK look a like Mossberg being prohib may well be the worst decision the Firearms Lab has ever made - the decision makes zero sense, considering the regular Mossberg Blaze rifle is perfectly fine, but make it look different while operating the exact same somehow makes it verboten.

That said, as you point out, who knows wtf the firearms lab is going to say... Although they have had quite a few nice things get NR status lately, NEA102, that bullpup that IRG just got approved, type 81, all the AR-looking 12ga shotguns... So there is at least a hope...
 
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