angryeyebrows
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Oscar Mike
Here is my comparison of the FN FS2000 and the IWI Tavor. This will just be a review from the table top for now until I get both rifles together at the range with similar optics on each. At that time I’ll address the accuracy questions.
Here’s how they stack up, as far as specs are concerned:
FN FS2000
- Gas operated, rotating bolt
- 5.56mm NATO
- 17.4” Barrel, 1/7 Twist
- 29.1” Overall Length
- 7.6 lbs
- 2985 ft/s Muzzle velocity (62gr FMJ)
IWI Tavor
- Gas operated, rotating bolt
- 5.56mm NATO
- 18.9” Barrel, 1/7 Twist
- 29.3” Overall Length
- 7.3 lbs
- 3149 ft/s muzzle velocity (62gr FMJ)
...So not a whole lot of difference as far as the technical data goes.
Here is a side by side shot of both next to a 16” AR for perspective.
Now I’ll get into my particular likes and dislikes of each and first impressions I got from handling them.
Both rifles are quite comfortable to hold despite how bulky they may appear in pictures. You don’t realize how small they are until you see them in person. The FN is quite thick though measuring 2.5” across compared to the Tavor’s 1.8” body. I would have preferred a narrower profile on the FN but it’s not a deal breaker. I also like the Tavor’s rubber butt pad. It is softer then the FN’s and less prone to slipping when wearing gear.
Here’s a view of the rear profile of each. The FN is on the left. The Tavor is on the right.
The next thing I’d like to talk about is the method for reloading (changing mags). The Tavor is the better design in this area. To remove a magazine from the Tavor all you simply have to do is grab the magazine with an all-round grasp and using the index finger depress the magazine release lever, pulling the magazine from the mag well. I know it sounds stupid but don’t try and pull the mag before depressing the lever. Take that split second to fully depress the lever, and then pull the empty mag out. With practice, this is very smooth and well designed.
Here is my preferred method.
The FN is another story. It has a bizarre magazine release button. In order to remove a magazine from the FN you must grasp around the magazine and slide your hand up allowing the side of the index finger to depress the mag release button. You must then pull down quickly to disengage the mag. I found this is the more cumbersome design and under stress would be the worst to operate. However, like with all firearms, practice is the key and one can become very proficient at this movement. It only took me 20 minutes of dry training to get smooth mag changes down.
Here is the method to remove the magazine.
Up next are sights. I’ll address my concerns with the backup sights and show some images with the micro/magnifier combo. Keep in mind that these are backup sights and not intended as the primary sighting system for either rifle.
The Tavor’s backup sights were very deceiving. They looked cheesy in pictures and did not inspire much confidence. When I eventually got a hold of the rifle and had a chance to manipulate the sights, my opinion changed. Both front and rear positively snap to the raised and lowered positions. The rear sight has a fairly decent sized aperture. The front post appears to be the same as an AR. They feel pretty tough and have grown on me. The height of the sights in relation to the cheek weld was fairly comfortable at approx 1.75” above the stock (Similar to a flattop AR with BUIS).
Rear Sight
Front Sight
Sight Picture
Here is the Aimpoint Combo
The FN’s sights are OK but they looked better in pictures then in person. The rear sight seems a little flimsy and doesn’t snap in the up position as positively as I would have liked. The aperture is also really small. I found it hard to get a good sight picture. The sights are approx 1.75” above the stock (Same as the Tavor but seem lower than they actually are due to the thickness of the stock. This made it a little uncomfortable to achieve a proper sight picture, especially if you are wearing Peltors or any other type of muffs. The front sight seems like a bit of an afterthought. It simply bolts on the rail with a simple cross bolt and nut design. All in all not terribly impressed with these sights BUT they would work in an emergency.
Rear Sight
Front Sight
Sight Picture
Aimpoint Combo on the FN
Here is a look at the bolt catch or hold open on the Tavor. This feature is absent on the FN. Not a huge deal just makes drills a little different. When the magazine has run dry on the Tavor, the bolt carrier group will be held to the rear just as is the case with the AR15 family of rifles. You would then remove the empty magazine as outlined above and replace a fresh mag. From this point you could do one of two things; Charge the rifle using the cocking handle OR depress the bolt catch in order to chamber a round.
Here are two methods of depressing the bolt catch.
Method One (Back of the thumb)
Method Two (Tip of the thumb)
Engaging the bolt catch is a whole other ball of wax. In order to engage the catch you have to hold the action to the rear with one hand and pull down on the catch with the other. Easier said then done! It is kind of a jug f**k switching hand positions to pull down on the catch. If anyone has a good method, please do share!
The FN has some features that the Tavor is lacking as well. One of which is the adjustable gas regulator. This is a pretty neat feature very typical of FN’s style (FAL, MINIMI, SCAR etc). They always seem to have adjustable gas settings. The FS2000 has two positions; Normal and Adverse.
Here’s a look.
Normal
Adverse
While we are taking a look at the front of the FS2000, I’ll point out its very unorthodox ejection method. Basically as the empty casing is extracted, it is projected upward into a guide and as the bolt group moves forward to chamber the next round, the previous empty casing is launched down a tube over top of the barrel. If your ejection port cover is open, each casing will simply slide right out the front. If it is closed they will stack up until there is no more room and then the next on in line will force the others ahead of it to pop the cover open and they will all spill out. It’s a neat design and had me a little worried at first but seems to be fairly proficient.
Here’s a look at the ejection port.
Open
Closed
That will be it for now. But there will be more to follow in the side by side. Overall both rifles are quite unique and are of very high quality. My biggest draw back on the FN is its lack of magazine options and since I already have a million Pmags for my AR, and very few metal mags, the FN becomes less desirable for me.
If anyone has any specific areas of either rifle that they would like a closer look at, I can do my best to write a section on them.
Next stop... range report. More to follow...
***RANGE REPORT***
Ok so I got both the rifles out to the range and tested them out for accuracy.
KEY POINTS:
- I chose to use cheap 55gr Fiocchi ammo instead of match grade stuff simply due to the fact that neither of these rifles were designed to be precision shooters... more like general issue.
- I also chose to shoot from the standing at 100yds to give an impression of combat accuracy.
- I used the Aimpoint Micro T1 and 3x Magnifier pictured above.
- Neither rifle was zeroed to the optic (I just slapped it on).
- Both had 5 rounds through the bore into the butts to warm up.
Here's the results.
Tavor 1st group
Tavor 2nd group
FN 1st group
FN 2nd group
I think it's pretty close. They are both within the infantry standard. I think the FN is the tighter shooting rifle. I think you'd see more of a difference if I threw a high power optic on there and shot from the bench.
Some general impressions I got while firing each:
- Both have crap triggers! End of story.
- The FN is definitely more enjoyable to shoot (less felt recoil)
- The Tavor's constant stink is obnoxious
- I could easily switch hands with the FN and shoot off hand from behind a barricade. I didn't attempt with the Tavor for fear of eating a casing.
Bottom line is if the FN would take my Pmags and was perhaps a little easier to sling it would be my favorite. It is a nice shooting sleek little rifle definitely worth the money. The Tavor being non-res right outta the box and taking the Pmags is pretty nice! Unfortunately, there is only room for one so the FN must go...the Tavor will be in the EE sooner or later too. What can I say I'm a gun junkie!
Here’s how they stack up, as far as specs are concerned:
FN FS2000
- Gas operated, rotating bolt
- 5.56mm NATO
- 17.4” Barrel, 1/7 Twist
- 29.1” Overall Length
- 7.6 lbs
- 2985 ft/s Muzzle velocity (62gr FMJ)
IWI Tavor
- Gas operated, rotating bolt
- 5.56mm NATO
- 18.9” Barrel, 1/7 Twist
- 29.3” Overall Length
- 7.3 lbs
- 3149 ft/s muzzle velocity (62gr FMJ)
...So not a whole lot of difference as far as the technical data goes.
Here is a side by side shot of both next to a 16” AR for perspective.
Now I’ll get into my particular likes and dislikes of each and first impressions I got from handling them.
Both rifles are quite comfortable to hold despite how bulky they may appear in pictures. You don’t realize how small they are until you see them in person. The FN is quite thick though measuring 2.5” across compared to the Tavor’s 1.8” body. I would have preferred a narrower profile on the FN but it’s not a deal breaker. I also like the Tavor’s rubber butt pad. It is softer then the FN’s and less prone to slipping when wearing gear.
Here’s a view of the rear profile of each. The FN is on the left. The Tavor is on the right.
The next thing I’d like to talk about is the method for reloading (changing mags). The Tavor is the better design in this area. To remove a magazine from the Tavor all you simply have to do is grab the magazine with an all-round grasp and using the index finger depress the magazine release lever, pulling the magazine from the mag well. I know it sounds stupid but don’t try and pull the mag before depressing the lever. Take that split second to fully depress the lever, and then pull the empty mag out. With practice, this is very smooth and well designed.
Here is my preferred method.
The FN is another story. It has a bizarre magazine release button. In order to remove a magazine from the FN you must grasp around the magazine and slide your hand up allowing the side of the index finger to depress the mag release button. You must then pull down quickly to disengage the mag. I found this is the more cumbersome design and under stress would be the worst to operate. However, like with all firearms, practice is the key and one can become very proficient at this movement. It only took me 20 minutes of dry training to get smooth mag changes down.
Here is the method to remove the magazine.
Up next are sights. I’ll address my concerns with the backup sights and show some images with the micro/magnifier combo. Keep in mind that these are backup sights and not intended as the primary sighting system for either rifle.
The Tavor’s backup sights were very deceiving. They looked cheesy in pictures and did not inspire much confidence. When I eventually got a hold of the rifle and had a chance to manipulate the sights, my opinion changed. Both front and rear positively snap to the raised and lowered positions. The rear sight has a fairly decent sized aperture. The front post appears to be the same as an AR. They feel pretty tough and have grown on me. The height of the sights in relation to the cheek weld was fairly comfortable at approx 1.75” above the stock (Similar to a flattop AR with BUIS).
Rear Sight
Front Sight
Sight Picture
Here is the Aimpoint Combo
The FN’s sights are OK but they looked better in pictures then in person. The rear sight seems a little flimsy and doesn’t snap in the up position as positively as I would have liked. The aperture is also really small. I found it hard to get a good sight picture. The sights are approx 1.75” above the stock (Same as the Tavor but seem lower than they actually are due to the thickness of the stock. This made it a little uncomfortable to achieve a proper sight picture, especially if you are wearing Peltors or any other type of muffs. The front sight seems like a bit of an afterthought. It simply bolts on the rail with a simple cross bolt and nut design. All in all not terribly impressed with these sights BUT they would work in an emergency.
Rear Sight
Front Sight
Sight Picture
Aimpoint Combo on the FN
Here is a look at the bolt catch or hold open on the Tavor. This feature is absent on the FN. Not a huge deal just makes drills a little different. When the magazine has run dry on the Tavor, the bolt carrier group will be held to the rear just as is the case with the AR15 family of rifles. You would then remove the empty magazine as outlined above and replace a fresh mag. From this point you could do one of two things; Charge the rifle using the cocking handle OR depress the bolt catch in order to chamber a round.
Here are two methods of depressing the bolt catch.
Method One (Back of the thumb)
Method Two (Tip of the thumb)
Engaging the bolt catch is a whole other ball of wax. In order to engage the catch you have to hold the action to the rear with one hand and pull down on the catch with the other. Easier said then done! It is kind of a jug f**k switching hand positions to pull down on the catch. If anyone has a good method, please do share!
The FN has some features that the Tavor is lacking as well. One of which is the adjustable gas regulator. This is a pretty neat feature very typical of FN’s style (FAL, MINIMI, SCAR etc). They always seem to have adjustable gas settings. The FS2000 has two positions; Normal and Adverse.
Here’s a look.
Normal
Adverse
While we are taking a look at the front of the FS2000, I’ll point out its very unorthodox ejection method. Basically as the empty casing is extracted, it is projected upward into a guide and as the bolt group moves forward to chamber the next round, the previous empty casing is launched down a tube over top of the barrel. If your ejection port cover is open, each casing will simply slide right out the front. If it is closed they will stack up until there is no more room and then the next on in line will force the others ahead of it to pop the cover open and they will all spill out. It’s a neat design and had me a little worried at first but seems to be fairly proficient.
Here’s a look at the ejection port.
Open
Closed
That will be it for now. But there will be more to follow in the side by side. Overall both rifles are quite unique and are of very high quality. My biggest draw back on the FN is its lack of magazine options and since I already have a million Pmags for my AR, and very few metal mags, the FN becomes less desirable for me.
If anyone has any specific areas of either rifle that they would like a closer look at, I can do my best to write a section on them.
Next stop... range report. More to follow...
***RANGE REPORT***
Ok so I got both the rifles out to the range and tested them out for accuracy.
KEY POINTS:
- I chose to use cheap 55gr Fiocchi ammo instead of match grade stuff simply due to the fact that neither of these rifles were designed to be precision shooters... more like general issue.
- I also chose to shoot from the standing at 100yds to give an impression of combat accuracy.
- I used the Aimpoint Micro T1 and 3x Magnifier pictured above.
- Neither rifle was zeroed to the optic (I just slapped it on).
- Both had 5 rounds through the bore into the butts to warm up.
Here's the results.
Tavor 1st group
Tavor 2nd group
FN 1st group
FN 2nd group
I think it's pretty close. They are both within the infantry standard. I think the FN is the tighter shooting rifle. I think you'd see more of a difference if I threw a high power optic on there and shot from the bench.
Some general impressions I got while firing each:
- Both have crap triggers! End of story.
- The FN is definitely more enjoyable to shoot (less felt recoil)
- The Tavor's constant stink is obnoxious
- I could easily switch hands with the FN and shoot off hand from behind a barricade. I didn't attempt with the Tavor for fear of eating a casing.
Bottom line is if the FN would take my Pmags and was perhaps a little easier to sling it would be my favorite. It is a nice shooting sleek little rifle definitely worth the money. The Tavor being non-res right outta the box and taking the Pmags is pretty nice! Unfortunately, there is only room for one so the FN must go...the Tavor will be in the EE sooner or later too. What can I say I'm a gun junkie!
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