I have owned about ten or so Swiss Arms rifles (every length) and for a short period I had a Tavor. I have shot a ton of ammo through the Swiss guns and about 1k through the Tavor. This is my list of pros and cons for each. I kept it simple to areas that stood out in each rifle and areas that were in need of improvement.
Swiss Arms Pros
- Accurate. For a non-free floating long stroke piston, it is exceptional. I would not hesitate to bring this rifle to battle.
- Quality. Bomb proof! You will pass this rifle on to your grand kids.
- Folding stock. Allows the overall length to be reduced for ease of transport OR if you like, you are able to fire the rifle with the stock folded. Collapsing stocks and adapters are out there as well.
- Controls. Selector switch and bolt release are similar to an AR and are in the same location. If you have been trained or have experience with the AR15, they should be relatively easy to pick up.
- Iron sights. If you like shooting with irons, you will enjoy the Swiss sights. These are somewhat of a con if you wish to use optics (see below).
Swiss Arms Cons
- Weight. Fairly heavy for a 5.56mm battle rifle. Doesn't bother me much but if you are built like a 12 year old girl it might become an issue - Push ups and chin ups can solve this
- Proprietary magazines. I would far prefer and AR mag so that all of my rifles use the same mags. That being said, the Swiss mags are very easy to use and they are quite tough.
- Iron sights. The models with the fixed sights are not great for mounting optics. They will generally require a cheek piece for a proper cheek weld. I prefer the flat top versions with the integrate top rail. These top railed versions do have back up irons but they suck and are definitely not as robust as the rest of the rifle.
- Cocking handle. GREAT if you are a left handed shooter but junk if you are right handed. For righties, you must use AK style drills. Cocking handle reciprocates but because it is back by the breach it generally does not interfere with fire positions (think barricades).
- Non Free Floating. There is no good solution on the market to FF this rifle.
- Limited Real Estate. The stock rifle has no provision for accessories. You must either settle for small bolt on chunks of rail that attach to the plastic hand guards OR shell out for the heavy, expensive B&T Quad Rail.
- Sling points. Although the rifle does have sling points in good locations, there is no provision to use push button swivels or other modern attachment methods. You must use HK style hooks. I would also prefer a sling point just at the rear of the hand guard area.
- Magazine release. AK Style paddle. You must rock the magazines into place. I would prefer a button for sure. That said, it is a very smooth system once you get the hang of it. With a little muscle memory, you can get as fast as an AR shooter.
Tavor Pros
- Length. Due to the bullpup design you get a full size barrel in a carbine size package.
- Magazines. Allows users the ability to use the same magazines between thier ARs and the Tavor. This saves money, training and you don't have to swap your mags in and out of your rig everytime you want to go shooting.
- Cocking handle. Good location and does not reciprocate.
Tavor Cons
- Length of pull. Because it is a bullpup, there is simply no way of adjusting the stock length. This can be annoying for certain body types or when the user is wearing a lot of layers (clothing, armour, rigs).
- Support side shooting. Despite the fact that to rifle can be switched between left and right handed shooting, you cannot switch to your support side on the fly without eating empty casings. This is where some other bullpups shine (FS2000, RFB).
- Non Free Floating. There is no good solution on the market to FF this rifle.
- Limited Real Estate. Due to the short front end, the addition of accessories such as lights, sling mounts, lasers etc. can prove difficult. The only option is to use the small factory rail that is included or to go buy NEA's hand guard.
- Sling points. Although the rifle does have sling points in good locations, there is no provision to use push button swivels or other modern attachment methods.
- Iron sights. I do not like the factory iron sights. I thought they were cheesy and would have much rather had a top rail to choose my own sights. There was a Rail that looked really nice made by Rauch Tactical. If I still had the Tavor, it would wear one of those if I could find it.
Magazine release. Paddle style, but being AR mags, they do not require the rocking action like the Swiss mags do. Again, I would prefer a button.
So in the end, I prefer the Swiss rifle over Tavor any day of the week. It's biggest con for me is the magazines, but I would definitely overlook this based on all of it's pros.
Lastly, the AR15 is arguably the platform by which all others are measured against and the restricted/non-res status certainly plays a huge role in peoples purchasing choices. If all three rifles were non-res tomorrow, I might consider still owning the Swiss rifle but would not even think about a Tavor.
