Are the Tavors really worth the $3000 that they cost?
With the sight, it's a fair price. In fact it's the current black rifle champ for price/features. A 21st century black rifle, bull pup, non restricted, charging handle on the correct side, and takes AR mags.
***Not to mention the 10 round LAR15 Pistol Mags, LEGALLY!!!***smiles
The competition: Swiss Arms (it's a neat rifle I like it, and it comes with a lot of well though out features), but it's now $3300-3600 new, The SL8 is $2500 new and it's the Michael Jackson of black rifles (IE was black at one time (G36), but in it's current incarnation it's pushing black rifle status), The XCR. Well I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this, but I really don't like the XCR. I don't like the looks, I hated the stock, and the fit/finish seemed a bit rough to me. The ergonomics were good but it didn't seem like a $2500 rifle. In fact it would be my last choice. That being said I know a lot of people will disagree with me on that one. So be it. It's just my first opinion after checking one out. Maybe I'd change my mind after shooting one. I don't know, but I'm not going to pay $2500 to find out.
What do you think a Remington ACR or FN SCAR will cost if they were to show up?
So is the Tavor worth the $3000? It's really the same price as the SL8 and XCR when you take off the price of the optic. I would say that's more than fair for a semi auto Civilian version of a 21st century battle rifle that is currently being fielded when you look at the comparable in the market.
If you're looking for a good semi auto shooter with some black rifle qualities. Then I'd recommend the mini14 target rifle. It's a bargain at about 1K. But it isn't a black rifle. Of if you're just plinking then a CZ858.