T97 VS Tavor thread... I own both and have pics of both.
There are bound to be many people considering this question. Big price difference but what are the REAL life differences? Is it worth spending or saving $2000? Im no expert, but I can compare them side by side so lets see what we see.
Ive got about 750 rounds through my Tavor now. I removed the additional trigger return spring to lighten up the trigger pull and installed a Vortex Viper PST 1-4X24 in an RRA mount and I love it. Only other upgrade/additions are a Streamlight TLR-1 and modified the originally non functional pressure switch to be functional with a pressure switch underneath and a Battlecomp 1.5. The gun is a bit heavy but doesnt feel it when its shouldered. Its well balanced. Trigger is heavy but breaks crisp and every functional element of the gun works flawlessly EXCEPT for the lack of an actual bolt hold open lever. It has a bolt hold open and bolt release... but to lock the bolt open manually is just a silly process. Its the ONLY thing I think IWI missed on this gun.
The T97 arrived today. I started by stripping the gun completely and spraying every part down with brakclean, then a liberal soaking with G96 gun treatment. Then I wiped off the excess and re-assembled it. First "pre-firing" impressions are excellent. The gun is solid, everything fits great and disassembles and assembles extremely easily. Im amazed at how light and smooth it cocks... its just buttery. Trigger pull is VERY light but is NOT crisp. There is no indication its going to break... its just light, then breaks and its hard to know when its going to happen.
The mag release is ridiculous. Its on the wrong side for starters. You have to flex your hand around and operate it with your finger. Which is awkward. Its definitely something you can learn, but its not intuitive.
The magwel isnt tapered well so inserting a mag quickly without looking is not easy... at least not as easy as you may be used to with other AR magwells. However, the mags seem to slide in well and do lock in tight. Gen 3 Pmags are a definite NO GO at all... they dont even come close to fitting into the magwell... at all. So dont bother. LAR mags fit great.
The safety is just stupid. Its way at the back of the gun and is a very thin dial that has to be rotated 180 degrees. Its hard to grip and hard to operate without moving the gun off your shoulder. Definitely a HUGE drawback for any kind of competition. Hopefully someone will come up with an aftermarket upgrade for this part that AT LEAST makes it easier to grip.
I find holding the gun to be quite comfortable. Your hand positions are very intuitive and comfortable. If your going to use the iron sights youll find the cheek weld to be decent. If you plan to use an optic youll find its very high (no surprise). Ive added the CanAm optics rail, which mounts up VERY easily, and a Bushnell First Strike micro reflex sight. Its a nice little optic that costs less than $100 (refurbished). It sits pretty low on the rail but is still not low enough to make up for the VERY high handle and rail.
My final comment is the lack of a bolt release. Seems like something that could easily have been included. Releasing the bolt with the charge handle isnt a huge deal but because its hidden under the handle you HAVE to hit it with your hand inside the handle. You cant just hit it like with an SKS or VZ-58 or something like that. Small issue and, like the mag release, its something im sure can be adapted to completely.
I havent had a chance to shoot the gun yet. Hopefully tomorrow. Overall im VERY happy with this gun so far. You have to keep reminding yourself its 1/3 the price of the Tavor. Is it worth saving the money VS the Tavor? Ill know more tomorrow.
So, between the 2 guns my first impressions are these.
The Tavor feels better built, but not by a HUGE margin. Ergonomically the Tavor is definitely better. It has more useable functions (bolt release, non reciprocating charge handle, useable safety, ergonomic mag release, proper optics mounting rail) but it doesnt necessarily FIT better on your shoulder. Once the gun is charged and the safety is off the T97 may not be so hard to run.
Build quality and internal fitment of parts seem to be quite equal. Everything just fits on both guns. The T97 IS easier to disassemble. It requires NO tools to completely strip down to the barreled action. The Tavor needs a few screwdrivers and getting the barrel off needs a special wrench. I would say the T97 actually has a tighter feel when charging. The Tavor feels a bit disconnected. Perhaps thats due to the non reciprocating charge handle, not sure. But the T97 charges really positively.
The Tavor is slightly heavier the way I have it setup. The optic is definitely heavier than the one on the T97 and im sure thats part of it. Its not an issue, but its interesting to note. Both are almost exactly the same size. I was expecting the T97 to be longer... but its not.
Here are 2 pictures comparing the two guns. Tomorrow ill shoot both back to back and post up my impressions after firing them.
