Hickock45 tests out Israeli Tavor Bullpup.

[TheTman]

Hickock45 gives us his opinion of the Tavor Bullpup Rifle, that is being phased into use by the Israelis. Chambered for Nato .556. He seems to have a favorable overall impression, but points out several things that could be improved. Israel produces some damn good weapons.
I'm not completely sold on Bullpup rifles, but I think could live with this one once they get all the bugs worked out. At close to $2K per rifle, I doubt that I will be rushing out to get one.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A1wcCt_X5A


http://kartalk.pccomps.com/TAVOR.jpg

[knkali]

great post but I am not a fan. Maybe if I shot one.

[VN Vet]

Since I don't have the money to buy one, I may as well want one.

[RRP]

I had an opportunity to work with a Tavor quite a bit. I really, really like it. If you get a chance to shoot one of these, take advantage of the opportunity.

[TheTman]

I'd love to get a chance to shoot one, I've never shot a bullpup design, and have wondered what it would be like. I wonder if the US military will go to a bullpup when it replaces the M-16. I hear stories about them trying different rifles out, but never sure if they are looking for a replacement for the M-16, or more specialized weapons for special ops units. It does look pretty handy, for door to door combat and clearing houses and such. It would probably make a good home defense weapon too being so compact.
Some people call the Boberg pistol a "bullpup pistol" since the magazine is under the barrel instead of behind it.

[Longitude Zero]

Having shot a Steyr AUG a bullpup has a few advantages and disadvantages also. Whether I would prefer one in battle is iffy. If I was in and out of a vehicle frequently or in an urban environment clearing rooms then probably yes. In the open outdoors then no way I would have one. I own a Mossberg Bullpup Shotgun. Recoil is noticeable worse and the sound is MUCH louder.


http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2005/03/why-bullpups-are-persistently-bad-idea.html

[RRP]

In the open outdoors then no way I would have one.

May I ask why?

[Longitude Zero]

The advantage of a bullpup is its ability to be maneuvered in tight quarters. In the open due to the shortened length you give up the advantage of sight radius of a longer overall weapon. With the shortened weapon accuracy with iron sights at long distances declines. I have fired a Steyr AUG up next to an AR-15. At longer ranges the bullpups accuracy capabilities decline noticeable over a full length weapon. That is my experience and others may have different.


By moving the sights further away from your eye and from each other the sight radius increases and a longer sight radius is better for accuracy.

[RRP]

The advantage of a bullpup is its ability to be maneuvered in tight quarters. In the open due to the shortened length you give up the advantage of sight radius of a longer overall weapon. With the shortened weapon accuracy with iron sights at long distances declines. I have fired a Steyr AUG up next to an AR-15. At longer ranges the bullpups accuracy capabilities decline noticeable over a full length weapon. That is my experience and others may have different.


By moving the sights further away from your eye and from each other the sight radius increases and a longer sight radius is better for accuracy.

All good points, though the difference in sight radius may surprise you. The Tavor comes with spartan flip-up sights with a sight radius of 13-1/4". If one mounted standard BUIS sights on the rail, the sight radius of the Tavor could be increased to 14". That compares to a sight radius of 14-3/4" on an AR. Not a big difference, though as you point out, every bit helps when shooting at long distances. Because I use a red dot, sight radius is not a major consideration.

As you state, the real advantage of the Tavor is its compact size. Because the gun is so short, and the muzzle so close to the body, it is generally easier to hold steady than a longer gun. In my experience, I was able to place well aimed shots more easily with the Tavor than I can with an AR. Accuracy improved, even though I have way more experience with the AR platform. And anything that helps me shoot better, I gotta love.

Try it; you'll like it.

[knkali]

The advantage of a bullpup is its ability to be maneuvered in tight quarters. In the open due to the shortened length you give up the advantage of sight radius of a longer overall weapon. With the shortened weapon accuracy with iron sights at long distances declines. I have fired a Steyr AUG up next to an AR-15. At longer ranges the bullpups accuracy capabilities decline noticeable over a full length weapon. That is my experience and others may have different.


By moving the sights further away from your eye and from each other the sight radius increases and a longer sight radius is better for accuracy.

My experience too. However, I can see why the IDF is backing this weapon. First it is made in Israel. Second, it suits the kind of fighting the IDF finds themselves in. I have heard that when it comes to reliability under abuse/use, the Tavor is freaky good.

[Longitude Zero]

I have heard that when it comes to reliability under abuse/use, the Tavor is freaky good.


It won't likely ever come close to the utter reliability of the AK. After decades of service it might come close but never surpass. Also read the article link I posted as it really lays out the case of why bullpups are at best narrowly usable weapon and not a general issue weapon.

[TheTman]

I'm not sure I'd want the end of the barrel with the muzzle blast noise that close to my ear. And it may not be obvious from watching videos or tv, but it doesn't appear that soldiers wear any ear protection, but maybe their radio headsets offer some noise suppression. I imagine some Veteran soldiers can fill me in on that. I'm not sure sight radius plays an important part with the rifle, as it looks to be designed to be operated with optics, with the iron sights playing a back-up role.

[turn signal]

Since I don't have the money to buy one, I may as well want one.

You said what I was thinking.


;)

[Barth]

I seriously considered FN F2000 and Steyr AUG bullpups for a close quarters combat.
The Tavor wasn't available at that time.
Ended up with a Bulgarian short gas system 5.56 AK.

High quality long guns seem so expensive compared to handguns.
And at the end of the day I guess I'm really a pistolero at heart.

[DeaconKC]

Sorry, but it's not nearly as cool as this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAdJ3hy_TDc