IWI Tavor X95

The IWI Tavor X95 (also called Micro-Tavor, MTAR, and MTAR-21)[6] is an Israeli bullpup designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) as part of the Tavor rifle family, along with the TAR-21 and the Tavor 7.

IWI Tavor X95
A Tavor X95 with a MARS sight on the upper receiver.
TypeBullpup (assault rifle, carbine, designated marksman rifle, submachine gun)
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service2009–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerIsrael Weapon Industries
Designed2003–2009
ManufacturerIsrael Weapon Industries (IWI)
Also produced under IWI license by:
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 3.3–3.4 kg (7.3–7.5 lb) (X95)[2]
  • 3.2–3.6 kg (7.1–7.9 lb) (SMG)[2]
Length580–670 mm (22.8–26.4 in)[2]
Barrel length
  • 330 mm (13.0 in)[2]
  • 380 mm (15.0 in)[2]
  • 419 mm (16.5 in)[2]
  • 279 mm (11.0 in) (SMG)[2]
Cartridge
Action
Rate of fire750–950 rounds/min[2] (full auto)
Sights

In November 2009 the Tavor X95 was selected as the future standard issued weapon of the Israeli infantry.[7]

Design
See also: IWI Tavor § Design features and engineering
Visual differences between TAR-21 and X95
CTAR-21. Notice the cocking handle position, the handguard, and the stock form and size.
X95, here with a tactical handle monopod. Notice the cocking handle position, the Picatinny rail, and the stock form and size.

The Tavor X95 can be easily distinguished from the TAR-21 (as well as from CTAR-21, STAR-21, and GTAR-21) by the location of the cocking handle. An X95 cocking handle is closer to the pistol grip, while a TAR-21 cocking handle is closer to the muzzle. The stock was also slightly redesigned.[8]

With the use of a relatively simple conversion kit, the Tavor X95 can be converted from a 5.56 mm assault rifle to a 9 mm submachine gun. A suppressor can also be added to the weapon, as part of the 9 mm conversion kit, or as part of a replacement hand guard which integrates muzzle brake, suppressor, and hand guard.[9] The Tavor X95 also has its own underslung grenade launcher, the X95 GL 40.[10] A discontinued production model of the X95 the X95-GL had the capability to mount a M203 grenade launcher on an extended notched barrel.[11]

When configured to fire 9 mm rounds, the gun uses a blowback operation to eject and reload rounds, but in the same body as the gas-operated rifle reloading system. It is fed from Uzi magazines. A suppressor can be mounted that allows for the use of standard velocity 9 mm ammunition, not specialized subsonic ammo. The barrel is the same length as the rifle version, but has a 1:10 in rifling twist to stabilize heavy 9 mm bullets.[12]

Compared to the 890 mm (35 in) long M4 carbine (with its stock extended) with a 370 mm (14.6 in) barrel, the X95 is 580 mm (22.8 in), 640 mm (25.2 in), or 670 mm (26.4 in) long, with either a 330 mm (13 in.), 380 mm (15.0 in), or a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel, respectively.[2][12]

Variants
Tavor X95 flattop 380 of the Israel Defense Forces.
IDF soldier with the X95 on Mount Hermon.
The X95-L (Micro-Tavor Designated Marksman) during a Warrant Officer course in the Israel Defense Forces.

There are three different handguards currently available for the Tavor X95: the first is rounded (so that one can mount a suppressor and have the suppressor sit inside of the handguard) and is currently only available for military issue; the second is a rectangular one with integrated rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, and has removable rail covers; and the third is an elongated version of the second, made for IWI US X95s. The rounded handguard originally had separate picatinny rails on the receiver and handguard, but IWI has produced a full-length flattop rail and an underside rail for it; the other two handguards have integrated flattop rails.

The Tavor X95 comes with the option of changing out the pistol grip with either the standard Tavor Talon trigger guard, a traditional trigger guard, or any compatible third-party accessory.

The Tavor X95 comes in a number of variants (including):[2]

X95
  • X95 330: 5.56×45mm carbine with a 330 mm (13 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length.
  • X95 380: 5.56×45mm assault rifle with a 380 mm (15 in) barrel and a 640 mm (25.2 in) overall length.
  • X95 419: 5.56×45mm assault rifle with a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel and a 670 mm (26.4 in) overall length.
An X95-L.
  • X95-L: An X95 419 that is semi-automatic only, has an integrated bipod, and is issued with a long-range sight. Intended for marksman use.[13]
  • X95-GL: An X95 (still currently in service just not in production) that has the ability to mount a M203 grenade launcher on its longer notched barrel. It has since been superseded by the IWI GL 40 grenade launcher, which can be mounted on the current standard flattop X95 without the need for modifications or additional tools.[14]

Caliber conversions
  • X95 SMG: 9×19mm submachine gun with a 279 mm (11 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length.
  • X95-S SMG: 9×19mm submachine gun with a 279 mm (11 in) barrel and a 650 mm (25.6 in) overall length; integrated suppressor.
  • .300 AAC BLK: .300 AAC Blackout assault rifle / carbine; simply a standard X95 re-barreled in .300 Blackout.

Russian Caliber
  • X95-R 330: 5.45×39mm carbine with a 330 mm (13 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length.
  • X95-R 419: 5.45×39mm assault rifle with a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel and a 670 mm (26.4 in) overall length.
A Tavor X95-S SMG.

Licensed
  • Zittara: Indian locally produced version of the X95 modified to use the local 5.56×30mm MINSAS cartridge, manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board.[5] However, it was not adopted for service.[5]
  • Fort-223: Ukrainian locally produced version of the X95 330, readily converted to the X95 SMG or X95-S SMG, manufactured by the RPC Fort.[3]
  • Fort-224: Ukrainian locally produced version of the X95-R 330 manufactured by the RPC Fort.[3]

IWI US

All X95s sold on the U.S. civilian market are semi-automatic only and come with an elongated handguard and a thicker buttpad to comply with the firearm laws of the U.S.

  • XB16: A U.S. version of the X95 419, with a 26.125 in (663.575 mm) overall length.
  • XB16L: An XB16 with left-handed controls pre-installed.
  • XB16-BLK: An XB16 re-barrelled in .300 AAC Blackout.
  • XB17-9: 9×19mm sub-caliber carbine with a 17 in (431.8 mm) barrel and a 26.125 in (663.575 mm) overall length.
  • XB18: 5.56×45mm rifle with an 18.5 in (469.9 mm) barrel and a 28.125 in (714.375 mm) overall length.
  • XB18RS: 5.56×45mm rifle with an 18.5 in (469.9 mm) barrel and a 30.5 in (774.7 mm) overall length; integrated permanent muzzle brake and a 10-round magazine to be compliant with laws of certain states. ("RS" stands for Restricted State.)

Note: IWI US retails the X95s in a variety of colors, including Black (B), Flat Dark Earth (FD), and OD Green (G);[15] the letter "B" in the rifles' designations can be switched with any of the colors' respective letters.

IWI Canada

All X95s sold on the Canadian civilian market are semi-automatic only and come with an 18.6 in. barrel to meet Canadian firearms law as non-restricted weapons.[16][17] This gives the Canadian X95 an OAL of 28.4 in.

Users
Israeli soldiers armed with Tavor X95s
Contingent from the Azerbaijani military armed with Tavor X95s during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 2015
See also: IWI Tavor § Users
  •  Angola: Angolan Armed Forces operate the Tavor X95.[18]
  •  Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani Armed Forces operate the Tavor X95.
  •  Colombia: The National Police of Colombia operates the Tavor X95.[19]
  •  Cyprus: The Tavor Χ95 is to replace the G3 among the Cyprus National Guard.[20]
  •  Georgia: Used mostly by security services and protection details.[21]
  •  Haiti:[22]
  •  Honduras: Honduran Army and special forces operate the Tavor X95.[23]
  •  Israel: In November 2009, the IDF announced that the Tavor X95 would become the standard infantry weapon of the IDF, with the addition of an integrated grenade-launcher.[7] In 2014 the IDF announced that in the future (from as early as the end of 2014) some infantry units could start to be issued some numbers of an improved X95, which will have a longer 380 mm (15.0 in) barrel, instead of the original 330 mm (13.0 in) barrel of the X95, and a lighter trigger pull.[24]
  •  India: India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) ordered 12,000 Tavor X95 rifles which entered service in early 2011.[5] Following the use of the weapon by Indian forces fighting the insurgency in Kashmir, CRPF commanders have stated that the X95 is a more effective assault rifle than the AKM, due to its small size, power, longer range and lighter weight. In late 2002, India signed an ₹880 million (equivalent to ₹2.7 billion or US$38 million in 2019) deal with Israel Military Industries for 3,070 manufactured TAR-21s to be issued to India's special forces personnel,[25] where its ergonomics, reliability in heat and sand might give them an edge at close-quarters and employment from inside vehicles. By 2005, IMI had supplied 350–400 TAR-21s to India's northern Special Frontier Force (SFF). These were subsequently declared to be "operationally unsatisfactory". The required changes have since been made, and tests in Israel during 2006 went well, clearing the contracted consignment for delivery. The TAR-21 has now entered operational service – even as India gears up for a larger competition that could feature a 9 mm X95 version.[26] Known as the Zittara, the rifle is manufactured in India by the Ordnance Factories Board for Indian service, although it was never adopted.[5] the new Tavor X95s have a modified single-piece stock and new sights, as well as Turkish-made MKEK T-40 40 mm under-barrel grenade launchers.[26] 5,500 have been recently inducted and more rifles are being ordered.[27] A consignment of over 500 Tavor bullpup assault rifles and another 30 Galil sniper rifles worth over ₹150 million (US$2.1 million) and ₹20 million (US$280,000) respectively was delivered to the MARCOS (Marine Commandos) in December 2010.[28] In 2016, IWI announced that it was establishing a 49:51 joint venture with Punj Lloyd in India, in order manufacture rifle components in India.[29]
  •  North Macedonia: A small number acquired for Special Task Unit "Tiger".[30]
  •  Mongolia: Special forces[31]
  •  Morocco: DGSN operates the Tavor X95 since 2018[32]
  •  Nigeria: In service with the Nigerian navy special boat service.[33]
  •  Panamá: The Tavor X95 used by the National Aeronaval Service.
  •  Philippines: Philippine Coast Guard[34] and the Philippine National Police.[35][36]
  •  Senegal:[37]
  •  Thailand: Royal Thai Armed Forces operate the Tavor X95.[38]
  •  Ukraine: RPC Fort offers the X95 330 as the Fort-223, and the X95-R as the Fort-224.[3] The Fort-224 is in service of the National Guard of Ukraine.[39]
  •  US: Pennsylvania Capitol Police operate the Tavor X95.[40]

See also

References
  1. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punj-lloyd-iwi-of-israel-make-small-arms-in-india/article18383248.ece
  2. IWI X95 official brochure
  3. "Штурмовая винтовка "Форт-224" калибра 5,56х45мм". www.fort.vn.ua (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2016-05-01. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  4. IWI presents for the first time the X95 assault rifle in .300 AAC Blackout caliber
  5. https://www.strategicfront.org/israeli-assault-rifles-journey-prospects-india/
  6. Tavor X95 IWI US, Official Wesbdite
  7. מיקרו–תבור לכל לוחם חי"ר Archived 2009-11-22 at the Wayback Machine. Dover.idf.il. Retrieved on 2010-08-31.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2016-04-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. https://ratworxusa.com/product.rw-sup-zrx9m
  10. "X95 IWI GL 40 - IWI". IWI.net. IWI.
  11. Cooper, William. "Gun Review: X95L AKA Micro Tavor Marksman Edition". www.thetruthaboutguns.com. The Truth About Guns.
  12. IWI X95: A Bullpup For IDF Special Forces - SAdefensejournal.com, 21 March 2012
  13. "Gun Review: X95L AKA Micro Tavor Marksman Edition - The Truth About Guns". The Truth About Guns. 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  14. Ha'Sharon, Ramat. "IWI Introduces New Single-Shot 40x46mm Standalone Grenade Launchers". www.ammoland.com. Ammoland: Shooting Sports News.
  15. https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/iwi-x95-tavor-review-shot-show-2016/
  16. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/01/23/iwi-tavor-x95-way-canada/
  17. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/28199
  18. http://www.operacional.pt/37-o-aniversario-das-forcas-especiais-angolanas/
  19. IMI Tavor. Unffmm.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-31. Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  20. http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/09/14/defence-ministry-plans-armament-spending-spree/
  21. "Armament of the Georgian Army". Geo-army.ge. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  22. https://www.yooying.com/p/1744029996978417286_5451233673%5B%5D
  23. "Equiparán más unidades con MTAR 21". elheraldo.hn. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  24. ישראל דיפנס, הכתבה הופיעה במלואה במקור במגזין "במחנה" גיליון 47, 12 דצמבר 2013.
  25. "One FIR, Govt blacklists 7 firms, hits artillery upgrade". The Indian Express. 2009-06-05. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  26. Tavor-21 Rifle Headed Into Service With Indian Special Forces. Defenseindustrydaily.com (2007-02-28). Retrieved on 2010-08-31.
  27. "To give 'irregulars' punch, forces go shopping for hi-tech weapons". The Times Of India. 2011-01-13.
  28. Israeli TAR-21 Tavor Assault Rifles for Indian Navy Commandos Archived 2011-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, 2011-01-12, IANS, bharat-rakshak.com
  29. IWI Establishes Activity in India Ami Rojkes Dombe | 7/02/2016
  30. https://specijalne-jedinice.com/Inostranstvo/Region/Jedinica-za-specijalne-zadatke-Tigrovi-Republike-Makedonije-English.html#sthash.4ZljdZ0l.dpbs
  31. http://dambiev.livejournal.com/687586.html%5B%5D
  32. "Des fusils d'assaut israéliens pour la police marocaine - Le Desk". Le Desk. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  33. https://www.instagram.com/p/BhHNqTHgsDS/
  34. http://www.israeldefense.co.il/he/node/34099
  35. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1022399
  36. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/32167
  37. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/05/07/tavor-galil-rifles-jericho-senegal/
  38. https://new.qq.com/omn/20190119/20190119A09MTW.html#p=1
  39. http://www.armoury-online.ru/articles/smg/ua/fort-224/
  40. http://lauraburgess.com/pennsylvania-state-capitol-police-upgrade-iwi-us-tavor-x95/
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