So, the IMI Tavor is coming. Who is interested?

[FuzzyBunny]

$500 for one or 5 for $2,000 and I'll go for a few.

 

[briansmithwins]

$500 for one or 5 for $2,000 and I'll go for a few

Seeing how $500 will barely get you a AK made from surplus parts I suspect you're going to be dissapointed.

BSW

 

[Girodin]

There is no USA made Aug anymore, MSAR went bankrupt.

I think they are referring to the reports that Steyr will be making an AUG here.

 

[230therapy]

Not really. I'll probably have to try one out first. I'll know in 500 rounds or so.

 

[Kurt_D]

Sorry, the ARX-160 completely has my attention as my next expensive (>$1000) EBR unless Beretta manages to screw it up some how; like a >$2000 price tag or butthole stock ala CX4, etc. *I seriously think this gun has a very good chance of coming in with a MSRP under $2000 since it was adopted a few years ago as Italy's service weapon and is in full-on production with R&D and tooling already paid for by the Italian .gov. Plus Beretta USA has the foot hold for importation and production of US parts.*

The AUG A3 w/ optional NATO stock is probably next up as a replacement for my E4; unless a quality some body picks up the MSAR platform. My big question is what does the Tavor offer the AUG A3 doesn't? 1) A3 can take m16 mags with the NATO stock 2) both have rails for optics 3)either can go left handed with a bolt swap 4) AUG parts can be found here now, we won't know about the Tavor for a while even though rumor has it parts are made here anyway 5) AUG has quick swap barrels or at least easy, tooless removal for cleaning; the Tavor? 6) ??? I mean I can be sold on the Tavor if someone can give me a reason; especially if the price is <$1500 but I suspect a lot of people will be disappointed when the price tag is SCAR/ACR-like.

 

[thump_rrr]

I've shot the Tavor on 2 occasions at my local indoor range.
It is slower to reload due to the magazine location aft of the grip.
It shoots very well but for the price they sell for here I can build myself a nice precision rifle.

In Canada the Israeli Tavor sells for over $3,000.
To put this in comparison with something everyone here can relate to a basic Bushmaster AR-15 starts at around $1,400.
We can also purchase Chinese made Norinco AR-15 M4 style for $649.00 which include hammer forged chrome lined barrels and are surprisingly reliable.
Our prices are high due to a much smaller market than that of the USA and also all of the US export permits required for products made in the USA.

In Canada an AR-15 is categorized as a restricted firearm meaning it can only be used at a range so no hunting or backyard plinking allowed.
On the other hand a Tavor with an 18"+ barrel and OAL of 26"+ is non restricted and can be used for hunting or back yard plinking making it much more useful.

If I could get one here for under $2,000 I probably would just to have a non restricted semi-auto rifle besides my SKS.

 

[briansmithwins]

So, since Bushmasters sell for around $700 in my area a Tavor for $1500 might happen.

The mag in the armpit is a typical problem with every bullpup I've seen except for the P90. You take the trade off in mag placement for shoehorning a longer barrel into a shorter OAL.

TANSSAAFL

BSW

 

[JShirley]

we make some good stuff, and they recognize it

Unless something has changed, the US gives the Israelis millions every year...which must be used to buy US military gear.

 

[thump_rrr]

Unless something has changed, the US gives the Israelis Billions every year...which must be used to buy US military gear

I fixed it for you.

To be more precise nearly 2.4 billion a year.

 

[JShirley]

Thank you! Didn't want to overstate.

 

[TCBPATRIOT]

The Galill is still in the inventory throughout the IDF as well as Colt Commandos and other rifles based off of Stoner's design It is mainly based on the role of the unit just like in the Marine Corps when some support units still have M-16A2s. As far as the high speed guys they have their own Tavor with shorter and heavier barrels. The Tavor in my opinion is a great rifle to shoot I got the chance to shoot it a bit while doing some training with the IDF on my last deployment. It was a joy to shoot I will ensure there is a spot for it in my safe right next to my AR just like the armory in the IDF.

 

[Greenmachin3]

I'm interested... very interested.

Since I'm not in the military, any military style rifle such as the M1A, ar-15, or AK etc. are just toys. Much like my project car, there is little practical use. The project car only sees use at the track and my "tactical" rifles only see use at the range. Unless the world comes crashing down, I want a Tavor for the fun of it, the eccentricity of it, and the experience of ownership. Is there better for less? Yep. But its not about that for me, and its probably the same for most interested in the gun.

 

[hardluk1]

Been for sale in canada for several years and showed in 2002 shot show. Looks like there finally try'n to makea go here. Seems a couple years late.

 

[C'Thulhu]

I'd be interested, but I've heard the same tune for a few years now.

 

[kozak6]

I don't care.

I don't have $1500-3000 for such a thing.

 

[Bob01]

I am also looking forward to seeing the Tavor 21 arrive...

Not sure how politics play in firearms pricing for a country's military, but here is a quick synopsis on the pricing history (according to wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMI_Tavor_TAR-21

2001 - Georgia - 7,000 Rifles (several variants including grenade launchers) ~ 65 Million USD = $9,285 each
2002 - India - 3,070 Rifles for ~ 17.7 Million USD = $5,765 each
2008 - Thailand - 13,868 Rifles (third batch) for ~27.77 Million USD = $2002 each

I am sure there is a pricing variance depending on how each country got their Tavors equipped - Looking at pricing and the timeline - seems like they may be getting cheaper as time progresses. However, these are prices based on large orders, so my guess is when they do arrive they'll probably be very similar in price to what the Canadians pay for theirs (~$3,000)... but then again never know...maybe the plant in the U.S. will get major subsidies and bring the pricing to PS90 level or lower.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

If they're for a reasonable price (to me that's in the ballpark of 1000), I'd buy one.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Not sure how politics play in firearms pricing for a country's military, but here is a quick synopsis on the pricing history (according to wikipedia)

These are prices for actual (ie happy switch enabled) Tavor rifles supplied to equip military units and are generally agreements between the two governments. I don't think it'll give us much of an idea for what the semi-auto commercial version will go for when it gets to the US. Maybe a better estimate is based off what they go for on the Canadian commercial market...but still that's only a rough estimate.

 

[briansmithwins]

Govt sales also include training, spare parts and other support, all of which can inflate the unit price of the weapon.

BSW

 

[nathan]

That be nice they are coming to sell to the civilian market. Israeli guns always hold a mystic that started from the UZI and the Seven Day War of 1967. We hope it will hold true to its predecessor the UZI.

 

[Robert]

Yeah, no. Not at all interested in Bull Pups.

 

[nathan]

Many rich folks love the Israeli mystic. Some of them smuggled into Taiwan



http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/kaohsiung/2009/09/27/226344/Gun-smuggling.htm

 

[nathan]

The Philippine Maritime Police are one of those units armed with Tavors. If you want to look cool, tavors the way to go.

 

[Dmitri Popov]

I have a huge interest in Bull-Pup weapons. I am very interested in these rifles, however I know I won't be able to afford one, pretty much ever.

 

[nathan]

Israel's close ally India arming their elite troops with the Tavor.