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The Tavor TAR-21: a better Bullpup?

The Tavor TAR-21: the Better Bullpup - TheArmsGuide.com

December 12, 2016 by Kevin 24 Comments

The Tavor TAR-21 is the current service rifle for the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), but IWI is now producing these rifles for civilian purchase. I’ve only gotten to fire a few rounds through it, which is something considering how hard it is to come by 5.56×45 (the standard chambering for the Tavor), but not much to go off of for a full review. So, this post is more of an introduction to the firearm that just started shipping to distributors last month (March 2013).

Features

The Tavor looks straight badass. Whether in black (my favorite) or flat dark earth, it looks as likely to be wielded against aliens in a sci-fi movie as on today’s urban battle fields. But, the pretty penny one must spend to purchase a TAR-21 (MSRP is a staggering $2000) doesn’t just buy a good-looking gun. The Tavor features a 16.5″ hammer forged, chrome-lined barrel (1:7″ twist rate), monolithic upper picatinny rail, and side rail (with mounting point for lower rail). And while the flat top rifle doesn’t come standard with an optic, it does feature integral back up iron sights (adjustable for elevation). The steel trigger group is another nice touch that makes for a (somewhat heavy, ~9lbs) cleanly breaking trigger (not as sweet as a light AR trigger, but an improvement from the plastic-like feel of other bullpup triggers).

Fortunately for the cross dominant shooters out there (such as this writer), it is also a fully ambidextrous rifle. Straight from factory, the Tavor rifle is configured for right handed operation, with a charging handle on the non-firing side of the rifle. However, that, as well as the ejection port and ejection port buffer (a neat feature in and of itself ),  the quick detach sling mounts, and the safety selector switch can be reconfigured for left handed operation. However, the boon of the ejection port buffer is how it deflects casings away from the shooter (the hotter the ammo, the more forward the deflection of the casing, i.e., .223 will deflect at about the 3 o’clock position while 5.56 deflects closer to the shooter’s 1 o’clock position). This allows a right handed rifle to be fired either right or left handed without directing spent casings into the shooter’s face. The position of the magazine release (on the front of the mag well) facilitates mag drops as easily from either hand.

Ergonomics

The Tavor is a bit on the heavy end of the scale, weighing about 7.9lbs empty (and without optics). Fully loaded with an optic brings the weight closer to 9lbs. However, the weight feels well balanced. It settles largely in the butt of the rifle, and as that is the portion that is shouldered, it isn’t tiring in the way that nose-heavy rifles can be (because they force the shooter to keep the weight at the extension of their grip, rather than closer into their body, as the Tavor does).

Its ergonomics are improved by the multiple points of contact the rifle makes with the shooter. The compactness of the overall design (26 ⅛ inches from butt to barrel) allows the Tavor’s operator to make contact at six points: 1) buttstock-to-shoulder 2) grip-to-hand 3) cheek-to-cheek weld 4) forearm-to-triggerguard 5) hand-to-forend and 6) wrist-to-magazine. This allows the shooter to establish a stable, firm grip on the rifle easily. That grip, the non-lubricated long stroke piston bullpup design, and use of the 5.56×45 round (conveniently, this rifle accepts and feeds standard AR-15 mags) combine for a gentle-to-nonexistent recoil experience. Continued fire is easy to control as reacquiring the target between shots is no challenge at all.

Overall First Impressions

From the research I’ve done on this rifle (the review by the Military Arms Channel is one such excellent source of information on the Tavor TAR-21) and the little bit of experience I’ve had behind the trigger of the rifle, I was impressed. It seems to offer a step up from the bullpup designs that precede it, such as the Steyr AUG or the FN FS2000, in functionality and ambidextrous operation. The Picatinny rails allow for a great degree of customization through adding accessories. Firing a few rounds through the Tavor is enough to display how gently the rifle recoils and how maneuverable its compact design is. From looks to function, it’s hard to find flaw with the Tavor. It’s a badass bullpup, done better.

Filed Under: Rifles Tagged With: 5.56, 5.56x45, bullpup, IDF, rifle, TAR-21, Tavor

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About the Author

Avatar for Kevin

Kevin Kevin is an avid hunter and military history enthusiast. He participates in WWII reenactments every year and boasts a large antique firearms collection. The Winchester 1873 and Colt M1911 are two of his favorites. Kevin enjoys researching the best products on the market to keep The Arms Guide reader up to date and informed.

See All Kevin Articles

Comments

  1. Avatar for KevinSavageHenry says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    its a cool little rifle. pricy but cool.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 11, 2013 at 11:54 pm

      SavageHenry Yeah… they don’t give away those bullpups, do they? :[

      Reply
  2. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    Great pup, look like a nice shooting gun. Glad to see you made it back safe from your kidnapping, heard the ransom was two Cheeseburgers.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

      April 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm

      peter3101 Just two?

      Reply
      • Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

        April 10, 2013 at 4:55 am

        JoeFabeetz peter3101 Yup her Brother offered 3 if they kept her!!!

        Reply
        • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

          April 10, 2013 at 10:02 am

          peter3101 JoeFabeetz  I think I’ve watched that part of the video about 20 times now.  It’s hilarious.  Destined to become a YouTube classic.  🙂

          Reply
        • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

          April 10, 2013 at 10:02 am

          peter3101 JoeFabeetz  I think I’ve watched that part of the video about 20 times now.  It’s hilarious.  Destined to become a YouTube classic.  🙂

          Reply
        • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

          April 10, 2013 at 10:02 am

          peter3101 JoeFabeetz See what I did there?

          Reply
      • Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

        April 10, 2013 at 4:55 am

        JoeFabeetz peter3101 Yup her Brother offered 3 if they kept her!!!

        Reply
    • Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

      April 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm

      peter3101 Just two?

      Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 11, 2013 at 11:55 pm

      peter3101 Haha thanks! You should heard some of the banter they had while recording. No one could keep a straight face – least of all me (not that anyone could tell lol).

      Reply
  3. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    Great pup, look like a nice shooting gun. Glad to see you made it back safe from your kidnapping, heard the ransom was two Cheeseburgers.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    The money we earn from these sales helps keep our website running and a few beers on ice. 
    I chuckle every time I see that.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 11, 2013 at 11:56 pm

      JoeFabeetz I do like a cold beer. :]

      Reply
  5. Avatar for KevinKineticFury says

    April 15, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    It’s a good thing there’s no 5.56 out there or I might’ve accidentally ‘misplaced’ a couple grand on the worlds premier bullpup. 
    Hope it does well here.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinAllwet says

      April 23, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      KineticFury…..call me a SOB;) ,or not if 7.62 isn’t your thing.Worth a look…
      http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CE8QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ar15.com%2Fforums%2Ft_6_6%2F375048_Juggernaut_Tactical_Rogue_Bullpup_Conversion_Review___Check_this_out__.html&ei=pjd3UYnLL6Sh4gS3uoCADQ&usg=AFQjCNF5N0ZPpzQMap5cHiXixM838vVvAw&sig2=qDXQ5OsfDwYZHoSOQpCikA&bvm=bv.45580626,d.bGE

      Reply
  6. Avatar for KevinAllwet says

    April 22, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    Whats the Trijicon ;)?

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 23, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      Allwet That’s a Trijicon SRS (Sealed Reflex Sight) red dot.

      Reply
  7. Avatar for Kevindeltaleader71 says

    April 23, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    This is a excellent platform. After receiving my Tavor last week, it is quickly becoming one of my favorites to shoot. Now just need to find some food for it…

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 23, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      deltaleader71 Oh man, color me jealous! Put a few through it for me lol

      Reply
      • Avatar for Kevindeltaleader71 says

        April 24, 2013 at 11:20 am

        FateofDestinee deltaleader71 Yes, I will put a few more through it for you 😉 I saw this thing for the first time in January at ShotShow. Talked with the IWI guys a long time and decided right then I needed to have one. Wow…such a awesome rifle. Great investment in my opinion 😀 I am lucky to have received one.

        Reply
  8. Avatar for KevinAllwet says

    April 23, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    FateofDestinee …now that the subject has been broached(bullpups)……have a look at the JTR Bullpup for M1A/14.
    Roger, Homework!;)!

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      April 23, 2013 at 10:34 pm

      Allwet FateofDestinee Just looked it up… that thing is a BEAST! I’d love to try it out!

      Reply
  9. Avatar for KevinHM1 (FMF) Ret. says

    April 28, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    It looks like a sweet rifle, but like the AUG I have issues with the chamber that close to my face. I have had 2 catastrophic failures with 5.56 and it was by reputable ammo makers, but stuff happens.

    Reply

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