IWI Tavor SAR: Hometown Favorite

One of the hottest firearms on the market today is produced in Harrisburg, Pa., just a few short miles from where the Great American Outdoor Show is being held. Not only can attendees get a close look at the Tavor SAR in the show's Shooting Sports Hall, but they can also talk to the man at IWI U.S. largely responsible for bringing the Israeli bullpup to the United States. Michael Kassnar, the company's vice president of sales and marketing, has been instrumental in establishing domestic production and distribution of the commercial version of the Israeli Defense Forces' service rifle. He enjoys discussing its features-and success-with shooters.

"Guys are just looking for something different than the AR," he says, pausing to hand a Tavor to a visitor who has been studying the gun's rear-mounted magazine-release lever. "When they see the advantages offered by this system, they're really interested in it." Is it the compact design, the side-mounted charging handle or the gas-piston operating system that has propelled the Tavor into popularity? Naturally Kassnar says it's all of the above, but come to the IWI U.S. booth at the show and decide for yourself.

If you missed it at the show, read the full review by American Rifleman's Brian Sheetz, and get a closer look at this unique rifle in action in the video below, where it was recently featured as an AmericanRIfleman.org Gun of the Week.