At SHOT Show 2023, IWI US debuted a semi-automatic variant of its Carmel rifle system that it plans to bring to the U.S. market. Based on the combat-proven Israeli weapon system, the stateside Carmel will come in 5.56 NATO and features a short-stroke, gas-piston-operated action along with many of the components that made its predecessor great in the hands of professional operators.
What makes the Carmel intriguing is that it is made from steel, aluminum and high-strength, impact-modified polymer, and is entirely bilateral with left- and right-side safety levers, magazine releases and bolt catches. IWI US issues a non-reciprocating charging handle, which is left- and right-side operational, too. The action utilizes a rotating bolt system, similar to the AR-15’s design, and thanks to the two-position gas regulator, switching the rifle into suppressed mode is not only quite simple, it is effective at maintaining reliability.
All metal parts of the IWI US Carmel are corrosion-resistant, and the 16" barrel is a cold-hammer-forged steel unit that is chrome-lined for durability and free-floating for enhanced accuracy. A Picatinny rail traverses the entirety of the upper receiver for mounting optics and accessories. M-Lok slots at the 3-, 6-and 9-o’clock positions pave the way for additional accessory mounting. QD sockets are also found throughout. The buttstock is not only adjustable for length of pull and cheek height, it is a folding unit that helps reduce the overall size without losing functionality, allowing the gun to collapse to a reduced length of only 26.75".
Fully extended, the IWI US Carmel measures 37.25" long, and unloaded, the rifle weighs 8 lbs., 2 ozs., without a magazine. The suggested retail price on the Carmel is $1,799. For more information, visit IWI.us.
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