Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has an established track record of making innovative rifles for the civilian market based off the firearms it makes for the Israeli Defense Force. This includes the well-known Tavor family of bullpup rifles, which includes the Tavor SAR and X95 carbines chambered in 5.56 NATO. With the Tavor 7, many of the features of the former carbines are retained in a relatively compact package, but chambered for the more powerful 7.62 NATO cartridge. Watch the video above to see the .30-cal. Tavor 7 bullpup in use on the range.
The Tavor 7 has some design cues from both of IWI’s smaller 5.56 NATO carbines, with a taller butt profile and bolt release similar to the Tavor SAR while also incorporating the control layout of the X95. The outer shell of the rifle and its receiver is mostly constructed of reinforced polymer, which is available in black, flat dark earth and green color options. It uses a short-stroke gas piston operating system, with a four-position adjustable gas regulator included on the gas block. Despite having an overall length of just 26.75", the Tavor 7 has a 16.5" cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel. At the end of the barrel, the muzzle is threaded and fitted with a compensator to help tame some of the felt recoil.
While the Tavor 7 does not come with any included iron sights, it has an aluminum Picatinny rail running along the top for mounting optics. Another Picatinny rail can be accessed underneath the removable fore-end panel, allowing use with bipods, foregrips and other accessories. There are also two M-Lok compatible slots on either side of the fore-end. For controls, the Tavor 7 is completely bilateral to include its AR-style magazine release buttons, 45-degree safety levers and bolt release. Its side-mounted charging handle can also be swapped from either side, and can function as a bolt hold-open device by locking it to the rear and up. As an added bonus, the Tavor 7 can be configured for left- or right-hand ejection, making the platform equally accommodating to all shooters.
On the range with the Tavor 7, our testers found the increased recoil of the gun's 7.62 NATO chambering muted by the 9-lb. overall weight of the carbine. Manual of arms study is necessary before operation, though the incorporation of the short throw safety levers and forward-positioned magazine release buttons, similar to the location of those on an AR platform, makes for a bullpup rifle that is easier to adapt to for those familiar with the AR-15.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Israel Weapon Industries
Model: Tavor 7
Action Type: piston-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire, bullpup rifle
Chambering: 7.62 NATO
Barrel: 16.5", cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined steel
Magazine: 20-round capacity, detachable box
Sights: none; Picatinny rail
Stock: bullpup
Overall Length: 26.75"
Weight: 9 lbs.
MSRP: $2,099
