IWI Tavor X95

Last updated
IWI X95
MicroTavorX95MARS-white.jpg
X95 (SMG variant) with a MARS reflex sight fitted
Type Bullpup assault rifle
Carbine
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service2009–present
Used bySee Users
Wars Gaza–Israel conflict
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designer Israel Weapon Industries
Designed2003–2009
Manufacturer Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
Also produced under IWI license by:
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.3–3.62 kg (7.3–8.0 lb) [3]
Length580–714 mm (22.8–28.1 in) [3]
Barrel  length330 mm (13.0 in) [3]
380 mm (15.0 in) [3]
419 mm (16.5 in) [3]

Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO [3]
.300 AAC Blackout [3]
5.45×39mm [3] [4]
Action Long-stroke gas-operated, rotating bolt [3]
Rate of fire 750–950 rounds/min [3]
Feed system STANAG magazines (5.56mm NATO & .300 Blackout)
AK-74 magazines (5.45mm M74)
Sights Iron sights or Picatinny rail for optics

The IWI X95 (formerly known as the Micro-Tavor, MTAR or MTAR-21) [5] is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) as part of the Tavor rifle family, along with the Tavor TAR and the Tavor 7. IWI US offers the rifle in semi-automatic only configuration as the 'Tavor X95'.

Contents

Service history

In November 2009, the X95 was selected as the future standard-issue weapon of the Israeli infantry. [6] It is currently one of three standard rifles issued to the Israeli infantry. [7]

In September 2021, it was reported that Israeli front-line infantry units have begun replacing their Tavor and Micro Tavor Rifles with M4s and that the Micro Tavor Rifles in existing inventory will be transitioned to reserve brigades. [8] On 7 September, a report was published on the IDF's Hebrew website that the IDF plans to continue acquiring the Micro Tavor and equipping combat units with it. [9]

Design

Visual differences between the TAR-21 and X95
Interpolitex 2011 (405-22).jpg
Notice the charging handle position, the handguard, and the buttstock form and size of the CTAR-21
Interpolitex 2011 (405-21).jpg
Notice the charging handle position, the Picatinny rail, and the buttstock form and size of the X95 equipped with a tactical handle monopod

The X95 can be easily distinguished from the TAR-21 (as well as from the CTAR-21, STAR-21, and GTAR-21) by the location of its charging handle. The X95's charging handle is closer to the pistol grip, whilst the TAR-21's charging handle is closer to its muzzle. The X95 also features a redesigned buttstock and a magazine release near the pistol grip. [10]

With the use of a relatively simple conversion kit, the X95 can be converted from a 5.56mm assault rifle to a 9mm submachine gun. A suppressor can also be attached, as part of the 9mm conversion kit, or as part of a replacement handguard which integrates the muzzle brake, suppressor, and handguard. [11] The X95 also has its own underslung grenade launcher, the X95 GL 40. [12] A discontinued production model of the X95, the X95-GL had the capability to mount an M203 grenade launcher on an extended notched barrel.

When configured in 9mm, the X95 uses a blowback system to cycle through the ammunition, whilst using the same body as the gas-operated rifle system. It uses Colt 9mm SMG magazines. A suppressor can be mounted that allows for the use of both supersonic and subsonic loads. The barrel is of the same length as of the rifle configuration, but has a 1:10 in rifling twist to stabilise the heavy 9mm round. [13]

As of Spring 2020, all new 5.56×45mm NATO production X95's were upgraded with the .300 AAC Blackout recoil mechanism. [14]

Compared to the 890 mm (35 in) long M4 carbine (with its stock extended) with a 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel, the X95 is 580 mm (22.8 in), 640 mm (25.2 in), or 670 mm (26.4 in) long, with either a 330 mm (13 in), 380 mm (15 in), or a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel, respectively. [3] [13]

Variants

A left-side view of the X95 flattop 380 of the Israel Defense Forces IDF Tavor X95 Flattop - Zachi Evenor 2019.jpg
A left-side view of the X95 flattop 380 of the Israel Defense Forces
IDF soldiers with the X95 on Mount Hermon Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Golani Brigade Conducts Exercise in Mount Hermon Snow (7).jpg
IDF soldiers with the X95 on Mount Hermon
X95-L used during a Warrant Officer course in the Israel Defense Forces Range253232.JPG
X95-L used during a Warrant Officer course in the Israel Defense Forces
A right-side view of the X95-L Micro-Tavor-X95L-pic-122white01.jpg
A right-side view of the X95-L
A left-side view of the X95-S SMG Tavor X-95S-SMG (7321761154).jpg
A left-side view of the X95-S SMG

There are three different handguards currently available for the X95: the first being rounded so it can mount the suppressor inside of the handguard, and is currently only available for military issue; the second is a rectangular one with integrated rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, and has removable rail covers; and the third is an elongated version of the second, made for IWI US Tavor X95s. The rounded handguard originally had separate picatinny rails on the receiver and handguard, but IWI has produced a full-length flattop rail and an underside rail for it; the other two handguards have integrated flattop rails.

The X95 comes with the option of changing out the pistol grip with either the standard Tavor Talon trigger guard, a traditional trigger guard, or any compatible third-party accessory.

The X95 comes in a number of variants (including): [3]

X95

The X95 is chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or .300 AAC Blackout. The .300 BLK configuration features a gas regulator for both supersonic and subsonic loads.

X95-R

The X95-R is chambered in 5.45×39mm and can easily be rechambered to the three other calibres that IWI offers.

  • X95-R 330: Carbine configuration with a 330 mm (13 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length
  • X95-R 419: Assault rifle configuration with a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel and a 670 mm (26.4 in) overall length

X95 SMG

The X95 SMG is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and is also available as a conversion kit.

  • X95 SMG: Submachine gun variant with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length
  • X95-S SMG: An integrally suppressed variant of the X95 SMG with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel and a 650 mm (25.6 in) overall length

Licensed variants

  • Fort-223: Ukrainian produced version of the X95 330, readily converted to the X95 SMG or X95-S SMG, manufactured by RPC Fort. [4]
  • Fort-224: Ukrainian produced version of the X95-R 330 manufactured by RPC Fort. [4]

Civilian variants

IWI US

All Tavor X95s sold on the U.S. civilian market are semi-automatic only and come with an elongated handguard and a thicker buttpad to comply with the firearm laws of the U.S.

  • XB13SBR: A U.S. version of the X95 419, with a 579 mm (22.8 in) overall length.
  • XB16: A U.S. version of the X95 419, with a 664 mm (26.1 in) overall length.
  • XB16L: An XB16 with left-handed controls pre-installed.
  • XB16-BLK: An XB16 re-barrelled in .300 AAC Blackout.
  • XB17-9: 9×19mm calibre carbine with a 17 in (430 mm) barrel and a 26.125 in (663.6 mm) overall length.
  • XB18: 5.56×45mm rifle with a 18.5 in (470 mm) barrel and a 28.125 in (714.4 mm) overall length.
  • XB18RS: 5.56×45mm rifle with an 18.5 in (470 mm) barrel and a 30.5 in (770 mm) overall length; integrated permanent muzzle brake and a 10-round magazine to be compliant with laws of certain states. ("RS" stands for Restricted State.)

Note: IWI US retails the Tavor X95s in a variety of colours, including Black (B), Flat Dark Earth (FD), and OD Green (G); [17] the letter "B" in the rifles designations can be switched with any of the other colour letters.

IWI Canada

All Tavor X95s sold on the Canadian civilian market are semi-automatic only and come in both "Restricted" and "Non-restricted" classifications. The "Restricted" models have a 13.0 in (330 mm) barrel and were made available starting 2021. They are only available as used, Israeli surplus firearms, and come with either square or circular handguards. [18] The "Non-restricted" models have a 18.6 in (470 mm) barrel with an overall length of 28.4 in (720 mm) and are available as new or surplus. [19] [20]

Users

A map with IWI Tavor X95 users in blue IWI Tavor X95 Users.png
A map with IWI Tavor X95 users in blue
Israeli soldiers armed with X95s Brother's Keeper Operation in Judea & Samaria (14248086727).jpg
Israeli soldiers armed with X95s
Contingent from the Azerbaijani military armed with X95s during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 2015 Parad v chest' 70-letiia Velikoi Pobedy - 33.jpg
Contingent from the Azerbaijani military armed with X95s during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 2015
Royal Thai Marine Corp Recon Battalion operator armed with an X95 at Thailand Children's Day 2018 Royal Thai Marine Corps Recon with IWI Tavor X95.png
Royal Thai Marine Corp Recon Battalion operator armed with an X95 at Thailand Children's Day 2018

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