IWI US announced the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Department (PSCPD) selected the TAVOR as the department’s new patrol rifle. The IWI TAVOR is a compact, bullpup style rifle chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge and uses standard AR-15/M-4 magazines.
The TAVOR was developed in Israel, and has recently became available in the US market. I believe PSCPD is the first US law enforcement agency to adopt the TAVOR.
Based on the things I have heard, it is a reliable rifle that is easy to shoot. One of our writers and SWAT veteran, Aaron, reviewed the TAVOR at GunsHolstersAndGear.com. Aaron had some very positive things to say about the rifle.
I’ve had a chance to hold the gun, and it is well balanced, compact and maneuverable. For some of the compact spaces PSCPD may operate in, this rifle sounds like a good fit for them.
With a 16.5″ barrel, the overall length of the TAVOR is only a hair over 26″. Compare that to the Colt Law Enforcement Carbine (AR-15) that has an overall length of 32″ – 35.5″ depending on buttstock adjustment. And, the Colt has a shorter barrel (16.1″ instead of 16.5″.) That’s a 6″ to 11.5″ difference, plus whatever additional velocity or accuracy the longer barrel might impart.
If the department wants a longer barrel, the TAVOR can be had with an 18″ barrel. The overall length is on this version is still less than 28″ long.
The TAVOR has a left-handed version of the rifle, but all of the rifles are almost completely ambidextrous out of the box. The guns can be had in black or flat dark earth (FDE).
In select fire configuration, the battle-tested TAVOR is in extensive use with the Israel Defense Force (IDF). The M-16 is still carried by reservists, but after increased terrorist attacks and call-ups of reserve forces in recent months, the IDF has accelerated efforts to get the TAVOR into the hands of reserve troops.
While prior bullpup designs have never been a huge success in the US market, the TAVOR is a serious rifle and deserves consideration by any department looking to deploy a rifle.