IWI US to phase out the original Tavor SAR
The X95 takes center stage: by popular demand, IWI US is to phase out the original semi-automatic version of the Tavor bull-pup rifle in favour of the new and improved X95 variant
On September 11th, IWI US announced that the Tavor SAR will be phased out of production in favour of the newer X95
The original TAVOR SAR semi-automatic rifle was introduced in 2013
IWI US, Inc. out of Harrisburg, PA – the north-American subsidiary of IWI - Israel Weapon Industries, Ltd., and the manufacturer of the civilian versions of the Israeli company's line of military-grade select-fire weapon systems – announced last monday, September 11 2017, that they will be phasing out the original TAVOR SAR semi-automatic bull-pup rifle from their product line.
The 5,56mm/.223-caliber TAVOR SAR revolutionized the market for bullpup carbines in the US and worldwide when it was first introduced in 2013. When the latest-generation TAVOR X95 was released in 2016, sales of the original SAR declined as consumers willingly embraced the improvements and upgrades in the X95.
Michael Kassnar, VP of Sales and Marketing for IWI US, posing with the original Tavor SAR
« The market has spoken and it prefers the TAVOR X95», said Michael Kassnar, VP of Sales & Marketing for IWI US.
« We will phase out TAVOR SAR production over the next few months and concentrate on our X95, along with our recently announced TAVOR 7, for the future.»
It is important to point out that this is a gradual phaseout, not an immediate discontinuation. This means that the TAVOR SAR will still be in production, with volumes gradually diminishing, for the next several months – during which shooters should have no problems in procuring one.
Additionally, spare parts and conversion kits will remain available for years to come.
The choice was made as the new X95 met the favour of the American and international shooters communities better than the original Tavor SAR, thanks to the estensive improvements over the original design
The TAVOR X95 is available in 5.56 in 16.5” barrel for right and left handed shooters
The 2017 Golden Bullseye Award winning rifle of the year from Shooting Illustrated, the TAVOR X95’s compact, ergonomic design coupled with it outstanding reliability has won rave reviews from the public and shooting sports media, as well as law enforcement agencies.
The TAVOR X95 bullpup includes many upgrades from the original SAR model including a new fire control pack with a 5 to 6 lb. (2,2 to 2,7 kg) trigger pull, a repositioning of the ambidextrous mag release to an AR-15 location, Picatinny rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions on the forearm with removable rail covers, the charging handle moved closer to the shooter’s center mass and a modular TAVOR style pistol grip that can be replaced with an optional standard pistol grip and traditional trigger guard with a smaller, lower profile bolt release button.
The TAVOR X95 is available in black, flat dark earth and olive drab green
The TAVOR X95 is available in 5.56 in 16.5" and 18.5" barrel configurations for barrel for right and left handed shooters; in a 9mm, 17" barrel configuration; and in the new .300-AAC Blackout version.
Conversion kits for 9mm and .300-AAC are also available separately; available color finishes include Black, Flat Dark Earth and OD Green.
In Europe, the TAVOR X95 rifle is distributed exclusively by Prima Armi S.r.l. of Italy. The only caliber available so far is 5,56mm/.223 Remington.
The new IWI TAVOR X95 was reviewed by GUNSweek.com on December, 2016. If you missed it, be sure to check it out!.
Check out our field review of the Tavor X95 semi-automatic rifle!