The IWI X95 (formerly known as the Micro-Tavor, MTAR or MTAR-21) is an Israeli
bullpup assault rifle designed and produced by
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) as part of the
Tavor
The IWI Tavor TAR-21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber with a selective fire system, selecting between semi-automatic mode and full automatic fire mode. The Tavor is designed and produced by Israel Weap ...
rifle family, along with the TAR-21 and the
Tavor 7. IWI US offers the rifle in semi-automatic only configuration as the 'Tavor X95'.
In November 2009, the X95 was selected as the future standard issue weapon of the Israeli infantry.
[מיקרו–תבור לכל לוחם חי"ר](_blank)
. Dover.idf.il. Retrieved on 2010-08-31.
Design
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 cocking handle, also known as charging handle or bolt handle, is a device on a firearm which, when manipulated, results in the bolt (firearms), bolt being pulled to the rear, putting the hammer (firearms), hammer/firing pin, striker into a spri ...
. The X95's charging handle is closer to the
pistol grip
On a firearm or other tools, a pistol grip is a distinctly protruded handle underneath the main mechanism, to be held by the user's hand at a more vertical (and thus more ergonomic) angle, similar to the how one would hold a conventional pis ...
, whilst the TAR-21's charging handle is closer to its
muzzle. The X95 also features a redesigned
buttstock
A gunstock or often simply stock, the back portion of which is also known as a shoulder stock, a buttstock or simply a butt, is a part of a long gun that provides structural support, to which the barrel, action, and firing mechanism are attache ...
and a magazine release near the pistol grip.
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
A silencer, also known as a sound suppressor, suppressor, or sound moderator, is a muzzle device that reduces the acoustic intensity of the muzzle report (sound of a gunshot) and muzzle rise when a gun (firearm or air gun) is discharged, b ...
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. The X95 also has its own underslung grenade launcher, the X95 GL 40. 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
The Colt 9mm SMG, also known as the Colt Model 635 or Colt M635, is a 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun manufactured by Colt, based on the M16 rifle.
Design details
The Colt 9mm SMG is a closed bolt, blowback operated SMG, rather than the co ...
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.
[IWI X95: A Bullpup For IDF Special Forces](_blank)
- SAdefensejournal.com, 21 March 2012
As of Spring 2020, all new
5.56×45mm NATO
The 5.56×45mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 5.56 NATO, but often pronounced "five-five-six") is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge family developed in the late 1970s in Belgium by FN Herstal. It consists of the SS109, L110, an ...
production X95's were upgraded with the
.300 AAC Blackout
The .300 AAC Blackout (designated as the 300 BLK by the SAAMI and 300 AAC Blackout by the C.I.P. or 300 AAC Blackout'' C.I.P. TDCC sheet 300 ACC Blackout/ref>), also known as 7.62×35mm, is an intermediate cartridge developed in the United Sta ...
recoil mechanism.
[ ]
Compared to the long
M4 carbine
The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle.
The M4 is extensively ...
(with its stock extended) with a barrel, the X95 is , , or long, with either a , , or a barrel, respectively.
Variants
IDF soldiers with the X95 on ">alt=
![Tavor X-95S-SMG (7321761154)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Tavor_X-95S-SMG_%287321761154%29.jpg)
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):
Military variants
X95
The X95 is chambered in either
5.56×45mm NATO
The 5.56×45mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 5.56 NATO, but often pronounced "five-five-six") is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge family developed in the late 1970s in Belgium by FN Herstal. It consists of the SS109, L110, an ...
or
.300 AAC Blackout
The .300 AAC Blackout (designated as the 300 BLK by the SAAMI and 300 AAC Blackout by the C.I.P. or 300 AAC Blackout'' C.I.P. TDCC sheet 300 ACC Blackout/ref>), also known as 7.62×35mm, is an intermediate cartridge developed in the United Sta ...
. The .300 BLK configuration features a gas regulator for both supersonic and subsonic loads.
*X95 330: Carbine configuration with a barrel and a overall length
*X95 380: Assault rifle configuration with a barrel and a overall length, out of production and replaced by the X95 419
*X95 419: Assault rifle configuration with a barrel and a overall length
*X95-L: A semi-automatic only variant of the X95 that is intended for marksman use by the IDF. It features a barrel, an integrated bipod and is issued with a long-range sight.
*X95-GL: A variant of the X95 (still currently in service in the IDF just not in production) that has the ability to mount a M203 grenade launcher on its longer notched barrel. It has since been superseded by the IWI GL 40 grenade launcher, which can be mounted on the current standard flattop X95 without the need for modifications or additional tools.
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 barrel and a overall length
*X95-R 419: Assault rifle configuration with a barrel and a 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 barrel and a overall length
*X95-S SMG: An integrally suppressed variant of the X95 SMG with a barrel and a overall length
Licensed variants
* Zittara: Indian produced version of the X95 modified to use the local
5.56×30mm MINSAS cartridge, manufactured by the
Ordnance Factories Board.
[ However, it was not adopted for service.][
*Fort-223: Ukrainian produced version of the X95 330, readily converted to the X95 SMG or X95-S SMG, manufactured by ]RPC Fort
Fort ('' uk, КП НВО "Форт" МВС України'' (full name), ''НВО "Форт"'' (short name)) is a Ukrainian weapons manufacturer from Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
History
In 1991, a new company was formed to design and manufacture small a ...
.[
*Fort-224: Ukrainian produced version of the X95-R 330 manufactured by RPC Fort.]
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 overall length.
* XB16: A U.S. version of the X95 419, with a 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 barrel and a overall length.
* XB18: 5.56×45mm rifle with a barrel and a overall length.
* XB18RS: 5.56×45mm rifle with an barrel and a 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); 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 with a barrel to meet Canadian firearms law as non-restricted weapons. This gives the Canadian Tavor X95 an overall length of . In 2021, Israeli surplus Tavor X95s began to be sold on the Canadian market.
Users
* : The Angolan Armed Forces
The Angolan Armed Forces ( pt, Forças Armadas Angolanas) or FAA is the military of Angola. The FAA consist of the Angolan Army (), the Angolan Navy () and the National Air Force of Angola (). Reported total manpower in 2021 was about 107,00 ...
uses the X95.
* : State Border Service (Azerbaijan) and Marine Infantry of Azerbaijan uses the X95.
* : The National Police of Colombia
The National Police of Colombia (Spanish: ''Policía Nacional de Colombia'') is the national police force of the Republic of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military Forces of Colombia (Army, Navy, and Air Force), it ...
uses the X95.
* : The Χ95 is used by the Cypriot Special Forces.
* : Used mostly by security services and protection details.
* : The Honduran army and special forces uses the X95.
* : India's Central Reserve Police Force
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a federal police organisation in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. It is one among the Central Armed Police F ...
(CRPF) ordered 12,000 X95 rifles which entered service in early 2011. Following the use of the weapon by Indian forces fighting the insurgency in Kashmir, CRPF commanders have stated that the X95 is a more effective assault rifle than the AKM, due to its small size, power, longer range and lighter weight. In late 2002, India signed an deal with Israel Military Industries for 3,070 manufactured TAR-21s to be issued to India's special forces personnel, where its ergonomics, reliability in heat and sand might give them an edge at close-quarters and employment from inside vehicles. This works out to a price of per rifle. The new Tavor X95s have a modified single-piece stock and new sights, as well as Turkish-made MKEK T-40 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers.[Tavor-21 Rifle Headed Into Service With Indian Special Forces](_blank)
. Defenseindustrydaily.com (2007-02-28). Retrieved on 2010-08-31. 5,500 have been recently inducted and more rifles are being ordered.
*: In November 2009, the IDF announced that the X95 would become the standard infantry weapon of the IDF, with the addition of an integrated grenade-launcher. In 2014, the IDF announced that in the future (from as early as the end of 2014) some infantry units could start to be issued some numbers of an improved X95, which will have a longer barrel, instead of the original barrel of the X95, and a lighter trigger pull.
* : The Mongolian special forces uses the X95.
* : The DGSN uses the X95 since 2018.
*: Used by Special Anti-terrorist Unit - Tiger.
* : The Philippine Coast Guard
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ( fil, Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) is recognized as the third armed uniformed service of the country attached to the Philippines' Department of Transportation, tasked primarily with enforcing laws within P ...
and the Philippine National Police uses the X95.
*
* : RPC Fort
Fort ('' uk, КП НВО "Форт" МВС України'' (full name), ''НВО "Форт"'' (short name)) is a Ukrainian weapons manufacturer from Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
History
In 1991, a new company was formed to design and manufacture small a ...
offers the X95 330 as the Fort-223, and the X95-R as the Fort-224. The Fort-224 is in service of the National Guard of Ukraine
The National Guard of Ukraine (NGU; uk, Націона́льна гва́рдія Украї́ни, Natsionalna hvardiia Ukrainy, , ) is the Ukrainian national gendarmerie and Internal Troops, internal military force. It is part of the Minist ...
.
* : The Pennsylvania Capitol Police uses the X95.
References
External links
Israel Weapon Industries (I.W.I.): IWI X95
isayeret.com Tavor Guide
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iwi Tavor X-95
.300 BLK firearms
5.56 mm assault rifles
9mm Parabellum submachine guns
Rifles of Israel
Bullpup rifles
Israeli inventions
Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2009