TAR-21

The TAR-21 (or simply Tavor) is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system, selecting between semi-automatic mode and full automatic fire mode. It is named after Mount Tabor, while "TAR-21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle – 21st Century". Since 2009, it has been selected as the standard issued weapon of the Israeli infantry. The MTAR-21 (Micro Tavor) was recently selected as the future assault rifle of the Israeli Defense Forces, and some infantry division are being issued with the rifle, replacing the bigger and standard TAR-21.
The TAR-21 uses a bullpup design, first used in bolt action rifles such as the Thorneycroft carbine of 1901. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. The TAR-21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare.
Design

The TAR-21 has ejection ports on both sides of the rifle so it can easily be reconfigured for right or left-handed shooters. However, this process requires partial disassembly, so it cannot be quickly reconfigured while the rifle is in use.
The TAR-21 design was created by Zalmen Shebs, with the express purpose of creating a weapon more suited to urban combat than the M16/M4 carbine. It is based on advanced ergonomics and composite materials in order to produce a more comfortable and reliable rifle. The TAR-21 is waterproof and lightweight. The weapon has a built in laser and MARS red dot sight; one of the main advantages of having a built in system is that the weapon does not have to be zeroed after each use, but the TAR-21 can also be mounted with an array of different scopes such as EOtech holographic weapon sights, night vision systems and other electronic devices.
The TAR-21 accepts standard STANAG magazines. It can also be mounted with the M203 grenade launcher. Its ambidextrous fire mode selector above the pistol grip has a semi-automatic mode and a fully automatic mode

Variants

TAR-21 – standard version intended for multirole infantry.
GTAR-21 – standard version with notched barrel, to accept an M203 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher.
CTAR-21 – compact short barrel version intended for commandos and special forces.
STAR-21 – designated marksman version with folding under-barrel bipod and Trijicon ACOG 4× magnification sight.
MTAR-21 – see below.
Zittara – Indian locally produced version of the MTAR-21 Micro Tavor modified to use the local 5.56×30mm MINSAS cartridge manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board.

Specifications

Weight 3.27 kg (7.21 lb) (TAR-21)
3.18 kg (7.0 lb) (CTAR-21)
3.67 kg (8.1 lb) (STAR-21)
2.95 kg (6.5 lb) (MTAR-21)
3.19 kg (7.0 lb) (TC-21)
Length 720 mm (28.3 in) (TAR-21, STAR-21)
640 mm (25.2 in) (CTAR-21)
590 mm (23.2 in) (MTAR-21)
670 mm (26.4 in) (TC-21)
Barrel length 460 mm (18.1 in) (TAR-21, STAR-21)
380 mm (15.0 in) (CTAR-21)
330 mm (13.0 in) (MTAR-21)
410 mm (16.1 in) (TC-21)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
9×19mm Para (Optional on MTAR-21) 5.56×30mm MINSAS (Optional on Zittara)
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 750–900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 910 m/s (2,986 ft/s) (TAR-21, STAR-21)
890 m/s (2,919.9 ft/s) (CTAR-21)
870 m/s (2,854.3 ft/s) (MTAR-21)
885 m/s (2,903.5 ft/s) (TC-21)
Effective range 550 m
Feed system Standard 30 round Magazine
Various STANAG magazines
Sights ITL MARS with integrated laser and IR pointer, Trijicon ACOG (STAR-21), EOTech holographic sight, others available