Recently I shamelessly picked up the IWI Tavor 7. Unfortunately this marks the end of my PTR91 videos since I will need to sell it in order to swallow the almost $2.000 investment I just made in my .308 game. Alot has happened in just a day, which is all the time I have had with it, at the time of typing up this article. I have practiced with it's manual of arms, zeroed my optic of choice, and set it up for close to medium range engagements. The Tavor 7 is being well-groomed to be my battle rifle of choice.
WHY A .308 BULLPUP?
I remember the first .308 bullpup that I truly desired was the RFB from Keltec. I didn't know much more than it looked cool and was technologically unique. I like unique, which is probably why I like things most people don't even understand on a basic level. Anyways, the only other bullpup in 7.62x51mm that I had shot was the Desert Tech bullpup at SHOT show. It was smooth, but you were only along for the ride and there wasn't much controlling it. The Tavor 7 was on my list of gun lusts as soon as I shot it at SHOT show a few years back. It is the only bullpup of it's caliber that I found to be shootable, reliable, and durable to a degree that suits my purposes for the rifle.
FIRST CURVE BALL
Up until the beginning of the COVID-19 funfest, I would bounce around from gun to gun in order to keep my versatility sharp and be able to seamlessly perform across various platforms. However, since COVID took the reins, I have become quite monogamous in my firearms usage, with little variation. This has affected my learning curve a bit and my ability to intuitively perform a reload with the Tavor 7. On the AUG, the mag release is in the location that the Tavor 7 bolt release is, causing not only for me to send the bolt home without a round to accompany it, but I am tugging on a locked mag. This was an embarrassing fumble on my part despite there not being an audience. My pride is part of this feeling of shame and embarrassment, for sure. Since the bolt can be manually locked open with the charging handle, my reload for the Tavor 7 is to simply lock the charging handle rearward, drop the mag, insert new mag, release the charging handle. Now if I do this a good amount under stress, with gear on, while moving, I should develop a sound procedural memory.
WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NUANCE?
Well, the first thing that is going to be new is that I am going to be going from 22 mags of 20 rounds of .308 to 9 mags of 25 rounds. I am happy that the mags will have more capacity flexibility and are relatively steady on price. The recoil on this rifle is smooth, but it has a little push that will take time and practice to perfect. Also, the concussion delivered by the muzzle device rattles the hell out of my teeth when I shoot fast. I may be able to get a brake that is more tame in report and concussion, but that will require a call to IWI to see what the deal is about this nuance. The general size, weight, and balance on this rifle is unbelievable. Yeah, it is a little chunky in some places but it is still so well balanced that you find it hard to believe that such a thing tames the .308 so skillfully.
WORTH THE SWITCH?
Well let me think here.........DUH! This is a .308 Hebrew Hammer ready to rock and roll in style while maintaining slick functionality. Was it alot of money, I guess, but with all the options available, I don't think any firearm comes close to the blend of style and function that the Tavor 7 offers. Other than that, I have no opinion.
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