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 rifle family, along with the Tavor TAR 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.
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 X95's charging handle is closer to the pistol grip, whilst the TAR-21's charging handle is closer to its muzzle. The X95 also features a redesigned buttstock 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 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 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.
As of Spring 2020, all new 5.56×45mm NATO production X95's were upgraded with the .300 AAC Blackout recoil mechanism.
Compared to the long M4 carbine (with its stock extended) with a barrel, the X95 is , , or long, with either a , , or a barrel, respectively.
Variants
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):
X95
The X95 is chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or .300 AAC Blackout. 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
Fort-223: Ukrainian produced version of the X95 330, readily converted to the X95 SMG or X95-S SMG, manufactured by RPC Fort. Fort-224: Ukrainian produced version of the X95-R 330 manufactured by RPC Fort.
