The Israel Defense Force (IDF) doesn’t play around with its weapons. From the Uzi to the Galil, IDF firearms are built for performance. Israel’s security situation demands it. The Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Tavor X95 is one of those firearms. The X95 is the IDF’s standard issue infantry rifle. It’s a proven platform that works in the real world.
But the bullpup configuration is unfamiliar to most Americans, raising questions about how good the Tavor X95 really is. IWI kindly sent us a Tavor X95 to answer that question. For the record, we don’t get to keep the rifle. Too bad for us because it’s been nothing but fun. Our example is obviously the semi-auto version, but everything else is the same as an IDF rifle.
IWI Tavor X95 Specifications
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Operating System: Closed Rotating Bolt; Long Stroke Gas Piston
- Magazine Type: Polymer NATO STANAG
- Capacity: 30 Rounds
- Chrome Lined, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
- Barrel length: 16.5 inches
- Overall Length: 26.125 inches
- Weight: 7.9 lbs.
- Twist Rate: 1:7
Tavor X95 Features
The X95’s most obvious feature is its bullpup configuration. The bullpup advantage is the short overall length while still having a 16.5-inch barrel. It’s like an SBR with better terminal performance.
The downside is less room for accessories, but you get that with an SBR, too, without the performance. IWI maximizes the space with a full-length rail up top, augmented by shorter rails on each side and the bottom of the forend.
Sliding polymer panels cover the side and bottom rails. These panels can be easily removed or adjusted how you want. That’s a nice feature that keeps you from having to grip an empty rail. I hate plain quad rails for that very reason.
The top rail features integral flip-up iron sights with a rear aperture and front blade. The front sight has a small tritium dot that makes it visible in low light. I love those sights, and it’s nice that you don’t have to use the short rail space for aftermarket irons.
The finger-grooved cutlass-style pistol grip is comfortable, and you can swap it out for a more traditional grip if you like. I probably wouldn’t. I like the cutlass.
An A2 flash hider adorns the muzzle, which has 1/2×28 threads if you want a suppressor or other muzzle device. The polymer stock has multiple attachment points to set up your sling however you like. The X95 takes standard NATO 5.56 magazines, so your AR-15 mags will work just fine.
Controls
I wondered how I would adapt to the bullpup controls, but the X95 is laid out so that my AR-15-trained reflexes don’t have much to change. The ambidextrous mag release is in the same place, as is the thumb or forefinger-operated reversible safety lever.
The non-reciprocating side charging handle is different, but I don’t mind that. My AK-103 taught me that I don’t like the AR’s charging handle anyway.
The charging handle and ejection port can be swapped to the other side if you want. I didn’t do that. First, it’s not my rifle. Second, IWI recommends that it be done by an IWI-certified armorer. I watched a couple of videos on it, and were I to do that on my rifle, I would send it to an armorer. You also need a left-handed bolt for the ejection port, and IWI will apparently only sell them to certified armorers. So, there’s that.
The trigger breaks at about 5-to-6 pounds, but it feels more like certain pistol triggers than an AR. It has a short take-up, then stacks before breaking. It’s fine, but it’s just a little different. The reset is short and tactile with a clean break on follow-up shots. Bullpups are famous for mushy triggers, thanks to the long linkage, but this one’s not bad.
The biggest learning curve was on mag changes. Dropping the mag with my trigger finger is just like my ARs. But the mag is much further back, meaning I had to concentrate to get it right. The mags drop free and insert cleanly. No problems there. I just had to learn where they go.
The bolt release is conveniently located just behind the mag well, and I naturally hit it with my thumb. That was easy to learn and I like it.
Disassembly
I didn’t break the rifle all the way down since it doesn’t belong to me. But I did learn to do a basic field strip, which was super easy. An AR-like push pin releases the butt pad, exposing the bolt carrier. Grasp the bolt carrier and pull it out. The bolt is easily removed for cleaning. Put it back together the same way. Honestly, inserting the bolt carrier is easier than on an AR since you don’t have to match it with the charging handle. Close the butt pad and push the pin back in. Simple.
Running the Tavor X95
We equipped the X95 with a Meprolight Tru-Vision red dot and a Meprolight MMX3 magnifier. That seemed a natural pairing since the IDF uses the Tru-Vision and other Meprolight products. Turned out I was right. The compact X95 is a joy to shoot with compact optics.
I wondered whether the bullpup would feel awkward, but I needn’t have worried. The rifle is well-balanced, with most of the weight toward the rear. We easily kept the stock at our shoulders during mag changes and transitions are very fast. This would be a fantastic CQB rifle. As noted, it has the advantages of an SBR with the full-length barrel’s performance. Plus, no extra ATF hassle.
The X95 is also very accurate. The compact profile allows for easy handling, and we stayed on target with no problem. Muzzle flip was negligible, and recoil very mild. After zeroing the Tru-Vision sight at 50 yards, we were quickly ringing steel as far out as 125 yards, while hitting the 9 and 10 rings at 10 yards.
Mag changes were the only hang-up early on, but we eventually got it down. As I mentioned, I really like the bolt release. It’s very intuitive.
One small problem arose when my co-tester, who is ambidextrous, tried shooting left-handed. The rifle shot fine, but he occasionally caught some brass to the face thanks to the ejection port’s rearward location. It did the same to me when I shifted shoulders to shoot around an obstacle. A minor issue, but it deserves mention.
We happily ran 420 rounds through the X95, both 55 and 62-grain 5.56 NATO. The rifle was 100 percent reliable. We had no failures to feed or eject, and the X95 ran beautifully. Our friends at Global Ordnance generously provided the ammo.
Final Thoughts on the Tavor X95
The X95 surprised me, in a good way. I’ve always been skeptical of bullpups. I fired one at a range day a couple of years ago and thought it was just okay. It wasn’t an IWI. I mainly didn’t like the fact that the controls weren’t where my muscle memory told me they should be, so I’m probably being unfair. But the Tavor X95 fixes that problem as much as it can. Only the mag change is significantly different.
We had a blast running this X95. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I’ve always had good luck with IWI products, but I was skeptical of the bullpup configuration. But now I’m sold, at least on the X95. It was reliable, accurate, and maneuverable, and I like how it maximizes its accessory space. It also doesn’t hurt that you know you’re as close as possible to the IDF’s standard infantry rifle. I like that too. Overall, it was just plain fun.
I can’t say whether I will ever own a bullpup. But after running the X95, I do see its advantages. If I ever decide to buy one, I’ll probably look at the X95 first. After all, I’ve already had an extended test-drive, and the X95 passed with flying colors.
If you’re considering a bullpup, check out the IWI Tavor X95. I bet you’ll be impressed.
