For too long U.S. gun owners have been denied the ability to own the Israeli-designed Tavor rifle. Just like the Steyer AUG, it’s a bullpup design chambered in the popular 5.56 NATO cartridge that allows for a shorter overall rifle while keeping the required 16 inches of barrel length to make the ATF happy. While I don’t quite understand the appeal of the Tavor over the AUG myself, I get the feeling that it’s the association with hot IDF chicks that make most of the male population salivate over the gun. According to a press release yesterday, though, the wait will soon be over and we’ll be seeing the first samples at SHOT Show in a couple weeks . . .
From Ammoland:
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) – a leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for governments, armies, and law enforcement agencies around the world – launches operations of its US subsidiary, IWI US, Inc.
The company has leased a 21,000 sq. ft. facility in Harrisburg, PA, and will initially begin marketing the TAVOR SAR bullpup rifle line in several configurations and the UZI PRO Pistol, which will be showcased at the 2013 SHOT Show, January 15-18, in Las Vegas, NV at booth #15238.
I’d expect to start seeing rifles available for purchase sometime around Fall of 2013. Then again, since they’re already in fullscale production in Israel, they might be able to ramp up faster.