There’s a new show launching on the Syfy channel called “Killjoys,” and while I’m very excited to see Syfy actually moving back to producing proper science fiction programming, the more interesting thing might be their armorer’s choice of weaponry. Syfy has a habit of picking existing futuristic firearms to feature prominently in their shows, guns like the Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine’s prolific appearance in the Battlestar Galactica reboot. This time, it’s IWI’s TAVOR rifle that appears to be taking the lead role — at least in the pre-production stills, that is.
Truth be told, the TAVOR is a dead sexy firearm. And it definitely looks futuristic without adding any extra cosmetic gingerbread to the gun. I’m looking forward to watching the first few episodes of the new show to find out if it’s a keeper on my viewing rotation, but the TAVOR already has its place in my heart. Just not in my gun closet.
Nick, you’re absolutely right. The first time I ever saw a P90 was on Stargate.
And that, I’m shamed to admit is one reason I have a PS90 in my gun safe (with the barrel chopped down to the appropriate 10″ that it should be (along with the tax stamped Form 1).
Me, I just don’t like the look of the Tavor. It seems “clunky” to me for lack of a better word. Guess I’m the only one, but I don’t see myself ever getting one. I understand that it’s a fine weapon and with the available modifications such as trigger replacement, it’s a fine fighting weapon. I just can’t get past its looks.
This is for all the programmers reading this:
)
@Grindstone
Thank you.
I get yah. I’m still working on acquiring my 7 Guns That Everyone Should Have. If someone said, “Here, this is yours now.” I’d happily add a Tavor to my safe. But I won’t be spending my own money on one soon and I doubt I ever will.
Surprised no one has used FN’s F2000 in any sci-fi. With the original optic, it wouldn’t look out of place in Star Trek.
A few years back I saw a random sci fi book at Barnes & Noble that featured very prominently on the cover a guy holding an f2000. Can’t remember the title.
Stark’s Command, by john g hemry?
Starks war, actually. Thank you.
https://images.contentreserve.com/ImageType-400/1523-1/D4C/3F7/B8/%7BD4C3F7B8-DBE2-4949-80FD-57E0FC45F34B%7DImg400.jpg
At least one terminator had an F2000 in Salvation. But you’re right, they’re not used very often.
Fun fact; the Assault Rifle in the original Halo was supposed to looked almost exactly like the F2000, but no one on the development team for the game knew the F2000 was in the prototype faze. When they found out about it, the developers changed the design to avoid copy rights.
Panem forces in the Hunger Games movies use white painted F2000s.
The Tavor was used in “Defiance” as well, but not as a futuristic firearm, exactly.
I’m waiting for the Beretta neos to make an appearance, myself.
Stargate: Atlantis dudes used FN P90s.
EDIT: Damn, I thought I was the first to post….another wasted comment today dammit.
Well, Outlander was pretty straight forward. Who need futuristic firearms when you can have a shotgun? Of course Picard taking out the Borg with a Thompson SMG was interesting.
I loved that — some friends and I watched just that segment a half dozen times one night just for that.
I’m still waiting for that MDR. That thing is complete space gun material. I thought it was a .308 tavor when I first saw the prototypes.
Except for that terrible mag release placement that you constantly bump and toss your mag in the dirt, and that it’s not .308, and it’s not an RFB…
I’m wondering what gun you have cause my tavor definitely lacks that particular feature.
I have never had this issue. What are you doing with your main hand instead of holding onto the grip?
Syfy usually just picks stuff that is legal in Canada, since 99% of their shows are filmed in BC.
New gun regs proposed by the dems. If you’re not at least as pretty as those folks in the pictures you can’t own a gun. Judgement will be made by dem appointed hollywood types.
No one’s mentioned the CX4 Storm Carbine on Battlestar Galactice — no prop dressing at all. The Colonials also used the FiveSeveN with an under-barrel greeble.
It’s mentioned in the article itself.
Madre de Dios.
It was pretty funny that there was an off the shelf commercial firearm that fit the show’s look & feel perfectly. I almost bought a CX4 just because of it – but it’s a hell of a nice carbine on its own too.
The CX4 was also in Riddick/ It was used by one of the mercs that got impaled and then yanked out through a metal wall by the indigenous predators.
If I was picking an off-the-shelf rifle to use in a science fiction film, I’d go with a Tavor accessorized by Manticore Arms. Hot dog is it sci-fi looking! And yet actually very practical. Put on the handguard with the integrated Rat Worx suppressor and full-length Overwatch rail and you will turn heads everywhere you take it.
Links:
Military Arms Channel video about Manticore Arms-Rat Worx ZRX suppressed forend
Military Arms Channel video about other Manticore Arms Tavor accessories
Manticore Arms Overwatch Full Length top rail product page
Manticore Arms Overwatch Medium top rail product page
COOL…
In Firefly, G36s shoot lasers.
So does a mare’s leg.
I won’t watch it because sy fy will cancel it after a very, very popular first season and an awesome cliffhanger. Then put some horrible horror movies in its place for a few month until they think of another series that will become popular so they can kill it.
One of the few times I wish this site had an upvote button.
Syfy has used Tavors in their movies before, one of them was a Screamers sequel I think.
Don’t forget to mention the nerf guns painted black.
Still hoping to add a Jewish Space Gun to my collection… Almost nobody in Colorado carries them, and if I hear one more out of state shop kvetch that won’t ship because “CO has an AWB” (we don’t. Only Denver.) I’m gonna plotz.
So does any one know if this show is any good?
Tried, couldn’t make it through the first episode. Dark Matter isn’t bad though.
Nick, didn’t we collectively bitch when SciFi became Syfy, and they started jumping shark after shark after Sharknado?
But today, hats off to them! Now, I see what their long-term plans were: release a bunch of stupid kitsch to pad the bank account so the money can be spent on real Science Fiction! Killjoys is just the start. Visit their site (or YouTube, whatever) and check out the trailer for an upcoming series, “The Expanse”, based off James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series (first book is Leviathan Wakes).
Looks to be one hell of a production. I’ve read all the books, can’t wait for the series!
I have always loved the spacegun look of the tavor. And there are sweet aftermarket parts that only enhance the effect. It rocks.
Yup, episode 2 jumps straight into a off-world bounty scenario with that gorgeous girl and the merc toting suppressed Tavor’s in desert camo. When I first saw the rifle I thought it was a regular rifle with a Magpul PMS stock then I saw the bull pup and lower furniture I realised it was the Tavor. Interesting note, you can really tell the design follows the original SA80A2 while learning some important lessons along the way, I’m not sure if it is as accurate but the less weight and left hand conversion kit makes it a very interesting rifle and one I’d recommend to the British Armed Forces if it was available in .280 British/7mm.