IWI Tavor X95

Visual differences between the TAR-21 and X95

Notice the charging handle position, the handguard, and the buttstock form and size of the CTAR-21

Notice the charging handle position, the Picatinny rail, and the buttstock form and size of the X95 equipped with a tactical handle monopod

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.[6]

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.[7] The X95 also has its own underslung grenade launcher, the X95 GL 40.[8] 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.[9]

As of Spring 2020, all new 5.56×45mm NATO production X95's were upgraded with the .300 AAC Blackout recoil mechanism. [10]

Compared to the 890 mm (35 in) long M4 carbine (with its stock extended) with a 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel, the X95 is 580 mm (22.8 in), 640 mm (25.2 in), or 670 mm (26.4 in) long, with either a 330 mm (13 in), 380 mm (15 in), or a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel, respectively.[2][9]

A left-side view of the X95 flattop 380 of the Israel Defense Forces

IDF soldiers with the X95 on Mount Hermon

X95-L used during a Warrant Officer course in the Israel Defense Forces

A right-side view of the X95-L

A left-side view of the X95-S SMG

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):[2]

A map with IWI Tavor X95 users in blue

Israeli soldiers armed with X95s

Contingent from the Azerbaijani military armed with X95s during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 2015

Royal Thai Marine Corp Recon Battalion operator armed with an X95

•  Angola: The Angolan Armed Forces uses the X95.[17]
•  Azerbaijan: State Border Service (Azerbaijan) and Marine Infantry of Azerbaijan uses the X95.[18]
•  Colombia: The National Police of Colombia uses the X95.[19]
•  Cyprus: The Χ95 is used by the Cypriot Special Forces.[20][21]
•  Georgia: Used mostly by security services and protection details.[22]
•  Honduras: The Honduran army and special forces uses the X95.[23]
•  India: India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) ordered 12,000 X95 rifles which entered service in early 2011.[24] Following the use of the weapon by Indian forces fighting the insurgency in Kashmir, CRPF commanders have stated that the X95 is a more effective assault rifle than the AKM, due to its small size, power, longer range and lighter weight. In late 2002, India signed an ₹880 million (equivalent to ₹3.4 billion or US$42 million in 2023) deal with Israel Military Industries for 3,070 manufactured TAR-21s to be issued to India's special forces personnel,[25] where its ergonomics, reliability in heat and sand might give them an edge at close-quarters and employment from inside vehicles. This works out to a price of ₹286,645 (equivalent to ₹1.1 million or US$14,000 in 2023) per rifle. The new Tavor X95s have a modified single-piece stock and new sights, as well as Turkish-made MKEK T-40 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers.[26] 5,500 have been recently inducted and more rifles are being ordered.[27]
•  Indonesia: Used by Indonesian Air Force Infantry Special Forces Kopasgat.[28]
•  Israel: In November 2009, the IDF announced that the X95 would become the standard infantry weapon of the IDF, with the addition of an integrated grenade-launcher.[5] In 2014, the IDF announced that in the future (from as early as the end of 2014) some infantry units could start to be issued some numbers of an improved X95, which will have a longer 380 mm (15.0 in) barrel, instead of the original 330 mm (13.0 in) barrel of the X95, and a lighter trigger pull.[29]
•  Mongolia: The Mongolian special forces uses the X95.[30]
•  Morocco: The DGSN uses the X95 since 2018.[31]
•  North Macedonia: Used by Special Anti-terrorist Unit - Tiger.[32]
•  Philippines: The Philippine Coast Guard[33] and the Philippine National Police uses the X95.[34][35]
•  Senegal[36]
•  Thailand[37]
•  Ukraine: RPC Fort offers the X95 330 as the Fort-223, and the X95-R as the Fort-224.[3] The Fort-224 is in service of the National Guard of Ukraine.[38]
•  United States: The Pennsylvania Capitol Police uses the X95.[39]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to IWI X95.

• Israel Weapon Industries (I.W.I.): IWI X95
• isayeret.com Tavor Guide