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The X95 carbine was selected as a standard-issue weapon of the Israel Defense Forces
Country of origin Israel
Entered service 2009
Caliber 5.56x45 mm
Weight (unloaded) 3.3 - 3.4 kg
Length 580 mm
Barrel length 330 mm
Muzzle velocity 860 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire 750 - 950 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 300 m
The X95 is a modular carbine. Key feature of this weapon that it can be used as an assault rifle, carbine or submachine gun. It was developed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). It is also referred as Tavor X95. Previously it was known as MTAR-21 or Micro Tavor. However in 2002 it was rebranded as the X95. Even though it is based on the Tavor TAR-21, it is a different weapon. In 2009 the X95 was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the standard-issue infantry weapon. It was planned that by 2018 all infantry units will be equipped with this weapon. The X95 has been exported to Angola, Azerbaijan and Columbia. This weapon is license-produced in India and Ukraine.
The X95 is a gas-operated, selective fire weapon with a bullpup layout. It is based on the Tavor TAR-21, but has a number of differences. Due to its unusual layout this weapon has compact dimensions. It can be conveniently used inside buildings or fired from the vehicles. Overall it proved to be a reliable design.
The X95 is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. Furthermore there is a conversion kit, which allows to configure this weapon to fire a Russian 5.45x39 mm assault rifle round or 9x19 mm pistol ammunition. The conversion kit includes includes different barrels, module with internal firing mechanisms, magazines and magazine adaptor. With this conversion kit the same weapon can be easily converted by the user to fire 5.56x45 mm to 5.45x39 mm or 9x19 mm ammunition. There is also a version of the X95, chambered in 7.62x35 mm (.300 AAC Blackout) ammunition. In 2013 is was reported that there will be a version, chambered for a standard NATO 7.62x51 mm full-power ammunition.
When converted as a 9x19 mm submachine gun, the X95 uses a blowback operation rather than a gas operation.
Standard version of the X95 carbine originally came with a 330 mm (13") barrel. This weapon was mainly intended for firing at close ranges. It had an effective range of around 300 meters. It appeared that this range was insufficient. Since 2014 some infantry units were issued with improved X95 carbines, fitted with a longer 380 mm (15") barrel. These weapons have an effective range of around 360-380 meters. There is also 419 mm (16.5") assault rifle barrel and 279 mm (11") long barrel for 9 mm submachine gun. Different barrels can be easily replaced by the user.
The X95 is a fully-ambidextrous weapon. All of its controls can be easily accessed by either hand. A combines safety and fire mode selector switch is conveniently located above the pistol grip and can be installed on either side of the receiver. A cocking handle has been relocated closer to the shooter's center mass. The cocking handle can also be installed on either side. This carbine can be easily configured by the shooter for right-, or left side ejection of spent cases.
This weapon is fed from 30-round steel magazines. Plastic magazines are proposed as an option. These are standard NATO M16-type magazines. It can also accept magazines of the Tavorassault rifle. Once converted into a 9x19 mm submachine gun, the X95 uses 20-, 25-, and 32-round capacity magazines. These are the standard magazines, used by Uzi submachine gun.
This carbine has got a polymer housing. Its butt part is generally similar to that of the Tavor TAR-21, but has some changes. Pistol handle with triggerguard is an interchangeable part. There are two models. One of them has traditional design, while the other has enlarged triggerguard and is intended for shooting while wearing gloves.
The X95 has a Picatinny-type scope rail. This weapon is intended to be used with optics. There are back-up iron sights, however these are intended for emergency use only. The X95 carbines used by the IDF are typically used with Meptolight M21 day/night reflex sight. Also this weapon is often used with a Meprolight M5 red dot sight. Both of these sights can be used in conjunction with magnifying scopes. This weapon has an effective range of around 300 meters.
There are additional Picatinny-type rails on the foregrip for various accessories, such as vertical handles, bipods, laser pointers or tactical flashlights.
The X95 can mount an M203 or IWI GL40 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher. However due to its compact dimensions only some versions of this weapon can mount a knife-bayonet.
Version of the X95, chambered for 9x19 mm pistol ammunition can mount a barrel with integral sound suppressor. It comes as standard with conversion kit. This sound suppressor uses standard ammunition, rather than specialized subsonic rounds.
Variants
Tavor X95 is a semi-automatic civilian variant. It has a tri-rail foregrip, covered by three removable rail covers.
Fort-224 is a Ukrainian license-produced version of the X95, chambered for 5.45x39 mm ammunition. These weapons are used by Ukrainian National Guard. However it looks like as of 2017 only a small number were produced. Ukraine is mowing towards joining NATO. At some point the country will need to completely re-arm its military with new weapons, compatible with standard NATO ammunition. So the Fort-224 looks like a perfect solution, as the same weapon can use the stockpiled 5.45x39 mm ammunition, and can be easily converted to use the standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition.
Zittara is an Indian license-produced version of the X95. It is chambered for indigenous 5.56x30 MINSAS ammunition. India's Central Reserve Police Forces ordered 12 000 of these weapons. Deliveries commenced in 2011.
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http://www.military-today.com/firearms/x95.htm
