The tavor X95 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). In November 2009, the X95 was selected as the future standard-issue weapon of the Israeli infantry.
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.
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. The X95 also has its own underslung grenade launcher, the X95 GL 40. 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.
As of Spring 2020, all new 5.56x45mm NATO production X95's were upgraded with the .300 AAC Blackout recoil mechanism. 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.
| Caliber | Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| X95 | 5.56×45mm or .300 AAC Blackout | X95 330 | Carbine configuration with a 330 mm (13 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length |
| X95 380 | Assault rifle configuration with a 380 mm (15 in) barrel and a 640 mm (25.2 in) overall length, out of production and replaced by the X95 419 | ||
| X95 419 | Assault rifle configuration with a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel and a 670 mm (26.4 in) overall length | ||
| X95-L | A semi-automatic only variant of the X95 that is intended for marksman use by the IDF. It features a 16.5 in (420 mm) barrel, an integrated bipod and is issued with a long-range sight. | ||
| X95-GL | A variant of the X95 (still currently in service in the IDF just not in production) that has the ability to mount a M203 grenade launcher on its longer notched barrel. It has since been superseded by the IWI GL 40 grenade launcher, which can be mounted on the current standard flattop X95 without the need for modifications or additional tools. | ||
| X95-R | 5.45×39mm | X95-R 330 | Carbine configuration with a 330 mm (13 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length |
| X95-R 419 | Assault rifle configuration with a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel and a 670 mm (26.4 in) overall length | ||
| X95 SMG | 9×19mm Parabellum | X95 SMG | Submachine gun variant with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel and a 580 mm (22.8 in) overall length |
| X95-S SMG | An integrally suppressed variant of the X95 SMG with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel and a 650 mm (25.6 in) overall length |
