It's the IWI (Israeli Weapons Industry) SAR (semi auto rifle) not the TAR-21 - TAR-21 could not be imported into the US due to various reasons, mainly as one simple change and it would be full auto. BATFE did NOT like that, so demanded a number of changes. After a number of years, IWI finally decided to do those changes and bring them to the US market, about 6 months before Sandy Hook. I was part of a group buy that formed in late November, so needless to say we were sweating out all the laws and bans being looked at. IWI ramped up production to get them out a little sooner than we were initially told (yay!)
My model is the 16" FDE flatop version - you can get it in FDE or black as either a 16" or 18", and the IDF model (as issued to Israeli military ) that has the integrated MEPRO 21 sight, but I wanted to have some other options altho the MEPRO 21 is pretty highly rated. It's 5.56 NATO, very well balanced, easy to strip and clean, and feels very ergonomic in the hands. Most of the weight is in the rear so it's easy to one hand gangster hold it! Integrated QD sling points, storage areas, and they already have announced a 9mm and 5.45 conversion kit as well as are seriously looking at a .300 blackout barrel as well (rumored to be available in late summer)
Handling it, it is pretty well balanced as I said - definitely back heavy, but that feels better, and way different, that nose heavy like most other rifles. Ergonomically, it feels every bit as good, if not slightly better, than my AR's and better than my AK. The worst thing about it, like any other bullpup, is the trigger. It's about a 10# pull, but it's better than a couple of others I've handed (AUG, P90). The entire trigger assembly comes out as one unit, so there is hope that down the road someone will make an aftermarket trigger that will help. It is very short... barely over the minimum 26", like 26.4" in length. Even with my AK stock folded, it's shorter. My main reason for getting it was in case I end up retiring to a non-SBR state, this will fit the bill. That way I would not have to sell anything. Plus it's pretty badass IMO!
There are a number of reviews already, and they are all pretty glowing. One showed it submerged in water, buried in sand, dirt and mud and firing after each. It's certainly robust.
Sadly, I won't have the opportunity to go shoot it for at least a week... shrimp opener is Monday!
