Lately I have been receiving quite a few emails asking what made me choose the AUG over the Tavor. As much as I love receiving and replying to emails (since the emails I get are tenfold more intelligent than YouTube comments), I decided to just do a post about it to answer most of the questions. But really, if you email me I will still reply, with tender, tender love.
Length of Service and Availability in the USA
The AUG in its various iterations has been in use since 1977, well over 20 years longer than the Tavor. The length of service and amount of countries that have adopted some variant of the AUG dwarves that of the Tavor. By now pretty much all of the quirks and deficiencies of the AUG have been worked out. Yes, I am aware this is speaking of military usage, so let's talk about it in the USA.
The AUG has been on the civilian market in the USA since the 1980's. The Tavor, well it has been on the US market since March of 2013. Will the Tavor's numbers dwarf that of the AUG? Eventually, it is possible, but for now the AUG has it beat there.
The AUG has been on the civilian market in the USA since the 1980's. The Tavor, well it has been on the US market since March of 2013. Will the Tavor's numbers dwarf that of the AUG? Eventually, it is possible, but for now the AUG has it beat there.
Parts Availability
Every single part for the AUG is available, either through Steyr or Pete Athens at PJS Investments. I may have to pay about double what I would for an AR part, but I can get it. With the Tavor being so new to the US market (less than 6 months), you have to go through IWI USA, and I have not read much about spare parts being available through them.
Adjustable Gas
The AUG has it, the Tavor doesn't. After experiencing countless AR's that would not run steel cased ammo, having a weapon where you can switch gas settings for crap ammo is rather wonderful. I even loaded some .223 at 20% less powder than minimum....and the AUG cycled it on adverse. Don't try this at home kiddies.
Feel
At the last funshow here locally, I was able to tenderly fondle a Tavor, and in my personal opinion, the plastic felt cheap on it. Kel-Tec naugaplasticy. The balance was good, but the feel of it was just off for me. This is definitely a personal preference thing but to me combining this with the above items, just did not do it for me.
And the Rest
Some people point out that the Tavor has an advantage of using AR mags. Obviously these people do not know about the NATO stock for the AUG if you want to stick with AR mags. After 90 days with the AUG, I actually believe that the factory AUG mags are superior to AR mags.....even PMAGs. I have no doubt that this will infuriate some of the die hard Magpul Fanbois, but the AUG mag has been out for 36 years, in a translucent polymer magazine, and it works. It has a constant curvature, is nearly twice as thick, and it just feels beefier. Not knocking PMAG's (as I have a shitload of them), but there are better things out there. They are more expensive, but having a magazine designed for the weapon you are using accounts for quite a bit in my book.
The biggest thing though, is the newness. Who knows what could happen in the future. If some sort of import ban or EO were to come down, you would be rather boned if you had an AUG or a Tavor. The difference is the AUG has a 30 year history in the US, with parts being available right now, and potentially in the future. As for the Tavor, who knows what would be available. If something were to happen in Israel where many of the parts come from, that would also hamper availability and production.
The biggest thing though, is the newness. Who knows what could happen in the future. If some sort of import ban or EO were to come down, you would be rather boned if you had an AUG or a Tavor. The difference is the AUG has a 30 year history in the US, with parts being available right now, and potentially in the future. As for the Tavor, who knows what would be available. If something were to happen in Israel where many of the parts come from, that would also hamper availability and production.
In Conclusion...
Only time will tell if my speculation, data, and observations will play out in my favor or not. I have no doubt that the Tavor has a strong following, and the aftermarket will come along shortly to offer different parts and accessories. Until then, I stand by my beliefs as to why the AUG is superior to the Tavor.
EZ
EZ
