IWI Tavor X95

moderate
Shop tier 2
high confidence
Rifle
bullpup
long stroke piston
ambidextrous convertible

field strip ~3 min · reassembly ~5 min · detail strip ~35 min

Before you begin Verify this firearm is unloaded. Remove the magazine or empty the cylinder or tube, lock the action open, and check the chamber both by sight and by touch. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and remove all live ammunition from your work area.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Israel Weapon Industries
Origin: Israel
Category: Rifle
Action: Gas, long-stroke piston
Calibers: 5.56x45mm NATO, .300 AAC Blackout, 9x19mm Parabellum
Capacity: 30+1
Production: 2009–present (in-production)
Also known as: X95, Tavor SAR (predecessor), Micro Tavor

Model-specific safety

Do NOT release the hammer while the sear mechanism is out of the rifle. IWI states plainly that this will damage the housing.
The locking pins are captive by design and are pushed from the right and pulled to the left only until they stop. IWI puts DO NOT PULL THE LOCKING PINS OUT COMPLETELY in capitals.
The hammer must be cocked when the sear mechanism goes back in.
After installing a new bolt, the rifle must be checked for correct headspace with GO and NO-GO gauges by a competent gunsmith or by IWI. Do not fire it until that check is done.
This is a bullpup. The chamber and ejection port sit beside your face. Verify the chamber is empty deliberately — the action is not where your eyes naturally fall.
The rifle can be configured for left or right side ejection, but conversion requires changing the bolt and the ejection port cover. Firing a right-configured rifle from the left shoulder without converting it puts the ejection port against your face.
Gas system parts are extremely hot after firing.

If it will not go back together

Common ways this firearm resists reassembly, and what is actually wrong. Forcing a part that will not seat is how firearms get damaged.

The sear mechanism will not go back into the body.

Why The hammer is not cocked.

Fix Cock the hammer, then place the sear mechanism in, close the bolt carrier stop lever, and push the locking pins home.

Forcing it Forcing it against an uncocked hammer bears on the sear housing.
The hammer was released while the sear mechanism was out.

Why Nothing was retaining it.

Fix Inspect the housing for damage before reassembling. IWI states this damages the housing, so it is not something to assume got away with.

Forcing it IWI names this specifically as a damage mode.

Gunsmith Do not attempt this one yourself.
A locking pin came all the way out of the rifle.

Why It was pulled past its stop. IWI's instruction is to pull only until it stops.

Fix Re-enter the pin from the left and push it back through until it seats. Check it moves to its stop and no further next time.
The bolt carrier stop assembly came out of the rifle.

Why It was disturbed while the sear mechanism was removed.

Fix Hold the bolt carrier stop lever open with your middle finger, slide the head of the bolt carrier stop under the step of the insert, then push upwards so it snaps into place.
The bolt will not come out of the carrier.

Why The recoil mechanism is not set into its rearward position, so the bolt guiding pin is not clear.

Fix Pull the bolt rotation control bar rearward until it snaps into the removal notch in the buffer — the rear of the bar should protrude about 1.43 inches — then push out the bolt guiding pin.

Under spring tension

Recoil spring assembly
Hammer spring
Magazine spring

Easily lost parts

Buttplate pin · Bolt carrier · Firing pin retaining pin

Tools

Tool	Required	Used for	Substitute
None for field stripping	Optional	IWI states no special tools are required to field strip the X95.
3 mm punch, 5 mm punch and a plastic hammer	Optional	Only for converting the recoil mechanism to opposite-hand ejection. Not needed for cleaning.

Shop difficulty

Shop tier 2 Tier 2 — moderate among rifles and carbines, for the full job: strip to the parts that get coated and put it back together working. There are 42 line items (51 pieces), but the list keeps the sear mechanism, bolt carrier and other parts as assemblies. The traps are captive locking pins that must not come all the way out, a sear mechanism that must never have its hammer released while out of the rifle, retaining screws not to be fully removed, and a bolt carrier stop that falls out. The entry records five reassembly failures.

Parts: 42 numbered parts (Tavor X95 5.56 (§15.1); sear mechanism, bolt carrier and other groups as assemblies), from IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc., p. 95 iwi.us [1].

Bench time: about 45 min to strip, 70 min to rebuild (estimate). Estimate: field strip (locking pins, butt plate, bolt carrier, sear mechanism), bolt strip, barrel-rail group, charging handle, ejection cover, sights/rail, muzzle device. Rebuild longer: sear mechanism must go in cocked, captive pins and the carrier stop.

Small parts: 6 pins, 5 springs, 0 detents or plungers (counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given))

What comes off for coating

Sear mechanism: sear mechanism (removed as a unit; hammer kept cocked)
Bolt carrier: bolt, firing pin and spring, cam pin, extractor, bolt carrier stop assembly
Body and barrel-rail group: locking pins (left captive), butt plate, charging handle, ejection port cover and spring, barrel-rail group with adapter screws, muzzle device — 3 mm Allen key, T-handle/headspace gauges if the bolt changes

Special tools

3 mm Allen wrench — Rail/adapter retaining screws
GO/NO-GO headspace gauges — If a new bolt is fitted

Known pain points

The two locking pins are pushed through until they stop and must stay captive in the body. (both)
Source: IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [1] — “DO NOT PULL THE LOCKING PINS OUT COMPLETELY.”
Once the sear mechanism is out, dropping its hammer damages the housing, and it must be cocked to go back in. (both)
Source: IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [1] — “Do not release the hammer when the sear mechanism is removed from the rifle. This will damage the housing.”
Rail/adapter retaining screws are loosened but not removed. (both)
Source: IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [1] — “DO NOT REMOVE THE SCREWS COMPLETELY.”

See also 5 documented reassembly problems and their fixes.

Fit or check on rebuild

Headspace if a new bolt is fitted — IWI requires GO/NO-GO checks with a new bolt
Source: IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [1] — “Always have the headspace checked by”
Sear mechanism installed cocked — Installing with the hammer down damages the pack
Source: IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [1] — “Be sure the hammer is cocked during”
Optic/rail re-zero — Rail removal shifts zero

This is Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's. How tiers are rated. Forum reports are owners' experience, not specifications.

Manufacturer videos

Official videos from Israel Weapon Industries's own channels, linked rather than copied. Where a video and the steps on this page differ, follow the manufacturer's manual and video.

IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Disassembly & Assembly IWI US field strip, reassembly · 2018-07-17
Covers: Tavor X95 (per description)
IWI US Expert's Corner: IWI Tavor X95 Bolt Group Variants IWI US detail strip, detail reassembly · 2024-04-22
Covers: Tavor X95, both bolt-group generations (per description chapters)
IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Trigger Removal and Installation IWI US detail strip, detail reassembly · 2024-09-24
Covers: Tavor X95
IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Bolt Catch Assembly IWI US detail strip, detail reassembly · 2018-08-01
Covers: Tavor X95 (per description)
IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Barrel Removal IWI US detail strip · 2018-10-15
Covers: Tavor X95 (per description)
IWI US Expert's Corner: X95 9mm Right to Left Hand Conversion IWI US adjustment · 2018-11-30
Covers: Tavor X95 9mm only (per title/description)

Procedures

Clear and Make Safe

Clear & Make Safe

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
Remove the magazine.
Pull the charging handle fully to the rear and lock the action open.
Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light, then physically confirm the chamber is empty.
WarningOn a bullpup the chamber sits behind the trigger, beside your face. Look at it deliberately.
Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

Field Strip

Manufacturer’s video: IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Disassembly & Assembly IWI US

Complete the Unloading and Safety Check.
Press the two locking pins on the RIGHT side of the rifle and pull them through to the LEFT until they stop.
WarningDo not pull the locking pins out completely. IWI capitalises this. They are meant to stay captive in the body.
Open the bolt carrier stop lever.
Pull the sear mechanism out of the rifle.
WarningOnce it is out, do NOT release the hammer. IWI states this will damage the housing.
Removed at this step: Sear mechanism
Push the butt locking pin on the RIGHT side and pull it through to the LEFT until it stops.
WarningAgain, not all the way out.
Open the butt.
Pull the recoil mechanism out of the rifle.
Removed at this step: Recoil mechanism
Clean the chamber and the locking lugs on the barrel extension, the bore from the chamber end, and the interior of the body.
TipIWI's kit includes a chamber and barrel-extension brush and an internal receiver brush for exactly this.
Stop here for routine cleaning.
TipNo special tools are required to get this far. Gas regulator removal applies only to .300 BLK models.

Recoil Mechanism and Bolt Disassembly

Detail Strip

Manufacturer’s videos: IWI US Expert's Corner: IWI Tavor X95 Bolt Group Variants IWI US · IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Trigger Removal and Installation IWI US · IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Bolt Catch Assembly IWI US · IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Barrel Removal IWI US

Remove the recoil mechanism from the rifle first.
Set the recoil mechanism into its rearward position: pull the bolt rotation control bar to the rear until it stops, flush with the buffer, then continue pulling through slight resistance until it snaps into the removal notch in the buffer.
TipCorrectly set, the rear of the bar protrudes about 1.43 inches through the back of the buffer. That protrusion is the confirmation.
Push out the bolt guiding pin.
Removed at this step: Bolt guiding pin
Extract the bolt assembly and firing pin unit from the bolt carrier.
Removed at this step: Bolt assembly Firing pin unit
Separate the firing pin spring from the firing pin.
Removed at this step: Firing pin spring
Clean and lubricate, then reassemble in reverse order.
WarningIf a NEW bolt has been fitted, the rifle must be headspace-checked with GO and NO-GO gauges before firing.

Reassembly

Manufacturer’s video: IWI US Expert's Corner: Tavor X95 Disassembly & Assembly IWI US

Set the recoil mechanism into its forward position.
Slide the recoil mechanism forward into the body through the rear.
Close the butt and push the butt locking pin back through to secure it.
Cock the hammer.
WarningIWI's caution: be sure the hammer is cocked during installation of the sear mechanism.
Place the sear mechanism inside the rifle body.
Close the bolt carrier stop lever.
Push the locking pins all the way into the body to secure the sear mechanism and the bolt carrier stop lever.
Perform the complete function test before firing.

Torque specifications

No sourced torque values from the manufacturer are recorded for this firearm. Where a fastener has a specified torque — action screws, scope bases, muzzle devices, barrel nuts — get it from the manufacturer or a gunsmith rather than estimating it.

What the manufacturer does say: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "Verify the flash suppressor locking nut is properly tightened." (IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual, PDF p. 37 (inspection checklist item 14)) "Place two spring washers and two connecting screws on the rail, tighten using a 4 mm Allen wrench." (IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual, PDF p. 84 (rail assembly))

Materials and factory finish

As stated by Israel Weapon Industries. Prep, masking and cure depend on these; a polymer or aluminium part, a nitrided or anodised finish, and a blued steel part are each a different job. Variants with other finishes may exist — check the maker's page for the exact SKU on the bench.

Component	Material	Factory finish	Where it comes from
Barrel Tavor X95 5.56 NATO 16.5in, models XB16, XFD16, XG16 (same text for 18.5in and 13in SBR)	CrMoV	Chrome lined	Tavor X95 Modern Bullpup 5.56, 300Blk & 9mm Rifles \| IWI US (Technical Specifications) — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [2] “Barrel Material … Chrome lined, Cold hammer forged, CrMoV”
Stock/Chassis Tavor X95 5.56 NATO 16.5in, models XB16, XFD16, XG16 (same text for 18.5in and 13in SBR)	polymer	—	Tavor X95 Modern Bullpup 5.56, 300Blk & 9mm Rifles \| IWI US (Technical Specifications) — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [2] “Stock Type … Reinforced polymer bullpup configuration”
Magazine Tavor X95 5.56 NATO 16.5in, models XB16, XFD16, XG16 (same text for 18.5in and 13in SBR)	Polymer	—	Tavor X95 Modern Bullpup 5.56, 300Blk & 9mm Rifles \| IWI US (Technical Specifications) — IWI US, Inc. iwi.us [2] “Magazine Type … Polymer NATO STANAG”

Parts list

Transcribed from the manufacturer's parts list (IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc., p. 95 iwi.us [1]) — Section 15.1 TAVOR X95 5.56 NATO (#/Description/Qty table). Omitted: 15.2 X95 .300 BLK (p. 96) and 15.3 X95 9mm Para (p. 97) exploded-view tables.. Key numbers refer to the exploded view in that document.

42 parts

Key	Part	Qty
1	Side Cover Button	2
2	Left Cover	1
3	Right Cover	1
4	Cover Spring	3
5	Cover Pivot	3
6	Bottom Cover	1
7	Bottom Cover Button	1
8	Foregrip	1
9	Rail Bushing	1
10	Cocking Bar Assembly	1
11	Stabilizing Sleeve	1
12	Barrel Group	1
13	Rail Base Unit	2
14	Flattop Rail Unit	1
15	Spring Washer	2
16	Connecting Screw	2
17	Bolt Assembly	1
18	Firing Pin Spring	1
19	Firing Pin	1
20	Bolt Carrier Unit	1
21	General Pin	1
22	Bolt Carrier Rear Pin	1
23	Bolt Guiding Pin	1
24	Dust Protection Plate	1
25	Fastening Screw	1
26	Safety Pivot Cover	1
27	Cotter Pin	1
28	Swivel Lock	1
29	Deflector Frame	1
30	Deflector Screw	1
31	Deflector	1
32	Body Assembly	1
33	Sear Mechanism Assembly	1
34	Swivel	2
35	Magazine Assembly	1
36	Fastening Screw	1
37	Hand Grip Assembly	1
38	Cover Base	1
39	Ejection Port Cover	1
40	Swivel Screw	1
41	Swivel Sleeve	1
42	Safety Lever	1

Function check

After every reassemblyPerform these checks on a verified-unloaded firearm. If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire — stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Verify the rifle is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each step.
Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt locks and returns fully to battery.
With the selector on safe, press the trigger. The hammer or striker must not release.
Move the selector to fire, cycle the action, and press the trigger. It should release.
Hold the trigger back, cycle the action, and release slowly to feel the disconnector reset.
Confirm the magazine seats and locks positively, and that any hold-open engages on an empty magazine.
Confirm the buttplate is securely latched.

Maintenance

Lubrication points

Bolt lugs and body
Cam track in the carrier
Carrier rails
Gas piston (light film)

Cleaning notes

The long-stroke piston keeps most fouling out of the receiver, but the piston and gas block still need periodic cleaning. Keep the trigger linkage — which runs the length of the stock on a bullpup — free of debris.

Suggested inspection interval: roughly every 1000 rounds. This is a general guideline, not a manufacturer specification.

Wear parts to inspect

Bolt lugs · Extractor and spring · Recoil spring assembly · Gas piston

Common issues

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
Heavy or gritty trigger	Bullpup trigger linkage fouled or dry	Clean and lightly lubricate the linkage. Bullpup triggers are inherently heavier than a conventional layout.
Brass hitting the face when shooting from the support shoulder	Rifle not converted for that ejection side	Convert the bolt and ejection port cover before shooting from the other shoulder. see a gunsmith

Also covers

The procedures above are reported to apply to: Tavor SAR · X95 in 9mm conversion. Verify against the manual for your specific model.

Similar manual of arms

Sourcing

Confidence: high — Cross-checked against a primary source such as the manufacturer's manual or an issuing military technical manual.
Verification: Checked against the manufacturer manual
Last updated: 2026-10-29

References

Every source this page draws on, with its web address so you can read it yourself. Numbers in brackets elsewhere on the page point here.

[1] IWI US Tavor X95 Operator Manual — IWI US, Inc. manufacturer manual primary source
https://iwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IWI-Tavor-X95-Manual.pdf (checked 2026-09-15)
[2] Tavor X95 Modern Bullpup 5.56, 300Blk & 9mm Rifles | IWI US (Technical Specifications) — IWI US, Inc. website primary source
https://iwi.us/firearms/tavor-x95/ (checked 2026-10-03)

Notes: Verified against IWI's Tavor X95 operator manual (106 pages), sections 14.1.3 "Sear Mechanism", 14.1.4 "Recoil Mechanism" and 14.2.1 "Recoil Mechanism" disassembly. The previous entry was generic and did not describe this rifle: it had the reader remove a buttplate by depressing a catch and withdraw a bolt carrier group rearward. The X95 opens by pushing captive locking pins from the right to the left until they stop, opening the bolt carrier stop lever and the butt, and drawing out the sear mechanism and recoil mechanism as units. The most important omission was a hazard: IWI states that releasing the hammer while the sear mechanism is out of the rifle will damage the housing. The hammer must also be cocked when the sear goes back in. Neither appeared in the old entry. Also added: IWI's capitalised instruction not to pull the locking pins out completely, their documented recovery if the bolt carrier stop assembly falls out, the bolt rotation control bar's removal notch and its 1.43 inch protrusion as the confirmation it is set, and the requirement to headspace-check with GO and NO-GO gauges after fitting a new bolt before firing. Gas regulator steps apply only to .300 BLK models. The Tavor SAR and Tavor 7 have their own manuals and are not covered here.

Found something wrong? Corrections are the most valuable contribution to this project. Open an issue with the model, the step, and a source.