5 Tips of Iwi Tavor Ts12

I’ve been a fan of IWI firearms since they became popular in 1933, so naturally, I’ve been keeping an eye on their latest releases. So, when I heard about their Tavor Bullpup, I knew I had to check it out. Having spent a lot of time with this gun, I want to share my thoughts on it in this IWI Tavor TS12 Bullpup review. We’ll also see how it compares to other Bullpup shotguns.

Now, I first reviewed the TS12 in 2022. Since then, I’ve used it extensively, firing off hundreds of rounds. This extra time using it has really helped me understand and appreciate this firearm better. So, read on to find out what I now think about the Tavor TS12.

IWI Tavor TS12 Bullpup Review – Background of Tavor TS12

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has earned respect in both the civilian and military firearms communities. IWI is known for making robust and reliable weapons suitable for combat in harsh conditions. Having served as a former Navy officer for the U.S. military with a specialty in international arms dealing, I can vouch for the reliability of IWI’s weapons.

Although they make modern versions of some classic firearms like the Galil and the Uzi, IWI is most known for their bullpup firearms in their Tavor line.

They first came out with the Tavor SAR rifle in 5.56mm NATO, then the Tavor X95 rifle with improved ergonomics, then the Tavor 7 in 308 Win, and now the Tavor TS12 shotgun.

Shotguns usually have tubular magazines underneath the barrel, storing shells in a line lengthwise. To achieve high capacity (around 8 rounds), a longer shotgun is needed. For example, 8 standard 2-3/4″ shells add up to about 22″ in length. Considering extra room for hardware, compressed springs, and follower, the shotgun barrel needs to be approximately 24″ long—too long for close-quarters defensive or combat use.

Some shotguns now use detachable box magazines, stacking shells like rifle or pistol magazines. However, these aren’t always reliable and still have capacity limits— an 8-round magazine is still quite large.

IWI’s TS12 Bullpup design features a shorter length and an innovative rotating tubular magazine. This triples magazine capacity and allows shooters to choose between three types of shotgun shells, like slugs or buckshot.

If you’re thinking of making the TS12 your next bullpup shotgun purchase we’ve discovered a few things you’ll definitely want to know first. So read on to get the full unbiased Gun University take on the Tavor TS12 bullpup shotgun.

Tavor TS12 Features

1Bullpup Design

Moving the action to the buttstock saves considerable size and length. This is a huge benefit for a shotgun where compact size and capacity are typically trade-offs.

2High Capacity/Rotating Magazine Tubes

15 round capacity in a shotgun is amazing enough. But, adding the ability to rotate and change between magazine tubes is a big benefit.

3Full Length Picatinny Top Rail

Tactical shotguns often have picatinny rails on top of receivers but they are only the length of the receiver. The TS12 has a full-length rail that allows the forward mounting of accessories and sights.

IWI Tavor TS12 Bullpup Review – Our Take

First off, I’ve really started to like bullpup firearms. At first, they seemed a bit…well…awkward because I’ve been so used to standard firearms.

However, the Tavor X95 really started to change my mind – that rifle by IWI is absolutely incredible and has become one of my favorite rifles. Don’t believe me, check out my author bio on Gun University where each of our authors list their favorites.

So, what do I think of the TS12? Let’s start by understanding its purpose. IWI designed the TS12 with the goal of delivering a 15+1 semi-auto shotgun chambered in 12 gauge, all in a compact package. With that in mind, I think they knocked it out of the park. I mean, this really is the only way to get 16 shells into this size of a shotgun…and, with how it operates, it’s excellent.

However, that being said, it’s not without some issues. Let’s start with some of the positives I ran across while test-firing this both in the rain and in better conditions.

Things I Really Like About It:

Ergonomics

I really liked the ergonomics of the IWI Tavor TS12 Bullpup, and a couple of things really stand out to me.

First, the trigger pull was incredibly smooth and consistent. It felt so comfortable and really eased the strain on my trigger finger, especially during those long shooting sessions. This made it a lot easier to stay accurate and in control, even when I was firing rapidly.

But what really blew me away was the strategically located loading port. It was positioned perfectly for quick and efficient reloading, allowing me to keep my focus on the target without any distractions. This made shooting with the TS12 a truly enjoyable experience and helped me maintain a high level of accuracy session after session.

Easy to Manage Recoil

The shotgun shoots very well with fast follow-up shots being a breeze. I think a lot of this is due to the overall weight of the gun, and its pivot point due to the location of the barrel being comparatively lower than most shotguns. For a 12-gauge shotgun, this has the best recoil management I’ve experienced. I even had my wife test it as well, and she was able to handle it better than any other 12-gauge – although the weight was still a little much for her. Furthermore, its pistol grip, makes it very easy to handle.

Easy to Manage Ammo

The fresh tube design of the TS12 was a standout feature for me. With its rotating tubular magazine system, reloading was quick and effortless. I liked being able to segregate the ammo into groups of 5, so I could have two magazine tubes filled with 10 rounds of buckshot and one filled with slugs. This setup made switching between shotgun ammo types seamless. Plus, when the bolt held open after the last round from a tube was fired, rotating the cylinder to a full tube automatically loaded and closed the bolt! It’s a cool feature I wouldn’t have even thought to ask for.

Shell Ejection Capability

With most shotguns, you have to cycle through all the shells to get them out. But with the TS12, I can choose any tube, press the bolt release button, and it’ll eject and catch the shells. This made the ejection process easy. Plus, I could manually eject the shells too. It’s that simple and efficient.

Material and Extra Features

Just about everything on this shotgun, except for one thing, which I’ll bring up later, is extremely sturdy and well-made. It feels durable and wasn’t cheaply put together. Also, the inclusion of QD sling swivels is a great addition and I wish more companies would do that.

Small size, reliability, high capacity, ammo management, and shootability. What’s not to like? The Tavor TS12 gets an A+ from us!

Things I Didn’t Like About It

Reliability Issues

Right out of the box without any extra care, we tested this out in the field on a rainy day. We basically experienced a 1 out of 25 issue with the shell catching in the ejection port. However, after cleaning it and taking it out again and again, it has fired much better with a ~2 out of 100 catching, which I think is much more acceptable for a semi-automatic shotgun firing at the rate I do, and at this price. I’ve recently updated this article since I’ve now had it for over 2 years, and it has performed even better over time. I therefore think this needs good cleaning and lube in order to get in working order. Now you might say that this could be an isolated incident, but I’ve talked to a couple of other TS12 owners and they have said the same thing.

Rotation Lever Material

I’m only going to point this out because it just doesn’t feel right. The rotation lever you press to rotate the magazine tube feels a bit chintzy. However, after all my use, I haven’t had a problem with it. It’s in a great place and allows me to easily rotate tubes. I only pointed it out because it was a bit surprising. It’s more like a quality of a part you’d expect to find on a Kel-Tec and for all you Kel-Tec lovers out there, you know exactly what I mean by that.

My Final Thoughts on the IWI Tavor TS12

Originally, we requested IWI send us one to try out for this review and ensured we’d return it immediately upon finishing up our tests. However, I loved this shotgun so much that I requested to personally pay them for it so I could keep it and add it to my collection.

Top 5 Bulk 9mm Ammo Defensive Carry

I’ll admit, I don’t exactly have a purpose for it. I could use it as my home-defense shotgun due to its capacity and size. Also, as it goes for 12-gauge home-defense shotguns, it’s a good fit for my wife since it has great control and recoil, plus she loves the look and size of it. But that doesn’t mean it’s a perfect “home-defense” shotgun for most others…and my wife is a bit different than most.

However, the real reason I wanted this is because of how fun it is to shoot, and the wow factor it gets. Whether it’s with others at the range, or my shooting buddies, it’s been a novel gun that many have enjoyed, as well as myself. There’s no denying it turns heads at the range.

So, in the end I think IWI nailed it with what they intended to create. Whether I have a purpose or not for the gun – that could be argued, but there’s no question that it’s an innovative, high-capacity shotgun that’s a blast to shoot.

IWI Tavor TS12 Bullpup Review – FAQS

What is the capacity of the magazine tubes on the IWI Tavor TS12?

Each magazine tube on the IWI Tavor TS12 has a capacity of 5 rounds, allowing for a total capacity of 15+1 rounds. This generous capacity ensures you have plenty of firepower on hand for various shooting situations.

Is the IWI Tavor TS12 suitable for left-handed use?

Yes, the IWI Tavor TS12 is designed to be ambidextrous, so it’s suitable for both left-handed and right-handed shooters.

Does the IWI Tavor TS12 shotgun use a gas piston system?

Yes, the IWI Tavor TS12 shotgun uses a gas piston system. It’s pretty neat because it helps keep things running smoothly and reduces recoil for you.

Can the Tavor TS12 handle heavy loads?

Yes, it runs heavy loads like slugs and buckshot well, especially after a good break-in and regular cleaning.

Is loading shells in the Tavor TS12 difficult?

Not at all. The rotating tubular magazine makes loading quick and easy. Just pop shells into each tube, and you’re good to go.

Is the Tavor TS12 good for sport shooting?

Definitely. Its high capacity, smooth recoil, and compact design make it a solid choice for dynamic shooting and competitions.

TAVOR TS-12 STARTER PACK

If you’ve decided to pick up a Tavor TS-12, or found another firearm suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to pick up in order to maximize its potential and your safety regardless of if it’s your first firearm or not.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear protection can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check out our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes

The IWI Tavor TS12 is an Israeli semi-automatic bullpup shotgun, based on the IWI Tavor assault rifle. The Tavor TS12 is designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI).^[1] The TS12 was the best selling semi-automatic shotgun on GunBroker.com in 2020.^[3]

History

Design

The TS12 has a Picatinny rail, with receptacles on both the left and right.^[6]

Maximum Capacity, Minimum Length

An offshoot of the Tavor family, the TS12 12 gauge shotgun is a gas regulated bullpup shotgun with an innovative design that feeds from one of three (3) individual integrated tube magazines. Each can hold four 3 inch shotgun shells or five 2 ¾ inch shotgun shells meaning that the potential overall capacity from all three (3) individual magazines is 15 rounds plus one additional round in the chamber. The TS12 series is the answer to a need for a short, high capacity, semi automatic shotgun.

COLORS

Black

FDE (Desert)

OD Green