The TS12 is a semi-auto bullpup shotgun and the first shotgun in the Tavor family of weapons. Chambered for 12 gauge shotshells, the TS12 features a 15+1 capacity (12+1 with 3″ shells), and, in a design that is somewhat reminiscent of the SRM Arms Model 1216, feeds from a rotating drum of three 5-round magazine tubes that must be manually cycled as one tube is expended. Being a bullpup shotgun, despite its 28″ overall length, it manages to house an 18.5″ barrel. A monolithic Picatinny top rail allows for the attachment of iron sights and/or optics, while M-LOK slots on the 3 and 9 o’clock positions of the forend allow for the attachment of accessories.
The TS12 features an ambidextrous design, with feed ramps placed on both the left and right of the weapon for loading shells into an empty mag tube, while the charging handle can be switched from the left to the right, with the use of a tool. A crossbolt safety is placed a bit above the pistol grip, which can also be reversed for left or right shooters, as can the ejection port.
We had a bit of time with the TS12 at Range Day, and it’s a weapon that takes some getting used to, due to its design being a bit unique. Loading the tubes is simple: you load the shells into a mag tube, then depress a lever within the trigger guard (opposite the trigger) to unlock the drum to switch to a new tube. A round is automatically chambered when a fresh tube is switched to the top position. A button to the rear of the feed ramp can be depressed to eject shells from the mag tube. It’s a fairly hefty weapon with a large rubber buttpad, so it it absorbs recoil pretty well, and its semi-auto operation means you can throw a wall of lead down range pretty quickly, especially when you get used to transitioning to a new tube, after a bit of practice.
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