I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot many products from IWI. The Tavor X95, the Zion, and Zion SPR to name a few. Pistols as well. Every platform that I’ve piloted has been impressive and surprisingly so. I say surprisingly because I think I expect the mundane from a brand that stays close to it roots of producing firearms that are meant for the battle space for the most part. There’s no fluff in their offerings. They’re just straight forward and serious, meant for the real world. That doesn’t mean boring at all because they’re not. The Tavor is a great example of that. It’s a firearm that makes me question why I don’t have one or two in my collection. And the Zion SPR that was chambered in .223–they don’t make it anymore and it’s one I should have bought when I had the chance. Yes, IWI makes some special guns with just the right touches. This new ARAD 5 is no different.
ARAD 5 Platform
If I were to lay this on a table next to most modern M4 rifles, you likely wouldn’t be impressed. I mean it looks the same. MIL SPEC forged lower with all the usual accoutrements; single sided safety control, mag release, bolt catch, and even the charging handle. No. No ambidextrous controls like I’d prefer to see. It almost screams “if you’re not right handed, tough cookies.” So from your basic M4 point of view, it’s right in line. Nothing special. But we can’t stop there. We must look deeper.
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Yeah, it’s got a 16-inch barrel, made of 4150 CMV. These barrels are made using the same process as their Zion barrels which are very accurate. The barrel gets a straightforward A2 bird cage flash hider. Again, nothing fancy. Just more M4 stuff. I get it but let’s keep going.
Short-Stroke Piston System
You’re likely to start noticing the differences in the ARAD 5 once you get to the handguard. M-LOK in all the right places, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. But it’s beefier. The word robust comes to mind here and it’s appropriate. It’s got an interesting shape, flat on the bottom and it’s larger in diameter too. A cut out reveals a two position gas regulator. The modes? Suppressed and unsuppressed for this short strokes gas piston system. Your standard M4 doesn’t have one of these.
Semi-Monolithic Upper Receiver
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Move further down the handguard and you’ll notice some lines that are out of the ordinary. They reveal another design advancement—a semi-monolithic upper receiver. Imagine your typical AR upper but with the upper rail section contoured and extended roughly 3 inches. That’s what this is. What you get is the ability to run optics further forward with more real estate for the optics mount. You’ve likely found yourself wanting to put your LPVO or some other optic in a particular spot only to find that the mount would be straddling the space where the receiver and handguard meet. This is no bueno and won’t work as the micro movement between them can cause shifts in your zero. Same is true if you try to mount the optic forward on the handguard. This monolithic extension gives the operators more options on an ever increasingly crowded bit of space.
Quick-Change Barrels
The forend hints of some other goodies as well with the secure points for the IWI QD CamLoc system. This is the retention system IWI uses for its interchangeable barrel system. This system is found on the Tavor X95 and Tavor 7 and it’s inside the ARAD 5 as well. As of right now the ARAD is available in 5.56 NATO but IWI is currently developing 300 BLK options as well. This means a quick barrel change to go from caliber to caliber. IWI is considering other calibers as well.
Civilian vs. Contract Rifle Differences
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Since IWI doesn’t make weapons systems that they don’t actually field, it’s worth noting some of the differences between this ARAD 5 and the the “contract” version as it’s classified as by IWI. The original contract version is a 11.5 SBR instead of a 16-inch rifle. IWI claims to be working toward/ considering making that 11.5 inch and option. The contract barrels are also chrome lined and cold hammer forged.
The contract rifle lower also has no compatibility with MIL spec parts. That said IWI opted to use a MILSPEC lower so that aftermarket parts and accessories could be utilized by the operator.
Range Performance
In classic IWI fashion, fit and finish of the ARAD 5 is excellent. You know a quality firearm when you pick one up and look it over. The finish looks good and the components feel appropriate for the task. The furniture is from B5 Systems and I feel like they are slowly taking over the buttstock and pistol grip space. They too have a great look and feel with the grip having excellent texturing as well.
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On the range the ARAD 5 ran tip-top from round one. Cycling was effortless and it shoots pretty smoothly for a piston system. Some pistons can be brutal, some not. A couple hundred rounds in and all was well with the ARAD 5. Again. This is fully expected, as it should be.
Final Thoughts
I did notice that the rifle wanted to stay on target during follow up shots. Pretty nice when you’re just rocking the old-school flashider. Recoil was linear and basically drama free. The MILSPEC trigger won’t win you any speed contests but it won’t break on you either. Leave it as is and run it hard. I’d like to see how this rifle would fare in a two or three day carbine class. Many rifles go down in high round-count classes, especially lesser quality ones. Nothing exposes the cracks like lots of rounds, heat, and dirt and carbon build up. It’s been a while, since I’ve engaged in such curriculum, but I remember it well.
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The ARAD seems to be a pretty stand up rifle but only time and use will tell. I haven’t had any issues with any of their other platforms so I have confidence that the ARAD 5 will deliver the goods just like all of IWI products. It’s the same, but different. In all the right ways.
Specifications: IWI ARAD 5
- Type: Semi Auto
- Gas System: Short Stroke Piston Adjustable
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Barrel: 16 inch 4150 CMV
- Length: 31.875” to 35.375”
- Weight: 7 lb 8.3 oz
- Capacity: 30 rd
- Magazine: Magpul
- Grip: B5 Systems P-Grip 22
- Stock:B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD
- Sights: N/A
- MSRP: $1599.99
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