Hi,
The OR-4 I signed on this week is the first weapon I got completely new from the box (altougth I did not have to pleasure of unboxing it). As a person who prefer 2nd hand equipment, it still exciting to get new things.
I had passed through many personal weapons through my service in the IDF. In mandatory service I have changed it about each 4 months as I changed my rule. In reserve duty service – you sign a new piece each time you drafted. Although since October 7th, we kind of back to service, we keep the same one each time we called up.
This not the only exciting thing about the OR-4. You see, for years we were the AR-15 nation: starting with M-16 (long then short) then the M4. There was a short attempt to create an Israeli Tavor bullpop assault rifle, but it was abondend – and now we are back to M-4, or more correctly the OR-4.
The M16 and M4 we had in the IDF were American surplus, but the OR-4 is essentially a locally engineered AR-15 derivative built to tight military specifications. Yes – It is an Israeli weapon from top to bottom.
It is manufacture Ari Arms, is a company operating out of Emek Hefer that managed to win the Ministry of Defense tender. Holding a “Blue and White” rifle gives you mix of immense national pride and the immediate, cynical dread of wondering if the procurement officer bought the lowest-bidder version of the firing pin.
We also got an Mepro M5 optical sight from Meprolight (which is also an Israeli manufacture). A big window which gives you a view of living room window and AA battery (which means you don’t need to bribe any logistics officer for some obscure, proprietary lithium cell that only exists in a warehouse in Tel HaShomer) – makes it much better than the other optical sights we had.
Take Care
Gad
OR-4 as supplied from the box
Mepro M5 Meprolight sight
OR-4 with the Mepro M5 sight on it