Here is some exciting news from our friends at the bang switch!
HERE IS SOME EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE BANG SWITCH!For many American shooters, the Israeli Galil rifle is something of an icon. It was originally manufactured and exported by Israel Military Industries (IMI) in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Around 1993 the rifle stopped coming into the country and shooters were left clamoring for originals that brought $4k or more on the used market or buying clones manufactured on U.S. made receivers using old military surplus parts kits.
During the Galil’s hiatus from the U.S. market it has continued to evolve which has kept the weapon relevant on the global military market. The Galil as we know it has been replaced by a more modern ACE series of rifles and the original Galil has been out of production in Israel for several years now. The good news is that IWI (Israel Weapon Industries) is introducing the new Galil ACE into the U.S. market in February of 2015, just after SHOT Show. Two models in 7.62×39 caliber will be available, a 16″ barreled rifle and a 8.3″ barreled pistol which will have a side folding SB15 type brace system as an option. Both use standard AK magazines. For many American shooters, the Israeli Galil rifle is something of an icon. It was originally manufactured and exported by Israel Military Industries (IMI) in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Around 1993 the rifle stopped coming into the country and shooters were left clamoring for originals that brought $4k or more on the used market or buying clones manufactured on U.S. made receivers using old military surplus parts kits. During the Galil’s hiatus from the U.S. market it has continued to evolve which has kept the weapon relevant on the global military market. The Galil as we know it has been replaced by a more modern ACE series of rifles and the original Galil has been out of production in Israel for several years now. The good news is that IWI (Israel Weapon Industries) is introducing the new Galil ACE into the U.S. market in February of 2015, just after SHOT Show. Two models in 7.62×39 caliber will be available, a 16″ barreled rifle and a 8.3″ barreled pistol which will have a side folding SB15 type brace system as an option. Both use standard AK magazines. 
The two new Galil ACE firearms chambered in 7.62×39. The bottom is a 16″ barreled carbine (ACE 32) and the top is an 8.3″ barreled SBR (ACE 31 – which will be available as a pistol). While the ACE is clearly a Galil at heart, it has undergone some extensive upgrades. At its core the ACE is still an AK as it borrows heavily from the battle proven Russian rifle in a number of key areas. The bolt, carrier, trigger mechanism and gas system are direct copies of Mikhail Kalashnikov’s famous design just as the original Galil was. From there things have changed fairly significantly. One of the biggest complaints leveled against the Galil was its weight. The original AR variant tipped the scales at over 8.7lbs, which isn’t all that surprising given the extremely robust design that included a chunky machined receiver seemingly borrowed from the Valmet RK 62 rifle. The ACE’s modernized receiver is a hybrid that maintains a machined upper that houses the bolt, carrier and trigger components that is married to a lower polymer sub-assembly that houses the pistol grip, magazine well and magazine release. In doing this the Israeli’s saved a few critical ounces which keeps the overall weight of the new ACE under 8lbs. 
Inside the Galil ACE you will find a familiar AK based operating system. Disassembly is identical to the original Galil. The rather ingenious top cover design of the original Galil that allowed the rear sight to be mounted solidly towards the rear of the dust cover remains although it too has seen some fairly significant modifications. A two part rail system that extends across the top of the rifle has been added and a new smaller profile windage adjustable rear sight has been included. The locking mechanism of the top cover, while similar to the original design, has been modified as well with the front of the rail system indexing into the gas tube rail that sits just before it. Combined, the new design affords the ACE the same quick disassembly capabilities of the AK on which it is based with the added bonus of an extended sight radius and full length 1913 rail system across the top of the rifle. Absent from the ACE is the proprietary optics mounting system found on the left hand side of the original Galil. The hand-guard of the ACE is radically different than the original Galil design as well. The ACE uses a tri-rail system that includes integrated polymer covers. By depressing a small tab the rail cover can be slid off thereby revealing an aluminum 1913 rail system for the mounting of various force multipliers such as lights, lasers, grips, etc. A unique feature is the ability to plumb a small pressure switch and cable into the rail system then slide the cover back into place. The pressure switch may then be accessed through the rail cover offering a more integrated solution to the age old problem of how to mount pressure switches for lights in such a way they don’t snag or otherwise interfere with the operation of the rifle. 
The ACE features a railed front handguard with removable polymer covers. The rails are cut to allow the mounting of pressure switches on both sides of the firearm. The charging system has also been revamped on the ACE. Gone is the iconic upturned handle of the Galil. The charging handle is now found on the left hand side of the rifle and features a spring loaded port cover that moves up and down as the reciprocating bolt/carrier moves during operation. This helps to keep crud out of the innards of the rifle in adverse field conditions. With the absence of a conventional AK type right hand charging handle the ACE is in essence a sealed system. These features coupled with the historic reliability of the AK action should make the ACE an unstoppable force in terms of reliability. One feature that was retained from the original Galil is the left side safety lever. The operator has the option of using the truncated right side safety lever reminiscent of the original AK system or quickly and easily moving from safe to fire by pressing the lefthand selector lever found at the top of the pistol grip forward. Just as quickly the operator can move the lever back to safe by pulling rearward on it with the firing hand thumb (or index finger for a lefty). Both the rifle and pistol version of the 7.62×39 guns feature a 5/8×24 threads on the barrel for easy attachment of a suppressor or other .30 caliber muzzle devices. While I’ve not had a chance to fire the new guns suppressed, I will most certainly do this and report back. 
The Galil ACE features a new buffer assembly that reduces felt recoil and is integrated into the recoil spring. Both the rifle and pistol feature cold hammer forged chrome lined barrels for longevity and ease of cleaning. The twist rate is 1:9.5 which should work well with a wide variety of 7.62×39 ammo given it’s very close to the 1:9.45 twist rate used in Russian AK-47’s. The stock on the carbine is adjustable for length of pull much like a standard M4 stock. By depressing the locking lever you can slide the stock forward and back on the tube to set the desired length of pull. A clip on cheek riser comes with the rifle for use with magnified optics. The riser isn’t required for use with iron sights or with most non-magnified optics like a red dot sight. The stock can be folded by lifting it upward and folding it to the right side of the receiver. The locking system on the folding stock is borrowed from the FAL rifle, just as the original Galil’s stock was. The new polymer lower has an integrated pistol grip which will cause some angst in the community as some folks can’t live without their Magpul or USPALM pistol grips. I find the ergonomics of the ACE’s grip to be quite good and this likely won’t bother me all that much. One thing absent from the 7.623×39 guns which are called the ACE 31 (8.3″ barreled gun) or ACE 32 (16″ barreled gun) in their military trim is the last round bolt hold-open found on the 5.56mm variants. Since these firearms use standard AK mags, this feature isn’t possible. If you’re used to running an AK though this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. 
The reciprocating charging handle has a spring loaded port cover that seals the action from the ingress of debris. Field stripping the Galil ACE is identical to the process of stripping down the original Galil. If you can break down an AK-47/74 you’ll find the Galil ACE to be very familiar. After clearing the weapon, start by depressing the tab located at the rear of the top cover, pull it up and away from the firearm. Push the recoil spring forward slightly and lift it up and out of the gun. With the recoil spring removed you may now pull the bolt and carrier rearward and out of the receiver. The bolt can be removed from the carrier by pushing it rearward, twisting it slightly to the right then pulling it forward. With the bolt and carrier removed from the receiver you may now pull rearward on the gas tube and it will slide out and away from the gun. No further disassembly is required for regular maintenance. Overall I am quite impressed with the new Galil ACE. IWI tells me it will come to market with a price lower than the Tavor which means south of $1600. The pistol will be available first around February of 2015 with the rifle coming to market sometime in March. I hope to have one of the 16″ carbines in the next couple of weeks for testing. Assuming I’m able to get my hands on one, I will post more information including accuracy and suppressor tests. - See more at: http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-new-iwi-galil-ace/#sthash.ycKvwA0R.dpuf |