Israeli IMI Galils

by Mishaco

I have been interested in the Israeli Galil for well over a decade. Between my enjoyment of all things AK, and my appreciation for the IDF, it was really only a matter of time. When the Century Golani Sporter came out in 2006, I thought it would scratch the itch. It did too, right up until the first time i shot it and the charging handle came flying off, and it slam fired due to not having a firing pin spring. Then all the issues with the receivers came out, and eventually I just sold it. From there I've tried several different Galil types, even having a preban or two. Well more on semi-auto Galils later.
This thread is to solute Israel Galili and his rifle family.

Development History:
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(An Israeli light barreled FAL, this one a preban SBL receiver gun)

The genesis of the Galil dates back to the Six Days War of 1967. In that war, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was primarily equipped with the FN FAL; specifically the light barreled Romat infantry rifle and the heavy barreled Makleon light machinegun. These were supplimented with various other weapons from around the world, including the Uzi submachinegun and even some old bolt action K98 Mausers. While Israel won that war, it was discovered that the FAL was not ideally suited for desert warfare and the needs of the IDF. It was too susceptable to dust and sand, which resulted in jamming and other malfunctions. Additionally, it was felt to be too long and heavy, making it  difficult to use in combination with armored vehicles. The FAL became so problematic for some soldiers that they opted to use Uzis, even though the SMG had a limited range and stopping power. At least it was reliable even in the deep desert though. On the otherhand, the AK47 used by Israel's Arab enemies performed extremely well. In fact when the IDF captured AKs, it reissued them to some of its elite units.
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(An Israeli heavy barreled FAL LMG, this one built by Springfield using a surplus IDF parts kit)

After the war, the IDF requested a new assault rifle to be chambered for the then very modern .223 Rem (later 5.56mm NATO) small diameter cartridge. The new rifle was to replace all FALs in service, along with some Uzi SMGs. At the time, only the Colt M16A1, Armalite AR18, Stoner M63, and H&K HK33 were available in .223, so the IDF's options were limited. The FN CAL, SIG SG540, and Beretta AR70 were in development but had not been unvailed or perfected yet.

In the late 1960s, IMI's Chief Designer Israel Galili (Berchenko ) started work on his own .223 caliber assault rifle. Galili was not at all afraid to borrow a good idea when he saw it, so his rifle ended up with features from such firearms as the M16, FN FAL, and of course the AK47. In fact, the earliest prototypes were captured Russian AK47s (Type II and III), which Galili modified with the addition of a FAL folding stock and pistol grip, left side thumb selector, and a folding bipod. These were more proof-of-concept models than anything else.
Next Galili played around with various receiver types, including both milled forged steel, and riveted sheet steel. In the end, he decided that milled was the way to go, both for durability and to handle the higher pressures generated by the .223 cartridge. It was around this time in development that he seemed to become very inspired by Valmet of Finland's RK.62 assault rifle, which itself was based on the Russian AK47 Type III. From the RK.62, Galili borrowed its general receiver dimentions, exposed and dovetailed gas tube, and sighting system. Many sources claim that early prototypes were built up on Finnish receivers, however there is no actual hard evidence to backup such a claim.

From there, development continued at a good pace. Galili chose to use an M16 style rear sight, which was mounted to the dustcover as on the Valmet. Likewise, his rifle's flash hider was a virtual copy of the birdcage style found on the M16A1. The FN FAL Paratrooper type tubular stock was retained, but its construction was switchd from  aluminium alloy to steel and the release button was dropped to simplify matters. Internally, the design was very remencent of the AK47, right down to the two lug rotating bolt, long-stroke gas piston system, and fire control group. Galili's rifle had an AK style charging handle attached directly to the carrier, however it pointed upward rather than horizontally so it could be pulled with the off hand when required. Finally, the weapon fed from AK type magazines made of stamped steel.

In 1971, with support from IMI's CEO Yaacov  Lior, Galili's design was submitted for trials to select the IDF's next standard issue rifle. It went up against the American M16A1, West German HK33, Russian AK47, and another domestic design by Uziel Gal (creator of the Uzi SMG). The various tests were primarily targeted at discovering how the firearms performed with sand, dust, and dirt. There was a 18,000 round endurence portion as well. While none of the designs submitted performed perfectly, it was decided that Galili's was the most promising. Therefore with the blessing of the IDF's Chief Of Staff General Haim Bar-Lev, the rifle was cleared for further refinement in September, and IMI geared up for mass-production. Israel Galili was honoured by the IDF by having its next rifle named after himself (though he did protest out of modesty).


Features of the Galil:
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(the Galil ARM, basic infantry version used by the IDF)

The Galil is based on the original pattern of the AK47, especially its internal operations. It uses a long-stroke gas piston, which is fixed to the bolt carrier, which itself houses a dual lugged rotating bolt. There is a long spring behind the carrier, which drives it forward after recoiling. The weapon has a ported gas tube over the barrel, with a non-adjustable gas block. It uses a fire control group inspired by the M1 Garand's, and is of the double hook AK style. The selector has three positions; safe, semi-automatic (repeat fire), and automatic (a Micro variant is also offered with 3 round burst).
The Galil's receiver is milled from a steel forging and is a single piece. The only rivets on it are those that hold on the trigger guard and the one for the bullet guide. The barrel is chromelined and is screwed into the receiver. Early versions had a 1 in 12 twist rate for 55g bullets, and later ones have the modern 1 in 7 rate for 62g. The early flash hider was very similar to the one found on the M16A1 and could launch rifle grenades. In the early 1980s, it was updated to a ported style, which better reduced felt recoil while still acting as a flash hider. The weapon is topped by a heavy stamped steel dustcover, which also houses the rear sights. Early versions lacked a bayonet lug, however later a NATO compatable lug was introduced to support the M7 bayonet.
Some thought was put into making the Galil more ergonomic than the AK47. The selector is ambidextrous, with the traditional AK switch on the right side and a thumb switch added to the left above the pistol grip. The grip itself is larger and longer than the AK's, and it is definitely more comfortable. The magazine catch was extended and received a protective bracket. The charging handle is also ambidextrous, as it comes out and bends up at a 90 degree angle. This allows it to be grasped from the left over the dustcover if required. The Galil's stock is one of its best features. Based on the one found on the FN FAL Paratrooper rifle, it is made of tubular steel and locks up nice and tight. The upper tube is covered by a plastic sleave, to protect the shooter's cheak from bare metal. Early stocks had a pronounced curve to the buttplate, while later ones have a mostly straight one.

The Galil has a windage and elevation adjustable post front sight, which is protected by a full steel ring. It is mounted atop the gas block and is very durable. The rear aperture sight has two settings; 0-300 meters and 301-500+ meters. It is not adjustable for windage. It is durable, but since it is mounted to the dustcover, it can shift around some, especially on rifles that have seen extensive or hard use. All Galils come standard with flip-up tritium 3 dot night sights, which are preset for 150 meters. Some weapons come from the factory with a dovetail on the left side of the receiver, which is capable of accepting a detachable scope mount (either rings or weaver rail).

The Galil uses AK style "rock & lock" magazines and does not feature a bolt hold open. The standard capacity is 35 rounds, and both steel and polymer mags in this size are offered. There is also an extended capacity magazine, which holds 50 rounds. This type of mag is made only of steel and was designed for use in the ARM when used in the LMG/SAW role. Finally, there is a special short 12 round mag available, which is only capable of holding blank ammunition for use when launching rifle grenades.


the Galil in the IDF:
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(the Galil SAR, early version)

The Galil was officially adopted into Israeli military service in 1972; and by April of the following year, the production line at IMI was up and running. However, when the Yom-Kippur war  broke out in October, very few Galils were available for combat. As a result, Israel once again went to war with the FN FAL, along with some M16s donated under the American emergency aid program.
Starting in 1974, the Galil began to be issued in large numbers to units throughout the IDF. By the time of the Lebanon Conflict in 1982, it was officially the primary issue rifle. However, the IDF by that time also had large stockpiles of M16A1s and CAR15s thanks to the American M.A.P. The Galil was mostly issued to vehicle and armor crews, as well as artillery units, many in the Air Force, and the Knesset Guard. On the otherhand, most of the standard infantry was equipped with the M16A1. While elite forces units were given the option of using the Galil, many opted to stick with their trusty old AK47s (most of which dated back to the Six Days War). That said, in the late 1970s, some did begin using the CAR15, preferring its small size and extreme lightweight. For various reasons, the Galil was simply not popular with elite units. By the late 1980s, such units were trading in both their seldom used Galils and wornout AK47s; selecting more CAR15s.
By the 1990s, the rest of the IDF followed suit, and the Galil was being replaced in the field by members of the M16 family. Eventually, the Command Staff changed the official standard issue rifle to the M16, with the M4 and other carbines as support weapons. By the turn of the millenium, very few Galils remained in active Israeli service. Mostly those that were left were issued to tank crews, and others who only occasionally needed a rifle.

There is an on-going debate as to why the IDF ultimately chose to use the M16 over the Galil. While it is correct that the USA essentially gave Israel thousands upon thousands of M16s at extremely low prices, while the Galil cost considerably more for IMI to manufacture; that is only part of the reason. The Galil is durable and reliable, and it is also quite heavy and has typical AK47 accuracy. This isn't to say it is inaccurate at all, just that the M16 is more so. That and the fact that the Galil's rear sights are mounted to the dustcover, so they can be a bit unstable at times. The M16 on the other hand is lightweight (especially the M16A1 variant), quite accurate, and very modular. While the M16 isn't as reliable as the Galil in the desert, this can be improved with daily cleaning, which IDF soldiers practice anyway. The truth is simply that Israeli soldiers just prefer the M16. They find it lighter and handier, and the Command Staff is happy to go along with their wishes as it is economically advantageous.

This is not to say the Galil has been a failure, far from it in fact. The IDF still purchased tens of thousands from IMI, and when it began to move away from the rifle in the 1980s, IMI changed its strategy. It marketed the Galil series to other customers overseas, offering several variants. The Galil AR, ARM, and SAR were all options, and could be had chambered for either 5.56mm or 7.62mm NATO. Later, a DMR version of the ARM in 7.62mm and the Micro Galil in both calibers were added to the IMI catalogue. In the end, over 25 nations adopted the Galil, and it has seen service throughout South America, Africa, and East Asia. No firm production numbers are available, but IMI (now IWI) has produced at least 700,000 Galils and probably more. Aside from the M16 and AK47, the Galil is one of the most successful military assault rifles of the late 20th Century. Today, its legacy continues with the Galil Ace, which was introduced in 2010. So the story is not over yet. Galili's design has stood the test of time and indured.


the South African Galil:
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(A South African Vektor R4 clone built on an ORF receiver using original Lyttleton parts)

Israel was not the only nation to use the Galil on a large scale. In 1963, the U.N. instituted an arms embargo against South Africa. It was voluntary at first, however in 1977 it became mandatory for all member nations. The South African National Defense Forces (SADF) had long relied on foreign made arms to equip its ranks. In 1964 it adopted the FN FAL, much as Israel had done a decade earlier. This lead to the R1, which was a domestic variant manufactured by Lyttleton Engineering Works.
The SADF had better luck with the FAL than the IDF, but by the time of the complete embargo in the late 1970s, the R1 was quickly becoming obsolete. So Armscor of South Africa went rifle shopping. It wanted a select fire weapon which was both lighter and more compact, and that fired the .223 round. Also it had to be something that Lyttleton could manufacture in-house. After a series of trials in 1980, the Galil was chosen to be SADF's next standard issue rifle, and a production license was purchased from IMI.

The new rifle was designated as the Vektor R4 and was generally a close copy of the Galil ARM. It did have a few alterations though. These were intended to make it better suited for the average South African soldier and for the country's climate. The R4 had a smaller front sight post, with a larger protective ring. It had a lipped gas tube, which was more secure, combined with a longer handguard made of tough polymer. The pistol grip was ever so slightly reshaped, and the receiver lacked the dovetail for a scope base. The stock was made of polymer to reduce weight and was 1" longer to better suit taller persons. The R4 had an ARM style bipod and flash hider, but it lacked the carry handle and bayonet lug. Early on, it was issued with steel 35 and 50 round magazines, but soon the shorter mag type was changed to a polymer material; again to save on weight. Most soldiers were issued with several short mags, and a single long one in the event of an emergency.
The R4 was officially accepted into the SADF as its general issue infantry rifle in 1982. It eventually completely replaced the R1 and has been well received by most soldiers. It is reliable and durable, and does not require constant maintenance. It is still in service today. A semi-automatic, civilian version has been offered as the Vektor LM4.

In the mid 1980s, a shortened version of the R4 based on the Galil SAR was introduced as the R5. Like the SAR, it has a 13" long barrel, shortened gas system and is otherwise the same. It has the same South African adaptations too, such as the longer polymer stock and enlarged front sight ring. The R5 is primarily used by the South African Navy, South African Air Force, South African Military Health Service, and South African Police Service. In the mid 1990s, a further shortened version was unvailed as the R6. It has a 11" long barrel and shorter gas system. Many say the R6 is a copy of the Galil MAR, but in reality it is more of a compacted R5. It is intended as a PDW, for use by vehicle crews and others needing a small assault rifle. It is in limited use with the SANDF today (SADF became SANDF in 1992). Both carbines are offered in a semi-automatic only format as the LM5 and LM6 respectively.

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(An LM5, a semi-auto version of the R5, with an extended flash hider)

To date, Lyttleton Engineering, now Denel Land Systems has built over 420,000 Galil type rifles for both the SADF and for export customers. While regular production of the R4 has ended, older rifles are still being supported and refurbished. Some are being "remanufactured" into a more modern version, with the addition of a railed handguard and more ergonomic pistol grip. So it appears that the R4 family will remain in service for at least a few more years.


Galil Variants:

Assault Rifle Machinegun (ARM)
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(A standard issue Galil ARM - this one a semi-only reweld by HillBilly Firearms)

The ARM was the standard Galil variant used by the IDF. It featured a 18" long barrel, lightweight folding bipod, and a square handguard. Early models had a carry handle, fixed bipod, no bayonet lug, and Teak wood handguard. Late models came with a bayonet lug, had a quick-detach bipod, no carry handle, and polymer handguard.
The ARM was used mostly by infantry and other frontline IDF units. It was intended as a multi-purpose weapon to be used as either an assault rifle or as a light machinegun. To this end, both 35 round and 50 round magazines were issued with it. Interestingly, the bipod could be used as a wire cutter, and acted as a mag shoot when folded into the handguard. Likewise, the handguard retainer/bipod bracket could be used to open bottles. Sources disagree if this was intentional or not, but damn if it doesn't make for an easy way to open a cold one. The carry handle was dropped on late models as it wasn't balanced, and mostly just got in the way.
A semi-automatic version of the ARM was imported in the early 1980s by Magnum Research as the IMI Model 372. It had a 18" barrel, bipod, wood handguard, and came both with and without a carry handle and bayonet lug. Later, Action Arms imported the Model 392, which had a 16" barrel, bipod, no bayonet lug, and came with either a wood or polymer handguard. Finally, a ban version was offered in the early 1990s as the Mod. 392s.
Century Arms did a small run of Golani Sporters in ARM configuration, complete with bipod and carry handle. All seem to have been sold to S.O.G. and were built on Caspian receivers.

Short Assault Rifle (SAR)
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(A standard SAR clone, with original wood handguard and extended flash hider)

The SAR was the carbine variant of the Galil. It had a compact 13" long barrel, 1.12" shortened gas system, and no prevision for a bipod or carry handle. Early SARs lacked a bayonet lug and had a Teak wood handguard, while later ones had a lug mounted at the rear of the gasblock and a handguard made of polymer.
The SAR was the standard issue rifle of the IDF Armor Corps for 40 years. It was mostly issued to vehicle crews and others needing a compact rifle. Most were kept as backup or defensive weapons. In this role, they were prized for their low maintenance and reliability. The SAR was used mainly with the shorter 35 round magazine.
No semi-auto version of the SAR was imported back in the 1980s. Likewise, Century never did a Golani with the SAR gas system. The only ones available in the USA are custom, small run builds from parts kits.

Assault Rifle (AR)
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(A Magnum Research Mod. 361, a semi-auto Galil AR)

The AR was the basic infantry Galil variant. It was nothing more than an ARM with an SAR type gasblock and handguard retainer. It lacked both the bipod and carry handle, and had a full length 18" barrel. As with the others, early versions did not have bayonet lugs and had wood handguards. Later, the handguard was changed to polymer, and a bayonet lug became optional.
The AR was never officially adopted by the IDF and very few  were used by the Israelis. It was successful as an export weapon, especially to Columbia. Its semi-automatic only version was also very popular in the USA back in the 1980s. Most civilians preferred the AR configuration over the ARM, so much so that Magnum Research converted hundreds by removing the bipod assembly.
The Magnum Research Mod. 361 was the first semi-auto Galil to ever be offered to the American public, and it was of the AR configuration. It had a 18" barrel, bayonet lug (most of the time), and polymer handguard. The Action Arms version was designated the Mod. 386 and had a 16" barrel and no bayonet lug. A post ban variant was released in the early 1990s as the Mod. 386s and lacked a folding stock, threaded barrel, or flash hider (some early ones did have barrel threads, which were covered up by a perminantly attached muzzle nut). Finally, Mossberg imported some IMI receivers marked "Galil Sporter", and many of these have been used to complete surplus parts kits. Most have been built up into AR or ARM type rifles.
The standard Century Arms Golani Sporter was built in the AR configuration. The earliest rifles were actually marked "Galil Sporter" like the older Mossberg imports, but this was quickly changed when IWI objected. The name Golani was chosen to keep everyone happy. The first rifles lacked a bayonet lug, but did have a folding stock and threaded barrel with flash hider. Many shooters wanted the lug though, so most all later Golanis featured it. Early rifles were built on receivers from Ohio Rapid Fire (ORF), but many problems were reported. Most had to do with improper heat treating. So after a couple years, Century switched to receivers manufactured by Caspian Arms, which ended up having a much better reputation. On the otherhand, the ORF receivers were true milled from a forging, where as the Caspians were milled from an investment casting. The Golani is now out of production, and has been for a number of years.

Micro Assault Rifle (MAR)
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(A Micro Galil build by Hillbilly Firearms on a CNC Warrior receiver, and with a faux suppressor)

The MAR is the submachinegun sized variant of the Galil. It is the most radical departure from the original design and was first introduced in 1994. It has a standard barrel length of 8.4", however very early models had a 7.9" assembly and some late versions are offered with an 11.0" one instead. The firearm used SMG sights from the Mini Uzi, had lightening cuts in both the bolt carrier and receiver, and the stock henge was machined as part of the receiver itself to save on length. Early MARs had an all polymer stock, Galil pattern short handguard, and the standard Galil charging handle. Later models came with longer/more modern handguards, an aluminium alloy stock covered with polymer and rubber buttplate, and could be had with a left side charging handle as an optional feature.

It was designed with military airborn and police SWAT type users in mind, and has been in IDF service since 1997. The MAR is one of the most customizable Galils that IWI offers today.
There has never been a civilian legal semi-auto version of the MAR imported into the USA. The only ones available are custom small production runs, built from surplus parts. Recently, several complete kits have come onto the market, which came from demilled LEO trade in carbines. Micro receivers have been manufactured by both ORF (now Assault Weapons Of Ohio) and CNC Warrior.


Specifications:
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(Military/LEO Micro Galil Subcompact carbine)

Weight;
SAR: 3.75 kg (8.27 lb)
AR: 3.95 kg (8.7 lb)
ARM: 4.35 kg (9.6 lb)
MAR: 2.95 kg  (6.5 lb)

Length;
SAR: 850 mm (33 in) stock extended / 614 mm (24.2 in) stock folded
AR/ARM: 987 mm (38.9 in) stock extended / 742 mm (29.2 in) stock folded
MAR: 690 mm (27.6 in) stock extended / 445 mm (17.8 in) stock folded

Barrel length;
SAR: 332 mm (13.1 in)
AR/ARM: 460 mm (18.1 in)
MAR: 195 mm (8.4 in)

Rate of fire - 630–750 rounds/min
Effective range of fire - 450 - 500 meters (AR/ARM) 300 meters (SAR) 150-200 meters (MAR

Muzzle velocity;
SAR: 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
AR/ARM: 950 m/s (3,116.8 ft/s)
MAR: ?


So there you have a brief history and mechanical overview of the Galil. I know it is a rifle most out there have heard of, but it has an interesting story behind it. For military users, its biggest drawback is its weight. This is something that is of minor concern to the American civilian shooter. It delivers the reliability and durability of the AK47, in a package chambered for the .223 round and with better sights and ergonomics. It is a pleasure to shoot and just a lot of fun.

This whole article started when i had a simple question, "which variant did the IDF use?" There isn't an easy to find and clear answer, so i started digging. In the end, i had a good bit of info and a greater appreciation for the firearm. Oh and it was the ARM mostly, with the SAR as a support role carbine. I was a bit amazed to discover the IDF did not really use the AR.

Anyway, hope you have enjoyed your read.