| IWI Galil | |
|---|---|
 Galil ARM | |
| Type | Assault rifle Carbine Battle rifle |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars |
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| Production history | |
| Designer | Yisrael Galili Yakov Lior |
| Manufacturer | Manufactured by: Licensed to:
|
| Produced | 1972–1998 |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
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| Length |
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| Barrel length |
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| Cartridge |
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| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire |
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| Muzzle velocity |
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| Effective firing range | 410 meters (Galil ARM) |
| Feed system |
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| Sights | Flip-up rear aperture with protective ears, flip-uptritium night sights, hooded front post |
TheIWI Galil (Hebrew:גליל) is a family of Israeli-madeautomatic rifles chambered for the5.56×45mm NATO and7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. Originally designed byYisrael Galili and Yakov Lior in the late 1960s, the Galil was first produced by the state-ownedIsrael Military Industries and is now exported by the privatizedIsrael Weapon Industries.
The first Galil rifle was manufactured usingRK 62receivers.[7] Moreover, the Galil design is largely based on theFinnish rifleRK 62 (a derivative of theAK-47).[8]
TheIsraeli Army initially deployed the 5.56×45mm NATO Galil in three basic configurations; the automatic rifle machine-gun (ARM),[9] the automatic rifle (AR), and the short automatic rifle (SAR). A modernised, redesigned version of the Galil is produced since 2008, known as theGalil ACE.
The BelgianFN FALbattle rifle had initially been adopted by theIsraeli Defense Forces in the late 1950s (chambered for the7.62×51mm cartridge). The FAL had its limitations, a common complaint being that the abundant local sand and dust exposure would cause weapon malfunction (later attributed to lack of stringent maintenance). Overall, however, the FN FAL was considered long and bulky. Its length and malfunctions became such consistent issues that during the 1973Yom Kippur War some soldiers began arming themselves with the much smallerUzi.[10]
During theSix-Day War the Israelis captured thousands of primarily EgyptianAK-47s. This rifle was proven reliable and controllable. The required maintenance was low enough that conscripted troops had less stringent regulations on the weapon's care.
When the IDF began the process of procuring a new, automatic rifle, the AK-47 was considered, but the difficulty of procurement limited its viability. Hence the IDF specifically sought a weapon that would offer the same benefits as AK-47, such as low maintenance requirements, but would also have the accuracy of theM16 andFN FAL. The would-be standard weapon was originally named the Balashnikov, after the weapon's designerYisrael Galili, whose last name was coincidentally similar toKalashnikov before he changed it to the more Hebrew sounding Galili.[11] Several weapons were tendered to the Israeli Army, in response to its specifications for a standard-issue assault rifle. These included the M16A1 andStoner 63 from the US, and theHK33 (West Germany).[citation needed] An indigenous design was offered byUziel Gal, creator of theUzi submachine gun. This was found complex and unreliable.[12]
The successful design was offered by Yisrael Galili and Yakov Lior, based on the7.62×39mmValmet RK 62, an AK-47 derivative from Finland. (The first Galils were manufactured with Valmet RK 62 receivers.)[7] At the time, the US was replacing European countries (especially France) as Israel's main partner and weapons supplier. Hence, Galil's rifle was chambered for the US5.56×45mm round (originally the US M193 55-grain version). Tests conducted from the end of the 1960s to the early 1970s led to Galili's rifle emerging as the winner. However, issuance of the Galil was delayed by the sudden onset of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.[10][12][13]
The Israeli army first used the5.56×45mm NATO caliber Galil in three basic configurations:
Although the Galil was the official service rifle of Israel from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, it was never the principal rifle used (in terms of numbers). Around 1975, 60,000 M16A1s from the U.S. Military Aid Program (MAP) began to arrive in Israel that were quickly integrated into IDF service. The cost of producing the Galil for all IDF forces was very expensive, and Israel continued to purchase M16s and laterM4s with military credit from the US, which had replaced many Galils then in service. In general, Israeli troops preferred the M16, because it was lighter and more accurate, if not quite as rugged and reliable. When the M4 came along, this weapon (with its short length and light weight) became even more attractive, along with the M4's versatility in using different optics without losing zeroing when the weapon was disassembled, plus other rail-mounted accessories. The M16 and M4 also proved to be better suited to the grenade launching role, using theUS M203 integrated40mm launcher. Israeli paratroops in particular preferred the M4 carbine to the Galil, while the M16 was retained for training recruits, reservists, Artillery Corps, and the Armored Corps (Heil HaShiryon).[14]
By 2000, both the Galil ARM and AR variants were phased out from standard issue and replaced by M4 and M16 variants. The Galil SAR (G'lilon) was kept in use by some rear-line services, including theKnesset Guard[10] and the Artillery and Armored Corps, until around 2004.
For a short time, the Galil was licensed by NWM (Nederlandsche Wapen-en Munitiefabriek) De Kruithoorn N.V. for sales to aNATO country.[15]
Currently they are only manufactured in Colombia byIndumil, alongside theGalil Ace and theGalil Córdova, the latter of which was designed by Indumil.[16]
400 Galil rifles werepurchased through the Antiguan government for theMedelin cartel.[17]
The Galil series of rifles areselective fire weapons operated by aKalashnikov-patterngas-driven long-stroke piston system with no regulator. The weapon is locked with arotary bolt with two locking lugs that lock into recesses milled into the receiver.
When fired, a portion of the propellant gases are evacuated into the gas cylinder through a 1.8 mm (0.07 in) port, drilled at a 30° angle in the barrel, and a channel in the gas block. The high-pressure gases drive the piston rod (which is attached to the bolt carrier) rearward. During this rearward movement, a cam slot machined into the bolt carrier engages a cam pin on the bolt and rotates the bolt, unlocking the action. The arrangement of parts on the bolt carrier assembly provides for a degree of free travel, allowing gas pressure in the barrel to drop to a safe level before unlocking. To the immediate rear of thechrome-plated piston head is a notched ring which provides a reduced bearing surface and alleviates excess gas build-up. As the bolt carrier travels back, it compresses the return spring guided in a hollowed section of the bolt carrier and the return energy contained in the spring drives the moving assembly back forward, stripping a new round from the magazine and locking the action. The cocking handle is attached to the bolt carrier on the right side of the receiver and reciprocates with each shot; the handle is bent upwards allowing for operation with the left hand while the shooting hand remains on thepistol grip.
The ejection of spent cases from the Galil is sometimes a violent action. Cases can be dented by the ejector and be thrown as much as 40 ft away from the rifle in some cases, depending on position.[13]
The Galil is hammer-fired and has a trigger mechanism patterned after the trigger used in the AmericanM1 Garand.[18] The rifle's fire selector switch has three positions: S-A-R. The standard AK-47 style selector is retained on the right face of the receiver, and a dual thumb-selector is present on the left face above the pistol grip for easier manipulation.[19] Pushing the left-selector to the rear position "R" (British terminology for "repetition"), provides semi-automatic fire. Pushing it to the middle position "A" produces fully automatic fire. Pushing the lever fully forward to "S" will activate the safety. Some models use a reverse-linkage RAS mechanism that performs the opposite action; pushing forward sets the rifle to Repetition or Automatic, and pulling rearward engages the safety,
The Galil prototypes used a stamped and rivetedsheet metal steel receiver, but due to the higher operating pressures of the 5.56×45mm cartridge, this solution was discarded and the designers turned to a heavymilledforging. As a testament to its heritage, early prototypes were fabricated usingValmetRk 62 receivers manufactured in Finland.[18] All exterior metal surfaces arephosphated for corrosion resistance and then coated with a black enamel (except for the barrel, gas block, and front sight tower). The machined solid steel billet action avoided cracking problems the AK-series had with steel stamped sheet actions, but this made the Galil heavier.[10]
The Gas-Block, handguard retainers and folding-stock mechanism components are cast pieces that are finish-machined and accordingly fitted. The sighting arrangements are also entirely cast and machined for greater durability. The only stamped components on the Galil are the magazine-catch, trigger guard, dust cover (on the R5 and R6 the rear handguard-retainer is stamped versus cast) and the magazines.
The weapon is fitted with a high-impact plastic handguard and pistol grip and a side-folding (folds to the right side) tubular steel skeletonstock. The rifle can be used with a soundsuppressor. The weapon features a bottle opener in the front handguard and wire cutter built into the bipod.[9] The bottle opener feature was included to prevent damage to magazines being used to open bottles, due to the large civilian reservist components of the IDF. Use of magazines to open bottles was a common source of magazine lip damage withUzi submachine guns. Wire cutters were included to reduce the time necessary for IDF troops to cut down wire fences common to rural areas in Israel.
Early production models were supplied with barrels that had six right-hand grooves and a 305mm (1:12 in) rifling twist (optimized for use with M193 ammunition), while recent production models feature a 178mm (1:7 in) twist barrel with six right-hand grooves (used to stabilize the heavier SS109/M855 projectile). The barrel has a slottedflash suppressor with 6 ports and can be used to launchrifle grenades (such as theBT/AT 52) or mount abayonet lug attachment (it will accept theM7 bayonet).[18]
The Galil is fed from a curved,steelbox magazine with a 35-round capacity (SAR and AR versions), a 50-round capacity (ARM model) or a special color-coded 12-round magazine blocked for use exclusively withballistite (blank) cartridges, used to launch rifle grenades. The magazine is inserted front end first in a similar manner to the AK family. An optional magazine adaptor enables the use of M16 typeSTANAG magazines.[18][19] Some who have used the Galil ARM with the 50-round magazine have noted that it is difficult to engage targets at elevated heights while firing on the ground in the prone position due to the magazine's extended length.[13]
The L-shaped rear sight has two apertures preset for firing at 0–300 m and 300–500 m respectively (the rear sight can only be adjusted for elevation). The front post is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation zero and is enclosed in a protective hood. Low-light flip-up front blade and rear sight elements have three self-luminoustritium capsules (betalights) which are calibrated for 100 m when deployed. When the rear night sight is flipped up for use, the rear aperture sights must be placed in an offset position intermediate between the two apertures. Certain variants have a receiver-mounted dovetail adapter that is used to mount various optical sights.
The standard stock found on the Galil is a rough-copy of the FN-FAL Paratrooper stock, with modifications for simpler production and ease of use. Unlike the FAL folding stock, the Galil uses no locking button and is operated entirely by a pin and spring pivoting mechanism; to fold the stock, the "L" bracket on the stock portion is pressed down to where the spring is fully compressed and the entire stock is allowed to pivot on the buttstock hinge. The same operation is done for unfolding to the stock to the open-position.
The bracket and knuckle assemblies feature camming surfaces that allow the emergency unfolding of the stock by simply pulling the buttstock rearwards, however this should generally be avoided as it will wear down the mechanism rapidly over time, and lead to the stock wobbling in both positions.
There were six different types of Galil folding stock (not including the Micro or Galatz models) that were utilized over time on the Galil and R4 series of weapons. Wooden AK47 type buttstocks were also offered by request, although none are known to have been used by any militaries and were mostly relegated to the civilian market.
Contrary to popular belief, all Galil folding stocks are made of tubular aluminum like its FAL rendition; steel was never used, as it would have added too much additional weight, and the aluminum stocks were more than durable for standard firing and rifle-grenade usage.
This variant is the standard rifle version, fitted with a high-impact plastic handguard and pistol grip, a side-folding tubular metal skeletonstock that folds to the right side (fitted to all variants except the Galil Sniper). The 5.56mm NATO version uses a 35-round magazine and a has a 460 mm (18.1 in) barrel, while the 7.62mm NATO version uses a 25-round magazine and has a 535 mm (21.1 in) barrel.
This variant (aka:G'lilon) is configured with a shorter barrel. Due to having a shorter barrel, a corresponding shorter piston and gas tube as well as a unique gas block are also found on the SAR. The SAR variant saw the longest service life in the IDF, being used with the Armored Corps until 2005. The 5.56mm NATO version uses a 35-round magazine and a has a 332 mm (13.1 in) barrel. While the 7.62mm NATO version uses a 25-round magazine and has a 400 mm (15.7 in) barrel.
This variant is additionally equipped with a carrying handle, folding bipod and a larger wooden handguard. The wooden handguard remains cooler in temperature during sustained automatic fire, and also has grooves for bipod storage. When folded, the bipod's legs form a speed chute for rapid magazine insertion; the bipod will form a wire cutter and the rear handguard ferrule, which retains the bipod legs, can be used to open bottles by design (in order to prevent soldiers using magazine lips for this purpose, which damaged them).[18] The 5.56mm NATO version uses a 35-round magazine and a has a 460 mm (18.1 in) barrel, while the 7.62mm NATO version uses a 25-round magazine and has a 535 mm (21.1 in) barrel.
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The most recent addition to the Galil family of weapons is theMAR compact carbine, which retains the internal features of the original Galil with a completely new frame, operating system and an even shorter barrel. Introduced to the public at the second International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland in 1994, the weapon was developed for use with the army and police special units, vehicle crews, army staff, special operations personnel and airborne infantry.
The MAR, or theMicro Galil, is a reduced-size version of the Galil SAR (706 mm stock extended / 465 mm folded), weighing 2.98 kg (6.57 pounds) empty. Compared to the original carbine, the MAR has a shortened barrel 210 mm (8.3 in), receiver, piston, gas tube and foregrip. The firearm is fed from a 35-round steel magazine which can be clipped together to increase reload speed. The MAR has a cyclic rate of fire of around 650–750 RPM (rounds per minute), which is a bit higher than the full sized rifles. An optional magazine adapter inserted inside the magazine well allows the use of standard 20- and 30-roundM16 magazines. The lever safety and fire selector (located on both sides of the receiver) has four settings: "S"—weapon is safe, "A"—automatic fire, "B"—3-round burst, "R"—semi-automatic mode. The barrel has a multifunction muzzle device. The MAR is equipped with a folding tubular aluminum stock and a flip aperture sight with two settings: 0–300 m and beyond 300 m. The MAR can also be equipped with a night vision device (attached through an adapter mounted to the left side of the receiver), a daytime optical sight (mounted via a receiver cover adapter), low-light sights withtritium illuminated dots, a vertical forward grip with integrated laser pointer, silencer, and a nylon sling. Upon request, the weapon can be supplied with a bolt catch, plastic magazines weighing 0.164 kg, or an enlarged trigger guard for use with gloves.
The MAR has undergone several changes over time, and it is worth noting that it may also be found with a polymer-coated aluminum stock or an all-polymer stock. The Model 699 is available with a 267mm barrel and optional left-side charging handle which is welded onto the left side of the bolt carrier and protrudes through a slot cut in the receiver cover that is covered by a spring-loaded cover while the bolt carrier is forward.
The 7.62mmGalil Sniper (aka:Galil Tzalafim or "Galatz") is a derivative of the ARM that is used in conjunction with high-quality7.62×51mm NATO ammunition for consistent accuracy.[20]
The precision rifle is a semi-automatic-only rifle with a similar operating system to other Galil variants, but optimised for accuracy. The rifle is fed from a proprietary 25-round box magazine. It uses a heavy-profile match barrel that is heavier than that used on other variants. It is fitted with a multi-functional muzzle device, which acts as both aflash suppressor and amuzzle brake. It can be replaced with asound suppressor, which requires the use of subsonic ammunition for maximum effectiveness.
The weapon was modified with a two-stage trigger mechanism with an adjustable pull force, a wooden buttstock that folds to the right side of the weapon and a heavy-dutybipod, mounted to the forward base of the receiver housing that folds beneath the handguard when not in use. The buttstock is fully adjustable in length and height and features a variable-height cheek riser. The rifle comes with mechanicaliron sights and an adapter used to mount a telescopic day sight (Nimrod 6×40) or a night sight. The mount is quick-detachable and capable of retaining zero after remounting. The precision rifle is stored in a rugged transport case that comes with an optical sight, mount, filters, two slings (for carrying and firing), and a cleaning kit. Recent production models feature synthetic plastic furniture and a skeletonized metal stock.
The Galatz was first introduced in 1983.[21][22] TheSR-99 is a modernized version of the Galatz featuring an adjustable skeleton stock instead of a wooden stock, synthetic handguard, and a synthetic pistol grip. It is somewhat less rugged but more ergonomic.[23]
The Galatz is made under license by Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems[5][6] and the Z111 Factory in Vietnam.[24]
The Italian firearms manufacturing firmVincenzo Bernardelli manufactured under license quantities of the Galil assault rifle in two different models for governmental use in the 1980s.[25][26] TheBernardelli Mod.377 VB-STD assault rifle was an outright clone of the Galil AR/ARM variant.
TheBernardelli Mod.378 VB-SR assault carbine was a modified clone of the Galil SAR with a different magazine well that acceptedSTANAG magazines, much similar in concept and look to the above-mentioned optional magazine adapter currently available for the Israeli-made models, except that the Bernardelli VB-SR could be manufactured with permanent STANAG magazine well modification on demand.[25] The rifles competed to the trial for the adoption of a new5.56×45mm NATO caliber rifle, but lost to theBeretta 70/90 assault weapons system.[25][27]
Both rifles have the A-R-S trigger group (S-E-F; Safe, Semi-Auto, Full-Auto).[28][25] The STD can be adapted to mount the M203.[25]
The VB-SR's parts can be changed with the R5 and the Galil SAR.[25]
Bolivia[29]
Botswana[29]
Brazil: ThePolícia Militar do Estado do Pará (PMPA;Military State Police of Pará) ordered 555 Magal carbines in 2001.[29][30]
Cameroon: Issued to presidential guard units[31] and theBIR.[32]
Central African Republic[33][34]
Chad: Delivered in 2006.[31]
Chile Currently the ARM and SAR variants still on duty with theChilean Air Force. ACE N22 variants adopted by theChilean Army since 2014.[29][35]
Colombia: Standard issue rifle. Produced under license byIndumil.[36] Also adopted theGalil ACE rifle by the middle of 2010, produced by Indumil.[37]FARC rebels use captured examples against the Colombian armed forces.[38]
Republic of Congo: delivered in 1994[39]
Costa Rica[29]
Democratic Republic of Congo[29]
Djibouti
El Salvador[40]
Estonia: Uses 5.56mm versions of the Galil AR, SAR, ARM,[41] and the 7.62mm Galil Sniper.[42][43][44][45]
Eswatini[29]
Equatorial Guinea[31]
Fiji[46][47]
Georgia: Uses GALATZ sniper and Micro-Galil assault rifles.[48]
Guatemala: 15,000 Galils[49]
Haiti[29]
India:[29] 200 Galil Snipers bought in 2002.[50]
Indonesia:Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group andKomando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group.[51]
Italy: As of 2009, the Bernardelli Mod.377 VB-STD and the Bernardelli Mod.378 VB-SR are in the inventories of theItalian National Police, and are known to be deployed with theNOCS team.[52]
Kenya: Galil Sniper rifle[31][32]
Kosovo:Kosovo Security Forces.
Lesotho[29]
Mexico:Secretaría de Seguridad Pública.[53]
Montenegro: The Galil sniper used by the Montenegrin Special Police Unit.[54]
Myanmar: Made with assistance from Israeli weapon specialists as the MA series.[55]
Nepal: 2,000 Galils,[56] used by Special forces and Ranger battalion.[29]
Nicaragua[29]
Papua New Guinea: Galil sniper variant.[57]
Paraguay: Indumil-made Galils for the Fuerzas de Operaciones de Policias Especiales, SENAD (Drug Enforcement), and main rifle of the Paraguayan Police.[58]
Peru[29]
Philippines:Philippine National Police-PNP Mobile Forces.[59]Special Action Force[29][60]
Rwanda[29]
Sierra Leone: 112+ Galil AR acquired by theSierra Leone Police[61]
Senegal: Galil sniper used by special forces[32]
South Africa: Standard assault rifle of theSouth African National Defence Force. Produced under license in a modified form as theR4 byDenel Land Systems.[62]
Syrian National Coalition[63]
Tanzania: Galil MAR version seen in use by Tanzanian special forces in the Congo.[64]
Thailand: Used in small numbers in Department of Corrections[65]
Trinidad and Tobago.[29]
Tonga[66]
Uganda: Used by theChieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), and by thePresidential Guard Brigade (PGB), a division of theSpecial Forces Command (SFC), all within theUganda People's Defence Force (UPDF).[67]
United States:Ventura County Sheriff's Department.[68]
Vietnam: Uses Galil ACE and Galil Sniper.[69]
Panama: Reportedly used by the defunctPanama Defense Forces 'UESAT' Anti-terrorism unit.[70]
Portugal: 5.56mm AR and ARM versions were used by thePortuguese Armyairborne infantry until 2019, when was replaced byFN SCAR.[71][72]United States:Rajneeshpuram Peace Force.[73][74][75]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Galil Golani 5.56×45mm Rifle | |
| Video of an IMI Galil being fired | |
| Video of Galil ARM bottle opener |
