IWI Galil ACE GEN II

The Israel Weapon Industries Galil ACE GEN II is quite possibly the most effective combat-proven rifle you’ve never heard of. Previous versions of this rarefied weapon are used in active military service in Chile, Vietnam, Chad, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Sudan, Zambia, and elsewhere.

The Galil ACE is an evolutionary development of the superb original 1970s-era Israeli Galil service rifle. Featuring a variety of caliber options, along with all the bells and whistles we have come to expect from a modern combat weapon, it’s a mature and effective defensive tool.

The new Galil ACE GEN II orbits around a milled steel receiver with rugged polymer particulars. Featuring a long-stroke, rotating-bolt, gas-operated action, it’s one of the most reliable tactical firearms on the market. The gun comes standard with a side-folding, collapsible stock, a free-float handguard awash in M-LOK slots, and ample space for tactical glass up top. In its 5.56mm guise, the ACE utilizes readily available STANAG magazines like the Magpul PMAG.

Ballistic Philosophy

As I type these words, the United States finds itself in uncharted political territory. One of the leading contenders for the presidency narrowly avoided assassination, while the other team is flipping candidates faster than your grandmother’s famous flapjacks. By the time you read these words, all of this stuff will hopefully be sorted. However, it all looks pretty crazy right now.

Our terribly flawed but inimitably successful political system is based upon the fine art of negotiation. Human beings have never gotten along. We are all just too tribal. One side wants one thing, while their counterparts crave another. Success comes in the form of mutual compromise. Compromises, however, typically leave both sides feeling fairly tepid.

The concept of compromise is sound in theory, but the practical results are less than satisfying. And then there is the Israeli Galil.

The good folks who first designed the Galil assault rifle in the early 1970s sought to combine the laudable traits of the American M16 and the Combloc AKM into something greater than the sum of its parts. The result sported the action of the AK and the chambering of the M16. The Galil worked superbly well. It was the elusive, successful compromise.

Had the United States not gifted Israel with about a zillion free M16 rifles as part of Operation Nickel Grass back in 1973, the Middle East would likely still be slathered in a thin patina of Galil rifles even today. As it was, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued the Galil alongside the M16 for decades. The original Galil also saw widespread distribution in hotspots around the globe.

Technical Details

First introduced in 2008, the ACE was a thoroughly upgraded version of the original Galil. Now IWI offers the enhanced Galil ACE II in 5.56x45mm, 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm and 7.62x51mm. Each version has its own unique personality, but they all run with unmatched efficiency.

The designers trimmed the piece down by the use of modern high-tech polymers. They also moved the reciprocating charging handle to the left side and upgraded the safety. The right-sided safety is a truncated rotating ranch gate akin to that of the Kalashnikov. There is a corresponding thumb lever on the left side.

The bilateral magazine catches are handy pushbuttons in the NATO calibers. The bolt release is on the right for the 5.56 and 7.62x51mm versions. The mag release for the rock-and-lock Combloc calibers is a familiar midline thumb lever. The buttstock mount accommodates an M4-style sliding stock but also folds to the right side. There is a detachable polymer rest to ensure a reliable cheek weld.

Trigger Time

The 5.56mm ACE GEN II weighs 8 pounds, 12.6 ounces empty. It is also a fairly front-heavy design, which makes it eminently controllable. It has a beautiful trigger, much nicer than typical Kalashnikov fare, and the long-stroke action is all but indestructible.

The Galil ACE shoots plenty straight for any reasonable defensive applications. The synergistic combination of the lovely trigger, portly demeanor and placid chambering make the gun an absolute joy on the range. The action runs as fast as your favorite M4 and takes corners like a sports car. With the stock collapsed, it will also tuck comfortably behind the seat in your minivan should the need arise.

In 5.56mm, the gun’s ample mass combined with its AK-inspired operating system makes it feel like a .22 rimfire on the range. There really is no recoil worthy of the term. The Galil ACE is a truly exceptional performer in both competition and defensive applications.

Ruminations

The MSRP for the Galil ACE GEN II in 5.56mm is $1,979. That’s hardly chicken feed. In an era when a no-name M4 parts gun will set you back less than $500, there needs to be something special to justify such an outlay. That something special is unflinching reliability, superlative ergonomics and ruggedness upon which you can bet your life. Additionally, amidst so many monotonous AR-variant rifles cluttering up your local gun store, the Galil ACE GEN II is refreshingly different.

I’ll cut corners on stuff like generic paper towels and off-brand mayonnaise. However, if it’s something that could be called upon to protect my family, I’ll spring for the good stuff. With the Galil ACE GEN II you can rest easy that whatever might fail, it won’t be your defensive rifle.

We rightfully bellyache about onerous firearm regulations, but this is the best time in American history to be a gun nerd. Your neighborhood gun shop is awash in quality defensive rifles of all shapes, sizes, flavors and price points. In the IWI Galil ACE GEN II, you find combat cred that’s both fun and cool. With a great reputation and even greater performance, this is a tactical gun you can trust. Learn more at iwi.us