IWI ACE

Galil ACE

IMI INDUMIL Galil ACE 32 7.62×39mm
Type
Place of origin Israel
Service history
In service 2008–present
Used by See Users
Wars
Production history
Designer Israel Military Industries Indumil
Manufacturer

Israel Weapons Industries

Also produced under IWI license by:

Variants see variants
Specifications
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO (ACE 21 (N), 22 (N), 23)
7.62×39mm (ACE 31, 32)
7.62×51mm NATO (ACE 52, 53)
Caliber 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650-700 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 600 to 915 m/s (1,970 to 3,000 ft/s)
Effective firing range 300 to 500 m (330 to 550 yd)
Feed system 20-, 25-, 30-, or 35-round detachable box magazine
Sights Front post and rear diopter iron sights or various optics

The Galil ACE or IWI ACE is an Israeli assault rifle developed and manufactured by IWI and Indumil also produced under license by Indumil,[1] RPC Fort[2] and FAMAE.[3] It is produced in three calibres: 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, and 7.62×51mm NATO.

The ACE family assault rifles are based upon the mechanism of the IMI Galil, but using a modernized design and materials to increase its accuracy and lower its weight, while maintaining the Galil's ergonomics, ease of maintenance and reliability under battle conditions.[4] Emphasis was placed in particular in increasing its reliability and accuracy under adverse or battlefield conditions.

It is the main assault rifle of the Colombian army and the Colombian police, for whom it is manufactured locally under license by Indumil. In addition, it has been selected as the future standard assault rifle of the Chilean Army and the Vietnamese army.

Design features

An example of a Galil ACE 21 5.56×45mm NATO from the side
Galil ACE 21 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle produced under license by RPC Fort as Fort-227
An example of a Galil ACE 52 7.62×51mm NATO

Weight reduction

The original IMI Galil had weighed up to 9.6 lb (4.35 kg) depending on its variant, and this weight was criticised by the Israel Defense Forces. The heavy weight was a result of IMI having built the Galil rifle from a machined all-solid steel billet action in order to increase the structural integrity and survivability of the weapon.

The Galil Ace has a significantly reduced weight. IWI redesigned the action to integrate the steel with polymer, which is much lighter than the fully steel receiver of the original Galil.[4] While the upper receiver is machined steel and the receiver top features a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, polymer has been introduced to the lower receiver of the weapon to reduce the gun's weight.[5]

Last round bolt catch

Another addition by IWI to the original Galil is the last round bolt catch, for the versions of the ACE in 5.56×45mm NATO. The bolt hold-open feature is a common request of military customers, to reduce reloading times during combat.[6]

Long-stroke piston system

The rifle uses the Galil's long-stroke piston system. The long-stroke system is found in the M1 Garand, AK-47 (upon which the Galil's internal mechanism design borrowed heavily) and more recently in the Tavor.

Gas tube

The gas tube, unlike the AK-47 system, is mounted on the rifle via a dovetail slide machined on the receiver upper-front block. This avoids any movement of the gas block that can influence barrel vibration and thus degrade rifle accuracy.[4]

Port sealing

IWI have sealed the internal mechanism of the gun, by the addition of a sliding vertical cover. As a result, the internal mechanism of the Galil is sealed and protected from the accumulation of dirt or sand.[7]

Stock

The standard buttstock found on the Galil ACE is a six position telescopic stock that can be fitted with an optional cheek-piece to improve the sighting of the weapon when using an optical sight. An optional right folding version of the standard buttstock is also available. The forearm consists of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails on all 4 sides for mounting accessories such as aiming optics. The side forearm rails have central grooves to provide routing channels for electric wiring used by pressure switch activated accessories. The forearm comes with quick detachable polymer covering panels that can be mounted when a side or bottom forearm Picatinny rail has no accessories mounted to it.

Trigger

The IWI Ace adopts the Galil Sniper trigger instead of the original Galil trigger, in order to improve accuracy compared to the standard Galil.[8] This is a two-stage trigger,[7] which IWI have modeled on the two-stage trigger of the M1 Garand.[9]

According to American Rifleman, the two-stage trigger is "clean and smooth with a 21.4 N (4.8 lbf) trigger pull according to a Lyman digital trigger gauge."[10]

Barrel

The barrel is chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged, with a 1:7" twist.

Accuracy

According to American Rifleman: Although this rifle is clearly based on the AK design, it demonstrated a superior level of accuracy potential compared to several of its cousins. The best single group [at 100 yards] of 0.83” and five-group average of 0.98” was produced using the Federal Premium 123-gr. Power-Shok soft-point load” (testing done using 7.62×39mm 16 inch barreled variant).[10]

Variants

The Galil ACE is available in three calibers with multiple barrel lengths for each type:[11][12]

Model Caliber Barrel length Length (extended) Length (retracted) Weight (unloaded) Feed system Muzzle velocity Range Rate of fire
ACE 21 5.56×45mm NATO 215 mm (8.5 in) 730 mm (29 in) 650 mm (26 in) 2.95 kg (6.5 lb) 35-round Galil magazine 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) 300 m (330 yd) 700 rpm
ACE 21 N 5.56×45mm NATO 215 mm (8.5 in) 750 mm (30 in) 650 mm (26 in) 3.19 kg (7.0 lb) 30-round NATO magazine 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) 300 m (330 yd) 700 rpm
ACE 22 5.56×45mm NATO 332 mm (13.1 in) 847 mm (33.3 in) 767 mm (30.2 in) 3.25 kg (7.2 lb) 35-round Galil magazine 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) _ 700 rpm
ACE 22 N 5.56×45mm NATO 332 mm (13.1 in) 867 mm (34.1 in) 767 mm (30.2 in) 3.35 kg (7.4 lb) 30-round NATO magazine 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) _ 700 rpm
ACE 23 5.56×45mm NATO 406 mm (16.0 in) 975 mm (38.4 in) 895 mm (35.2 in) 3.40 kg (7.5 lb) 35-round Galil magazine 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 500 m (550 yd) 700 rpm
ACE 23 N 5.56×45mm NATO 406 mm (16.0 in) 995 mm (39.2 in) 895 mm (35.2 in) 3.45 kg (7.6 lb) 30-round NATO magazine 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 500 m (550 yd) 700 rpm
ACE 31 7.62×39mm 215 mm (8.5 in) 730 mm (29 in) 650 mm (26 in) 3.05 kg (6.7 lb) 30-round AK magazine 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s) 700 rpm
ACE 32 7.62×39mm 406 mm (16.0 in) 895 mm (35.2 in) 815 mm (32.1 in) 3.40 kg (7.5 lb) 30-round AK magazine 680 m/s (2,200 ft/s) _ 700 rpm
ACE 52 7.62×51mm NATO 406 mm (16.0 in) 935 mm (36.8 in) 855 mm (33.7 in) 3.65 kg (8.0 lb) 25-round magazine 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) _ 650 rpm
ACE 52 L 7.62×51mm NATO 457 mm (18.0 in) 992 mm (39.1 in) 912 mm (35.9 in) 3.71 kg (8.2 lb) 25-round magazine 830 m/s (2,700 ft/s) _ 650 rpm
ACE 53 7.62×51mm NATO 508 mm (20.0 in) 1,043 mm (41.1 in) 963 mm (37.9 in) 3.85 kg (8.5 lb) 25-round magazine 860 m/s (2,800 ft/s) _ 650 rpm

Users

The Galil ACE 22 5.56×45mm NATO in Colombian use

See also

References

  1. http://www.israel-weapon.com/default.asp?catid=%7B0DF81339-8435-4D0E-8ED8-AAE59459CA45%7D
  2. 1 2 Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-227» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
  3. Chile quita poderosa arma al Perú Viernes 27 Junio 2014
  4. 1 2 3 GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal
  5. GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal
  6. The Battle Rifle: Development and Use Since World War II, Russell C. Tilstra, (McFarland 2014), page 98
  7. 1 2 GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal (Volume 5)
  8. Galil Ace Rifle August 24, 2010 in Rifles by Steve Johnson
  9. Kokalis, Peter (2001). Weapons Tests and Evaluations: The Best of Soldier of Fortune. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. p. 253. ISBN 1-58160-122-0.
  10. 1 2 IWI Galil ACE Semi-Automatic Rifle by B. Gil Horman - Monday, January 19, 2015
  11. Galil ACE 31, 32
  12. Galil ACE 52,53
  13. "IWI Galil ACE 5.56 mm assault rifle (Israel), Rifles". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  14. FIDAE: Chilean Army Selects Galil ACE as New Standard Rifle Defensenews.com, 26 March 2014
  15. The Chilean Army begins to deploy the new Galil ACE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
  16. "Haitian Police Spotted with Galil ACE, T65 Rifles - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  17. 1 2 "IWI Galil ACE Spotted In South Sudan and Mexico - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  18. "Peru licenses the new Galil ACE rifle - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  19. http://www.ejercito.mil.pe/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4926&catid=4926&Itemid=9
  20. IWI Galil ACE rifle adopted by Guatemala National Civil Police Thefirearmblog.com
  21. El Salvador also to buy Galil Ace - Thefirearmblog
  22. "Facebook". facebook.com.
  23. "Israeli IWI Galil ACE 31 ACE 32 assault rifles to replace Russian AK-47 in Vietnamese Army 0202146-Army Recognition". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  24. "Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  25. Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-228» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
  26. Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-229» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
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