IMI Galil
Overview
Galil SAR
Right side view of Galil SAR carbine.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Battle rifle
Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior
Colombia - INDUMIL
South Africa - Vektor/LIW/Denel
SAR / Short Assault Rifle
Glilon (nickname for SAR in Israel)
KEL (Guatemalan service)
Colombia
South Africa
Guatemala
Description
Introduction
The Galil is an assault rifle of Israeli origin. It was developed as during the Six-day war of 1967 it became clear that the FAL was not suitable enough for desert warfare. At the end of the war the decision was made to develop a new assault rifle based upon the Kalashnikov and the new 5.56x45mm cartridge. Two designs were tested. The first design was created by Uziel Gal (who is also the creator of the Uzi) and the second design was developed by Israel Galili. The latter design, based on the Finnish Valmet RK 62 assault rifle, eventually won the competition and was selected as the new IDF assault rifle.
Design
The design of the Galil was based on the Finnish RK-62 rifle, which in turn is based on the AK-47. The first test batches even incorporated some parts from the RK-62. The Galil is gas operated and uses a long stroke gas piston and a rotating bolt. All versions feature a tubular metal folding stock and all versions except the ARM have a polymer forearm. At first the Galil family consisted of the carbine SAR, full size AR and ARM light support weapon. For export the Galil was also made available in 7.62x51mm NATO. Earlier variants used the long rifling associated with the M193 round. Later production variants use the faster rifling for the SS-109 rounds.
Firepower
The Galil fires the 5.56x45mm M193 or SS-109 round from a 35 round magazine. The 7.62x51mm NATO models use a 25 round magazine. The Galil is select fire and has a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rpm. The maximum effective range for the full size rifles is 400 meters.
Users
The Galil was designed for Israeli use. Even though it was adopted the M16 became the standard issue assault rifle for the Israeli forces as they were available from the US at much lower costs. The Galil has been sold to dozens of nations and remain in use with many of them. It is used around the world but is most common in South America. South Africa as one of the best known users as they have produced it under license and developed their own variants. Nowadays the production of the Galil is very limited. The ACE is a product improved Galil which is recently marketed by IWI.
Variants
Galil AR
The AR (Assault Rifle) variant is the standard full size rifle of the Galil family. The AR can be distinguished from the ARM light machine gun by its polymer forearm and lack of a bipod. Like the SAR and ARM it is also also available in 7.62mm NATO. As with all 7.62mm models the 7.62mm model has a longer barrel than its 5.56mm counterpart.
Galil SAR
The SAR (Short Assault Rifle) is the carbine version of the Galil family. It is similar to the AR versions with the difference being the shorter barrel. A variant chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO was produced for export sales.
Details
Galil family of firearms
IMI Galil MAR
The Galil MAR is a compact assault rifle based on the Galil. It is the latest development in the original Galil line-up.
IMI Galil ARM
The ARM is the light machine gun variant of the Galil. It differs in having a bipod and a wooden handguard that works better than a polymer one with a hot barrel.
IMI Galil Sniper
The Galil Sniper was developed as a marksman rifle. It is larger and heavier and chambered only in 7.62mm NATO.
Vektor R4
The Vektor R4 is a South African license produced variant of the Galil. The line-up consists of several models, including the locally developed R6 short barrel carbine.
IMI Magal
The Magal is a police carbine chambered in .30 Carbine. The design had teething issues and was soon dropped from production.
Media
Galil AR in 7.62mm
Djibouti National Police officers training with Galil AR in 7.62x51mm in 2007.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Galil AR
Galil AR in Peruvian service.
Source: Ministerio de Defensa del Peru
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Galil SAR
Estionian soldier taking aim with Galil SAR carbine modified with Aimpoint reddot sight, light and blank firing adapter.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
Galil SAR in 7.62mm
Nepalese soldier with Galil SAR in 7.62x51mm
Source: US DoD
Copyright: Public domain
Galil SAR
Estionian soldier taking aim with Galil SAR carbine modified with accessory rails.
Source: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Galil AR
Estionian soldier taking aim with Galil AR assault rifle. Note the acessory rail with Aimpoint reddot sight and blank firing adapter.
Source: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Galil AR
Galil AR in Peruvian service.
Source: Ministerio de Defensa del Peru
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Galil SAR
Guatemalan special forces with Galil SAR carbine.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
Valmet RK 62
The Galil was derived from the RK 62 design and has several features in common, such as the setup of the iron sights.
Kalashnikov AKM
The design of the Galil is in principle similar to the Kalashnikov series of assault rifles.