IWI US also produced semi-automatic only variants of the Galil ACE. In 2020, a limited edition of the Galil ACE in 5.45×39mm was produced. IWI US later introduced the Gen II line which introduced a free-floating M-LOK handguard and M4-style compatible buttstock in 2023.
The IWI Galil ACE series is based upon the original design of the IMI Galil, but instead utilises a modern design to increase its accuracy and lower its weight, while maintaining the original Galil's ergonomics, ease of maintenance and reliability under battle conditions.[1] In the design, emphasis was particularly placed on increasing the reliability and accuracy under adverse battlefield conditions.
The original Galil was built with a machined solid steel billet action in order to increase the structural integrity and survivability of the weapon. Unfortunately this resulted in a weight of up to 9.6 lb (4.4 kg), depending on its variant, which was one of the primary criticisms from the Israel Defense Forces.
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.[1] 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.[6]
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 of [5 rounds at 100 yards] of 0.83″ and five-group average of 0.98″ was produced using the Federal Premium 123-gr. [8.0 g] Power-Shok soft-point load" (testing done using 7.62×39mm 16-inch barrelled variant).[7]
Trigger
The Galil 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,[6] which IWI have modelled on the two-stage trigger of the M1 Garand.[9]
According to American Rifleman, the two-stage trigger is "clean and smooth with a 4 lb. 13 oz. [4.8 lbf, 21.4 N] trigger pull according to a Lyman digital trigger gauge".[7]
Gas tube
The gas tube, unlike the AK-47 system, is mounted on the rifle via a dovetailed slide machined on the receiver upper-front block. This avoids any movement of the gas block influencing barrel vibration, which would degrade accuracy.[1]
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 IWI Tavor.
The Galil ACE has a fully adjustable iron sights with tritium front post and two dot tritium rear aperture. It also features a Picatinny rail for mounting various optical sight.
Stock
Soldier from the Haitian military with a Galil ACE 21 during a training exercise in Santiago, Chile
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.
Vietnamese-assembled Galil ACE 32 with a folding stock.
The forearm consists of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails on the bottom and both 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 to protect the rails when a side or bottom rail has no accessories mounted to it. The gas tube above the barrel also has a Picatinny rail mounted on top that is aligned with the rail mounted on the cover over the receiver.
Last round bolt catch
Another addition by IWI to the original Galil is the last round bolt catch (for variants of the ACE in 5.56×45mm NATO only). The bolt hold-open feature is a common request of military customers, to reduce reloading times during combat.[10]
In October 2020, IWI US began production of an "extremely limited edition" 5.45×39mm variant of the Galil ACE, available with a 16 in (410 mm) or 8.3 in (210 mm) barrel, producing a total of 545 rifles in each size. They are compatible with AK-74 magazines.[12]
The Colombian Police armed with a Galil ACE 22Soldier from the Philippine military with a Galil ACE-N 22The STV-380, a Vietnamese localized equivalence to the ACE 32A map with IWI Galil Ace users in blue
Ukraine: Produced under license since August 2014 by RPC Fort; ACE 22 as the "Fort-227",[4] ACE 31 as the "Fort-228",[31] and ACE 52 as the "Fort-229".[32]
Vietnam: ACE 31 and 32 were selected as the standard-issue assault rifles in the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), to gradually replace their current AK-47-derived weapons.[33] IWI has established a $100 million factory in Vietnam, to produce an unspecified number of Galil ACE assault rifles for the PAVN.[34] All ACEs used in Vietnam have the charging handles located at the right side of the rifle[35] and replaced the Galil ACE handguards with traditional Galil-style handguards with Picatinny rail on top, replaced standard ACE buttstock with FN-FAL Paratrooper stocks, with modifications for simpler production and ease of use, the original fire selector replaced with AK-style fire selector. The new rifle has its new designations STV-215 and STV-380, the number indicated barrel length.[36]
^Kokalis, Peter G. (2001). Weapons Tests and Evaluations: The Best of Soldier of Fortune. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. p. 253. ISBN978-1581601220.
^Tilstra, Russell C. (21 March 2014). The Battle Rifle: Development and Use Since World War II. McFarland. p. 98. ISBN978-0786473212.
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