IMI Galil
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Galil

Galil 5.56 mm
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Flag of Israel Israel
Service history
In service 1972–present
Used by See Users
Wars Lebanon Conflict, War in Somalia (1992–1993), Iraq War, Operation Enduring Freedom/ISAF – Afghanistan, Colombian Armed Conflict
Production history
Designer Yisrael Galili
Manufacturer Israel Military Industries (IMI), Bernadelli, Indumil, Ka Pa Sa State Factories
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 3.75 kg (8.27 lb) (5.56 mm SAR)
3.95 kg (8.71 lb) (5.56 mm AR)
4.35 kg (9.59 lb) (5.56 mm ARM)
3.85 kg (8.49 lb) (7.62 mm SAR)
3.95 kg (8.71 lb) (7.62 mm AR)
4.45 kg (9.81 lb) (7.62 mm ARM)
6.40 kg (14.11 lb) (Sniper)
Length 850 mm (33.5 in) stock extended / 614 mm (24.2 in) stock folded (5.56 mm SAR)
987 mm (38.9 in) stock extended / 742 mm (29.2 in) stock folded (5.56 mm AR, ARM)
915 mm (36 in) stock extended / 675 mm (26.6 in) stock folded (7.62 mm SAR)
1,050 mm (41.3 in) stock extended / 810 mm (31.9 in) stock folded (7.62 mm AR, ARM)
1,112 mm (43.8 in) stock extended / 845 mm (33.3 in) stock folded (Sniper)
Barrel length 332 mm (13.1 in) (5.56 mm SAR)
460 mm (18.1 in) (5.56 mm AR, ARM)
400 mm (15.7 in) (7.62 mm SAR)
535 mm (21.1 in) (7.62 mm AR, ARM)
508 mm (20 in) (Sniper)
Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO
7.62x51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 630 to 750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) (5.56 mm SAR)
950 m/s (3,117 ft/s) (5.56 mm AR, ARM)
800 m/s (2,625 ft/s) (7.62 mm SAR)
850 m/s (2,789 ft/s) (7.62 mm AR, ARM)
815 m/s (2,674 ft/s) (Sniper)
Effective range 300 to 500 m sight adjustments
Feed system 35, 50-round detachable box magazine (5.56 mm)
25-round box magazine (7.62 mm)
Sights Flip-up rear aperture, hooded foresight

The Galil is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior, produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd (now Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd). The weapon system consists of a 5.56 mm line chambered for the intermediate 5.56x45mm NATO caliber with either the M193 or SS109 ball cartridge and several 7.62 mm models designed for use with the 7.62x51mm NATO rifle ammunition.

The Galil’s design is based on the Finnish RK 62, which itself was derived from the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle. It was selected as the winner of a competitive bid for the Israel Defense Forces that included many other designs and was formally introduced into service in 1972. Depending on the barrel length, magazine capacity and accessories, the Galil is available in the following configurations: a carbine variant known as the SAR (Short Assault Rifle), a compact MAR (Micro Assault Rifle) version, standard-length AR (Assault Rifle) and an ARM (Assault Rifle and Machine gun) light machine gun.

Contents

Design details

An Estonian soldier pictured with the compact Galil SAR in 5.56 mm.
An Estonian soldier pictured with the compact Galil SAR in 5.56 mm.
Image:Galil2.jpg
The Galil Sniper.

The Galil series of rifles are selective-fire automatic weapons operated by a gas-driven piston system. Locking is achieved through a rotating bolt. The Galil is fed from a curved, steel box magazine with a 35-round capacity (SAR and AR versions) a 50-round capacity (ARM model) and a special 12-round magazine for blank cartridges, used to launch rifle grenades. Early production models were supplied with barrels that had six right-hand grooves with a 305 mm (1:12 in) twist rate (designed for use with the lighter M193 ammunition), recent production versions feature a 178 mm (1:7 in) twist barrel with six right-hand grooves (used to stabilize SS109/M855 bullets). The barrel has a ported flash hider used to launch rifle grenades and a bayonet lug attachment point. The stamped sheet metal fire selector lever is simultaneously the manual safety and ensures the weapon is not discharged accidentally. The Galil also includes a selector switch on the receiver's left side, above the pistol grip, designed to be manipulated by the thumb of the firing hand.

The weapon is issued with a metal, side-folding (folds to the right side) skeleton stock and a flip-up rear sight with two apertures set for firing at 0-300 m and 300-500 m respectively. Nighttime use is enhanced with the addition of self-luminous tritium dots (Betalight) to the front post and rear sight. To use the night sight, the front flap is folded up to expose a vertical bar, which contains a gaseous tritium vial that is aligned between the two rear luminous dots. When the rear tritium 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 rifle can also be used with a sound suppressor.

The light machine gun variant is additionally equipped with a carry handle and a folding bipod stowed under the handguard.

The most recent addition to the Galil family of weapons is the MAR compact carbine, which is one of the most compact and lightweight weapons of its kind. Introduced initially to the public at the 2nd International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland in 1994, the weapon was developed for use with the army and police units, vehicle crews, army staff, special operations forces and airborne infantry.

The MAR, also called the Micro Galil, is a reduced-size version of the Galil SAR (706 mm stock extended / 465 mm folded), weighing 2.98 kg empty. Compared to the original carbine, the MAR has a shortened barrel (210 mm), receiver, piston, gas tube and foregrip. The firearm is fed from 35 or 50-round steel magazines and the 35-round magazines can be clipped together to increase reload speed. An optional magazine adapter inserted inside the magazine well allows the use of standard 20 and 30-round M16 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 metal 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), iron sights with tritium 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 Galil was issued with a 10-inch blade variant of the KCB77 bayonet from Eickhorn-Solingen, although any other NATO standard bayonets will fit as well.

The 7.62 mm Galil is derived from the 5.56 mm base version. The rifle retained the general design layout and method of operation of the 5.56 mm variant. It is available in several different configurations including a SAR carbine, full size AR rifle and ARM light machine gun. These weapons are fed from 25-round box magazines (previously 20-rounds). The barrel has four right-hand grooves with a 305 mm (1:12 in) rifling twist rate.

The 7.62 mm Galil Sniper is a derivative of the ARM that is used with high quality 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition for consistent accuracy.

The precision rifle is a strictly semi-automatic rifle operated by a gas-piston system with a rotating bolt. The rifle is fed from a 25-round box magazine.

The rifle uses a heavy profile match barrel that is heavier than that used in the ARM. It is fitted with a multi-functional muzzle device, which acts as a flash suppressor and a muzzle brake. It can be replaced with a sound 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-duty bipod, 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 mechanical iron sights and an adapter used to mount a telescopic day sight (Nimrod 6x40) 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 also 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.

Variants

  • Galil AR: Standard version available in 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm.
  • Galil ARM: Sustained fire version with a carry handle, heavy barrel and bipod. Available in 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm.
  • Galil SAR: Carbine version with a shorter barrel. Available in both calibers.
  • Galil Sniper: Heavy barrel, bipod, optic mount and adjustable wooden buttstock. Available exclusively in 7.62 mm.
  • Galil MAR: Retains the internal features of the original Galil with a completely new frame, operating system and an even shorter barrel.
  • Magal: A law enforcement variant of the Galil MAR chambered in .30 Carbine.
  • SR-99: A Modernized version of the Galil Sniper.

Users

Djiboutian National Police officers training with a Galil 7.62 battle rifle.
Djiboutian National Police officers training with a Galil 7.62 battle rifle.

References

  1. ^ Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Automaat Galil AR
  2. ^ Kashmir Newz article on India's acquisition.

See also

Manual

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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AK-47 and derivatives
List of Russian weaponry
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