Galil or AK?

[Vicious-Peanut]

I'm am torn between these two rifles. Classic Arms has Israeli Galils for $600, or I could pick up a AK side folder for $500. Are the Galils that Classic Arms has the 'good' Galils?

Which would you buy?

 

[nwilliams]

IMHO if its not made by IMI then its not a true Galil but simply a knockoff clone. They are very cool looking but I don't think they should be mistaken for Israeli Galil's. If you want a rifle that looks and feels like a Galil then I say get the Golani.

I've been wanting one of those Golani rifles to add to my collection ever since J&G started offering them for $600. Personally I have mixed feelings about buying anything put together by Century Arms however I don't think $600 is an unreasonable price for a Galil clone.

In the end what you are getting is a Century Arms rifle and if you can live with that then I say go for it.

On the other hand if you want an Israeli Galil then check out gunbroker.com they pop up on there once in a while, however they are usually several thousand bucks. Years ago Magnum Research, Action Arms and Springfield all imported true IMI Galil rifles.
http://users.rcn.com/philistine/galil/Galil_Rifles.html#Springfield Armory Galil Rifles

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Ahh, OK. That's what I was curious about, whether they were true Galils or not. Looks like it's and AK for me.

Thanks

 

[nalioth]

Do your research on the Golani or any other "US made Galil" and where it comes from before you buy one.

You may save yourself a few hundred bucks.

 

[benEzra]

The Galil lookalike wins on coolness points, but the AK is probably more practical. Built-in optics rail, more aftermarket accessories, more parts availability, etc.

 

[FMJMIKE]

AK

Many of the Century Galils have feeding problems. I think they are heavy too. My Romanian Sar-1 is lighter and 100 % reliable. I would take an AK any day of the week.....

 

[RP88]

definitely the AK. like any of the clones Century puts out, 90% of them are problematic. At least they were able to get the WASRs right after some time.

Get an AK, a cheap optic and cheap mount (or go for the kobra optics), and you'll have a pretty well-rounded rifle.

 

[wally]

Getting good mags beyond the plastic Orlites is the main issue with the Golini.

The AK in 7.62x39 has good comblock metal mags readily available at low prices. However, the .223 AKs mags are more problematic, as the Chinese mags don't work in Eastern European guns. I guess the Bulgarian polymer mags at $25-30 each is not too bad by todays standards. The AK.223 ProMags seem to be made in the Chinese pattern (I only have one it works in my Norinco but not my Sar).

If you are not married to the .223 caliber, I'd say get a 7.62 AK first.

If .223 is a must, its a tougher choice, but the .223AK mags are cheaper and easier to find in new to like new condition than are the Galil mags, so I'd make my choice on the guns and magazine combinations available when you buy. The Golani folding stock is one of the best side folders made if a side folder stock adds value to you.

--wally.

 

[goldie]

also, the romanian ak's are made all in one factory,with all parts made & assembled there(except the trigger,maybe stocks,or whatever compliant parts are left out) while the century guns are a mish mish of surplus parts from who knows where they came from.better to get a factory made gun than a parts gun....

 

[elmerfudd]

Aside from the better sights, I don't think a Galil is any better than a good AK. The safety lever on the left side sounds great until you try to use it. When you do that you find that it rotates backwards and is just as difficult to manipulate as a standard AK safety. The ambidextrous bolt handle is something that would be difficult to operate if you mounted optics and the whole thing is a couple pounds too heavy.

 

[benEzra]

Many of the Century Galils have feeding problems. I think they are heavy too. My Romanian Sar-1 is lighter and 100 % reliable. I would take an AK any day of the week.....

FMJMike, I see you like the Hungarian 20-rounders too...