AK vs. Galil

[GunTech]

For those of you who read the thread, I recently posted about picking an AK. Now I am thinking that I might pick a Galil instead.

Here's some background.

I'd like to get an AK type rifle, mostly for fun shooting, but also because I believe we will see another assaulkt rifle ban. I already have an M1A and ARs. I have almost 40,000 rounds of 223, so I am leaning towards something in that caliber. While purusing some of the AK sites, I have nbotice that there are a number of Galil copies also available e.g. Century, Red Stick

If ou were buying a 223 caliver AK type rifle, which would you pick? AK or Galil, and why.

I'd particularly like to hear from Galil (Golani) owners.

Thanks

 

[Medusa]

My opinion is biased, as I have had no contact with the AK, but have shot Galil in both 5.56 (Galil AR) and 7.62 (Galil SN). It's pretty accurate, the 5.56 one, on my first contact with it I shot an expert. Only gripe is the tin magazine, which is weak and can bend (=major jams). Our guys use the SAR version in sandbox and afghan country, i've yet to hear anything bad about them. They do say that the Galil keeps on ticking when the M16-s/M4-s and others have given up because of the dust.

So by biased opinion in that if the Galil is in good condition it is reliable and accurate. If it's good enough to be a tool of warfare, it's good enough to be good HD/STHF rifle

 

[ronin223]

Well the galil has better sights so it is easier to shoot better groups. Also there are only 3 galils, the original IMI, Ohio rapid fire reciever versions (century, ohio rapid fire (ORF), etc) and RED stick which is not a galil but a saiga with galil furniture.

AK, there are several choices, while a gail will run you 700+ a 223 AK will run you 350+

Also if you expect another ban, WHY buy a rifle? considering you do not know what it will entail. Your rifle may have to be destroyed, taken in, OR all the way to recievers which are pre ban are ok to be built up.

 

[Gordon]

"Your rifle may have to be destroyed, taken in,"

Yeah sure,time to give it back one round at a time to who passed such dreck.

 

[carnaby]

The Valmet from Finland is another viable option for "high end" AK platforms, so I'm told. A little on the spendy side.

 

[MD_Willington]

If I was in a position to do so, I'd get the Psuedo Galil or an AK-101/AK-102 from Will at Red Stick/Red Jacket with a Galil M16 adaptor... that way you can use your AR mags in the AR and the new rifle, less complicated that way...

If I had the time to do so my Saiga S.223 would be at his place getting the adaptor installed...

 

[MudPuppy]

I thought about an adapter, but orlites are 20ish, a good AR is $15--and its 35 rounds vs 30. Adapters are what, about $80. The math didn't do it for me, but it's a whole lot easier to find AR mags everywhere (Walmart sell 'em?).

I'd get am IMI if I could afford it. But if you're really worried, spend some money over at goa.org or jpfo.org. And vote for Ron.

 

[MIL-DOT]

if i had the money....GALIL !! ( my personal holy grail of guns ). but i don't, so i got AK's. but no complaints there either. i'm doing the conversion on a saiga as we speak, but i'm leaning towards an ace skeleton stock with galil grip. it'll have much of the galil "look", all of the galil quality, and come in around $450 total.

 

[GunTech]

I am voting for RP, but if an assault rifle ban happens again, prices will shoot up, but there won't be consifcation. Even barring ex post facto laws, it would be a major mess to try and collect what's already out there. I just don't want to spend several thousand because I might want a military style rifle.

Right now my budget is about $1000. I understand that the CAI have milled receivers, but I've had bad experiences with CAI in the past. Still trying to decide.

 

[GunTech]

Mudpuppy, I pay $12 for brand new green follower M16 mags - same for MagPul Pmags. An AR mag adaper might be handy, but I'd certainly buy a few Galil mags, assuming I could find a decent price.

 

[MudPuppy]

Yeah, they're a bit more than ARs. But I've heard a few complaints about the adapters (I think US mfg'ed ones?), while others report no problems.

Aimsurpluss had orlites for $15 a pop a month ago, but I dallied...(Okay, I blew my extra cash on a(nother) tantal kit.

The CAI guns, as I understand it, are Ohio Rapid Fire recievers--just assembled by their trained monkeys. (I have one of their CETMES and it works fine--only a few hundred rounds, but no issues. I risked it for $300 and glad i did).

I hear you about laying up a few guns--I wish I'd got a few HK auto sears in 1985...However, I'm optimistic that we're going to wake up and legalize freedom once again.

 

[GunTech]

Guys, wanted to thank you all for the input. I went out to the Missoula gun show and picked up a Century Golani 18 inch bbl. I have to admit being concerned about Century's reputation, but on first inspection, the rifle looks first class. The receiver is truly a beautiuly machining, and the rest of the parts are nicely refinished with the exception of the folding stock, which looks to have the original enamel paint - slightly worn. I ran some dummy rounds through the gun and everything looks correct. Tomarrow is a range day, andf I have a wide variety of ammo set aside.

Having a Galil to look at again reminded me whu I like it over the AK. It's quite obvious that someone rethought a bunch of features of the AK and made many improvements. The furnitures is much more comfortable for people of western build, and the sights are more what we Americans are used to. The Gas tube is far superior to the AK as far as assembly/disassembly. The dust cover, however, is a pain to get back on due to the tight fit and the location of the rear sight.

The barrel is new manufacture, and looks absolutely perfect. Whether this results in better accuracy remains to be seen. It is not chrome lined. Conversely, several AKs I looked at did not have chrome lining either.

Mounting optics looks to be a problem on the Galil. ASt least with the AK, there is a side receiver mount as well as the Ultimak.

BTW, prices on the Galil was $925, and came with a crappy box, one nice magazine, and one really used one.

More to follow.

 

[GunTech]

A quick search turned up this mount from PRI for the Galil. Only $99. Arg!

 

[ssr]

Hope you like your Galil. I know what you mean about the tight fit on the dust cover. I have one and have to sort of bang it on.

I have one of the Century ORF Galils. I am happy with it and glad I purchased it. It had one of the double claw triggers which I had to swap out. The hammer would come back and bounce off one of the claws and double and triple fire on me. Is fine now.

I also have a new Arsenal .223 AK. It has had some misfeed issues. It's "2 stage" trigger is also kind of gritty.

I like AKs, it's just that as I age the sights do not agree with me very well. If staying with iron sights, I also like the Galil's better. I'm on the verge of scoping all my AKs (except probably one).

 

[Grayrider]

That optics mount likely will not fit as ORF cut the mount slot a bit tight. I am thinking a gas tube mount may be the only option on these guns, but if anyone finds another mount that works please let me know.

To easily install dust cover follow these steps (as learned from an IDF paratrooper):

1. Position recoil spring assembly so it is just barely hanging on the edge of the front edge of the slot at the back ready to slide into position. With a little practice you can do this easily.
2. Drop the dust cover into position--easy to do without the recoil spring assembly all the way back.
3. Whack the back side of the receiver with your hand. The recoil spring assembly will bounce into the slot and into place.

Works like a charm, and avoids having to work the cover on past the take down button.

I love the Galil and could not pass on a Century when they came out. Mine runs well fortunately. Having said that, to anyone making this decision I would suggest the SLR-106FR. It is lighter, has a proper military barrel, is completely new, mags are easy to come by, and optics solutions are simpler. They are not terribly expensive and backed by Arsenal. A bit more expensive but very nice are their milled 5.56 guns. Of course at that point you are in a heavy gun again, but very well built.

John

 

[nalioth]

Go see Will at RedStick. His model RTS-GAR is Very Galil-like w/o the galil idiosyncrancies

He builds on Saiga rifles, and offers a very nice warranty. Also see: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=364

 

[Odd Job]

Thought you guys would like some more pics. This is one I fired in South Africa, where they designate this rifle the R5:























It was a pleasure to shoot, even on full auto.