Any Galil/Golani Owners Here?

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Adam5

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I'm interested in getting a Galil/Golani rifle and wanted hear peoples thoughts on them. I have a 20" AR and am considering trading it for a Galil. It seems that everyone has an AR or AK in th esafe, and I want something a little different than what everyone else has.

Thoughts?
 
They're cool looking, but a lot of the ORF receivers suck. They got a bad tendency to stretch (not properly hardened) and the fit of the parts is pretty sketchy. I was really disappointed in the QC on them because I was looking forward to reasonably priced Galil clones being available :(
 
I just emailed a guy about this, a member on here, and he has a Century Arms Golani. He says his is flawless. The first production run that came out of Century was defected but they have since corrected the mistake. He had high remarks for the rifle. I'm thinking of one as well, I like the length of the gun and it fits me well. I saw 2 at local gunshops near me. The finish was great, everything seemed tight. Buy online. The two shops near me wanted $1000 to $1100 for these. Online, you can get them new for $700.
 
It's a good improvement on basic AK ergonomics. Still has some quirks and such when it comes to running it as fast as an AR, but definitely servicable.

The main problem I've had with the real .mil Galil SARs I've trained on is that shooters not very familiar with the weapon and it's manual of arms for mag changes often crank down on the magazines without them being seated properly. This can pretty easily push in the locking lug on the front of the magazine and prevent the follower coming all the way up and/or getting bullets into the mag at all. Either way, Joe with the gorilla hands just deadlined your mag (they can be bent back, but once messed up, seem more prone to repeats).
 
Originally posted by servn99
I just emailed a guy about this, a member on here, and he has a Century Arms Golani. He says his is flawless. The first production run that came out of Century was defected but they have since corrected the mistake. He had high remarks for the rifle. I'm thinking of one as well, I like the length of the gun and it fits me well. I saw 2 at local gunshops near me. The finish was great, everything seemed tight. Buy online. The two shops near me wanted $1000 to $1100 for these. Online, you can get them new for $700.
Click to expand...

There is question about more than just the first production run of ORF receivers for the Galil.

You might also want to take a look at this akfiles thread:

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34789

Forrest
 
I've become much more of a fan of the AK platform than the AR platform, and i've been drooling over a Galil for decades, and considered the golani myself....but.......from everything i've ever heard, you'd be crazy to ditch a perfectly good AR for a golani galil.
 
Do not get one, are you listening?

Do not get one.

My friend just had one by Arizona Response Systems using a kit and an ORF receiver.

Muchas problemas.

They're not real Galils, they're cobbled together pieces of crap.
 
I had a very early Golani and had problems. I returned the rifle to Century (about the same time as the recall) and they replaced it with a new rifle, that runs fine. I've shot it with Winchester commercial, US M193 and M855 and even corroded Guatemalan surplus with zero malfunctions. I've used it with Steel and Orlite Galil mags, as well as the M16 mag adapter with USGI and PMags. No problems whatsoever.

Note that an AR will shot rings around the Golani. It's a 2 MOA rifle if I do my part, whereas my (admittedly) tuned AR will shoot 1/2 MOA without difficulty with good ammo.

The trigger on the Golani, like most military rifles, is disappointing.

Finally, the receiver had to be modified to get the rifle to accept the M16 magazine adapter - a problem still not fixed.

And of course it beat the hell out of brass.

golani_fastfire-1.jpg


golani-5.jpg


brass.jpg
 
Originally posted by servn99
that thread is just internet bitching....same thing I see with Romanian WASR threads, back and forth blah blah blah.....
Click to expand...

While there's certainly some internet bitching displayed in the linked thread, it's not just internet bitching.

Some of us have more than just emailed some guy about them, you know...

But you're more than welcome to your opinion.

I wish you the best of luck with the one you eventually purchase.

Forrest
 
1. I am no particular fan of the AR
2. I think the Ak is a superior platform

with that said:

1. I wouldn't trade a rifle I can easily buy parts and magazines for (AR), for a rifle I can't easily buy parts and magazines for (Galil)
2. I wouldn't trade any accurate, reliable rifle (shudder to call an AR reliable) assembled in a factory for anything assembled by Century.

I can't believe I'm writing this. keep the AR. buy a 5.56x45 AK as a second rifle, as mags and parts aren't standardized for any of them. even then, buy a used Norinco, new Arsenal or other reputable brand competently assembled.
 
What specifically has to be done to get the AR magazine adapters to fit the golani?
 
You need to mill the forward corners of the mag well. The radius is too large. I used a 1/4 end mill and cut about 0.100 from the front of the magwell as can be seen in the above photo (circled areas)
 
Could this be done with a dremel? Or would I need to go to a gunsmith?
 
The biggest problem i see with all these parts guns is they are hit or miss,compared to a rifle where every part is made in the same factory,brand new,& assembled at the same factory to all the correct specs & tolerances.your better off with factory assembled guns ;even those cheap romanian ak's are at least all factory made,except the triggers,i think.even they work fine!
 
Solid, it might be doable with a dremel, but it might take a long time, and wouldn't look as nice.

If you already have the adapter, you should try dry fitting and only take off what's necessary. Personally, I'd have a smith do it if I didn't have the right tools.

You might want to check out this forum. I found it pretty helpful:

http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=77
 
Galil is a good rifle. But by default it's not a marksman rifle. But as an assault rifle it's OK and reliable.

Well, it can be a marksman rifle, if to dress it up. On the other hand, it's .308Win. One guy here participated in Häyhä memorial (there's an article in Combat&Survival, march this year i think, it had Finnish girl on cover) last year and shot better with it than quite a few guys with Sako TRG-s (some in .338LM cal).

attachment.php


But the side mounted scope is somewhat a nuisance, as it's very difficult to shoot it left handed.
 
I have a Galil clone on a ORF receiver that I had built through Hickman rifles.

I've had some problems but I'm not sure whats causing it yet, mainly with stovepipes. My headspace is fine after shooting 300 some rounds through it, it maybe a dirty chamber or ammo i'm using.

So far I can't say i'm too happy about the stovepipes but wolf ammo seems the most reliable out of all the stuff i've used so far.

I'm just going to buy a few different brands of ammo and run a chamber brush through and see if maybe it's just the ammo i'm using, if not, I guess i'll send it out and see if something else is the problem.
 
Save your money and buy a REAL Galil and a few parts kits so you will have spare parts. I have watched real IMI Galil prices skyrocket since the ORF/CAI/ECT Galils have been on the market. People always want the real deal and now that the Galil bug has bit with these questionable parts guns many people are looking for a true IMI rifle. (Myself included) I wish someone would make a good reciever and a true .308 reciever and barrel combo.
 
I've used a few Galil clones in South Africa and if I could have one of those rifles I would gladly take one!

This one was select fire and I loved it!

SLR-R5556mmRifle01.jpg

I have yet to fire an AR, so I can't compare.
 
Save some more cash and buy a IMI Galil.

Then buy a few parts kits and you should be set!

The .223 mags are easy to find and are not that exspensive.

Everyone says that the .223/5.56 Galils are heavy. I dont feel that they are. They are very well balanced. The .308 Galils are lighter than the M14, FAL or G3.
 
Golani Sporter

Just sent my early serail # golani back to century arms. I took it out a week ago and put 120 rounds of mil spec ammo through it. Averaged a failure to eject every 5 rounds:mad::cuss:. Failures ranged from case sticking out of the ejection port to case stuck deep in the action:banghead:. Went on CAI website and found mine was one of the early models subject to recall. Will see what happens, repair or replace?
 
Personally I say keep the AR, you can change it anytime down the road. I would get an AK later cuz they are cheap and great. Forget the Galil clones unless you like your to spend your free time and $$ on fixing your rifle and not shooting it, well unless you pony up and get the real deal IMI.

If you really want something different, look at the H&K SL8 in .308
Glock17-H&K-SL8.jpg

The SIG 556, close enough to the AR but "different"
sig556_dual_lg2.jpg


Or be really different and get the Kriss Super V Carbine (Basicly the pistol version with permanent barrel in .45
KRISSCRBSOGripPod.jpg


Or REALLY save up, trade in your car and go for the Remington ACR in a few months
remington-acr-1-tm.jpg

I know those are random choices, but I think the AR/AK are great rifle thats why they dominate the market place. But I think you should really look around for something other than Galil clones if you want something "different" In all serious-ness, go for the SIG556 or a good SA M1
 
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As you can tell by my screen name I am a big fan of the GALIL. A real IMI GALIL will not let you down & I love mine, but I bought most of my guns 15 to 20 yrs ago. I have AR's too and they are great also. If I were looking to buy today I would not pay $2000.00 to $4000.00 for any of the pre 89 guns. I am also leary of reassembled parts guns of any type even though I have a couple that are fine ( I have no experience with the GOLANI). I would buy a couple of AR's or other quality American made rifles and lots and lots of ammo.
 
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