Anyone familiar with galil golanis

[newkahrman]

I am considering buying one of these, but was curious if any of you has feedback on them. I want something between a wasr and an AR15. This looks like a good compromise. I am curious about reliability, accuracy, and price and availability of mags. Any information is appreciated.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I'm familiar with Galils -- good weapon, but it's own pluses and minuses and idiosyncracies.

The Golanis are used Israeli parts kits "rehabilitated" by Century Arms, with the usual buyer beware issues that go with most anything Century turns out. You might get a good one or a bad one -- I'd consider one if I could do a detailed inspection on it, but be much less interested in doing an online purchase and FFL transfer, etc.

 

[nalioth]

I'd consider one if I could do a detailed inspection on it,

. . . one that included a Rockwell hardness test and a magnafluxxing?


Stick with an IMI Galil. Even used, they're Cadillacs.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Hadn't heard the receivers were that bad. In that case, I'd pass.

Don't think you can find an actual IMI built rifle for a price I'd consider reasonable for what it is . . .

 

[doubs43]

Roughly 23 years ago I shot a .223 Galil that belonged to an English friend of mine. With a 4x scope, hitting a 1 gallon paint can at 300 yards was a piece of cake. I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy it had.

 

[Ric_Knight]

I have not had any problems with mine yet. At this time I can only advise yes. But, as stated, it is a rebuild so there is a chance that it might be bad.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

IMI Galil, or no Galil, I say. A good alternative is the .223 Saiga.

 

[Buck Kramer]

Isreal has been fighting for over 2,000 years, Id trust their standard issue...plus its based off the AK, cant go wrong.

 

[Avenger29]

Isreal has been fighting for over 2,000 years, Id trust their standard issue...plus its based off the AK, cant go wrong.

The problem isn't the Galil. It's how it's put together for this version.

I'd avoid the Golani. I looked at them last year. No thanks.

 

[tju1973]

I think they are good weapons, but are you sold on the look or name? I need a .223 semi auto, and really want just an AR15, but if I go "cheap", I will probably go Saiga and convert it-- I am not knocking CIAs, but I would probably steer clear of them if they are sold "sight unseen"-- The one you are looking at is a CIA version (I assume). I got lucky on my CIA WASR--bought it on GB from a local guy last summer for $400 with all the crap that comes with them. He even let me fire it first...I would not buy another CIA like that, unless it was from someone who could warranty/or deal with the CIA monday morning goons..

8*)

 

[briansmithwins]

CAI has not solved the riddle of steel.

I've seen pics of soft receivers being beaten to pulp on the CAI Galils. BSW

 

[Frankl03]

I have owned two Golanis. I would not own another!

 

[HorseSoldier]

Isreal has been fighting for over 2,000 years, Id trust their standard issue...plus its based off the AK, cant go wrong.

Their standard issue for decades for guys who actually pull triggers for a living was the M16 and its derivatives. Shortly after introduction the Galil got pushed out of the spotlight and only soldiered on as a personal defense weapon for tank crews and such.

Definitely not a bad weapon, though not as robust as a real AK. It has its own pluses and minuses when done properly by someone like IMI. When done by Century . . . rolling the dice and such.

 

[nalioth]

When done by Century . . . rolling the dice and such.

Loaded dice, at that.

 

[Avenger29]

I think they are good weapons, but are you sold on the look or name? I need a .223 semi auto, and really want just an AR15, but if I go "cheap", I will probably go Saiga and convert it

Go with the Siaga. You'll have widely available parts, decent to great accuracy, and reliability.

 

[starkadder]

To each his own, I have had great luck with Century rifles (have seven now) and I plan on getting a Golani as soon as I can, but many members will tell you that they are junk and some will say they are even dangerous, but in my opinion no company could stay in business as long as them by selling junk, and if they were dangerous Century would have been shut down long ago, remember Raven, Jennings, Bryco....
Because they use surplus parts it is always good to look at several different ones and pick the one with the best looking internals and barrel. But that is just my opinion and the fact that I have fired "thousands" of rounds through Century rifles, without one falling apart or blowing up.


This is this! It's not something else, it's this!

Don't pull it if you don't plan to use it, and don't use it if you don;t plan to kill!

ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR MEN AND WOMEN OVER THERE.

 

[nalioth]

starkadder, may I suggest you visit some AK and Galil centered forums and ask about the Golanis.

You'll be pointed to dozens of people with legitimate issues.

 

[starkadder]

Yes, Nalioth I sure that I would find people with problems with there Golani's, but I could also find just as many with issues with thier Colt, Savage, Bushmaster, Winchester, Remington, Taurus, Rossi..... and any other manufacturer under the sun. All companies that produce firearms have had problems, if they didn't none of them would have a customer support center, factory recalls, or a service department. If I buy a "newly manufactured gun" I expect for it to work properly, but this is not always the case. Just as I stated in my previous post you need to be aware that almost all Century guns are built from surplus military weapons and should be closely inspected before purchase.


This is this! It's not something else, it's this!

Don't pull it if you don't plan to use it, and don't use it if you don't plan to kill!

ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR MEN AND WOMEN OVER THERE.

 

[nalioth]

Well, in this case, it's got nothing to do with the parts kits used.

There are plenty of posts here and on the Kalashnikov-centric forums on this particular issue.

 

[warehouseman18]

I was looking at buying one also. At the one firearms store I visited, they had 2. One by Century Arms brand new for $700, and another Used one for $900 and I don't know who made it but it wasn't Century. So You all would recommend we buy the used one?
But now you all have me questioning if I should buy one.

 

[lipadj46]

If it's made by IMI and you want a Galil go for it.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I don't think you'd find an IMI for $900, but if it is, grab it as fast as you can . . .

 

[lipadj46]

But now you all have me questioning if I should buy one.

For $700 you can buy a Saiga .223 and pay a known Saiga smith to convert it back to an AK. You will end up with a better rifle.

 

[nalioth]

But now you all have me questioning if I should buy one.

For $700 you can buy a Saiga .223 and pay a known Saiga smith to convert it back to an AK. You will end up with a better rifle.

. . . or convert it yourself and spend the money you save on ammo.

 

[Moose458]

Their standard issue for decades for guys who actually pull triggers for a living was the M16 and its derivatives. Shortly after introduction the Galil got pushed out of the spotlight and only soldiered on as a personal defense weapon for tank crews and such.

Definitely not a bad weapon, though not as robust as a real AK. It has its own pluses and minuses when done properly by someone like IMI. When done by Century . . . rolling the dice and such.

Since everything from the buttstock to the barrel IS AK, how can they not be as robust as the AK? I have 2 IMI Galils and 7 AKs, and except for the added safty lever on the left side, you'd be hard pressed to tell one from the other. The reason the Galils weren't issued was because the U.S. gave Israel the M16s. It was just a matter of economics.