Anyone with Galil or Golani experience?

[blackwalnut]

My local dealer has a Golani or Galil that has been in the rack for a million years and I think they want to just get rid of it. Exactly what are persons experiences with these rifles? I believe this was built by Century. Tapco is now making magazines for these rifles too. Any thoughts or should I just get an AR by Bushmaster?

 

[wally]

My Century was one of the early ones that were recalled, its never given me any troubles but they are a lot closer to an AK than an AR. The 50 round mags sure are fun!

Being a Century build, if you don't know much about them, its probably safer to buy an AR if you doubt your inspection skills.

 

[blackwalnut]

re: Wallys response to Golani

I thank you for your input. I did purchase a WASR that works 100% after inspecting it. I think I did a good job of course I had read what writers like David Fortier and Pat Sweeney instructed potential buyers to look out for. Would some of the same points apply to the Golani?

 

[Destructo6]

I shot one last night and was reasonably impressed. It felt solid and well put together.

Accuracy wasn't really measured, as it was night and the target was a steel plate.

It did fail a couple of times to extract/eject. The ejector's dent on the case head was deep, but right at the edge of the case head. It seemed to me that the ejector was a little short.

 

[gunnie]

will they let you try it for reliabilty? is it a return? some CAI builds have not been so good. others seem fine. offer them a fee to test fire it, if they really want to move it, they may agree.

what caliber/configuration? shot a friends IMI galil in 7.62 back in the '90's. was a folder, and the top tube was kinda brutal on the check bone.

gunnie

 

[Storm]

If you do a search on the Golani you will find a lot of info about the issues with the rifle and which serial numbers are considered to be a cutoff for better reliability. I have heard some put the cutoff at the 3000 serial number with those above better rifles. The main issue (other than adding a firing pin spring, and Century did a recall for that early on) was with the earlier rifles with the ORF receivers. The new better receivers are said to be made by Caspian and those receivers have a serial number prefix of "GLN". The ORF receivers have a "GAL" prefix. So, I would only consider a "GLN" prefixed rifle with a number as much over 3000 as possible. Go to Uzitalk forum for more info.

How do I know this? I just picked up a new Golani earlier this week with a "GLN" prefix with the serial number in the five thousands. I did my research. I haven't shot it yet but did score a 50 round Galil mag for it.

BTW, if you field strip the rifle do not be alarmed that the receiver cover fits so tightly. It's supposed to. With the rear sight on the cover a tight fit is necessary. I've heard of folks trimming the cover for a looser fit, but that is a mistake. You might also check and see if the Tritium inserts in the flip-up night sights still glows. Most don't, many with the vials missing. I'm told that there is a company that can replace these.

 

[zoom6zoom]

The ORF receivers have a "GAL" prefix.

They must have numbered them differently for Century. The ORF receiver on the one I built from parts has an RFG prefix.

 

[spur0701]

I bought two ARMs from SOG, no problems with either of them. Then bought two ARs from Classic Arms, both those had to go back to Century. One had consistant FTE (about 30% of the time), even after 500 round break in period. The other had a canted sight block, so much so it couldn't even be sighted in.......

 

[janobles14]

for me it would all boil down to how much they wanted for it.

 

[Storm]

So here I am, sitting on my back deck smoking a cigar listening to the Braves game while getting the feel of my new Golani, and I flipped up the night sights. To my surprise the front dot and one rear one (one is missing) are still faintly glowing. They aren't worth much, but still a nice surprise. I wonder how old they are.

 

[Storm]

BTW, I scored a couple of 50 round Galil mags. I bought one and restored it and then went back to the shop and bought the other one that they had. These things look like they have been dragged through the Negev, but they are free from dents with the springs in good condition, and that's what really matters. I'll restore the second one tonight. These are mags made for zombies. When I put one in the Golani I have to chuckle.

 

[John Parker]

So here I am, sitting on my back deck smoking a cigar listening to the Braves game while getting the feel of my new Golani, and I flipped up the night sights. To my surprise the front dot and one rear one (one is missing) are still faintly glowing. They aren't worth much, but still a nice surprise. I wonder how old they are.

That's the beauty of half-life in radioactive decay!