Your opinion of the IMI Galil?

[superpunchy]

What is everyone's opinion of the IMI Galil in 7.62x51mm NATO? What are it's pro's and con's? Can it be made to use .308 Winchester cartridges?

 

[4v50 Gary]

I remember reading about accuracy issues with that gun. Never shot one myself though.

 

[jonnyc]

The one I was issued in 5.56 was alot better than the M16A1 I had before it. Neither was as good as the Maag58 I had for a while.
BTW, what would stop you from using .308 in yours, it's the same thing as 7.62x51 Nato (no, let's not start that again!). It can't be "made to use" it or not, it already does.

 

[10-Ring]

The Galil is a nice rifle -- shot one many years ago and really enjoyed it

 

[HorseSoldier]

Never played with one in 7.62x51.

The 5.56mm ones are nice -- different set of pluses and minuses than an AR, and not a bad gun.

Price on a 7.62x51 one is going to be pretty painful, though, I think, since you're talking about original, no-longer imported Israeli production.

 

[armoredman]

The Israeli ones are well thought of, the Golani Century imports, not so much, IIRC.

 

[superpunchy]

Can the Israel-made ones be bought here in the U.S. in 7.62x51 NATO?

 

[Number 6]

Can the Israel-made ones be bought here in the U.S. in 7.62x51 NATO?

Yes, but they are fairly pricey and not nearly as common as the 5.56 version.

 

[Quiet]

Action Arms and Magnum Research imported IMI Galils in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm before they were banned from importation in the late-1980s.

You can find IMI 7.62x51mm Galils on the auction sites.
They sell around the $3000 range.

 

[woodybrighton]

the 5.56mm was heavy but nicely made and seemed squaddie proof

 

[lipadj46]

Galil:
IMI = good
Golani = bad

 

[ZEN.45]

What is everyone's opinion of the IMI Galil in 7.62x51mm NATO? What are it's pro's and con's?

I just got these but I haven't had the time to try them yet. A real test of the Galatz wil have to wait until I get the scope mount.

 

[jobu07]

I purchased a Golani while I was home on leave. I was able to put several hundred rounds through it utilizing everything from gradual siting in to rapid fire and engaging multiple targets. It has proven to be a very accurate and robust rifle. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Edit, there is a nice write up about the Century imported Golani in a recent issue of Guns & Ammo I believe, as well.

 

[superpunchy]

So Israel used the FN FAL before they switched over to the Galil, correct? What did they use before the FN FAL?

 

[mljdeckard]

The problem you may find in using .308 in a rifle chambered for 7.62 NATO is that at it heats, you might start to get failures to extract. They are loaded to different spec.

 

[nalioth]

The Israeli ones are well thought of, the Golani Century imports, not so much, IIRC.

C'mon mister - the OP asked about 7.62x51 Galils, not cobbled together 5.56x45 Century skunkers . . .


Bottom line: an IMI Galil is top drawer good (in any caliber).

 

[Medusa]

7.62x51 Galil is a good rifle by design (unless maker screwed it up).

 

[HorseSoldier]

So Israel used the FN FAL before they switched over to the Galil, correct? What did they use before the FN FAL?

Mausers and other surplus WW2 stuff.

 

[jonnyc]

"The problem you may find in using .308 in a rifle chambered for 7.62 NATO is that at it heats, you might start to get failures to extract. They are loaded to different spec."

No. Wrong. Not true. You cannot make any kind of valid blanket statement like that. The fact is that 7.62x51 is 7.62 Nato, is .308 W.

Up until the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israeli ground units used a mix of Mausers, Uzis, FALs, and even some AKs. Some Galils were issued in early '73, along with some M16s. Through the mid '70s to early '90s, both Galils and M16s were issued until the Galil was dropped in favor of all M16s. Now the Tavor is beginning to get issued to front-line infantry units.

 

[superpunchy]

After reading more about the Galil, it seems to be nothing more than an improved version of the AK-47. Since the AK-47 is such a well-known and high profile assault rifle, then why isn't more said about the Galil since it is an *improved* version?

 

[Number 6]

After reading more about the Galil, it seems to be nothing more than an improved version of the AK-47. Since the AK-47 is such a well-known and high profile assault rifle, then why isn't more said about the Galil since it is an *improved* version?

It never really entered full service with the IDF. The Israelis would buy M16s for much cheaper than Galils so they issued M16s and later M4 type rifles in much larger numbers. The Galil was issued, but usually to tank and artillery crews.

 

[Frankl03]

If I had the money I would love to own an IMI Galil in 308 or 223. Great weapons! I owned a couple of Golanis and I would not buy another!

 

[meef]

I had one in the early/mid 1980's. 7.62x51 (or .308 - take your pick - made NO difference to the rifle). Bought it new right after they were introduced. Cost me about $850 if I recall correctly.

One of the stupidest moves of my firearm owning life was selling it. Wish I had had enough sense to hang on to it.

:banghead:

 

[mljdeckard]

They are NOT the same. It's not usually a problem in bolt rifles, but in autoloaders you may encounter problems, PARTICULARLY when the weapon heats up. ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/308.htm

 

[jonnyc]

"The Galil was issued, but usually to tank and artillery crews."

Not quite true. At least from 1982 to 1989, my time with intimate IDF knowledge, every "regular" combat unit I knew of (infantry, engineers, armor, artillery, paras, AA, land and sea sayerot) where issued Galils or the short barrelled Glilon. Officers often chose shorty M16s, and M16A1s were often issued to second line and reserves.