IWI US Galil ACE GEN II 5.45×39 Pistol

Weapon evolution is constant with designers having no qualms borrowing from other platforms.  The current IWI Galil ACE GEN II 5.45×39 braced pistol great example.  The original Galil was inspired by the Finnish Valmet Rk62.  The Valmet Rk62 itself an improved AK derivative.  The Valmet Rk62 sought to maintain AK reliability while improving accuracy.  

The Galil stemmed from the IDF finding their FAL rifles wanting in terms of weight, recoil and most significantly reliability.   The 5.56mm Galil was officially adopted by the IDF in 1972.   However, the Galil immediately found itself competing against large numbers of M16/M4s arriving from the US for basically nothing.  It made more fiscal sense to use the US weapon versus incurring the cost of large scale manufacturing of the Galil.  The money could be spent on other IDF equipment needs.  

Three Degrees of Separation

In 2015, IWI decided to revive the Galil in the enhanced Galil ACE form for US civilian market and export client contracts. The Galil ACE is not merely a copy of the 1960s design.  IWI took full advantage of the passage of time to improve/update the original Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior 1960s design.

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The original Galil reliability has never been doubted, however its near ten pound weight drew criticism from troops, especially when compared to the 6.5-pound M4.  The Galil ACE makes use of a polymer lower for the magazine well, trigger guard, forend and pistol grip to shed weight.  The upper receiver containing the action is milled from ordnance steel.  Besides shaving weight, the Galil ACE has its reciprocating charging handle moved to the left side of the steel receiver for easier/simpler weak hand manipulation.  A spring loaded gate on the left side minimizes the chance of dirt/grime entering via the charging handle pathway.  The original Galil had a distinctive vertically upturned bolt handle on the right side.  

Galil ACE Improvements

IWI accentuated the original Galil design by securing the Galil ACE’s railed top cover tightly via oversized release button at the end of the recoil spring and front notch interfacing with the receiver.   This ensures sights stays zeroed, especially important when mounting red dot or magnified optics.  The top cover exhibits no wiggle.  In fact, removing and reinstalling takes some effort, but is worth it considering the advantage gained.  Following this theme, the Galil’s gas tube is dovetailed into the receiver’s front block.  This limits any movement of the gas block that can influence barrel vibration and thus degrade accuracy.  A recoil buffer is also present at the rear of the recoil spring.  This serves multiple roles: cushion impact of recoiling parts, easeswear on the rear trunnion, and taming of vibrations assisting accuracy potential.  All of these details related to top cover and gas tube differ from the original AK.

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The Galil ACE was further improved upon with the Galil ACE GEN II in 2021.  The GEN II features a full length two-piece Picatinny top rail, free float metal alloy M-LOK forend, improved trigger, more ergonomic safety, and side folding adjustable buttstock/brace that is M4-tube compatible.  Galil ACE GEN II rifles ship with Magpul CTR and riser. IWI Galil GEN II pistols originally arrived with SB Tactical SBA-3 braces.  Starting in March 2024 only a flat back plate is present at the rear trunnion. Galil ACE GEN II rifles and pistols are chambered in 5.56MM, 7.62×39, and 5.45×39—the object of our attention herein.  The pistol brace version reviewed herein was definitely not contemplated by the two original designers.  

Ultimate AK Form

The IWI Galil ACE GEN II 5.45×39 (5.45) braced pistol tested herein features 13-inch 1:7.5 RH twist chrome lined hammer forged barrel with removal A2 style flash hider.  Overall length is 32-inch open and 24-inch with brace folded.  Weight is just under 8-pounds.  An 8.3-inch barrel pistol also available as is 16-inch rifle version 5.45.  IWI US decided to make a limited run of 5.45×39 chambered Galil ACE rifles and pistols few years back anyway.  These sold out so quickly it was decided to continue with the 5.45 chambering when the Galil ACE GEN II models were introduced.  

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A Magpul 30-rd AK74MOE magazine arrives with the Galil ACE II pistol.  IWI US literature makes mention that a US made magazine was used for 922R compliance purposes.  A centrally located magazine release reinforces ambidextrous functionality.  Magazines do not drop free and there is no last round hold open provision or bolt open device found with the Galil ACE a ’la AK.  

Trigger & More

The Galil ACE II comes equipped with the same trigger type used in the Galil sniper rifle.  This is a nice upgrade offering a 5 pound pull after an initial slight take up.  The Galil ACE II pistol emerges from the box remediating known AK shortcomings in terms of mounting optics over the receiver. With the IWI Galil ACE you possibly have the finest AK variant currently in production.

The Galil ACE II pistol’s flattop upper used to mount a Meprolight TRU-VISION red dot.  A Meprolight MMX3 slide flip magnifier was also used. Independence from eye relief requirements is a major red dot advantage. This is appreciated when working in tight confines or finding oneself in awkward firing positions to maximize cover.  Keep both eyes open and if you see the red dot on target pull the trigger.  The adjustable intensity of the TRU-VISION red dot sight allows you to tune the 2MOA dot reticle as needed either in low light or bright conditions.  The ability to boost to 3x with magnifier will extend effective range.  

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Banned—But Not Gone

5.45×39 military surplus 7N6 ammunition was banned in early 2014 by Executive fiat.  Up to this point, the availability of cheap, plentiful 5.45 surplus ammunition had 5.45 chambered AKs increasing in popularity. The ban took the steam out of AK’s chambered in 5.45. “Spam” cans of 7N6 5.45 can still be found.  Just NOT at a few cent a round anymore.   .80-.90 cents a round is going rate now. This is what happens when government makes rules in the marketplace.  The 52.9 grain 7N6 “poison pill” bullet with velocity of 2,900 fps from 16-inch barrel AK74 first gained notoriety in the Soviet Afghan War.  

The 5.45 ammunition is available from both Russian and non-Russian manufactures.  Will admit to having acquired an adequate supply of 5.45 ammo over the years.  Multiple 5.45×39 loads were tested with the Galil ACE 5.45 such as Wolf, Tula, Silver Bear in 60 grain and 70 grain varieties. Surplus 7N6 was also used. One domestic 5.45 ammunition loadings of interest was also tested with the Galil ACE 5.45.  The Hornady 60 grain V-Max loading. This 5.45×39 load is a godsend for 5.45 owners looking for a quality US made ammunition choice for their rifles. The Hornady V-Max loads delivered accuracy in the 1.25 inch range at 50 yards.  The other ammunition brands kept groups 2-inches and under at 50 yards.  Accuracy testing was done with the Meprolight TRU-VISION red dot and 3x magnifier in place.  

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Worth The Wait

Several hundred rounds were fired through the Galil ACE GEN II pistol for this article.  Like I said…. I have acquired adequate supply.  After initial inspection and light lubrication no cleaning was performed.  No issues were encountered in terms of reliability.  Special focus was paid to maintaining Meprolight TRU-VISION optic zero by removing and reinstalling the top cover numerous times between evaluation scenarios. 

Range tests consisted of moving around barricades and simulated cover while engaging an assortment of paper and steel targets, including automobiles located at Echo Valley Training Center.  Even after multiple rapid fire magazine dumps, the new metal forend proved able to be gripped with a non-gloved hand. One immediate positive comment was the ambidextrous safety/fire lever found on the Galil ACE II pistol. The right side safety lever has been reduced in size as it is no longer required to act as dust cover.  The right side safety/fire lever is accessed via the right index finger or removing your hand from the pistol grip and using multiple fingers.  On the left side, just above the pistol grip, there is another safety/ fire selector, meant to be operated by the shooter’s thumb.  This was found to the favored method of use in terms of efficiency.  

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The Galil ACE II exhibited all of the positive Kalashnikov characteristics combined with the lethal Russian .22 caliber service round—the 5.45×39—without the associated AK negatives in terms of mounting optics, accuracy potential, ergonomics. It is strongly suggested to anyone interested in a 5.45×39 chambered weapon to consider the IWI Galil ACE II.

The post IWI US Galil ACE GEN II 5.45×39 Pistol appeared first on Athlon Outdoors Exclusive Firearm Updates, Reviews & News.