IWI ACE
| Galil ACE | |
|---|---|
|
IMI INDUMIL Galil ACE 32 7.62×39mm | |
| Type | |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries Indumil |
| Manufacturer |
Israel Weapons Industries |
| Variants | see variants |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge |
5.56×45mm NATO (ACE 21 (N), 22 (N), 23) 7.62×39mm (ACE 31, 32) 7.62×51mm NATO (ACE 52, 53) |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650-700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 600 to 915 m/s (1,970 to 3,000 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 to 500 m (330 to 550 yd) |
| Feed system | 20-, 25-, 30-, or 35-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Front post and rear diopter iron sights or various optics |
The Galil ACE or IWI ACE is an Israeli assault rifle developed and manufactured by IWI and Indumil also produced under license by Indumil,[1] RPC Fort[2] and FAMAE.[3] It is produced in three calibres: 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, and 7.62×51mm NATO.
The ACE family assault rifles are based upon the mechanism of the IMI Galil, but using a modernized design and materials to increase its accuracy and lower its weight, while maintaining the Galil's ergonomics, ease of maintenance and reliability under battle conditions.[4] Emphasis was placed in particular in increasing its reliability and accuracy under adverse or battlefield conditions.
It is the main assault rifle of the Colombian army and the Colombian police, for whom it is manufactured locally under license by Indumil. In addition, it has been selected as the future standard assault rifle of the Chilean Army and the Vietnamese army.
Design features
Weight reduction
The original IMI Galil had weighed up to 9.6 lb (4.35 kg) depending on its variant, and this weight was criticised by the Israel Defense Forces. The heavy weight was a result of IMI having built the Galil rifle from a machined all-solid steel billet action in order to increase the structural integrity and survivability of the weapon.
The Galil Ace has a significantly reduced weight. IWI redesigned the action to integrate the steel with polymer, which is much lighter than the fully steel receiver of the original Galil.[4] While the upper receiver is machined steel and the receiver top features a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, polymer has been introduced to the lower receiver of the weapon to reduce the gun's weight.[5]
Last round bolt catch
Another addition by IWI to the original Galil is the last round bolt catch, for the versions of the ACE in 5.56×45mm NATO. The bolt hold-open feature is a common request of military customers, to reduce reloading times during combat.[6]
Long-stroke piston system
The rifle uses the Galil's long-stroke piston system. The long-stroke system is found in the M1 Garand, AK-47 (upon which the Galil's internal mechanism design borrowed heavily) and more recently in the Tavor.
Gas tube
The gas tube, unlike the AK-47 system, is mounted on the rifle via a dovetail slide machined on the receiver upper-front block. This avoids any movement of the gas block that can influence barrel vibration and thus degrade rifle accuracy.[4]
Port sealing
IWI have sealed the internal mechanism of the gun, by the addition of a sliding vertical cover. As a result, the internal mechanism of the Galil is sealed and protected from the accumulation of dirt or sand.[7]
Stock
The standard buttstock found on the Galil ACE is a six position telescopic stock that can be fitted with an optional cheek-piece to improve the sighting of the weapon when using an optical sight. An optional right folding version of the standard buttstock is also available. The forearm consists of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails on all 4 sides for mounting accessories such as aiming optics. The side forearm rails have central grooves to provide routing channels for electric wiring used by pressure switch activated accessories. The forearm comes with quick detachable polymer covering panels that can be mounted when a side or bottom forearm Picatinny rail has no accessories mounted to it.
Trigger
The IWI Ace adopts the Galil Sniper trigger instead of the original Galil trigger, in order to improve accuracy compared to the standard Galil.[8] This is a two-stage trigger,[7] which IWI have modeled on the two-stage trigger of the M1 Garand.[9]
According to American Rifleman, the two-stage trigger is "clean and smooth with a 21.4 N (4.8 lbf) trigger pull according to a Lyman digital trigger gauge."[10]
Barrel
The barrel is chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged, with a 1:7" twist.
Accuracy
According to American Rifleman: Although this rifle is clearly based on the AK design, it demonstrated a superior level of accuracy potential compared to several of its cousins. The best single group [at 100 yards] of 0.83” and five-group average of 0.98” was produced using the Federal Premium 123-gr. Power-Shok soft-point load” (testing done using 7.62×39mm 16 inch barreled variant).[10]
Variants
The Galil ACE is available in three calibers with multiple barrel lengths for each type:[11][12]
| Model | Caliber | Barrel length | Length (extended) | Length (retracted) | Weight (unloaded) | Feed system | Muzzle velocity | Range | Rate of fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE 21 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 215 mm (8.5 in) | 730 mm (29 in) | 650 mm (26 in) | 2.95 kg (6.5 lb) | 35-round Galil magazine | 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) | 300 m (330 yd) | 700 rpm |
| ACE 21 N | 5.56×45mm NATO | 215 mm (8.5 in) | 750 mm (30 in) | 650 mm (26 in) | 3.19 kg (7.0 lb) | 30-round NATO magazine | 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) | 300 m (330 yd) | 700 rpm |
| ACE 22 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 332 mm (13.1 in) | 847 mm (33.3 in) | 767 mm (30.2 in) | 3.25 kg (7.2 lb) | 35-round Galil magazine | 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) | _ | 700 rpm |
| ACE 22 N | 5.56×45mm NATO | 332 mm (13.1 in) | 867 mm (34.1 in) | 767 mm (30.2 in) | 3.35 kg (7.4 lb) | 30-round NATO magazine | 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) | _ | 700 rpm |
| ACE 23 | 5.56×45mm NATO | 406 mm (16.0 in) | 975 mm (38.4 in) | 895 mm (35.2 in) | 3.40 kg (7.5 lb) | 35-round Galil magazine | 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) | 500 m (550 yd) | 700 rpm |
| ACE 23 N | 5.56×45mm NATO | 406 mm (16.0 in) | 995 mm (39.2 in) | 895 mm (35.2 in) | 3.45 kg (7.6 lb) | 30-round NATO magazine | 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) | 500 m (550 yd) | 700 rpm |
| ACE 31 | 7.62×39mm | 215 mm (8.5 in) | 730 mm (29 in) | 650 mm (26 in) | 3.05 kg (6.7 lb) | 30-round AK magazine | 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s) | 700 rpm | |
| ACE 32 | 7.62×39mm | 406 mm (16.0 in) | 895 mm (35.2 in) | 815 mm (32.1 in) | 3.40 kg (7.5 lb) | 30-round AK magazine | 680 m/s (2,200 ft/s) | _ | 700 rpm |
| ACE 52 | 7.62×51mm NATO | 406 mm (16.0 in) | 935 mm (36.8 in) | 855 mm (33.7 in) | 3.65 kg (8.0 lb) | 25-round magazine | 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) | _ | 650 rpm |
| ACE 52 L | 7.62×51mm NATO | 457 mm (18.0 in) | 992 mm (39.1 in) | 912 mm (35.9 in) | 3.71 kg (8.2 lb) | 25-round magazine | 830 m/s (2,700 ft/s) | _ | 650 rpm |
| ACE 53 | 7.62×51mm NATO | 508 mm (20.0 in) | 1,043 mm (41.1 in) | 963 mm (37.9 in) | 3.85 kg (8.5 lb) | 25-round magazine | 860 m/s (2,800 ft/s) | _ | 650 rpm |
Users
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Colombia[13] - It serves as the standard issued assault rifle of the National Army of Colombia and the National Police of Colombia. Manufactured in Colombia by Indumil.
Chile - Selected as the Chilean Army's new 5.56 mm standard-issue rifle.[14] In 2014, the Galil ACE began to be deployed in the Chilean Army.[15]
Haiti: Used by certain Haitian police officers.[16]
Mexico: Used by certain personnel of the Mexican Federal Police [17]
Paraguay: Used by Special Forces of the Paraguayan Police against insurgents in the North and in major drug operations on the Paraguayan-Brazilian border.
Peru: The Peruvian government has plans to license the Galil ACE, establishing a factory to produce up to 2000 rifles per month.[18][19]
Guatemala: 3,000 Model 31 versions used by Guatemala National Civil Police.[20]
El Salvador[21]
Honduras - Model 21 used by the army and air force.
Philippines - San Juan City Police uses ACE 21.[22]
South Sudan: Used by the South Sudanese Armed Forces [17]
Trinidad and Tobago: Used by the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
Vietnam - ACE 31 and 32 have been selected as the standard-issue assault rifles in the Vietnamese Army, to gradually replace their current AK-47-derived weapons.[23] IWI has established a $100 million factory in Vietnam, to produce an unspecified number of Galil ACE assault rifles for the People's Army of Vietnam.[24]
Ukraine - since August 2014 (under designation "Fort-227",[2] "Fort-228",[25] and "Fort-229"[26])
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.israel-weapon.com/default.asp?catid=%7B0DF81339-8435-4D0E-8ED8-AAE59459CA45%7D
- 1 2 Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-227» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
- ↑ Chile quita poderosa arma al Perú Viernes 27 Junio 2014
- 1 2 3 GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal
- ↑ GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal
- ↑ The Battle Rifle: Development and Use Since World War II, Russell C. Tilstra, (McFarland 2014), page 98
- 1 2 GALIL ACE 5.56 29 May 2013, Small Arms Defense Journal (Volume 5)
- ↑ Galil Ace Rifle August 24, 2010 in Rifles by Steve Johnson
- ↑ Kokalis, Peter (2001). Weapons Tests and Evaluations: The Best of Soldier of Fortune. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. p. 253. ISBN 1-58160-122-0.
- 1 2 IWI Galil ACE Semi-Automatic Rifle by B. Gil Horman - Monday, January 19, 2015
- ↑ Galil ACE 31, 32
- ↑ Galil ACE 52,53
- ↑ "IWI Galil ACE 5.56 mm assault rifle (Israel), Rifles". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ↑ FIDAE: Chilean Army Selects Galil ACE as New Standard Rifle Defensenews.com, 26 March 2014
- ↑ The Chilean Army begins to deploy the new Galil ACE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
- ↑ "Haitian Police Spotted with Galil ACE, T65 Rifles - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- 1 2 "IWI Galil ACE Spotted In South Sudan and Mexico - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ↑ "Peru licenses the new Galil ACE rifle - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ↑ http://www.ejercito.mil.pe/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4926&catid=4926&Itemid=9
- ↑ IWI Galil ACE rifle adopted by Guatemala National Civil Police Thefirearmblog.com
- ↑ El Salvador also to buy Galil Ace - Thefirearmblog
- ↑ "Facebook". facebook.com.
- ↑ "Israeli IWI Galil ACE 31 ACE 32 assault rifles to replace Russian AK-47 in Vietnamese Army 0202146-Army Recognition". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ↑ "Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ↑ Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-228» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
- ↑ Штурмовая винтовка «Форт-229» / официальный сайт НПО "Форт"
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Galil ACE assault rifles (Israel) at Modern Firearms
- IWI ACE Webpage.
- ACE 5.56×45 Brochure.
- ACE N 5.56×45 Brochure.
- ACE 7.62×39 Brochure.
- ACE 7.62×51 Brochure.
- About the rifle design (Spanish)
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