My initial impression of Gen 2 Galil Ace pistol in 7.62x39

[Greg Bell]

Hey guys,

Did some swapping and picked up a Gen 2 Ace. Mainly I did it because I am buying anything imported these days. I had a Gen 1 and although I liked it, I sold it a buddy a few years back. I was excited to pick it up because 7.62x39 is RELATIVELY cheap ($7.99 for 20) to pick up right now so shooting 100 rounds is expensive, but basically what I was spending to shoot my AR pistol a year or so ago.

Spoiler alert: there is no reason to buy this gun if you have a Gen 1. I think almost everything about this gun is an improvement, but nothing earth-shattering.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169635760_17aeaae918_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZj)Galil Ace 2 first outing (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZj) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr


PRO

1. RAIL. It's nice. The old handguard was a bit portly and plasticky. The new one is much more comfortable. I think in full auto the original hand guard might have been more comfortable but in semi-auto the rail won't get warm enough to make a big difference. So basically, you have a nice place to put your hand. ALSO, the rail seems to be very solid so you actually might consider mounting your optic further forward and not have to worry about return to zero. Also, you have excellent sling options thanks to the sling swivel mounting holes.

2. Safety. Supposedly this is much better than the old one. They have shortened the throw but they have increased the leverage needed. I believe this is why they put the ledge on the right (AK) side. I think they increased the leverage needed so they wanted to put a bigger shelf. Honestly, it's ok, but nothing amazing.

3. They trimmed back the plastic around the mag well. I didn't believe it would be, but it is an improvement. It allows very easy mag changes. The old one acted as a sort of guide but the Galil has the best rock and lock system I have ever experienced (WAY, WAY, WAY better than any AK including my Saiga, Arsenal, Zastava, you name it).

4. They swapped to a non-proprietary brace/ AR buffer tube. See "con" below.

5. Trigger is fantastic. The ALG on my Saiga is a bit better but not worth changing. Frankly, it may be no better after I get more than 120 rounds down range.

6. VERY HIGH quality. Everything about it screams top-quality military construction. Nothing about this gun feels dinky. I have played with $1700 DD guns that had furniture that made me wince. This gun feels like it means business. The parts are all clean, well finished and well fit. IWI is not ripping folks off, this is a top-tier gun. Anyone that pays $1200 for a Zastava without brace and won't pay $1600 for this is smoking crack.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51167876372_c30109803d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXwJZ3)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXwJZ3) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169329794_803bbb6e7d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXEc33)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXEc33) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51168548536_67e9af9880_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXAbN5)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXAbN5) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169642020_ce91087085_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFMRf)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFMRf) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

CON.

1. No irons. The old irons weren't great but they had tritium. The front sight was built in so you never had to worry about it. The rear was a solid bolt on unit but it was still mounted on the top cover which is lame. I ended up spending over $100 putting some low profile magpul sights on the gun.

2. The brace isn't really adjustable. The stock is on a non-proprietary tube but it won't adjust. You basically have to keep it in short mode if you want it to lock. I guess this is a concession to the unwritten LOP rule that ATF is playing around with. However, if this rule doesn't end up being a thing you can easily swap it out. Also, the current brace is shorter than the old brace

3. They have simplified the machining in the lower a bit. I notice that the listening cuts that disappeared in the 545 model are now gone for the 762x39 (see picture)


The gun was very easy to zero. I threw on a lightweight holosun circle-dot. I think any top cover optic needs to be light. after about 9 rounds I was able to zero the sights to the optic and get on with it. I am going to clean it tonight and then see how the zero is next week. I am mix of red army standard and tula. I shot about 3.5 moa. Before you laugh I need to note this is what I shoot with the ammo from my Arsenal and Saiga. That's about as good as I get with AK's shooting cheap ammo.

I noticed no ""over-gassing." I need to admit I like shooting HK-91s but honestly it recoils like an AK pistol with better ergos.

Who should buy this gun ? Gun aficionados. No question this gun at $1600 makes little sense in a world awash with cheap ARs. But if you are an AK guy come hell or high water I can't think of a better AK except for one thing. I WISH there was a way to mount an optic on a side rail. RSREGULATE figure this out. I just don't trust top cover optics.
over time.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169635790_1fd950cbae_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZQ)Galil Ace 2 first outing (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZQ) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr


https://youtu.be/pQ3JfFBaaR4

Ghetto Slo-mo.

https://youtu.be/A-OYy8yJ4NY

[GJM]

Do you think this is better than an Arsenal pistol?

[Greg Bell]

I think the ACE is a "better" gun and a better value (currently). The ACE is basically finished right out of the box. There isn't anything to do other than slap an optic on it. The Arsenal will need to get a buffer tube adapter. I am not a fan of the pic rear brace mount. I have a Zastava with that and the triangle brace that mounts on the pic rail is a joke. There is a tiny little plate that holds the whole thing together. Someone needs to come up with a kit for beefing that up. I have one on a Zastava and I decided to swap it out for a buffer tube adapter.

If you correct the rear brace issue and make the arsenal as cheap as the Galil I think it's a tough call. The Arsenal is an AK and a milled one to boot. My suspicion is that gun with the original arsenal Triangle stock is an unstoppable beast. A buddy of mine just bought the rifle version and it was a very smooth shooter and built like a tank. I will say the superficial fit and finish is way, way, way better on the Ace.

[CDFIII]

Can you notice any difference in the gas port sizing? The first Gen. guns were basically impossible to suppress without causing severe over gassing. Hoping Gen. 2 had fixed those issues.

[Greg Bell]

Honestly, I don't know. It seems fine, but I've never tried to suppress any AK or AK variant. I have always sailed close to the shore and only suppressed my AR-15s and my Scar when it comes to rifles. I do have a Surefire SOCOM and a spare 3 prong laying around....hmmm

[Greg Bell]

Blasted another 100 rounds down range. I'm starting to have some thoughts.


Trigger

The trigger is decent. It feels like a slightly stiffer than normal AK trigger (and by AK trigger, I mean American AK triggers). The overall feel is AK with longish take-up, longish but very positive reset. For example, my Zastava Zpap92 has basically the same trigger, except a hair lighter and crisper. It feels like business.


Sights


I purposely took the top cover off, and removed the bolt carrier, spring, etc just to see if it would play havoc with my sights. Fortunately it did not. It stayed on at 50 yards and I was able to hit my 10 inch steel plate free standing at 90 yards (the extend of my shaded range).

Accessories

I put one of the cloud defense tape switch boxes on my top rail so I could get my arm out a bit further by swapping the scout light to the other side. this was probably worthwhile but we shall see. It does allow for a better grip.


Magazines

Today I ran my 20 round Pmag and the 30 rounder out of the Zastava. The Galil has the world's greatest AK mag experience. There is no "oh crap, I was slightly off" nonsense. You pivot the mag in and you are done. Zero drama.


Reliability

Just another 100 rounds of tula. Nothing shocking so far.



Random thoughts and comparisons

Last night I heard my dog barking on the back end of my property and I decided to grab up the Galil. I didn't end up needing it but I tell you, it is a comforting tool to have with you in the woods.

My buddy brought out his 556 Galil and we enjoyed comparing them.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51183452411_e3428b505b_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kYUzcr)Range day (https://flic.kr/p/2kYUzcr) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

I also had some fun doing some comparison shooting against my Zastava. The recoil characteristics are very similar. I went back and forth and honestly if I had to guess I would say that the Galil has a slightly a greater recoil impulse, but I wouldn't put money on it.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51183452406_aecac7f985_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kYUzcm)Range day (https://flic.kr/p/2kYUzcm) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

Galil 5 round dump to get a feel for the recoil...


https://youtu.be/Qec2YCZ80Ac

A Zastava mag dump for comparison

https://youtu.be/8i00HPZ_rGM

And a regular old AR (although I was actually aiming at a plate here)

https://youtu.be/3Y7RCRHjp8o


Summary

So far so good. I will try and keep this up to date over time. I only have a few hundred rounds down range but it seems to be a winner. It is plainly very nicely made, and almost everything about it screams top-notch military construction. Next week I may put my 3x magnifier and try and shoot some groups with 55 and 77 grain.

[mrozowjj]

I have zero AK pattern guns and no mags. I used to but got rid of it a while ago. But looking at ammo it seems that even at the inflated prices of today's ammo 7.62x39 is cheaper than 9mm or 5.56 so I have been thinking about getting one of these. I have thought about getting an ACE for a while because I am a IWI fanboy but I was thinking 5.56 before but now I'm thinking 7.62. That said spending $2000 to save 20-30 cents a trigger pull is probably some bad math.

I like that the safety and charge handle are in the right spot for me to be a natural transition as that is where the charge handle is on my X95, Scorpion, basically ever non AR gun when compared to other AKs which is part of the appeal of the ACE vs any other cheaper AK.

The only question I have that makes me hesitation is price. If I could actually get it for $1600 I'd have ordered one already but every place I see with them is charging $1900 for the pistol and $2000 for the rifle.

How does 7.62 do out of a barrel that short?

[Greg Bell]

7.62x39 is typically still going 2000fps+. It only loses 200 or so FPS over the 16 inch barrel. Although definitely a little less controllable I think the 762x39 is far superior to 545/556 in the super short formats.

[LittleLebowski]

Honestly, I don't know. It seems fine, but I've never tried to suppress any AK or AK variant. I have always sailed close to the shore and only suppressed my AR-15s and my Scar when it comes to rifles. I do have a Surefire SOCOM and a spare 3 prong laying around....hmmm

Banned.

[Greg Bell]

LOL. Damn!

[mrozowjj]

7.62x39 is typically still going 2000fps+. It only loses 200 or so FPS over the 16 inch barrel. Although definitely a little less controllable I think the 762x39 is far superior to 545/556 in the super short formats.

I did some internet research on my own and I was surprised to find that the 7.62x39 drops something like 20-24 inches at 300 yards out of a 16" barrel. I always thought about it as comperable to 5.56 but it really isn't at least as far as trajectory. Makes the case for the shortened barrel format even more appealing honestly because now I know there's almost no point to putting anything like an LPVO; might as well toss a red dot on it and keep it inside of 200 or most likely 100.

Now I just need to find one in stock somewhere.

[TGS]

I did some internet research on my own and I was surprised to find that the 7.62x39 drops something like 20-24 inches at 300 yards out of a 16" barrel. I always thought about it as comperable to 5.56 but it really isn't at least as far as trajectory. Makes the case for the shortened barrel format even more appealing honestly because now I know there's almost no point to putting anything like an LPVO; might as well toss a red dot on it and keep it inside of 200 or most likely 100.

Now I just need to find one in stock somewhere.

Fun fact:

7.62x39 has pretty comparable bullet drop to 8mm Mauser, so if you're ever looking to do a build with a Yugo ZRAK scope, the 8mm BDCs will work pretty well (within the context of what you're realistically going to be able to do with an SKS or AK to begin with).

[mrozowjj]

Fun fact:

7.62x39 has pretty comparable bullet drop to 8mm Mauser, so if you're ever looking to do a build with a Yugo ZRAK scope, the 8mm BDCs will work pretty well (within the context of what you're realistically going to be able to do with an SKS or AK to begin with).


That is interesting but I think I'd be looking at the 8" pistol like op so the scope wouldn't make much sense on there.

[mrozowjj]

I have had no luck finding one yet (if anyone finds a good deal let me know) but this would be my first AK pattern gun in like 10 years so what are the good mags to get?

[Greg Bell]

I have tried everything from 20-30 round mag plus, Serbian, Bulgarian , polish and Rando euro steel and they all work and fit nicely

[mrozowjj]

I have tried everything from 20-30 round mag plus, Serbian, Bulgarian , polish and Rando euro steel and they all work and fit nicely

Well that's promising. What sights are you using? I don't want to use AR sights they seem like they'd be too tall.

I'm seriously thinking CZ Scorpion sights would work. It's a massive bummer they didn't just include sights with it.

[mrozowjj]

I have tried everything from 20-30 round mag plus, Serbian, Bulgarian , polish and Rando euro steel and they all work and fit nicely

Well I found one locally for a surprisingly good price so I'm now in my state's waiting period.

I have magazines that got here today there was a memorial day sale on the Zatslava so those got here today.

Does the hand-guard have a QD socket in it? The pictures look like it does but I can't tell.

[Greg Bell]

Does the hand-guard have a QD socket in it? The pictures look like it does but I can't tell.

yes, up front on both sides

[MistWolf]

I did some internet research on my own and I was surprised to find that the 7.62x39 drops something like 20-24 inches at 300 yards out of a 16" barrel. I always thought about it as comperable to 5.56 but it really isn't at least as far as trajectory...

The 7.62 Commie Dog shoots a slower bullet with more drag and its rainbow trajectory surprises you? You gotta cut back on the vodka!

[mrozowjj]

The 7.62 Commie Dog shoots a slower bullet with more drag and its rainbow trajectory surprises you? You gotta cut back on the vodka!

I had never looked into the round seriously before this thread.

[mrozowjj]

I picked it up from the store today. I'm going to need/want a hand stop for the front of the handguard and I am waiting to get one of those 6 MOA Aimpoints so I put a borrowed holosun on it for now.

I will say everything on this gun is tight. Safety is tight, folding brace is tight, and the top cover is super tight. Before I took it off I was like "I don't know if I'd trust the top cover to mount a red dot on it." but after taking the top off to inspect the internals I think it will hold a zero. I have some Zataslava mags I got and the one I tried fits. I'm too tired to try them all right now. Going to take it out to shoot it this weekend.

72308

[mrozowjj]

Took my pistol to the range yesterday. First time shooting 7.62x39 and an AK pattern gun in a long time; less recoil than I remembered it having. Probably the most fun I've had shooting a gun in a while. There's like half a dozen reasons I would never use this for a class, match, or really any serious purpose but it's the most fun I've had shooting in a long time and that in and of itself has some value.

A few observations:

I used Magpul and Zatslava mags with a bolt hold open, only shot 120 rounds but zero issues so far except the bolt hold open follower didn't always hold the bolt open.

The muzzle flash was giant, If I were to use this in self defense and miss the target I will most defintely blind the bad guy. I need to find find something that tames that fireball a bit. Looking at some options now.

I was getting some trigger slap. Finger started to sting a bit. Can anything be done about that?

Handguard is slick, I ordered an SLR handstop and some of those BCM m-lok panels to add some texture to it.

I still really wish it came with back up iron sights. I know I can add them but it's a bummer I have to; if they were going to transition to the new handguard I imagine they could have easily designed it around the old irons without too much trouble.

[mrozowjj]

double post

[19852+]

Sir,
What is the rail you have mounted on your AR pistol in the pictures?
Thanks

[mrozowjj]

Sir,
What is the rail you have mounted on your AR pistol in the pictures?
Thanks

Not an AR, it's a Galil ace Gen 2. I don't know if IWI makes it in house or if they outsource it.

https://iwi.us/product-category/firearms/galil-ace-gen-ii/

[19852+]

Hey guys,

Did some swapping and picked up a Gen 2 Ace. Mainly I did it because I am buying anything imported these days. I had a Gen 1 and although I liked it, I sold it a buddy a few years back. I was excited to pick it up because 7.62x39 is RELATIVELY cheap ($7.99 for 20) to pick up right now so shooting 100 rounds is expensive, but basically what I was spending to shoot my AR pistol a year or so ago.

Spoiler alert: there is no reason to buy this gun if you have a Gen 1. I think almost everything about this gun is an improvement, but nothing earth-shattering.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169635760_17aeaae918_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZj)Galil Ace 2 first outing (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZj) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr


PRO

1. RAIL. It's nice. The old handguard was a bit portly and plasticky. The new one is much more comfortable. I think in full auto the original hand guard might have been more comfortable but in semi-auto the rail won't get warm enough to make a big difference. So basically, you have a nice place to put your hand. ALSO, the rail seems to be very solid so you actually might consider mounting your optic further forward and not have to worry about return to zero. Also, you have excellent sling options thanks to the sling swivel mounting holes.

2. Safety. Supposedly this is much better than the old one. They have shortened the throw but they have increased the leverage needed. I believe this is why they put the ledge on the right (AK) side. I think they increased the leverage needed so they wanted to put a bigger shelf. Honestly, it's ok, but nothing amazing.

3. They trimmed back the plastic around the mag well. I didn't believe it would be, but it is an improvement. It allows very easy mag changes. The old one acted as a sort of guide but the Galil has the best rock and lock system I have ever experienced (WAY, WAY, WAY better than any AK including my Saiga, Arsenal, Zastava, you name it).

4. They swapped to a non-proprietary brace/ AR buffer tube. See "con" below.

5. Trigger is fantastic. The ALG on my Saiga is a bit better but not worth changing. Frankly, it may be no better after I get more than 120 rounds down range.

6. VERY HIGH quality. Everything about it screams top-quality military construction. Nothing about this gun feels dinky. I have played with $1700 DD guns that had furniture that made me wince. This gun feels like it means business. The parts are all clean, well finished and well fit. IWI is not ripping folks off, this is a top-tier gun. Anyone that pays $1200 for a Zastava without brace and won't pay $1600 for this is smoking crack.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51167876372_c30109803d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXwJZ3)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXwJZ3) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169329794_803bbb6e7d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXEc33)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXEc33) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51168548536_67e9af9880_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXAbN5)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXAbN5) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169642020_ce91087085_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFMRf)Galil Ace 2 Album (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFMRf) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr

CON.

1. No irons. The old irons weren't great but they had tritium. The front sight was built in so you never had to worry about it. The rear was a solid bolt on unit but it was still mounted on the top cover which is lame. I ended up spending over $100 putting some low profile magpul sights on the gun.

2. The brace isn't really adjustable. The stock is on a non-proprietary tube but it won't adjust. You basically have to keep it in short mode if you want it to lock. I guess this is a concession to the unwritten LOP rule that ATF is playing around with. However, if this rule doesn't end up being a thing you can easily swap it out. Also, the current brace is shorter than the old brace

3. They have simplified the machining in the lower a bit. I notice that the listening cuts that disappeared in the 545 model are now gone for the 762x39 (see picture)


The gun was very easy to zero. I threw on a lightweight holosun circle-dot. I think any top cover optic needs to be light. after about 9 rounds I was able to zero the sights to the optic and get on with it. I am going to clean it tonight and then see how the zero is next week. I am mix of red army standard and tula. I shot about 3.5 moa. Before you laugh I need to note this is what I shoot with the ammo from my Arsenal and Saiga. That's about as good as I get with AK's shooting cheap ammo.

I noticed no ""over-gassing." I need to admit I like shooting HK-91s but honestly it recoils like an AK pistol with better ergos.

Who should buy this gun ? Gun aficionados. No question this gun at $1600 makes little sense in a world awash with cheap ARs. But if you are an AK guy come hell or high water I can't think of a better AK except for one thing. I WISH there was a way to mount an optic on a side rail. RSREGULATE figure this out. I just don't trust top cover optics.
over time.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169635790_1fd950cbae_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZQ)Galil Ace 2 first outing (https://flic.kr/p/2kXFKZQ) by stoiclawyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/), on Flickr


https://youtu.be/pQ3JfFBaaR4

Ghetto Slo-mo.

https://youtu.be/A-OYy8yJ4NY

6th picture down, rifle/pistol on the right. Looks like an AR 15 to me.

[Beat Trash]

[QUOTE=19852+;1230499]6th picture down, rifle/pistol on the right. Looks like an AR 15 to me.


That looks like a painted Centurion Arms C4 rail.

[mrozowjj]

6th picture down, rifle/pistol on the right. Looks like an AR 15 to me.

It wasn't clear who you were asking. Not idea on that handguard.

[19852+]

It wasn't clear who you were asking. Not idea on that handguard.

Yes, my mistake. Apologies.

[mrozowjj]

Yes, my mistake. Apologies.

No worries I was just confused because I assumed you were asking me.

[Greg Bell]

Yes! That is a Colt Upper on a Noveske pistol lower. And it is a Centurion rail.

[mrozowjj]

I went shooting today to put some more rounds through the Galil. That gun continues to impress me. We are having a heatwave out here. My car said it was 105 at the range. The range itself is in the shade in a gully so it was cooler there but still rather hot.

I shot 120 rounds today and the handguard got almost too hot to handle by the end of it. It got so hot the plastic BCM rail covers I had on poped off because they didn't fit anymore. I was worried it was going to burn the rifle bag when I put it away. My question is does Gen 1 Galils get that hot? I'm wondering if it's the new handguard design or just a thing Galils do? I don't think anyone would want to use this gun in a desert.

I need a handguard wrap for it I think.