Galil Rifle

[James86]

Anyone here ever own a Galil? I've been eyeballing a Golani by Century Arms here at the local shop for a while but don't really know anything about them or anyone who has one. It's an Israeli design based on a Finnish version of an AK basically, but I think it looks a lot better, plus its in .223 NATO, which I can walk into walmart and buy. The one I'm looking at looks pretty much like this:

http://www.dreadgazebo.com/gunporn/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/gunporn-galil.jpg

It's either this or a friend of mine has a Ruger Mini14 in .223 that he almost never uses. Comments?

[ufgators68]

I know nothing of the Galil but the Ruger Mini 14 sucks in the accuracy department. I was lucky to get 2" groups at 100 yards.

[LearjetMinako]

You mean .223 Rem &/or 5.56 NATO round. Don't anything on that rifle. I too recently have been eye balling an assault rifle. The one I really like is a Ruger SR-556. It is an AR-15 sytle rifle.

[James86]

I've been pretty happy with my SKS - you know a REAL 1953 SKS, not one of those Norincos. So far I have an SKS and a Mosin Nagant M44 carbine. I used to own an 8mm Mauser, but bills needed to be paid.... Just looking for something different and dont really care for an AK. They feel kinda small to me.

[Daniel_187]

there are cool but not and nice as a real Galil made by IMI, but those will set you back $3,000. its very simalir to an AK-47, it has better sights IMO. with a longer sight radius and the safety it ambiy which is good for leftys and rightys and the charging handle is cocked upward so you can clear a FTF FTE with your weak hand and still keep the rifle pointed at the target. its a nice rife. I don't know how hard extra mags are to come by though. Buy it

[Ranger Kip]

go find yourself a .22 or .30-06 gun thats semi-auto, buy a gun-conversion-kit for an M-16 rifle, and start puttin her together, load the giant clip, throw the bullets in, and start havin fun!

[02RangerXLT]

Yeah, on most of the internet forums, the Galil gets pretty good ratings... go check out ARFCOM (www.ar15.com)... their forums are full of bull shit mots of the time, but there is some good people on there who know their stuff... and along with what has already been corrected, its 5.56 NATO, and .223 Rem... similar cartridges, but not the same...

You CAN fire .223 in a 5.56 chambered rifle.

You CANNOT fire 5.56 in a .223 chambered rifle.

Some people have fired 5.56 in a .223 chambered rifle and have gotten away with it, but I highly advise against doing this...

And remember... a "clip" is NOT the same as a "magazine"...
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6073/stripperclipsglockmagazjc8.jpg

[Mac]

Well, I like my Mini 14 even though as mentioned, not all that accurate at 100 yds. Short barrel and such does not make it a varmit rifle. It is easy to carry and swing. 30 rd mags make up for any problem with accuracy. Got mine just as a back yard gun (big back yard). Liked it so much I got a Mini 30 to go with it.
Dave

[ufgators68]

Well, I like my Mini 14 even though as mentioned, not all that accurate at 100 yds. Short barrel and such does not make it a varmit rifle. It is easy to carry and swing. 30 rd mags make up for any problem with accuracy. Got mine just as a back yard gun (big back yard). Liked it so much I got a Mini 30 to go with it.
Dave

It is a great backyard gun. Coyotes, stray dogs, etc. don't stand a chance but I needed something for popping beaver domes and that just didn't cut it.

I now have a heavy barrel DPMS AR-15, 1/2" - 3/4" groups at 100 yards, and have had zero trouble hitting beavers with it.

[willievhook]

Well, I like my Mini 14 even though as mentioned, not all that accurate at 100 yds. Short barrel and such does not make it a varmit rifle. It is easy to carry and swing. 30 rd mags make up for any problem with accuracy. Got mine just as a back yard gun (big back yard). Liked it so much I got a Mini 30 to go with it.
Dave

I agree, I love my Mini 14....I always keep it in my pickup

[Mac]

It is a great backyard gun. Coyotes, stray dogs, etc. don't stand a chance but I needed something for popping beaver domes and that just didn't cut it.

I now have a heavy barrel DPMS AR-15, 1/2" - 3/4" groups at 100 yards, and have had zero trouble hitting beavers with it.
Totally agree. Different guns for different uses and reasons. Just like how many posts have been made on the best handgun, way too many to pick from to begin with and too many different uses.
Dave

[cody93]

anyone have anyluck with hi capacity mini-30 mags? they just never seem to feed

[Mac]

anyone have anyluck with hi capacity mini-30 mags? they just never seem to feed
I've heard that about the after market ones for both of the mini's. Don't think Ruger makes a 30 rd for the 30.
Dave

[cody93]

aftermarkers dont feed, factory 10 rnds do.

[02RangerXLT]

Factory 10 and 20's for the Mini 14 are good, every other aftermarket mag is not highly thought of on any firearm forums... ProMag is trying to get a polymer Mini 14 mag out, but their demo model is a complete failure.

[IlovemybroncII]

I still favor my sks its a GREAT light weight gun and just a joy to shoot

[Peregrine]

I know nothing of the Galil but the Ruger Mini 14 sucks in the accuracy department. I was lucky to get 2" groups at 100 yards.

But the whole A-Team vibe is soo worth never hitting anything... really :icon_rofl:

[James86]

Basically, I'm looking for something for shooting for fun. I love my SKS as well, but I've never owned anything below 7.62x39, and the Mosin Nagant is 7.62x54R, so im trying to stay with something bigger, but I don't need anything more than maybe $700. Also, I live in Minnesota, so from what I understand you need a pistol permit for an assault weapon, and my friend had that issue when buying an AK. I bought my SKS private party (my father-in-law had two), so I'm not sure if I'd hit any roadblocks buying that Galil from the local dealer.

[RustedRanger]

I'm not positive but I think that in the past I have seen adapters to use AR-15/M-16 magazines in the Galil. Galil's are heavy,but....if your not gonna be humping it for miles the weight only helps acuracy and reduces felt recoil. How much is the one your looking at going for?

[James86]

if i recall its $699. i remember it being over 600 but cant recall the handwriting... looks like 699 or 600 in my memory....

[AllanD]

I've heard that about the after market ones for both of the mini's. Don't think Ruger makes a 30 rd for the 30.
Dave

I had a Genuine FACTORY Ruger mag for my Mini-14.

they have never sold them commencially except to law enforcement.
but law enforcement sells their stuff eventually...

I gave it to a friend who has a Mini after my Mini was stolen in '95

what I keep "handy" is a 30-M1 Carbine, trust me those fat little 110gr
softpoints will do a number on a 'yote.... if your only concern is making it dead.

My Carbine wears an "old School" Aimpoint 2000 Red Dot Sight
Inside of 100 yards you might shoot tighter groups but I'll probably put a 30caliber
hole in a playing card and have another in flight at any distance out to 100yds before
you can get a decent sight picture:)

back in the early 90's ago a friend asked my opinion of the AR15 and the Mini14
WHILE we were in a gunshop that sold both and also had the Styr-AUG and
the Galil.

He was looking to buy his first "personally owned" Semi-auto military rifle

At the time the Genuine IMI-Galil was considerably cheaper than an AR15.

but you must also understand...
My friend is jewish, he spent two-ish years in Israel after he graduated High School and served
his mandatory time in the military there, I asked him what rifle he trained with in the Israeli Army..
His answer Galil.

I asked "Why consider anything else? Other than what you were trained with?"

Clearing a stoppage or changing mags SHOULD be "reflex".

He bought the Galil.
So Far as I know he's still got it.

Would you hand a WW2 vet an M16 or a Garand?

Now other than that it is "exotic" and interesting why do you want a Galil?

IT's not my first choice for a "Black" rifle in the US.

that hands down is an AR based rifle in 5.56.



AD

[Mac]

I had a Genuine FACTORY Ruger mag for my Mini-14.

they have never sold them commencially except to law enforcement.
but law enforcement sells their stuff eventually...

AD
Just last year I bought two 20 rd mags for both of the Mini's. Got the Ruger trademark right on the bottom
Dave

http://www.ruger.com/pdf/RugerS&A-2010-2.pdf

[James86]

Well there is the "exotic" factor, but I also like the size. I've fired both an AK-47 and an AK-74 and they felt tiny to my 6' 230lbs frame. The galil felt a bit heftier and it seems to me that its a fairly balanced weapon in that its based on a reliable system (AK), is hefty (accuracy & comfort), and uses standard .223 ammo. The fact that its also available in the first place is also a factor. But like I said, a friend of mine has a mini 14 he might be willing to part with, but we don;t really know what its worth. The condition is good and it has about a $40 tasco scope on it, but I prefer ironsights myself. He paid about $500 for it probably 5-7 years ago used.

[02RangerXLT]

Well there is the "exotic" factor, but I also like the size. I've fired both an AK-47 and an AK-74 and they felt tiny to my 6' 230lbs frame. The galil felt a bit heftier and it seems to me that its a fairly balanced weapon in that its based on a reliable system (AK), is hefty (accuracy & comfort), and uses standard .223 ammo. The fact that its also available in the first place is also a factor. But like I said, a friend of mine has a mini 14 he might be willing to part with, but we don;t really know what its worth. The condition is good and it has about a $40 tasco scope on it, but I prefer ironsights myself. He paid about $500 for it probably 5-7 years ago used.

You need to find out if it is actually chambered for 5.56 or .223, because you can get a much better deal on ammunition on the internet... I'm talking 1000 rounds for ~350 bucks, usually less, for 5.56 that is...

[RustedRanger]

Remember that "AK" is a generic term. I had a Bulgarian SA-93 milled reciever AK and it fit me just right. It had a laminated harwood thumbhole stock,I didn't really care for the shape but it had a good length of pull for me and I'm 6'4" with long ape like arms LOL

[James86]

I looked at it today when picking up ammo for the SKS and its $689.99 and is stamped "5.56mm" on the side. However, they said I'd need a pistol permit to buy one - and I do not have one (never really had an interest in pistols so never bothered... wtf Minnesota?), so thinking maybe ruger mini14 at this point...

[ufgators68]

I looked at it today when picking up ammo for the SKS and its $689.99 and is stamped "5.56mm" on the side. However, they said I'd need a pistol permit to buy one - and I do not have one (never really had an interest in pistols so never bothered... wtf Minnesota?), so thinking maybe ruger mini14 at this point...

Did you ask why you would need a pistol permit?:icon_confused:

[Mac]

Did you ask why you would need a pistol permit?:icon_confused:
Some gun laws really suck and have no reason behind them. Think maybe those assault weapons that looked dangerous were the ones banned, not sure the Mini-14 made the list. I can walk into a gun store with 10-20 assault rifles and ask to have them cleaned by the gun smith. Walk down the counter 20 ft to buy a 22 cal revolver and have to wait three days! Stupid, stupid!
Dave

[James86]

I didn't need one if i'd been interested in the min14's they had there or the hi-point 9mm carbine next to the galil. The galil was about the same price or a little cheaper than the minis. They had a Sig Sauer 556 in .22LR, but i'll be damned if i'm paying 400+ for a damned .22LR semiauto when i can get a decent used one for 150ish at a gun show and less private party.

[James86]

In case you were curious, this was the peak of my collection:

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz359/knightfall46/DCP_0099.jpg?t=1277326837

1.) Single pump air rifle from a tool show for $20.

2.) FN Herstal FN24 Mauser clone in 7.92x57mm. First rifle, sold it for bills:sad:

3.) Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine, made 1945. Still soaked in cosmoline when I got it.

4.) Russian SKS, made 1953. Unissued, unfired, X-mas present last year to me from me more or less:yahoo:

I've never been a huge fan of synthetic stocked weapons and I like something in a common caliber - you don't wanna know what a PITA it was to find 8mm for the Mauser - thats why I wasn't too sad to see it go. I want something that fits in with my guns, so I guess that means either my theme is Russian arms, old surplus arms, or just midsize cartridge or larger arms.

[Mafusa]

the best long range rifles I have ever used was a remington 35 semi "very heavy" but super accurate and can shoot shells from a 150 gr up to 250 gr, now there is a 385 gr but thats only good for up 100 yds and very hard to find and exspensive if you do find them, or you can even look into a 7.7mm jap carbine. both are big guns and hold a tight pattern at long ranges. and I wouldnt ever recomend using higher than a 250 gr a 250 at 150 yds will still blow a yote damn near in half. and I have acually watched my grandfather who was a sniper in the korean war pop a bull eye at 500 yds with both of them and kept every shot within 3/4-1" of each other. the mini's the ONLY thing they use those for around here is close range hogs and target pratice, lol yea they I wont I have seen the damage a pissed off hog thats been shot by 1 can do, those two I mentioned will blow clean through a 450lb hog at 200 yrds using a 150 gr.

[Mafusa]

and both the remeington 35 semi and the 7.7 Jap both will fit in that same theme as these guns.