Galil ACE

Galil ACE
Type	Assault rifle Battle rifle
Place of origin	Israel Colombia
Service history
In service	Present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Colombian armed conflict
Production history
Manufacturer	Indumil
Variants	ACE 21, ACE 22, ACE 23
Specifications
Mass	2.80 kg (6.2 lb) (ACE 21) 3.30 kg (7.3 lb) (ACE 22) 3.44 kg (7.6 lb) (ACE 23)
Length	730 mm (29 in) / 650 mm (26 in) collapsed (ACE 21) 847 mm (33.3 in) / 767 mm (30.2 in) collapsed (ACE 22) 975 mm (38.4 in) / 895 mm (35.2 in) collapsed (ACE 23)
Barrel length	215 mm (8.5 in) (ACE 21) 332 mm (13.1 in) (ACE 22) 460 mm (18 in) (ACE 23)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO (ACE 21, 22, 23) 7.62x51mm NATO (ACE 52, 53) 7.62x39 mm (ACE 31, 32)
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	710 m/s (2,300 ft/s) (ACE 21) 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) (ACE 22) 915 m/s (3,000 ft/s) (ACE 23)
Effective firing range	300 to 500 m

The Galil ACE is an assault rifle developed and manufactured by IWI. and also manufactured by Indumil. The ACE family assault rifles are based upon the mechanism of the Galil assault rifle. The ACE incorporates enhanced human engineering and ergonomics claimed to meet the demands of the modern battlefield.

The ACE family claims to offer a solution to current warfare requirements for high accuracy whilst maintaining reliability. The ACE assault rifles have been tested under harsh conditions, as is standard for most firearm manufacturers.

The ACE family assault rifles are versatile weapons with multiple Picatinny rails which serves as a platform in order to mount Picatinny mountable optics and accessories. The ACE is designed to be user friendly and simple to maintain.

Development

The Galil ACE rifle is a gas operated, selective-fire weapon. It uses long-stroke gas operated action with a gas piston located above the barrel. Locking is achieved by a rotating bolt with dual locking lugs. The receiver is machined from steel, with a polymer magazine housing / pistol grip unit attached below. The detachable stamped steel receiver cover houses an integral Picatinny rail and rear sight base. The charging handle is located on the left side of the receiver and is attached directly to the bolt carrier. To provide maximum protection from dust and dirt at all times, the charging handle slot is covered with spring-loaded dust cover which opens and closes after each shot automatically. The safety / fire mode selector is duplicated at both sides of the weapon, and has a more ergonomic shape when compared to predecessors.

Since the deployment of the Galil by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) as an assault rifle and standard issue rifle, there had been ideas of creating another weapon with the Galil mechanism adapted to the specific needs of the Colombian Army; in various studies it was demonstrated that the best option was to create another rifle with the technology available to replace and/or improve aspects of its predecessor, in this case those are:

• ACEs are lighter than the IMI Galil.
• ACEs have lower recoil than the IMI Galil.
• Greater multitasking capabilities (theoretically can be used as a designated marksman's rifle or squad support weapon and have various accessories).
• The use of NATO standard caliber and the capability of changing it relatively easily (from 5.56x45mm NATO to 7.62x51mm NATO or 7.62x39mm with as few additions and modifications as possible) and supports 35 round Galil or 30 round Kalashnikov magazines. The ACE 52 & 53 use standard 7.62x51mm NATO magazines.

Manufacture and design

In the creation of the Galil ACE many techniques and modern materials were used; the total weight of the ACE was improved on by replacing and redesigning stamped steel parts with more modern composite materials (e.g. the folding stock and sights) making it easier for the soldier to adapt it to his or her preferences. In addition, five Picatinny rails were built into the frame to be able to increase the performance of the weapon for the soldier in comparison with its predecessor, and recoil has been reduced thanks to a more ergonomic stock.

Variants

The Galil ACE is available in three calibers with multiple barrel lengths for each type:

Model	Caliber	Barrel length	Length (extended)	Length (retracted)	Weight (unloaded)	Feed system	Muzzle velocity	Range	Rate of fire
ACE 21	5.56x45mm NATO	215 mm (8.5 in)	730 mm (29 in)	650 mm (26 in)	2.80 kg (6.2 lb)	35 round Galil magazine	710 m/s (2,300 ft/s)	300 meters	700 rpm
ACE 22	5.56x45mm NATO	332 mm (13.1 in)	847 mm (33.3 in)	767 mm (30.2 in)	3.30 kg (7.3 lb)	35 round Galil magazine	850 m/s (2,800 ft/s)	_	700 rpm
ACE 23	5.56x45mm NATO	460 mm (18 in)	975 mm (38.4 in)	895 mm (35.2 in)	3.44 kg (7.6 lb)	35 round Galil magazine	915 m/s (3,000 ft/s)	500 meters	700 rpm
ACE 31	7.62x39 mm	215 mm (8.5 in)	650 mm (26 in)	650 mm (26 in)	3.05 kg (6.7 lb)	30 round Kalashnikov magazine	_	_	_
ACE 32	7.62x39 mm	406 mm (16.0 in)	815 mm (32.1 in)	815 mm (32.1 in)	3.40 kg (7.5 lb)	30 round Kalashnikov magazine	_	_	_
ACE 52	7.62x51mm NATO	400 mm (16 in)	935 mm (36.8 in)	855 mm (33.7 in)	3.685 kg (8.12 lb)	25 round magazine	800 m/s (2,600 ft/s)	_	650 rpm
ACE 53	7.62x51mm NATO	508 mm (20.0 in)	1,043 mm (41.1 in)	963 mm (37.9 in)	3.845 kg (8.48 lb)	25 round magazine	860 m/s (2,800 ft/s)	_	650 rpm

Users

• Colombia
• Mexico - Used by certain personnel of the Mexican Federal Police
• Peru
• Guatemala - 3,000 Model 31 versions used by Guatemala National Civil Police.
• El Salvador
• Honduras - Model 21 used by the army and air force

Potential users

• India - Testing as a replacement for the INSAS rifle.

Notes

Originally, this page contained information directly from the IWI ACE brochure, a medium designed to sell the weapon to potential users. This has been improved on to be neutral but retain factual accuracy.

External links

• Official announcement of the beginning of production.
• News article on its launch Nº 1.
• News article on its launch Nº 2.
• General descriptive data sheet.
• Galil ACE assault rifles (Israel) at Modern Firearms
• IWI ACE Webpage.
• ACE 7.62x51 Brochure.