NRA Gun of the Week: IWI Galil ACE Rifle

by
posted on June 24, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The IWI Galil was designed by Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior following the 1967 Six-Day War to address the perceived shortcomings of the FN FAL. The Galil family of arms went on to become a mainstay within Israeli armories. Presently, Israel presses its Galil into service, and modern Galil parts are imported by IWI US, Inc. to be assembled for purchase by the American consumer market. A milled upper receiver coupled with modern polymer moldings give the AK-rendition a modern and precise look. The subject of this review, IWI’s Galil ACE Rifle GAR1639, features a 16”, chrome-moly steel barrel chambered for 7.62x39 mm. Included on this model is a folding and adjustable stock, bilateral fire controls and a left-side, reciprocating charging handle. It is advised that only American-made magazines, such as the provided Magpul 30-rounder are to be used due to 922(r) import compliancy.

To see this gun in action, check out this week's NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman's Kelly Young. For more information, visit iwi.us.

Specifications:

IWI Galil Rifle GAR1639
Manufacturer:
 IWI US, Inc.
Model: Galil ACE GAR1639
Action Type: gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic center-fire rifle 
Chambering: 7.62x39 mm
Barrel: 16”; cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined, chrome-moly steel
Receiver: milled-steel upper; polymer lower
Handguard: tri-rail polymer
Buttstock: side-folding; polymer, six-position-adjustable
Pistol Grip: integral to polymer lower with storage
Sights: elevation-adjustable post front, windage-adjustable aperture rear; tritium
Weight: 7 lbs., 8 ozs.
Magazine: 30-round detachable box
Trigger: 6-lb., 9-oz. pull
MSRP: $1,899

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.