Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Austin Lee
The IWI Galil ACE has earned its status in the competition world as a top contender in the modern AK platform, much to the dismay of diehard original AKM purist competitors. Merging the legendary reliability of the Kalashnikov design with modern enhancements, it has become a favorite in the Kalashnikov competitive shooting world.
The original Galil ARM 18” barrel with wood handguard, carry handle and bipod deployed. Photo by Hector Cibrian
Evolving from the original Galil rifle, the ACE series offers unmatched versatility, precision, and durability, appealing to shooters in 3-Gun, USPSA, and tactical rifle matches across the USA. Its rise in popularity among top competitors highlights its ability to challenge other dominant platforms on the market.
The Galil ACE traces its lineage to the original Galil, developed in the late 1960’s by Israel Military Industries (IMI). Established in 1933, IMI was a key Israeli weapons manufacturer, notably producing the legendary Uzi submachine gun and small arms like the Galil and Negev for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and global markets. In 2005, the Israeli government privatized IMI’s Magen Small Arms Division, which was acquired by the SK Group and rebranded as Israel Weapon Industries (IWI).
The original Galil designed in the late 1960’s was meant to replace the hefty Israeli version of the FN FAL 7.62×51 battle rifle. Drawing lines from the Finnish Valmet RK 62 (an AK-47 derivative), the M16, and the FN FAL paratrooper model. The Galil featured a milled steel receiver, cold hammer forged chrome lined barrel, folding bipod, carrying handle, bottle opener, folding stock, and ambidextrous controls.
Adam Litke, firearms instructor, photographer, and IWI pro shooter with his Galil ACE Gen. 2 in 7.62×39, at the AK Masters 2025 at Clinton House, SC. Photo: Trigger Press Media.
Introduced by IWI in 2008, the Galil ACE lightened the platform with a more refined milled receiver, polymer lower skirt pistol grip and trigger guard, and top Picatinny rails. With multi-caliber options (5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm, 5.45x39mm), the ACE line draws heavily on the tried and true features of the IMI Micro Galil. Such as, a left hand charge reciprocating external dust cover and bolt carrier group also milled heavily for weight savings.
The Gen II, launched around 2021, further refined the design with a free-floating M-LOK handguard, AR-style stock compatibility, a shorter throw ambidextrous safety, upgraded trigger, and additional weight savings machined from the receivers. All of this tailored the Gen II for the demands of the competitive shooting world.
Hector Cibrian, US Army veteran, IWI photographer, and competitive shooter rocking his Galil ACE Gen. 2 in 5.56×46 with NATO magwell, at Red Oktober: Kalashnikov Championship at the Pro Gun Club, NV. Photo courtesy of @hcibrian on Instagram.
The result is exceptional performance. Its long-stroke piston system ensures flawless reliability, with virtually no reported malfunctions across thousands of rounds in tests, even with mixed ammunition types and magazines of questionable quality. These guns just run!
Hector Cibrian’s beautifully built out competition rifle with a killer cerakote job done by Pro 2 Customs. IWi Galil ACE Gen. 2 NATO in 5.56x45mm. Photo by Hector Cibrian.
Accuracy is a standout feature, debunking the fuddlore surrounding the AK platform’s ability to hit what you aim at, every time. When conducting a review of the platform, American Rifleman reported sub-MOA groups (0.83 inches at 100 yards) for the 7.62x39mm variant, driven by a chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel and a 1:9.5 twist rate (1:7 for the 5.56mm variants).
The Gen II’s free-floating M-LOK handguard and two-stage trigger (around 4.8 pounds) enhance precision, making it ideal for stages requiring rapid double taps and accurate shots on steel in dynamic AK matches like Kalashbash in Texas, Carolina Kalash Classic, AK Masters in South Carolina, and Red October in Las Vegas.
Jeremy Gresham, US Army veteran, IWI VP, and competitive team shooter running his Galil ACE Gen. 2 in 5.56×45 with NATO magwell, at AK Masters 2025, Clinton house, SC. Photo by Trigger Press Media.
Top competitors are increasingly turning to the ACE for its rugged reliability under grueling conditions—dust, mud, and high-round-count stages. The 5.56mm and 7.62x39mm variants are favored for their low recoil and reliability with widely available ammo, allowing shooters to maintain speed and accuracy. The full-length top rail offers endless options for optics, magnifiers, backup irons, and more. The folding stock adapts to an AR-15 standard buffer tube, allowing for a wide range of competition stocks already available.
It’s worth noting that with a quick swap of the hinge pin, you can revert to the original Galil tube stock, blending old-school vibes with a modernized platform.
Neil Vermillion, US Army veteran and IWI pro team shooter, running his Galil ACE Gen. 1 in 5.56×45 with 50 round rock n’ lock magazine, at Kalashbash 2025, Texas. Photo: Hector Cibrian, @hcibrian on Instagram.
Grounded in history, this platform has a foundation of proven performance, and is built for the present. Its modern features cater to the demands of today’s rising competitors. These include ergonomic ambidextrous controls, and versatile optic mounting options.
Available through IWI US, the Galil ACE is a formidable choice for both up-and-coming and experienced shooters aiming to stand out. As more top competitors adopt it, the Galil ACE proves it’s not just another AK evolution; it’s a powerhouse reshaping the competitive landscape.
The Galil ACE Gen 2 retails for under $1,949.99. With a wide variety of barrel lengths and caliber configurations to choose from, it offers an out-of-the-box option for serious Kalashnikov competition, flat range shenanigans, or home defense.
IWI US Galil ACE Gen. 2 in 7.62×39 pistol with 8.3” barrel out of the box and ready to rock. Photo by Hector Cibrian
The IWI Galil ACE is a real winner at the podium, and in my book, is built to perform out of the box!
Austin Lee is the proprietor of Galilhub, and is a gunsmith and a competitive shooter.
