Opinion: This wonderful article first appeared on AmmoLand Information in December of 2019 and seems right here now with recent updates.
ATI has produced a Galil-inspired rifle referred to as the Galeo by mixing genuine IMI elements with US elements and assembling them right here within the US. In case you’re not an AK fanatic or one who research near-east historical past you might be questioning what a Galil is and why it seems like an improved AK chambered in 5.56x45mm.
Your assumptions are considerably right. The Galil and our American-made Galeo from ATI is basically an up to date AK chambered for the NATO spherical. Within the Sixties, the Israelis had been on the lookout for a substitute for the FAL. That they had been impressed with the reliability of the AK in dusty environments, particularly its efficiency whereas being poorly maintained. Basically, the AK was a rifle that had confirmed itself in harsh situations, together with abuse by troopers. A replica of the Finnish Valmet was made and chambered within the NATO-approved 5.56x45mm (7.62x51mm examples additionally exist). The Galil served the Israeli protection forces from the Nineteen Seventies via the Nineties and stays in use or has been in use by 52 nations, in response to Wikipedia.
Just like the early AK rifles the Galil, and our ATI Galeo are constructed on milled receivers. This provides fairly a little bit of weight, but additionally rigidity, which might each contribute to accuracy and assist in making a smoother motion. The charging deal with stays on the appropriate aspect of the rifle, as any right-handed shooter would admire, however has an upward flip for left-handed shooters or the trendy American tacti-cool manner of charging the rifle by reaching excessive. Earlier than that begins a remark storm, the creator spent greater than a decade learning the Russian navy and has acquired coaching from CENTER-T Spetsnaz instructors. The Russians use their proper hand to cost the AK. With that settled, let’s get again to the Galeo.
ATI’s Galeo incorporates a US 18.5″ 1:7 twist barrel, which intently follows the RM Galil’s 18.1″. Though no weight is listed on the product internet web page, the Galil’s 9.48 lbs is about how the Galeo feels. The 4140 CDA metal receiver is beefy. Furnishings and different elements are genuine IMI surplus with notes of character and use. Our hand guard even had some desert mud in it that jogged my memory a little bit of the “moon mud” encountered in Iraq. Curious how the Galeo would carry out, we hit the vary with 5 completely different masses, together with Nosler 53gr Varmageddon, Norma TAC-223 55gr, Hornady Black 62gr, Federal 69gr Gold Metallic Match, and a few IMI 77gr Open Tip Match ammunition. Between the 2 shooters, we fired ten rounds of every load onto a goal for that particular load. Teams at 100 yards had been performed with iron sights because the Galeo has no provisions for mounting a scope. See the leads to the video beneath.
In case you’d wish to see the development high quality higher up shut, the tabletop video beneath ought to fulfill your wants. General, the ATI Galeo has a number of the finest development I’ve ever encountered on an AK platform. See for your self.
ATI warns that the Galeo is constructed for the Tapco Galil magazines and will not run reliably with surplus magazines. Whereas the aesthetics of a surplus journal definitely matches this rifle higher, the Tapco magazines are extra available and cheaper.
Producer Specs:
5.56 NATO
18.5” size Barrel.
1:7 twist fee.
Folding steel rear inventory.
Unique IMI elements.
30-round Tapco-branded journal.
MSRP: $1,299.95
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen identify utilized by a 15-year energetic Military veteran who spent most of his time within the tactical aspect of the Intelligence group together with excursions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Submit-Military Graham spent a while within the native 3-Gun circuit earlier than turning into a full-time NRA Licensed defensive handgun teacher and now works as an trade author whereas curating a YouTube channel on the aspect. Go to Graham on Youtube .
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