Galil ACE 23
Israel Weapon Industries · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2008
Also known as: IWI ACE 23, Galil ACE 5.56 Rifle
Overview
The Galil ACE 23 is a gas-operated, selective-fire assault rifle developed by Israel Weapon Industries as the full-length 5.56x45mm NATO member of the Galil ACE family. Introduced in 2008, it modernizes the original IMI Galil design with a long-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt, a lightweight polymer lower, ambidextrous controls, a side-folding stock, and an integral Picatinny rail. The ACE 23 uses an 18-inch (463 mm) cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel and feeds from NATO-pattern box magazines, giving it the longest barrel and best ballistic performance of the 5.56mm ACE variants.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 976 mm (38.43") |
| Folded Length | 740 mm (29.13") |
| Barrel Length | 463 mm (18.23") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 915 m/s (3002 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, SS109, M855
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Ambidextrous Fire Selector
- Features: Long Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Side Folding Stock, Picatinny Rail, Ambidextrous Controls, Chrome Lined Barrel, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Tritium Night Sights
Variants
- Galil ACE 21 — Carbine
- Galil ACE 22 — Carbine
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Chilean Army · adopted 2014
- Colombian Armed Forces
- Vietnam People's Army
Conflicts
- Colombian conflict (1964-present)
Production
Production years: 2008-present
Galil ACE family adopted by roughly 20 countries; license-produced in Colombia and Vietnam
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Designer: Israel Weapon Industries
Notes
The ACE 23 is the 18-inch-barrel rifle in the 5.56mm line, sitting above the shorter ACE 21 and ACE 22 carbines. Galil ACE rifles are license-produced in several countries, including Colombia (Indumil) and Vietnam (Z111 Factory).
Background
The Galil ACE is the direct descendant of the IMI Galil, which Israeli designer Yisrael Galili based on the Finnish Valmet RK 62, itself a refinement of the Kalashnikov action. The ACE modernized that lineage with lighter materials and Western rail interfaces while retaining the rugged long-stroke piston heart.