IMI Galil AR
Israel Military Industries (IMI) · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1972
Also known as: Galil AR, Galil 5.56
Overview
The IMI Galil AR is an Israeli select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Designed by Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior in the late 1960s, it is based on the long-stroke gas-piston, rotating-bolt action of the Finnish Rk 62, itself derived from the Kalashnikov rifle. Adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 1972, the AR is the standard rifle variant of the Galil family, lacking the folding bipod and carrying handle of the ARM model. It is built around a milled steel receiver, a side-folding tubular steel stock, and tritium-illuminated flip-up night sights, and feeds from 35- or 50-round detachable box magazines.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3950 g (139.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4450 g (157.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 979 mm (38.54") |
| Folded Length | 742 mm (29.21") |
| Barrel Length | 460 mm (18.11") |
| Sight Radius | 475 mm (18.70") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 35 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 950 m/s (3117 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1767 J (1303 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 630 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington (chamber compatible)
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, Folding Stock, Tritium Night Sights, Select Fire
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 1972 · as Galil
- South African National Defence Force · adopted 1980 · as R4
- Colombian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- 1982 Lebanon War (1982)
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
Production
Production years: 1972-present
Produced by IMI (now IWI) and license-built abroad, including the South African R4 and Swedish Ak 5 derivatives
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Designer: Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior
Notes
The AR variant differs from the ARM by omitting the integral folding bipod, carrying handle, and wooden handguard. Galil rifles are renowned for their ruggedness and reliability under harsh desert conditions.
Background
The Galil emerged from the lessons of the 1967 Six-Day War, when the IDF found captured Egyptian AK-47s more reliable in sand and dust than its own FN FAL rifles, prompting a homegrown design built on the proven Kalashnikov operating system.