IWI Galil MAR
Israel Weapon Industries · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1995
Also known as: Micro Galil, Galil Micro, IMI Galil MAR, R-6
Overview
The IWI Galil MAR is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Israel Weapon Industries since 1995.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2950 g (104.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3670 g (129.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Folded Length | 445 mm (17.52") |
| Barrel Length | 195 mm (7.68") |
| Sight Radius | 300 mm (11.81") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 35 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 710 m/s (2329 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1009 J (744 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Long Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Folding Stock, Iron Sights, Flash Hider, Ambidextrous Charging Handle, Compact Design, Ak Derived Action
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Israel Police · as Micro Galil
- Israeli Defense Forces Special Units · adopted 1995 · as Galil MAR
- South African National Defence Force · as R-6
- Turkish Gendarmerie · as Galil MAR
- Tanzanian Special Forces · as Galil MAR
- Georgian Armed Forces · as Micro Galil
Conflicts
- Second Intifada
Production
Production years: 1994-2010s
Produced primarily for export markets and Israeli police. South Africa manufactured under license as the R-6. Production appears to have ended with the introduction of the Galil ACE family.
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Designer: Israel Military Industries
Notes
The Galil MAR's extremely short 195mm barrel significantly reduces muzzle velocity to approximately 710 m/s compared to the full-size Galil's 950+ m/s, limiting effective range to around 200 meters. The iron sights are adjustable for 300m and 500m despite the practical limitations of the short barrel. The MAR uses a proprietary 35-round steel magazine rather than the standard Galil 35-round magazine. The side-folding polymer stock collapses the weapon to just 445mm, making it highly suitable for concealed carry by vehicle crews and personal protection details. Fire modes include safe, semi-automatic, 3-round burst, and full automatic. The weapon was largely superseded by the Galil ACE short-barrel variants and appears to be out of production as of the mid-2010s. South Africa produced the MAR under license as the R-6.
Background
The Galil MAR represents the ultimate miniaturization of the AK-derived Galil platform, pushing the design to its physical limits. Born from the Israeli security establishment's need for a weapon small enough to conceal under clothing or inside a vehicle yet capable of delivering rifle-caliber firepower, the Micro Galil became a favorite of undercover units and personal security details. Its extremely short barrel produced spectacular muzzle flash and blast, earning it a fearsome reputation in close quarters while severely limiting its utility beyond 200 meters. The weapon saw operational use during the Second Intifada, where its compact dimensions proved invaluable in the tight confines of urban warfare. Israel's Sayeret Matkal and other elite units reportedly favored the MAR for covert operations and vehicle-mounted response teams. South Africa's adoption as the R-6 highlighted the export appeal of the design for nations already operating the Galil family. The MAR's legacy lives on in the short-barrel variants of the Galil ACE, which offer similar compactness with a more modern modular design.