← IWI Galil ACE reference page · This work order as JSON · Print

Work order — IWI Galil ACE

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

An AK-pattern long-stroke rifle with 86 line items (93 pieces) and many sprung sight and stock parts (rear sight plungers, front sight detent, butt catch). IWI makes everything past the five-part field strip armorer work. The return spring, bolt and gas cylinder each have a documented reassembly failure. 86 parts (Galil ACE 7.62x39 (rifles and pistols) list; the only list in the manual). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~50 min, rebuild ~70 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Sight adjustment tool (zeroing key) — Front/rear sight
• Pin punches — Stock connecting pins, mag catch pin, gas piston pin

Watch for:

• IWI restricts anything past the operator field strip to a certified armorer. (both; IWI US, Inc.)
• The return spring goes back by pushing its rear end against spring force and leaning it on the inner rear wall under the grooves; it often will not seat. (reassembly; IWI US, Inc.)

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Place the selector on safe.
3. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
4. Pull the charging handle fully to the rear and lock the bolt back if the rifle has a hold-open.
5. Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
   Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time.
6. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Manufacturer's video: IWI US Expert's Corner: Galil ACE Disassembly & Assembly (IWI US)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmnzjB-WeQA

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure. Remove the magazine and confirm there is no live round in the chamber.
2. Press the cover catch inward with your thumb, then with the other hand lift the cover up and pull it back off the rifle.
3. Push the return spring slightly FORWARD, then pull it upward and out of the receiver.
   Tip: Forward first to clear its seat, then up. Pulling straight up will not release it.
4. Pull the bolt carrier all the way backwards and extract it from the receiver.
5. Holding the bolt carrier, rotate the bolt COUNTER-CLOCKWISE and pull it out.
6. Hold the end of the gas cylinder, pull it backwards and lift it out.
7. Stop here.
   Warning: These five parts are the whole of IWI's operator-level disassembly. Disassembly beyond this level is armorer work.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (86 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Manufacturer's video: IWI US Expert's Corner: Galil ACE Disassembly & Assembly (IWI US)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmnzjB-WeQA

Reassembly

1. Lift the gas cylinder, fit its guides into the slot on the upper front edge of the receiver above the chamber, and its front end into the opening below the front sight, then push it forward.
2. Confirm the gas cylinder is properly fitted in the gas block and does not move.
   Warning: IWI calls for this check explicitly. A gas cylinder that moves is not seated.
3. Hold the bolt carrier horizontally, install the bolt inside it, and pull the bolt forward while it rotates until it stops in the carrier.
4. Keeping the bolt in its forward position, install the bolt carrier group into the receiver, directing the piston towards the gas cylinder and the rear end towards its groove.
   Warning: Bolt forward. Installed with the bolt rotated back the carrier will not run.
5. Fit the return spring into the receiver and seat it.
6. Fit the cover and press it down until the catch engages.
7. Cycle the action several times and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Gas cylinder seated — A gas cylinder that moves is not seated (IWI check)
• Headspace — IWI: headspace checked by a gunsmith with GO/NO-GO gauges
• Zero — Sights moved for coating; re-zero

6. Function check

• Verify the rifle is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each step.
• Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt locks and returns fully to battery.
• With the selector on safe, press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.
• Move the selector to fire, cycle the action, and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.
• Hold the trigger back, cycle the action, and release slowly to feel the disconnector reset.
• Confirm the dust cover is latched and the magazine seats and locks positively.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

If it won't go back together

Sources

1. IWI US Galil ACE Semi-Automatic Rifles & Pistols Operator Manual (7.62x39mm) — IWI US, Inc. primary
   https://iwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IWI-Galil-Ace-Manual.pdf
2. Galil Ace Gen 2 - Modernized AK Rifles | IWI US (Rifle Technical Data) — IWI US, Inc. primary
   https://iwi.us/firearms/galil-ace-gen-2/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.