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Posted: 4/13/2025 2:58:17 AM EDT
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I have 3 ATI Galeo rifles (2 ARM and one SAR pistol). The 2 ARMs (one wood and the other polymer HG) are ones that came out after the first batch. They work with Tapco mags, but Galil mags (IMI and SA) are very tight and appear to sit too low in the rear. If I load 5 rounds in a like new IMI mag, both rifles jam on the last two rounds. I was using military surplus Malaysian M193 ammo and neither rifle seemed over gassed. Accuracy was good for non rested shooting. Exact same jam on both rifles with IMI mags. Mags look new unissued, but some of my mags IMI fit better than others. None of my unissued metal SA mags fit, they are the tightest. Tapco mags fit and worked perfectly in both rifles with the same 5 round tests. I later got some SA polymer mags and they fit like the Tapcos, but I have not been able to test them. Later, I got a Galeo pistol. It has the modified receiver and all of the mags have some up down play in the rear when inserted, but most of the mags that I tried fit. Seems like the mag catch is not long enough to make the mags stay up and tight. This is exactly opposite of the 2 rifles, as on many IMI mags the catches don't fully engage or have to be helped to fully engage. Looks like ATI modified the rear of the receiver where the mag catch sits, but did not change the thickness of the receiver where the front of the trigger guard attaches to also allow the mag catch to sit lower. I have not had a chance to shoot it yet. The only issue so far is that the muzzle device is loose, no set screw. I have always wanted to have an R4 or R5 build and was hoping that I could end up with at least a dependable R4, R5 and IMI style clone rifles. I have collected allot of R4 and R5 parts over the years and have always wanted rifles that if not 100% correct, at least looked correct from the outside. What should I do now with these rifles to resolve these issues and move forward. Should I try the WOLF springs or is the issue really the receiver spec issue (mags sit too low in the rear)? Should I find someone to replace the receivers with Tortort ones or can they be adjusted by a good smith? Is replacement even possible, using the same barrels / bolts? Should I expect to find out that there are other ATI receiver issues, like headspace (if so is there anyway to tell which ones had issues)? Any ideas what to do? |
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You need to shoot the pistols. My ATI Galeo Pistol had headspacing issues but works perfectly fine with all metal mags new IMI and surplus. I had a gunsmith replace the barrel with one from Royal Tiger Imports. Turning it into a rifle. The original barrel had spacers between it and the receiver. Broken shell casings stuck in the chamber were the sign it had a headspace problem.  |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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I have one of the Galeos, an early one so it's got the same issues. I've played around with it, and from what I can see the problems are multiple. The mag port in the receiver isn't long enough or wide enough to easily fit surplus mags, the section of the receiver under the mag catch is too thick, and then there's the reported headspace creep issue. I've got a few CNC Warrior receivers and in a side by side comparison, the dimensions are definitely off with the ATI. So, even though it's a decent shooter so far, I've gone ahead and played with it, using it to see how well the R4 parts work on it. Stuff fits fine, but eventually I'll be treating this like an assembled kit gun, tearing it apart and putting everything on one of the CNC receivers. I'll probably take the R4 SADF stock off too and go back to the Galil stock. I'm 6'2" and the LOP is just too long on the SADF stock. Can't get a good sight picture. |
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Thanks for the replies. Is it only the early ATI receivers that have the headspace creep or the later ones? Also, I noticed that TorTort is offering receivers with the lightening cuts. I assume that one with no scope rail, dual lightening cuts and no engraving would be the best choice for an R4 build? I wonder if swapping out the ATI receiver for one of these would be a better option or just to have a kit built up on a new barrel, would be better? |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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I haven't seen any reports on the headspace issue for the later Galeo, but I'm not sure I would trust them in any case. I'd probably be checking pretty regularly. As to what the best receiver choice is for an R4 build, pretty much anything goes. Early R4s were Galils. Some LM4's had scope rail cuts. Some didn't. Later R4s had both cuts. Some R4s had no cuts. Engravings are different from early to late also. So pretty much whatever floats your boat. If I was doing this project and hadn't gotten anything yet, I'd probably opt for a Tortort and send it off to Hillbilly for the late R4 cuts. But if you want it as simple as possible, just use a Galil receiver. Are you looking for a shooter that's "pretty close" or are you looking to do a dead nuts accurate clone? |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
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That stinks OP. Mags that don't fit or work is frustrating. Sadly I don't have enough Galil knowledge to offer help. I have a ATI Galeo ARM that I recently picked up. Functions great. No FTF or FTE. Mags (surplus mags) rock n lock in without issues. looks great. But, it shoots terrible! As far being able to zero it or hit anything without seriously having to adjust your aim is its main problem. Shoots extremely high left. Have zero idea what could be wrong except it's an ATI built Galil. I also thought about swapping out the receiver for a Tortort, but not sure. Worst part is I impulsed bought it (and WAY over paid) without really doing my due diligence on ATI. But it looks great leaning in the corner. |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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First thing I'd check is the rear cover alignment. It's possible that it's not seated properly. Can't recall the Galeos having that issue. Other issues...yes, but not that one. |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
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Originally Posted By czechsix: First thing I'd check is the rear cover alignment. It's possible that it's not seated properly. Can't recall the Galeos having that issue. Other issues...yes, but not that one. My apologies to the OP for stepping on his thread. But thank you czechsix, I will check out my top cover more closely and see if it’s too loose. |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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Originally Posted By Colonel_Strelnikov: My apologies to the OP for stepping on his thread. But thank you czechsix, I will check out my top cover more closely and see if it's too loose. Was a good day for a walk also...  |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
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Originally Posted By mragu: My advice is to sell the ATI guns that will never work and send your R4 and R5 parts to Hillbilly Firearms (Jeff Miller) for a build with his receiver. Make sure you go through the R series thread at Uzitalk. The recommendation of selling mine for a parts kit has been suggested by a buddy. |
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Originally Posted By czechsix: Can always start another thread, but this is a pretty quiet forum anyway. Was a good day for a walk also... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/73254/lm4_and_mina_during_a_walk_2025_metadata-3591850.jpg Originally Posted By czechsix: Originally Posted By Colonel_Strelnikov: My apologies to the OP for stepping on his thread. But thank you czechsix, I will check out my top cover more closely and see if it's too loose. Was a good day for a walk also... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/73254/lm4_and_mina_during_a_walk_2025_metadata-3591850.jpg Good looking Rhodesian Ridgeback and Galil. Every RR I had the pleasure of meeting has always been a very sweet pup! |
why, oh why GOD WAS I BORN IN CALIFORNIA..
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Originally Posted By Colonel_Strelnikov: Good looking Rhodesian Ridgeback and Galil. Every RR I had the pleasure of meeting has always been a very sweet pup! Some of the ATI rifles and carbines work fine. I'd keep an eye on headspace, like I do with mine. So far no issues, I'm over a thousand rounds so far. The zeroing issue though is a pain. But I really doubt it has anything to do with the receiver, other than maybe top cover issue. Timing the front sight is another issue though, and that happens with lots of AK pattern stuff. Can be solved though. Have you tried some timing rods or levels to check alignment? How far off is it at a hundred meters? If you do sell it as a kit you'll take quite a hit on value, the Galil kits aren't up there in cost. But if you do decide to go that route, please let me know, I might well be interested! |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
|
Originally Posted By drobs: You need to shoot the pistols. My ATI Galeo Pistol had headspacing issues but works perfectly fine with all metal mags new IMI and surplus. I had a gunsmith replace the barrel with one from Royal Tiger Imports. Turning it into a rifle. The original barrel had spacers between it and the receiver. Broken shell casings stuck in the chamber were the sign it had a headspace problem. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/Galil-3515501.jpg No sht.....that explains a lot. Using pre drilled barrels and more worried about them timing up with the handguard and piston instead of doing it the right way. |
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Originally Posted By CPT_CAVEMAN: No sht.....that explains a lot. Using pre drilled barrels and more worried about them timing up with the handguard and piston instead of doing it the right way. Sheesh! Not good - One has to ask why would they do that vs determining headspace and setting everything in afterwards |
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