I dont know why, but i have always wanted a short barrel Galil Ace. I am gravitating towards the Gen 2 8.3" 7.62x39 primarily as a 'fun gun'.

I have never shot one so I am looking for some first hand feedback.  

Are they GTG in factory stock condition? 'Necessary' upgrades? Any aftermarket smiths that specialize in them?

Thanks!

They are built by a military factory in Israel, good to go out of the box

If you want to customize, KNS delete kit allows you to put an AR pistol grip on it, and you can get ACE specific ALG triggers or mod an ALG AK trigger

These take all AK mags, but you may need the delete kit for the drums

Recoil can be heavy for a 7.62x39 due to overgassing  by design, but you can get a Galil ACE KNS gas piston to lessen it or put a good brake on it or both, luckily the KNS piston install on the ACE is the easiest of all pistons since it’s already held in place by a roll pin

Also you can change up the arm brace, KNS makes a 1913 rail adapter for the rear and you can add all the braces at that point, or stock once you Form 1

I had the 8.3" but sold it for the 13".
The 8 was much lighter and better looking but it is an absolute flame throwing concussive beast.
The 13 is much softer and pleasant to shoot in my opinion.
Too bad there's not the perfect 10" best of both worlds version.