I was in a different fun shop today "browsing" and saw a NIB Golani Sporter in .223 for $690 (out the door for $715).  Deal or No Deal?  

I admit that I am ig'nant about these Galil's.

Hey TxLawdog,

The major suppliers... Century (Who makes 'em), Classic (who is discontinuing them), SOG, and other have all dropped their wholesale price to $599 so I would say $650-$675 may be a bit better retail price.

Also the golani (they are not "real" galils... the real ones start around $1200 and up), has a spotty record some folks have no problems.... others have nightmare jam-o-matics.... from what I have read they say some have had problems with the bullet guide being too low, some peening of the breech face, bolt lug rails, and mag well that is out of spec. for the orlite plastic mags.... (and a few other problems!)

Check out the Galil / valmet section here.... and there is a good bit on uzitalk.com in the galil section that discusses the problems and fixes....

All that said I just bought one with some "problems".... (i am a sucker for a hard luck case!)  I'll document my fixes and what kind of luck I have getting her running!

Fred

Thanks for the info, Fred.  This gives me what I need to 'work a deal' or walk away.

I don't think $715otd is a bad deal because you are able to inspect it yourself and don't have to worry about luck of the draw.

J & G has them for 599.  That's under 650 by the time you get it in your hands.  The extra 65 bucks is more than I want to pay to look it over, more than likely you won't be able to see any problems anyway.  JMO.

I love mine, it might be the sexiest rifle I own.

I think I read that one of the suppliers (Classic maybe?) Had free shipping if over a certain amount.... sorry... I forget who... may be worth a look  around though....

Fred

Ok 2 points,
1- wholesale cost on this is actually $562 from the major distributors
2- how is this not a real galil? Because IMI didn't make it?  These are made domestically with galil kits from South America, they take galil parts and mags, so they are Galils for all purposes but resale.

OP, get you one or two, look for the ones above serial # 1600 they have had the mag wells opened up for the IMI polymer mags, and should be able to take m16 mag adapters as well. Mine are in the 34XX range and run great, they guns should come with 2 mags as well, make sure you get both.

Alright, I passed it by.  He wouldn't budge on the price (in the current climate I understand) and I couldn't find the "F" marking that someone mentioned.  Thanks again for all of the info here.

Mine is serial number 30XX and has no "F". It shoots awesome. I would not have passed it up.

I paid $599 for my Century Golani (with the "F").

Mine is a 07XX, unmodified and it also runs great. Never have had any problems at all and I can bump an entire magazine.

Mike,

Check IM re: Golani

At a gunshow two weeks ago, I saw two Century Arms Golani's selling for $1100.00 and $ 900.00 respectively.

Yesterday I stopped in at local gunshop.  He had one for $699.00.  ($742.00 after tax.)

I put it in lay away.  I am buying it to Test, evaluate and abuse.

There sure is a lot of talk of the Golani.  I'm a small dealer and have quite a few in stock.  I'm holding them for about a year.  I think prices will skyrocket.  I do have the privy of having my own gun range and I tested each one with 10 rnd and kept each round from each gun to go with it when I do sell them.  All shot great.  I know, I know...only 10 rnds doesnt prove a good gun.  The only thing that I have noticed is that some mags tilt left and right easier than some, some have a different flash hider, and some of the front handguards differ.  All the stocks seem pretty tight when open but not when folded.  Some small mushrooming a thousand rounds down the road will not harm the gun, its just fitting itself.  Or, you can file it down.  The fit and finish seem a lot better than the cheaper AKs and it has a double hook disconnector.  All of mine have the F on the receiver.  Normally, milled AKs are from Arsenal and cost easily over $1000, dealers cost.  However, I cannot discount the stories of those who have bought them and had problems.  A rifle of this supposed quality should work right out of the box.  However, I have sold ARs that dont work out of the box also and they cost more.  Seems like the Golanis overall are OK, but about 10% just dont work well at all and Century needs to fix them, and fix them properly.  But, a good Golani is a good gun, wicked looking and fun to shoot and will only go up in value.  

J&G here in AZ has them for $599.00 but what is the deal with the milled receivers from ORF being soft and causing problems?

Some do but Century has been replacing them. Read the post above yours.

I have ran over 400 rds. through mine with no wear I can see. YMMV

reference:
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39520
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27159
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36733&page=1&pp=35
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34789

keep in minf the $599 J&G has no bayo lug and comes with one fair condition mag.  So by the time you walk away with the Golani with the extra mag and bayo lug I think you are closer to $670