I've had issues with surplus mags as well. I have some that will work. In all cases in the mags that work the bottom edge of the mag reinforcing plate on the side of the mag will be parallel with the contour of the receiver.  The mags that won't work are at a slight angle (more of the plate is visible below the line of the receiver) - towards the back. So basically the backs of these mags are lower in the receiver and the bolt over rides the rounds.  So I can basically tell visually which mags will work and which won't - by the degree to which the mag reinforcing side plates are parallel to the receiver.

I suspect that the problem lies with the cut of the ATI receiver on the back edge of the mag well - in that it may not be cut deep enough to allow the back edge of the surplus mag to swing up into the receiver far enough for the bolt to pick up a round. It seems that the radius cut in the back two corners of the magwell interferes with the back corners of the mag.

BEFORE I touch the receiver I'm going to try to take a little metal off the back edge of one of the mags that sits too low - in order to see if I can get it to ride higher in the mag well.

OK - so I went into my shop area with one of the mags that wouldn't feed a round - where the bolt would over ride the cartridge - a mag whose bottom of the side plate on the mag was not parallel to the receiver on the ejection port side.  I took a file - and worked the back side of the mag - above the locking lug. I took some material off the back and and rounded the back edge corners.   In addition I filed some material off the TOP flat surface of the magazine's rear locking lug - the TOP.  The more material you take off the TOP of the mag lug the higher the mag will ride (at the rear) into the mag well.  The mag seemed to insert deeper into the mag well - the side plate was more parallel to the receiver than it had been - it was more like the other mags that I found that would cycle properly in the rifle.  I loaded three dummy rounds in the mag and they all cycled and ejected properly.  The proof the pudding of course will be to see if it works properly at the range - but that's for another day.  So I basically took a surplus mag that would not cycle rounds and turned it around with a little filing - particularly on the TOP flat of the mags rear lug (the more you remove the higher the mag will insert). Make sure you are judicious in filing the lug - don't go off the deep end.

I think this confirms my opinion that the back edge of the mag well of the ATI receiver is not cut deep enough to allow surplus mags to swing back and in/up into the mag well.  I will eventually "dress" the back radius cuts on the receivers magwell.

Day two of trying to figure this out.

Still experiencing some intermittent problems.  Again the fundamental problem is that the rear of the mag is sitting too low in the magwell and the bolt is overriding the cartridges.

So I stripped the rifle down and compared it to a factory IMI Galil that I have that runs perfectly. I also compared it to a cut receiver piece that I have in a parts kit (with the trigger guard and mag release assembly still attached).  The one measurement that sticks out like a sore thumb is that on the Galil and the receiver piece from the parts kit the thickness of the receiver at the bottom rear of the magwell is 1/8"  (4/32").  The thickness of the receiver on the Galeo is 5/32". The Galeo receiver in this area is 1/32" thicker (.03125").  So the net effect is that it is keeping mags lower (from the bolt) by this thickness - 1/32" - because the rear lug on the mag keeps the rear of mag lower because of this extra thickness. The height difference is actually a little more than 1/32 because if you look closer there is a little depression in Galil receiver (where the rear lug of the mag lug rests) that enables the mag to ride even higher.  So the difference is actually a little closer to 1/16"

Before I go to the expense of having this extra 1/16" machined from the Galeo, I'm going to double down on the filing that I am doing on one of the surplus mags - and take as much metal off as it takes to get the mag to cycle reliably.  My worst case scenario here is that I still have a Galeo that runs with Tapco mags and I'm only out the cost of a surplus Galil mag if I happen to take too much metal off the lug.

Day three of trying to figure this out.

At least with my rifle I THINK I have this figured out. I took two EXEC to LIKE NEW IMI 35rd surplus mags (that I bought from Numrich for $23 each) and modified the top of the mag's rear locking lug by filing (machining) 1/16" of the lug's thickness off. The measurement of the lug's thickness was done at the tip - which is a little difficult because of the lugs underside taper.  But nominally a new mag's lug measures 1/8" (at the tip). So I reduced the lug's thickness in half (by filing from the top down).

So both of these mags now sit 1/16" higher into the mag well (because the top of the lug is not restricting it - the restriction has been reduced by 1/16".  The mags fit looser (much like Tapco mags fit - a little loose at the back).  They reliably dry cycle 5 dummy cartridges in a cycling sequencing. I'm beginning to believe that a little "looseness" at the back of the mag is a good thing - and that a tight fitting IMI mag just compounds the problem - makes it more difficult for the bolt to strip a round out of the mag.  Just think about the little wobble that the Tapco mags have at the back - it doesn't seem to be a problem for them. The rifle still needs to go to the range.

This is clearly an interim (although workable) fix for those of us who want to use IMI 35 rd steel surplus mags.  However, the proper/correct fix would be to remove the mag catch assembly from the bottom of the receiver (removing the four rivets that hold it in place), machining material from the bottom of the receiver (see day two comments) and then reattaching the mag catch assembly to the receiver with rivets or machine screws.  This would have the effect of raising the back of the mag to the correct height - while retaining the proper relationship between the top of the mag catch lever and the underside of the mag lug.  With this fix you would not have to file on the back of the mag lug.

NOTE:  One other little complicating factor.  There is a difference in the spacing between the top of the magazine catch and the underside of the receiver - between the Galil and the ATI.  There is less open space above the ATI's mag catch than there is in the Galil - 1/32" less space.  The ATI is going to hold the mag tighter than the Galil. The fact that there is more "slop" in the Galil than there is in the ATI has a bearing on how tight the rifles mag is held in the magwell.  I think that's in part why my taking 1/16" off the top of the locking lug has resulted in a mag that sits higher in the mag well but is not overly "sloppy".  This same mag in the Galil would be much too "sloppy" to function reliably.


THE FIX:   I even contacted Mark Graham with the idea of sending it to him. But after thinking about it I realized that I didn't want to go to that expense or trouble for what is basically a plinker/shooter. If I had the problem with a real Galil that would be another story. I just did not want to put another dime in this rifle.

So I mustered up the courage and went full bore this morning. I got out the one tool that BUBBA can't live without - the Dremel. And after summoning up the courage from my Polish ancestors I cut a little notch in the underside of the receiver at the back of the mag well - the area where the rear mag lug engages the underside of the receiver. I went to work - and relieved the area. See the photo. I touched it up with a little cold blue - and voila! I can now insert surplus IMI 35rd steel mags - and get THEM to reliably dry cycle dummy rounds. I do not have to file down the top of the rear mag lugs. The tops of the mags are virtually touching the underside of the rails inside the receiver.

Tapco mags function just as before - but now I have a pretty good expectation that surplus mags will function just fine when I get to the range. The bolt no longer over rides the mag!  The rifle now cycles dummy rounds without a hitch - without an exception - something it RARELY did before I started on this quest.

I have this thread running on another discussion board as well - and the only way I could figure out how to post a pic here was to provide a link to the photo I posted over on there

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=92149&d=1566572867

Mine came with a spacer.

Thanks for continuing to trouble-shoot guys, I am following these developments with interest.

So much potential but these issues are out of a possible

Much to Classic Firearms credit they posted my review of the Galeo (un-edited and with the submitted photo)

https://www.classicfirearms.com/ati-atiggaleo556p18-galeo-poly-18-30rd/

I finally got mine to the range and I am happy to report that with surplus unissued grade mags it is 100% reliable. Tapco's were also reliable. Used surplus mags were problematic with the reported issue of alternating rounds not being picked up. Accuracy was excellent. Head shots at the 25 yd indoor range offhand were boringly easy. This rifle is a keeper.

Anybody else have time to take theirs to the range? So surplus steel mags are hit or miss (and we're sure it's the mags, and not the receiver dimensions)?

I think the dimensions are off enough that perfect mags work but those worn and not 100% let you down. I ordered more of the "like new" grade mags after my last range trip. If they start to fail me with time then I'll start making adjustments to the firearm. Right now that isn't necessary or a concern to me.

I took both of mine out and had issues with two new mags.  Bolt overrode and damaged rounds in both rifles and both mags.

I was using Malaysian 5.56 M193.  Does anyone think ammo choice could play a part with steel mags?  Also, where are you getting like new surplus mags?

Numrich Arms has them in stock. That's who I ordered them from. As to the ammunition that I used, it was Federal XM193 ball.

This thread makes me glad I went the parts kit/Jeff Miller build route.

Keep shooting it it gets better also clean the inside of steel mags specially the used Israelis.

just held.one today, got excited! found this thread

PASS! THX guys for posting up.

once again, nobody can make a galil unless its soft or cant use OEM Mags, unless you send it to a builder. HOW DID IMI make these work so well?!

They did design and manufacture the original receiver according their own original blueprints. That probably helped a little.

IMI building guns in the 80s to defend their homeland against every one of their neighbors that wanted to annihilate them probably had slightly more resources at their disposal and motivation to get it right than ORF, Century, and ATI put together.

Aim Surplus has 7 wood handguard Galeos in stock if anyone still has interest in these.

Edit: Sold out again as of 1/8/2020.

FWIW I have had zero problems with mine over the months using Tapco mags. I stocked up on Tapcos and got away from using the surplus mags in it. I still want to get it to play well with the surplus mags eventually.

ETA, I noticed this information in the description for the Galeo on AIM's website:

How about accuracy? What size groups at 100 is everyone getting?

Assuming all the barrels are the same(Green Mountain), my home builds are about 2.5-3.0 MOA with iron sights.

Thats good

That estimate sounds right about what I'm seeing for accuracy. It was better than I expected.

My Rifle did well with my reloads 1.75 to 2.25 at 100 yards but did 3.25 to 4.5 with the Wolf ammo (using sled rifle rest).

My first Galeo had issues with zeroing. Had to crank the front sight all the way to the left and was still not on. Come to find that the top cover had some wobble in it, and comparing it to a buddy’s Golani that had zero play, I suspect that was the issue. This past weekend I saw a gun shop in the area had 3 in stock, so I went to take a look. Two of them had the same wobble in the top cover, but the third was solid, so I picked it up and sold off my original. I need to get to the range to live fire it.

My LGS currently has 3 in stock, one with the wooden HG and two with the black R4 handguards. All are priced at $999.99, and am sorely tempted. Have always wanted a Galil or a clone but don't like the prospect of them not being more reliable with surplus orig steel mags. I would prefer a 16" to the 18" bbl as well. What to do?

If anyone needs Tapco magazines for their Galil/Galeo, I would recommend stocking up on them sooner rather than later. I just learned that along with DPMS and Bushmaster, Remington is also killing off Tapco.

It looks like the supply of Tapco Galil magazines is dried up already since Tapco is gone. That didn't take long. The non-availability of the one magazine that works 100% in this rifle without mods will not help future sales of the Galeo. If anyone comes across any in-stock sources for the Tapco Galil mags, please post for those who didn't stock up.

Mine, luckily, works well with new condition surplus mags. I also have a supply of Tapcos

Galati international has some tapco galil/golani mags for sale.

Tampa Tactical Supply had some Tapco Galil/golani mags for sale as well.

Most everyone else sold out.

I ordered from Galati Int'l and received the mags a few days later, quick shipping.

Not a horrible price, either. Galati International Tapco Galil mags.

I just picked one up, here in Alaska. Wood handguard model, $1049 OTD. I have something like 80 original mags for the damned Galils, and nothing to shoot them with, lol. That changed today, I'm sure I'll be able to get it running with original mags.

I still have to go through it and tear it down for a cleaning, and then range time will tell all. Should be fun. I'll probably start setting it up as an R4.

I got one about a month ago. Living in NJ they took out the Tapco mag, so I had to order a blocked surplus mag. It was a little bit tight initially, but always locked in fine, works great never had any stoppages. only about 300 rounds thru it. There is a gunshow next week hoping to pick up some more mags. So far so good. I really like this rifle just got an original bipod and sling for it. Now looking for a carry handle setup next. Only issue I had with this was putting the AK Mastermount on it. I guess the receiver may be out of spec because I had to shorten the mounting pin/screws by about 1/16" to get it tight.

Did you all catch the Galil bipods coming on the market now?

Apex had them but sold out.

ATI now has them for sale @ 69.95 in limited quantities.  it's the old style and not the quick detach type.

Get them while you can.

The old style bipod works out fine. I don't need QD for this.

I picked one up with my trump bucks

So far I like it. About 120 rounds put through it on the Tapco mag

Up to 9 tapco mags now. Ill be taking it out on the 16th to shoot a few hundred through,  then in june I'll be putting 3-400 more rounds through it with both tapco mags and a surplus mag or 2, if I modify them or not.

I really hope I can put a positive review in for it on here and change some opinions of the naysayers  

Had one case split in half in the initial 120 rounds. Checked headspace, Go- Closed, No-Go- did not close, Field Gauge - not even a chance of closing. I chocked it up to the ammunition which was winchester. I've had some past problems with winchester shotgun ammunition so ill put my blame on them.

Want to add a note to mag availability (tapco) .... ATI has them sporadically on their website, gunmagwarehouse had some when I bought 4 (use a credit card and lock it after, heard of card compromises), and gunbroker has them a lot of time. They're out there, you just gotta search around.  

Future predictions would be either ATI making them in house, contracting with remmington to buy them using older tapco machinery, if magpul made them,  it would be cool, ATI redesigning the receiver and using surplus mags, or adding an AR15 magazine adapter into the mix.

I wish you good luck on using the metal mags. I need to bust mine out - I haven't shot it at all yet this year.

Update. Around 300 rounds theough the pipe so far

Attached File


Attached File



This is with Cheap Red Army Standard 55gr ammunition  at 100 yards

Fucking. Junk.

I blame the failure on the ammo since the bullet went into the casing, probably a loose seated round

The accuracy is probably  1/5th my fault

Here's 50 yards with match grade ammo out of my AR10

Attached File


Probably 3/5ths the ammos fault

And 1/5th the Bear Creek Arsenal Barrel

But holy shit. For $1200 I'd expect at least somewhat accuracy at 100 yards. This was just plain embarrassing.

I am not that bad of a shot. Im no expert but I would've been happy with 7MOA. This is ridiculous.

I try not to put weak Russian steel case Ammo through any rifle that I like. It just wastes your time and money. Get some good NATO spec Ammo for that rifle and don’t look back.

I will put a variety of ammunition through it next weekend at 50 yards. 6 brands. 20-30 rounds each of the 6 bullseyes on the target. If i can't get at least 6MOA out of it by then,  well, might as rebarrel it at that point

Cheap rusky ammo in my AKs generally garner about 5MOA or less for me, so this is surprising

Ok got my ATI Galil clone in on Wednesday. It had wood hand guards and they were noticed for the carrying handle. I corrected the mag well as per DillyCleo’s instructions as stated about. Everything turn out just like his.. It did not take to long, you just have to go slow at it. Now all my mags fit great and function as should.

Awesome I'm picking up one on a few days, I plan on doing it also.. can you post some pics

Attached File

My handle guards came notched so I’ll will be putting carrying handle on it

@marcus5891

Thanks looks good

Be sure you lightly file the radius cuts
Attached File

Interesting thanks

I don't have rifle yet but have been buying both surplus Galil mags and new tapcos

Here's the best deal I've found for surplus Galil mags. I bought 3 sets of these (15 mags) and all but one were in very nice shape.

Galil AR, ARM, SAR Magazine - 5 PACK

^I got 2 sets about a month ago, all of them in really decent shape. Quick shipping too.

Wow! Sorry to see this. I'm hoping this is simply a case of your rifle not liking low-end steel-cased ammo. ETA: Have you checked your receiver cover for looseness? That could be a source of your shotgun patterning.

I didn't expect mine to be a tack driver, either, but it at least produces a fist-sized group at 50 yards with no rest using cheap Federal .223 brass-cased.

I pulled out my Galeo and one of my crappiest surplus mags and tried the Dremel trick on the mag. I'm not quite ready to go full Bubba on the rifle itself. After shaving off some of the locking tab's top side, I loaded up 30 rounds and hand-cycled them with a 100% success rate. Next time I go to the range, it will be tested more thoroughly.

That's exactly what I did to 5 of them and cycled dummy rounds successfully every time.