By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
March 12, 2012
As if a new lightweight select-fire belt-fed 7.62x51mm machine gun isn’t enough, the hard-working little elves at Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) have also introduced a select-fire (full-auto/semi-auto) 7.62mm NATO battle rifle/carbine called the IWI ACE 52/52L/53 “Assault Rifle”, which is based on the combat-proven/battle-proven Galil assault rifle (i.e., Kalashnikov AK-47/AKM/AK-74) design. The new battle rifle is fed by a 25-round box mag (box magazine) and comes complete with Mil-Std-1913 “Picatinny” quad rail system/forend rail tube/tactical handguards, telescoping buttstock, back-up iron sights (BUIS) and various optional tactical accessories, including an “assault grip” with integral pressure switch for a tactical white light (tactical weapon light), Meprolight MEPRO 21 Reflex Sight/red dot sight/combat optic, and Meprolight MX3-3X Magnifier optic.
Hopefully, when DefenseReview (DR) eventually runs the IWI NEGEV NG7 at the range, the company will be kind enough to also bring along an ACE 52 for T&E. DR is particularly interested in the weapon’s accuracy, since it’s a gas-piston/op-rod-driven gun.
According to The Firearm Blog, the Guatemalan National Civil Police (GNCP) have reportedly purchased 3,000 ACE 31 7.62x39mm Russian assault SBRs (Short Barreled Rifles)/sub-carbines for 4.6M (4.6 Million) USD, as well as 8,000 IWI Jericho high-capacity semi-auto 9mm pistols for 3.2M (3.2 Million) USD. That’s a lot of denero for Guatemala.
Apparently, the ACE 52 has proven to be a “big hit” in South America, is currently manufactured and used in Colombia, and will soon be adopted and manufactured by the Peruvian Army.
That’s all well and good, but Defense Review is more concerned about whether or not the IWI will offer a semi-auto version of the ACE 52 7.62mm NATO/.308 Win. rifle for the American civilian tactical shooting market/commercial market. Assuming the gun comes in at the right price point, civilian tactical shooters will most likely eat this gun up. Nom, nom, nom.
IWI ACE 52/52L/53 Battle Rifle (7.62mm NATO) Features (from Data Sheet):
• Short, lightweight assault rifle that comes in two lengths
• 7.62x51mm ammunition
• 4 picatinny rails
• Modern streamlined design
• Standard 25 round magazine capacity
• 2 fire modes: automatic and semi automatic
• Exceptional trigger
• Muzzle brake / jump compensator
• Air cooled, gas operated weapon
• Combat proved, reliable under adverse and extreme conditions
• Easy to use by right or left handed user
• Simple maintenance, no tools are required when stripping the weapon
• Combat night sight
• Telescopic and / or foldable butt
• Rubber butt plate
IWI ACE 52/52L/53 Battle Rifle Specs (from Data Sheet):
Models ACE 52 ACE 52 L ACE 53
Mechanical Operation: Gas-Operated (Gas Piston/Op-Rod), Rotating-Bolt Lock-Up
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (7.62mm NATO)/.308 Win.
Firing Modes: Semi-auto, Full-Auto
Ammo Capacity and Feeding: 25-Round Box Magazine
Barrel Rifling: 4 RH grooves, 1:12” twist
Weight (Kg) (w/o magazine): 3.65, 3.71, 3.85
Length (mm): (extended) 935, 992, 1043; (retracted) 855, 912, 963
Barrel Length: 406 (16″), 457 (18”), 508 (20″)
Muzzle Velocity (approx.) (m/sec): 800, 830, 860
Cyclic Rate of Fire (ROF) (approx. rds/min): 650 RPM
Optics/Sight: Combat Sight (Including Night Sight): Front post / Rear aperture, Optional sights Accessories Mounting: Picatinny rail for various optical sights as reflex sight / telescopic /
other optical accessories. Attachment for easy fitment of compatible
night sight without re-zeroing (optional)
IWI ACE 52/52L/53 “Assault Rifle” 7.62mm NATO Battle Rifle Data Sheet
Company Contact Info:
Israel Weapon Industries Ltd. (IWI)
P.O Box 63 Ramat
Hashron 47100 Israel
Phone: +972-3-7606000
Fax: +972-3-7606001
Email: info@iwi.net
Website: http://www.israel-weapon.com
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