Micro Galil: The small savage of Close-Quarters Combat

In the 1990s, Israel Military Industries (now IWI) unleashed the IMI Micro Galil, or Galil MAR (Micro Assault Rifle), a compact PDW born from the storied Galil lineage. Inspired by the AK-47’s grit, the M16’s precision, and the FAL’s versatility, the Galil family debuted in the 1970s, but the Micro Galil was a radical leap forward. Chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO with a 35-round magazine, it was designed for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) elite—special forces, tank crews, and urban police—who needed a featherweight and small over-all weapon that didn’t flinch in a firefight. Weighing just 2.95 kg (6.5 lbs) unloaded, per the 1995 IWI owner’s manual, and sporting an 8-inch or optional 11-inch barrel, it was the lightest Galil ever, paving the way for the sleek IWI Galil ACE. IDF soldiers dubbed it “The Baby Galil” for its pint-sized frame and ferocious bite, a nickname that stuck through decades of urban warfare.

The Micro Galil’s historical roots run deep. Israel’s need for a compact rifle surged during the First Intifada (1987–1993), when urban clashes in the West Bank and Gaza exposed the limitations of bulkier rifles. The MAR’s 460 mm (18.1 in) folded length, as noted in the manual, and side-folding polymer stock made it a dream for maneuvering in tight alleys or leaping from armored vehicles. Its gas-operated, rotating bolt system, with a cyclic rate of 750–900 rounds per minute, ensured reliability even caked in desert dust. During the Second Intifada (2000–2005), it became a go-to for IDF special forces like Sayeret Matkal, who praised its ambidextrous charging handle (left- or right-hand options) for split-second adaptability in chaotic street battles. The manual’s maintenance tip—cleaning the gas ports and firing pin channel every 500 rounds.

By the 2010s, the Micro Galil’s reign began to wane as the IDF embraced the IWI Tavor’s bullpup carbines. Phased out by the mid-2010s, it still left a colossal mark, its compact design influencing modern carbines worldwide. The owner’s manual boasted a 100–200-meter effective range with accuracy, a 3-shot group at 100 m under 10 cm (3.9 in), impressive for its stubby barrel. Veterans still swap tales of its nimble handling in Gaza’s warren-like refugee camps, where it outshone larger rifles. The Micro Galil was as clever as it was tough. This pocket-sized powerhouse remains an icon of Israel’s gritty ingenuity.