Golani Sporter from Century Arms

[WVwheelgunner]

What do you folks think of the Golani Sporter from Century Arms in .223?

I did a search, but found little on this rifle.

[shadowman]

I did some research a while back when I was looking at one. It seems some are complete crap, century strikes again I guess. I wouldn't buy one unless I could shoot it first.

[Ohionative]

I have very mixed feelings about century. I have heard as much bad as good. I never had a golani but have had some century ak's...1 had a problem, 2 worked flawlessly.

[Duster]

Oh yay a thread I can comment on with first hand knowledge!

I bought one a couple weeks back, here's how mine turned out:

Got the wrong rifle (AR vs the ARM) Century had "mis labeled" their gun.
Gas/Sight block is canted to the left
Tritium nightsights are burnt out
Top cover is a B--- to put on, partly due to an incorrectly milled receiver
Gas piston is loose (dont know if this is normal or not, it is however pinned in place)

As bad as it sounds its a tack driver (well, for an AK type system). The fact the sights are off and it shoots straight as hell surprised the crap outa me.

It feeds anything, and I mean anything.

All mags fit great.

It looks purdy.

Personally, I say buy one. Find the cheapest one you can (their all century) and if you really get a lemon, send it to http://www.hillbillyfirearms.com/ <-- that guy.

He has the "Golani Special", though after talking to him I dont need it. He's going to replace my gas block with an ARM version and back out the barrel so its straight (though he said if that screws up the headspace I would need a new barrel).

For getting the new gas block, and getting the receiver milled for the top cover and getting re-parked he said $75-$100, I supply the gas block.

I also plan on coughing up the $90 for a new set of tritium night sights.


Personally, I love it. The mags, thanks to midway and palmetto are cheap ($15 from the latter with shipping and the mags are fantastic), it would shoot mud clots if they had a primer, and like I said it looks fantastic. The folding stock really IS rock solid. I say get it, for the price they are now you can't really beat it.

FYI there are also a number (well more like 2 or 3) places that sell wood forends if thats what you want (Im getting an ARM version).

[Flintlock]

Not sure how you didn't find anything, there is a lot of info on them out there. Check uzitalk.com for one.

I have had one for a couple years and have around 1k through mine with no issues. Do the research on the receivers and the firing pin recall that occured on the early models. If you find a good one, they are hard to beat. Comfortable to shoot with great controls..223 is ok but there are x39 ones available for more money.

[Ric_Knight]

I have had one since 2008 and have run about 1000 rounds through it.

The good:

Mine is pretty accurate, easy to handle and comfortable to shoot. When you treat mine right it is very reliable, more on this in a minute. The hand guard keeps the grip cool and it swings well for a heavy gun. It is also easy to clean except for putting the receiver dust cover back in place, which requires a rubber mallet.

The Bad:

Mine is not reliable with factory magazines. This may be because the receiver is not to original specs or because the feed ramp is not set right, a common complaint with this model. When I run it with Pro-Mag magazines (yes, you read that right) mine runs like a whipped dog. The flash hider needs lock-tite to keep it from coming lose.

Keep in mind that this is my experience, and I appear to be pretty lucky. I have read complaints ranging from improperly set or angled gas channels, canted front sights, improperly hardened receivers and much worse.

The worst part seems to be the service department at Century. A few people have had good experiences with them, but for most they seem to be a nightmare.

There is a guy in Tenn. that specializes in the Galil who can provide a reliability package for about $300 (http://www.hillbillyfirearms.com/index.htm), but do you really want to invest more money after paying up to $700 for a rifle that is ostensibly new?

I am a huge Galil fan, I've wanted one almost since I discovered what a gun was, which is why I bought the Golani. I read a very good review from a noted gun writer and went for it. I got lucky, you may not.

I you just have to have a Galil I would advise you to test fire it first, before you buy. If you can't then the risk is up to you. If it is worth an extra $150 to $300 to have a properly working Galil copy, then go for it. It is for me, especially since I have a very reliable Car-15 as a primary and a smith in my area who specializes in AK pattern rifles to work with to get the feed reliability to where it should be. If this does not sound like something you want to put up with then spend your money on a good AR.

.02 from an owner, YMMV.

[WVwheelgunner]

Originally Posted by Duster

Top cover is a B--- to put on, partly due to an incorrectly milled receiver

I took mine back to the dealer/gun smith I bought it from; I could not get the top back on. He ground some metal off the dust cover, and I can now reassemble it easily.
My 'smith convinced me the Golani Sporter was the greatest thing since sliced bread, so I paid WAY too much for it, 'cause I had a lot of cash in my pocket at the time.
Personally, I think it handles like a sledge hammer. Plus, I had some serious jams (double feeds!) with it.

I liked my Ruger Mini-14 a lot better.

I also think the front sight is canted. Jeez, was I ripped off!

I'll just take my lumps and trade it for a Ruger.

[Andrew Jackson]

Originally Posted by Ric_Knight

When I run it with Pro-Mag magazines (yes, you read that right) mine runs like a whipped dog.

man an ak even works with promags...that really tells you something about its legendary reliability.

[gpracer1]

I dont have a Golani, but I do have a Century Yugo underfolder AK and a Century G1 FAL.

The AK had a canted to the left front sight that I didnt notice untill I took it out shooting. I put the entire front sight and barrel in a vice and twisted the gun till it clicked. Now its straight. Totally reliable and accurate.

The FAL was like a bolt action I had to grind the lower to match the mag profile, regrind and polish the feedramp and a few other small items to make the gun reliable.
Just last week I was shooting it and it was cycling real slow......I took it apart to find the bolt carrier to rat tail pin was broken. Also the ejector was broken and rocking back and forth.

I called CAI and they transfered me to warranty dept. I told them what was wrong and they are sending new parts, no questions asked.
For my first time contacting service, it was a good experience. yrmv

[Rascals]

After a few attempts at buying there guns I would never do it again. First its a gamble you getone that works then if you go to sell it nobody wants to buy it and if they do they wont pay much for it at all. So I say stay clear of them.

[Duster]

I did call Tenngalil a few weeks ago to discuss my issues, and he advised me that the top cover should be difficult to put on but not impossible. It shouldnt be as an AK by design, since the sights are part of the top cover you dont want it too loose.

I use a maglite, but a rubber mallet would be better.... I have been able to do it with just my hands, but if I dont get it in with a couple good hits with my palm, I'm done (hurts way too much).

I still say the golani is worth getting, esp. since you can find them under or around $600. Considering how import restrictions keep mounting, I would figure any imported parts kit gun will go up in value in the coming years.

[sniperfx]

Originally Posted by shadowman

I did some research a while back when I was looking at one. It seems some are complete crap, century strikes again I guess. I wouldn't buy one unless I could shoot it first.

very sound advice!!!!!!!

[BobMacnamara]

does it at least come with the IMI goodies?

bottle opener, bipod/wire cutter, ect

the jews think of everything I swear

[mike in pa]

The local gun shop has one hanging around for awhile. I was not too happy with the fit and finish, I'm sure that sooner or later it will sell.

[Duster]

The ARM is the one with the bipod (and by extension bottle opener, wire cutters). The AR is just the regular version with none of that.

However, the AR and ARM are pretty much the same, to the point you swap out gas blocks and forends and you have an ARM.