Not really looking at the classic Galil. They are WAY cool, but not in view in this. Thanks.
Well, then good thing my comments also addressed the ACE. As stated, the ACE being largely pistols/SBRs and having similar issues to VZ58s with mounted optics -- not being able to see/use irons w/o detaching -- doesn't make a lot of sense unless you are seeking to maximize reliability in that form factor. And since there is little actual weight difference between for instance the M92 pap w/ 1.5mm receiver and RPK bulged front trunnion, it's really a question of features -- left vs right hand charging handle, whether you need full top rail, whether you want a longer handguard and slightly longer barrel, caliber choices, etc. -- relative to price point.
*The M92 is more front heavy than a galil of any type due to heavy front trunnion and the heavy 4 piece flash hider I run on end of barrel.
Where the ACE shines vs the M92 is in iron sights (and not all of the latest gen ACEs even
have iron sights), BUT again, I think the the classic's irons are superior to the ACE, and the ACE's irons are of only questionable utility depending upon the optic you mount to the top rail. And only if you're wanting to say mount a magnified optic or magnifier or mount night vision inline with an optic, etc., is that full top rail really even necessary.
I picked up my M92 for around $500 or $600 around when the ACEs first came to the US a half decade+ ago now. ACEs were around $1,200 then IIRC. Hands down, the M92 made more sense to me than the ACE given cost and performance, even knowing I'd spend around ~$250-300 in parts upgrades for railed forend, muzzle device, hogue grip, brace stock and adapters, etc. Now that M92s are up $800-$1k range and ACEs pushing $1,700, I still don't necessarily see much benefit to the ACEs for still nearly double the cost. Most of the ACEs now come with stocks and didn't when first coming into country in 2015, so that's a $100 or so cost savings relative to pap/zpap, but the ACE is still well over $500 more expensive...
All in all, the ACEs are made in Columbia and primarily seeing service in 2nd and 3rd world militaries where they're subject to neglect and abuse but TPTB want to ensure their soldiers' small arms function despite knowing that suboptimal maintenance and care.
Haven't been on the uzitalk forums in awhile, but there was a running galil thread there with regular updates of photos, etc., of military and police with galils in service fighting drug cartels, etc. The worn nature, wear and tear, and hard use of those weapons for decades was clearly evident. While those were largely classic galils, it's largely the same military and police orgs that are buying the ACE -- and yes, the more compact ACE pistols/SBRs do better fit those smaller framed 2nd and 3rd world personnel, but with compromises that I find unacceptable for my use and needs, especially given price point on our consumer market. And those 2nd/3rd world troops also almost exclusively have the Israeli version of the classic, which stock fits me best w/ body armor or bulky jacket (much like the Vz58) -- I much prefer the longer south african stock when just in a shirt... The ACE stocks are adjustable so less of an issue, but I'd be surprised if they were actually lighter than the classic tubular galil folders.
Again, just want to impress that any galil variant is about reliability being paramount, and that since weight is primarily borne to the rear of the weapon not the barrel (i.e., in your shoulder and pistol grip hand, not support hand) it carries and swings much lighter than you would expect for a similarly weighted AR15, etc... Don't knock it on weight alone until you try it. But there nevertheless are limitations to the weapon system and the extent to which it can be modernized and has upgrade/modernization parts availability.
