Just got me a Magnum Research .308 Galil

[Farmer-Ted]

Just joined the board. I just picked up a .308 Magnum Research model 332 the other day. Lightly used. Came with two mags and original manual.
I have couple of questions:
It's a model 332, which the manual says it should have a bipod and carry handle. It has neither. No sign a bipod was ever installed. Manual says it should be a 331, but it's marked 332. Is this normal?
Second question, one of the mags looks like a 20 rd M14 conversion, but has correct milled front and rear lugs. Any info on this mag? It's marked Kmt.
Here's a few pictures:

(nice outfit, guess they were trying to sell it to the rednecks)

(original night sight decal).

 

[riderboy]

Oohhh dude, the Magnum Research with bayo lug is the BEST! Don't know much about the mags, great score.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Yes,that is a converted M1A magazine.They work quite well as I have a couple myself.Nice score.

 

[R4orgery]

Congratulations! Very nice looking .308 Galil.
It has the mount for a bipod on gas block. Someone along the way must have liked it as a 331 instead of a 332. All you need is a bipod, pin and clip, an ARM handguard and rear handguard holder with a carry handle to make it a 332 again.

 

[Farmer-Ted]

Congratulations! Very nice looking .308 Galil.
It has the mount for a bipod on gas block. Someone along the way must have liked it as a 331 instead of a 332. All you need is a bipod, pin and clip, an ARM handguard and rear handguard holder with a carry handle to make it a 332 again.

Thanks, that's what weird. There is no finish wear in the bipod mount, like one was never installed. I would have expected some marks on it.

 

[BBQCYCLEWERKES]

Yes, you have a ARM to AR conversion Galil. Barrel is too long for the AR conversion as it apprears to be the long barrel ARM model. Either way, great rifle and find. It should cost you around $300, or so, to convert your Galil back to the original form. It would be a good investment to do so. Best of luck with your new toy and welcome to the Galil brotherhood.

 

[Farmer-Ted]

Thanks, I already picked up a bipod assembly. Any idea where to get the handguards and retainer plate?

 

[R4orgery]

Thanks, I already picked up a bipod assembly. Any idea where to get the handguards and retainer plate?

They both come up on Gunbroker.com and Sturmgewehr.com every so often. The ARM hand guards are pretty common. Just make sure to get the handguard holder for the .308 barrel. They are a different (larger) diameter than the .223 ones.

 

[misfit762]

Nice pick up!

 

[BBQCYCLEWERKES]

The 308 rear handguard retainer and carry handle are hard to find. They come up every so often. The 223 type is much more common. I have a new 308 rear handguard and carry handle assy I'd trade you possibly if you can only find a 223 set up. Let me know. You will also need to get a new wood IMI front handguard, but you see them on Gunbroker for about $140 for so delivered. Make sure you are getting the bipod pin and retainer with the bipod or else you won't be able to mount it on your rifle. They also have the quick release type that doesn't require a pin or clip but they're alittle more money. Again, best of luck with your Galil.

 

[Farmer-Ted]

The 308 rear handguard retainer and carry handle are hard to find. They come up every so often. The 223 type is much more common. I have a new 308 rear handguard and carry handle assy I'd trade you possibly if you can only find a 223 set up. Let me know. You will also need to get a new wood IMI front handguard, but you see them on Gunbroker for about $140 for so delivered. Make sure you are getting the bipod pin and retainer with the bipod or else you won't be able to mount it on your rifle. They also have the quick release type that doesn't require a pin or clip but they're alittle more money. Again, best of luck with your Galil.

Blackthorne has NOS bipods with pin and clip for $35. Are you interested in just selling the retainer instead of trading for a .223 one?

 

[White Phosphorus]

It's not unusual to find an AR with an ARM front gas block. I have a .223 AR, purchased NIB in the 1980's, with this configuration.

You'll find original, unaltered Galils with all kinds of strange combination of parts. Barrel length, gas blocks and handguards/retainers are not a means to define originality. This is particularly true of the Magnum Research and transitional rifles.

V.