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AK-74M vs IWI Galil: how to tell them apart

Two military rifles that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

AK-74M, rifle from Soviet Union

AK-74M

Rifle, Soviet Union. In service since 1991

What gives it away

Long curved magazine, cylindrical two-chamber muzzle brake, side-folding polymer stock and the rear sight just in front of the dust cover.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine and many others

Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
IWI Galil, rifle from Israel

IWI Galil

Rifle, Israel. In service since 1972

What gives it away

AK-style action with a side-folding tubular stock; the ARM version has a carrying handle and a bipod that doubles as a wire cutter.

Used by

Colombia, Israel (reserve) and many others

Photo: IWI - Israel Weapon Industries, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
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