Why does the Galil ACE bolt carrier have a notch cut out?

[Slingshot]

Full disclosure - I haven't been able to handle one myself yet, but what's with the hole in the bolt carrier on the right side? Is it for weight savings or is there some mechanism that I can't see that requires it? My first guess was that they might have intended to fit a dust cover, however with the shape of the top cover this obviously seems unlikely.

 

[FELIX 808]

for weight savings

You guessed it. The Mirco Galils had this feature as well

 

[cubguy]

I was thinking a forward assist.

 

[boscoman]

I was thinking a forward assist.

Not needed on a Galil.

 

[RSR]

So I thought on the micros that it was primarily for (and in this order) 1) to help balance the bolt carrier from side to side (offset charging handle weight) which allows for less sticking and smoother action/less need to overgas and 2) to slightly increase speed of action and/or cycling reliability due to shorter gas system.

As for ACE with charging handle on other side and more normal length gas systems, I can't say w/ any degree of certainty. It should help to balance the side to side weight of the bolt carrier (right side always heavier than left on AKs -- and the primary reason for the offset angle of the "slant" AK muzzle brakes), but there's no charging handle weight and more standard gas system lengths and presumably less need for higher rates of fire (micro galils were somewhat intended for SMG roles and ACE is very much still a carbine IMO).

 

[cubguy]

Boscoman, your right. I found out the hard way that the cocking handle reciprocates. There would be no need for it.

 

[RS Regulate]

It's almost certainly a feature for manufacturing simplicity. They can tool one carrier body and finish machine the slot to the different tuned weights of the various calibers.