The AMD-65 is a short-barreled version of the AKM manufactured by Hungary. It was intended as a new rifle for Hungarian Armed Forces, primarily for armored infantry and paratrooper units. The rifle is chambered for a 7.62x39mm cartridge.
Design
The rifle has a 12.6-inch barrel with a large muzzle brake designed to reduce muzzle climb and recoil. The rifle has a steel wire folding stock, reducing weight and making the gun easier to maneuver in close quarters. The plastic foregrip is designed to aid the shooter during a full-auto fire by controlling muzzle rise. The operating mechanism doesn’t require a gas expansion chamber at the muzzle, as in the AKS-74U, to ensure reliable functioning, but it does use a specially designed muzzle brake. It reduces muzzle flash but makes the weapon louder.
The AMD-65 accepts all standard 7.62×39 magazines and drums, including synthetic versions. The AMD-65 also features a shorter gas tube, allowing the action to cycle properly due to the shorter barrel length. The shorter gas tube can also be seen on a U.S. rifle version, the Hungarian SA-85M, which is an AKM clone.
The AMD-65 was first introduced as a short-barreled weapon designed by tank crews. Since then, it has been employed by Special Forces and Police worldwide. The AMD-65 is widely popular with special forces groups for its reliability and compact design. Very few AMD-65s were imported into the U.S., costing over $8000.00. However, numerous clones have been constructed, including full-auto versions.
Modernization
During the late 2000s, a modernization program started for the AMD-65. The modernization included Picatinny rails, new handgrips, an under-barrel grenade launcher, new sights, and flashlights.
- CAA CBS+ACP telescopic stock
- Brügger & Thomet BT-21428 gas block
- Side mount (unknown type)
- Heckler & Koch M320 Grenade Launcher Module
- Aimpoint CompM2 sight (B&T BT-21741 QD ring 30 mm ultrahigh heavy type)
- Aimpoint 3×Mag sight (B&T BT-211115 Flip-side QD base mount, B&T BT-211113 Flip-side QD ring)
- Insight Technology AN/PEQ-2 Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (TPIAL) laser sight
- CAA BP Grip with bipod
- CAA AG47 handgrip
Users
The AMD-65 has been exported to dozen countries. But it was also exported to the West Bank, Gaza, and Afghanistan. An increasing number of western security forces, including contract employees of the former private military company Blackwater Worldwide (now known as “Academi”) serving in the latter two countries, use highly modified AMD-65s rather than conventional 5.56mm based carbines and rifles.
The AMD-65 and the earlier AKM-63 have mainly been replaced in Hungarian military service by the AK-63, a more traditional AKM copy with a lower manufacturing cost.
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer: | MPF FEG, Budapest, Hungary |
| Designed: | 1965 |
| Service: | 1967–present |
| Type: | gas-operated |
| Caliber: | 7.62x39mm |
| Barrel: | 317 mm (12.5 in) |
| Weight (empty): | 3.2 kg (7.1 lbs) |
| Effective firing range: | 500m |
| Rate of fire: | 650 rounds per minute |
| Magazine capacity: | 20-round detachable box magazine 30-round detachable box magazine Also compatible with 40-round box magazines and 75-round drum magazines from the RPK |
