FEG AMD-65

Assault Rifle [ 1967 ]

The Hungarian AMD-65 assault rifle featured changes to the basic AK-47 design that made it useful to vehicle crews and the like.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/08/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

An Afghan solider takes aim with his AMD-65

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With the AKM-63 firmly entrenched as the standard-issue Hungarian assault rifle, attention was given to developing a like-minded weapon system for use by vehicle crews. The AKM-63 of 1963 was, itself, a Hungarian-inspired update to the famous Soviet AK-47 assault rifle. Chief changes to the design were removal of wood furniture (replaced by plastics), the installation of a forend perforated steel sheet and the addition of a plastic forward grip for improved handling. In 1965, a evolution of the series produced the AMD-65 assault rifle which incorporated further changes to the line. The new rifle was adopted into Hungarian Army service in 1967 and production was handled by the local concern of FEG.

As the AMD-65's design goal was to supply vehicle crews with a sturdy, portable and reliable weapon, the base AKM-63 was used as a starting point. With this, the weapon would receive the ease-of-maintenance and reliability inherent in the Kalashnikov line of firearms. Furthermore, the design would retain the basic gas-operated, rotating bolt firing action and utilize the ubiquitous Soviet 7.62x39mm cartridge firing from a curved detachable box magazine. The major differences in the new design would be a shorter barrel and a collapsing, single-strut stock - both features that would make for a more compact and lighter automatic weapon design. Additionally, a distinct double-slotted muzzle brake would be added for improved recoil as would a plastic forward pistol grip. Vehicle crews could now field the firepower of an assault rifle from the relatively safe confines of their vehicles - firing through protected ports at nearby enemies.

Thus, the AMD-65 retained much of the qualities of the original AK-47 assault rifle family including the distinct outward appearance. The cocking handing was held at the right side of the receiver with the gas cylinder projecting above the barrel assembly. The folding stock was hinged at a single point and folded over the side of the receiver. The forward stock was fitted under the gas cylinder/barrel area along a lengthened lower receiver. The weapon was fed via a 30-round detachable box magazine and fired at a rate of 750 rounds per minute.

The AMD-65 was utilized by the Hungarian Army from 1967 into 2006. The AMD-65 - like the AKM-63 - were both replaced in frontline service by the newer and cheaper AK-63, a Hungarian development in line with the Soviet AKM. Other operators included many budget-conscious customers such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Georgia, Honduras, Hungary, Laos, Palestine, Panama, Somalia, Yemen and Vietnam. The United States-based contracting firm - Blackwater - is thought to have used the AMD-65 in their actions. Civilian versions were/are also imported as non-firing kits. The AMD-65 has also proven popular with guerilla and terrorist movement fronts for its sheer reliability and use of the widely-available Soviet-era cartridge. AMD-65s have been issued to Afghan national forces in number.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1967

Origin

Hungary

Classification

Assault Rifle

Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar (FEG) - Hungary

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Afghanistan; Angola; Cuba; Croatia; Georgia; Honduras; Hungary; Laos; Mozambique; Palestine; Panama; Rhodesia; Somalia; Somaliland; Sudan; Yemen; United States; Vietnam

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

✓ Assault Rifle
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

Overall Length

847 mm
33.35 in

Barrel Length

317 mm
12.48 in

Empty Wgt

7.08 lb
3.21 kg

Sights

Iron from and rear

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

7.62x39mm Soviet

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 7.62x39mm rifle cartridge

Rounds / Feed

30-round detachable box magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

750
rds/min

AMD-65 - Base Series Designation

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Images Gallery

1 / 10

An Afghan solider takes aim with his AMD-65

2 / 10

View of the AMD-65 assault rifle; note folded stock, forward pistol grip and muzzle compensator

3 / 10

Close-up view of the receiver of an AMD-65 assault rifle

4 / 10

An Afghan soldier clears his AMD-65 assault rifle

5 / 10

A decorated AMD-65 assault rifle on display

6 / 10

An Afghan detachment takes aim with his AMD-65 assault rifle

7 / 10

Detailed view of a posed AMD-65 assault rifle

8 / 10

Afghan troops pose with their AMD-65 assault rifles

9 / 10

A US instructor showcases the AMD-65 assault rifle

10 / 10

An Afghan trainee takes up his AMD-65 assault rifle

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