AMD-65 or M10-545?

[jehicks87]

Hey all. Trying to decide between these two rifles.

AMD-65 fires the 7.62x39 and costs $100 less than the M10-545 which fires the 5.45x39.

5.45x39 is way cheaper, 7.62x39 is more readily available. I can hunt with either caliber.

I'm leaning towards the AMD-65 but have a thing for the 5.45 round.

Please advise with any hands-on experience between the two.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I don't have any experience with the M10 in 5.45. I do really like my AMD-65 and I feel it had good value for the cost. That said, the first AK I purchased was an AK-74 variant (ie in 5.45) in large part due to the cheaper ammo though the rifle itself was more expensive. What are you planning to hunt (you may find your state has regulations on minimum caliber/weight for different types of game which would influence your choice). Most likely you can't go wrong with either choice and I think you'll find that your first AK tends to kick off an addiction.

If you have any questions about some feature of the AMD-65, feel free to shoot me a message and I'll let you know what I've found with mine (ie I find the rumors that it's hard to use 30rd mags completely overhyped, I find it easier to use them over the 20rd Tapco mag included with the gun).


Here they are...the AMD-65 and an Interarms WZ.88 (Tantal)

 

[jehicks87]

I plan to hunt whitetail deer and hogs mostly. Both of which can be hunted legally with either caliber provided they are not FMJ.

I am contemplating getting the AMD-65 while they're still a bargain (i.e. sometime this month) and saving for a 5.45 arsenal or similar build later.

Do you know if the centerfire systems AMD-65's being offered are of century build or TGI?

 

[AethelstanAegen]

When I bought mine from Centerfire Systems last year, they were TGI built rifles. Since the current description says it was built on an FEG receiver, I'm inclined to say it's the TGI build. Feel free to call or email Centerfire Systems. They seemed quite happy to answer any questions I had before my purchase.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

An AMD-65 seems like an awful hunting rifle. The stock basically has no or very poor cheek weld, it has no scope rail, and very short sight radius.

 

[Hizzie]

I am transitioning from the AK to AR platform. All of my AK's save for my AMD-65 are going. The AMD is my favorite AK, period. It is lighter and handles better than any other AK I've fired. You get used to the jaw-weld required to shoot it well. Hunting with the AMD-65? One shot and the woods will be empty. Yes they are that freaking loud.

 

[Adam123]

I'd go with the M10. I have two chambered in 7.62x39 and they have both been flawless. From what I understand that AMD will give you more issues in terms of compliance. I'd say the AMD is a bit of a niche rifle, definitely limited in the ways you can configure it.

 

[jehicks87]

thank you all for your input!

 

[AethelstanAegen]

From what I understand that AMD will give you more issues in terms of compliance.

Adam does bring up a valid point. The 922r compliance is a bit of a pain on the AMD-65. As it comes, you need to have 2 US made magazine parts...fairly easy to correct with the "bakelite" mags but a bit more of a pain with the steel mags (it can be hard to find commercially made floor plates).

 

[Isaac-1]

If your going to be hunting deer, I think some states do have a 30 caliber minimum, this may be a reason to opt for 7.62x39 if you plan to move in the next few years or travel to hunt even if your state allows smaller caliber for deer. I am not sure if the AMD-65 is offered with side sight rail, if not, you might want to consider a different AKM variant that does have them, just be aware AK side mount scopes and rail / ring mounts can be pricey. I have a Romanian WASR that appears to be made from a matching parts Garda gun with side rail and POSP 6x42 which seems to do fairly well if you can adjust to the scope placement. I personally don't care for the thin wire frame side folders, but do like the FAL style Falcon side folder on my WASR. (note I am not suggesting a WASR without careful inspection), it seems CAI will stamp WASR on just about anything from Romania, some are mix and match guns made from whatever parts are at hand, others seem to be from recycled military guns, some mix and match.

Ike

 

[mshootnit]

I have been tempted to take an AMD65 and put a vltor stock on it or similar and get rid of that wire folder. Then you mount a micro red dot or similar Would be pretty cool

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I have been tempted to take an AMD65 and put a vltor stock on it or similar and get rid of that wire folder

You might have a little trouble pulling that off. It's not as easy as replacing the East German/Polish style side folding stocks as the AMD-65's wire stock is built into the receiver and it does not have the standard buttstock mounting hardware as on most AKs.

For what it's worth, I think the reputation of the wire stock being impossible to get a cheek weld on are a bit over-hyped. As with any new gun, you pretty quickly learn where to hold and a slightly modified cheek weld is no problem.

 

[Adam123]

If your going to be hunting deer, I think some states do have a 30 caliber minimum, this may be a reason to opt for 7.62x39 if you plan to move in the next few years or travel to hunt even if your state allows smaller caliber for deer.

Good point, if you are going with the 5.45 over 7.62, I hope you are considering smaller game. Of course, the 5.45 could take a deer, but damn, it might be in for a slow death. Not only that, but I'd imagine that a deer could run a fairly long distance before finally dropping. I saw a youtube video a while back where a deer ran approximately 100 yards before dropping from a .50 BMG that put a hole in it's chest the size of my head. For deer, definitely go with the 7.62 over 5.45.

[Edit] I just saw that you actually going to use this for deer.

If you are between an AMD-65, which is 7.62x39, and a M10-545, why not just get the M10 in 7.62.39? Seems like a no-brainer to me. The M10 will be MUCH more modular than the AMD.

My M10-762 (Yes people, it's 922R compliant):

 

[Isaac-1]

No matter how much I look at it, I can't get over the front sight post on the M10

 

[mshootnit]

You might have a little trouble pulling that off.

The difficult we do immediately. The impossible just takes a little longer.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

The difficult we do immediately. The impossible just takes a little longer.

Haha. Fair enough. I'd be interested in seeing a video or thread about it if you ever decide to go through with it. It would be a cool project for sure.

 

[Hizzie]

You might have a little trouble pulling that off. It's not as easy as replacing the East German/Polish style side folding stocks as the AMD-65's wire stock is built into the receiver and it does not have the standard buttstock mounting hardware as on most AKs.

For what it's worth, I think the reputation of the wire stock being impossible to get a cheek weld on are a bit over-hyped. As with any new gun, you pretty quickly learn where to hold and a slightly modified cheek weld is no problem.

Marc Krebs makes a stock adapter for the AMD-65. Knock out a pin and it bolts right up.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Marc Krebs makes a stock adapter for the AMD-65. Knock out a pin and it bolts right up.

Wow, really? Well shoot...I might just have to get another AMD and make a project gun myself.

 

[jehicks87]

I've decided to go with the AMD, not because of the caliber, just because I want to. Deer have been successfully taken with 5.45x39 so, while I appreciate the concern I don't find it an issue.

Now, I just have to decide if I want to build or buy...

 

[AethelstanAegen]

The AMDs are pretty cheap as is and the TGI builds are in great shape. I'd suggest just getting the TGI and if you wanted to change anything, it'd be easy to do afterwards.