Feg amd 65

[AethelstanAegen]

I'm thinking about buying my first AK. I've looked a round at a number of options (I wanted a folding stock, side folding seems more stable, wanted it in 7.62x39, chrome lined barrel, and if possible fairly cheap). Anyways, I decided the AMD 65 seems to fit the criteria...it's a little awkward looking perhaps but the design is growing on me and I'm part Hungarian so it'd be rather neat to own a Hungarian rifle.

I know there are issues with lack of check-weld but there is an aftermarket part I can buy if that really bothers me. I've been looking at them on Atlantic Firearms and Centerfire Systems which both claim they're selling the TGI build and not Century Arms built (which makes me very happy...I've heard too many bad things about Century AKs). Does anyone have experience with these? Do you have any recommendations, concerns, problems etc with them? How's the reliability and accuracy?

 

[nalioth]

I hope you don't plan on adding anything to it.

The dimensions are not the same as other AKs, and the butt stock is integral (it can't be easily replaced).

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Haha. No, I had heard about that but I'm not planning to add anything to it. I plan on keeping this a very simple AK. In general, I'm not one who adds much to rifles (I like my iron sights).

Does anyone know how the TGI built AMDs meet the US made part complaince issue? Do I have to use US made mags to keep the rifle 922r compliant (what a crazy system..wrong mag and suddenly I'd be a felon )?

 

[cj5]

You need to use the Tapco mag to be legal. I put 140 rounds thru mine today. I came home and ordered two more Tapco mags from Midway.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

cj5, so you're happy with the overall accuracy/reliability? Thank you for the clarification on the 922r compliance issue.

 

[amd6547]

My amd65 was built from a kit...by me.
I dont think it needs a thing added to it. it is already one of the most awsome CQB weapons. No problem with the cheek weld...it is different, but for a fighting weapon, the heads up hold is good.
Accuracy at 100yds is very good...I have hit clay pigeons at that range.Having to use Tapco mgas on the TDI version sounds pretty sucky. My favorite mag to use is the 20rd amd65 mag, though contrary to rumor, I have no problem using 30rd mags with the fore grip.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Thanks for the input, amd6547! That's my thinking too that there's no real reason to add anything to it as it's already pretty well designed for what I have in mind (relatively short range and maneuverability/compactness being important). For longer range shooting I have rifles better designed for it. The bit about the tapco mags is a little off putting but I think I can find a way to make that work (frankly the light plasic mags might be best anyways). Thanks again for the advice/thoughts, gents.

 

[cj5]

The AMD ran like a champ. With my eyes the sights are not that clear, but I have read they are quite accurate for such a short barrel. It is a fun gun to shoot.

 

[GJW1911]

My TGI AMD-65 has worked flawlessly and as accurate as an AK variant with a short barrel can be, probably as accurate as some of the longer barreled AK's. I did a lot of research and picked the AMD for some of the same reasons you mentioned. Small, lightweight, folding stock, and chrome lined short barrel.

I added the cheek weld and sling mount from AMD65 tech and a Mojo 800m rear ghost ring sight, just to make it fit me better. I would really recommend the rear ghost ring sight, it made a big difference in group size.

 

[amd6547]

Another thing about the amd65...I find that the muzzle break really works. While the AK dosnt have a lot of recoil to begin with, I find that my amd65 recoils less than the other AKs I have shot.
The compactness of the amd65 is it's strongpoint. The folder deploys easily, yet locks up well extended. The vertical fore grip makes it handle in close quarters like an m4 with a VFG.
As far as the mags...I bet you could replace the OEM grips with US made parts and use surplus mags...the surplus mags are just too cheap and too well made to be limited to tapco mags.
I consider the amd65 to be a close range buzz saw of a weapon...one that fits in a tennis raquet case.

 

[nalioth]

I bet you could replace the OEM grips with US made parts and use surplus mags

Assuming that only one mag part needs replacing under 922r.
Pistol grip = one US part
Magazine = three US parts

Also: the front grip on any rifle doesn't count as a pistol grip under 922r (only the pistol grip next to the trigger does).

 

[amd6547]

I did a quick google search on the topic.
Besides adding a US made grip, the other options are US made mag followers and floor plates, and a US made gas piston.
The gas piston is not too hard to do...it was one of the parts I used when I built mine...but it does take a little skill with tools.
I think the effort would be worth it to open up the availability of the foreign made mags, which are abundant and cheap....and bombproof reliable.
The other option, of course, is to register it as an SBR, cut off the muzzle break extension, and never have to worry about US parts compliance again.

 

[kimberkid]

I'm not sure what you mean by dimensions are not the same as other AKs ... I built 4 from AMD-65 kits



I should have a new picture pretty soon ... they are out getting parkerized now.

I built the top 3 with Romanian Barrels and gas tubes, 1 Hungarian AKM furniture, 1 with original side-folder and 1 with a Romanian underfolder.

Pistol with the original barrel and a Romanian gastube I cut down so I could have an upper handguard to wrap my thumb over instead of a forward grip I'd have to register as an AOW.

The Yugo is the real odd-ball ... except for muzzle threads the barrels are completely different dimentions from any other AK, gas-tube & piston are different dimameter and length, trunnions are different too ... stocks have a long bolt that threads into the rear trunnion unlike other AKs.

 

[nalioth]

I'm not sure what you mean by dimensions are not the same as other AKs ... I built 4 from AMD-65 kits

You may have started with AMD-65 kits, but building them with Romy barrels and accouterments pretty much invalidates your picture as "how it is".

The AMD-65 gas tube and gas piston are shorter than is found on the standard AK.

 

[kimberkid]

You may have started with AMD-65 kits, but building them with Romy barrels and accouterments pretty much invalidates your picture as "how it is".

The AMD-65 gas tube and gas piston are shorter than is found on the standard AK.

To address the original post, which it appears I forgot to do; the Hungarian AKs are some of the best there are whether you are talking about the AMD-63, AMD-65, AKM, SA-85 or SA2000 ... the shorter barrel of the AMD-65 and its muzzle break results in a very mild shooting AK.

Its true that the gas tube and piston are shorter (as is the barrel) but I was addressing the comment made by you that the "dimensions are not the same as other AKs" when in actuality they are very similar as indicated by the fact that you can interchange significant parts with other AK's ... unlike the interchangeability with Yugo AK's.

BTW - no offence was intended.

I used Romanian barrels because they are chrome lined and virtually identical to the Hungarian AKM barrels however, like so many of the AMD-65 barrels, the AKM kits were't imported with barrels intact either and the US made barrels that are available are not chrome lined.

 

[nalioth]

Its true that the gas tube and piston are shorter (as is the barrel) but I was addressing the comment made by you that the "dimensions are not the same as other AKs" when in actuality they are very similar as indicated by the fact that you can interchange significant parts with other AK's ... unlike the interchangeability with Yugo AK's.

"Significant parts" = fire control group, other receiver parts and pistol grip.

I'd hardly call that "significant".


You can't interchange a butt stock, because the AMD-65 stock is integral.
You can't interchange the lower hand guard, because the AMD-65 uses a shorter-than-the-AKM standard length hand guard.
You can't interchange the gas tube cover, because there isn't one, and if there were, it'd be shorter than standard, too.

Muzzle devices on standard barreled AMD-65s are permanently attached, so they can't be interchanged, either.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Thanks for the input, gents! I think it's confirmed the choice for me. I am likely planning to replace the pistol grip (there's some decent wood USA made ones available) and then I'll ponder my way through what else might work to make it 922r compliant w/ surplus mags (I have thought of SBRing it...but that won't happen for a while probably). It's not a huge issue for me, I just wanted to be sure that I had an accurate idea of how it was set up so I can go from there (and not accidentally make myself a felon). It seems like people have had positive experiences with the TGI builds, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Gordon]

I like the FEG amd 63 better than any other AK system. I have one that looks like the top rifle in the above picture but as an M2 Aimpoint and of course the amd 63 vertical grip it was a pre first ban FEG I put a new kit on. The other is an UNDER Folder as that was the pre ban 1988 donor Feg that I installed the new FEG AMD 63 kit on. Pressing properly trunnion rivets - UGH!

 

[Averageman]

Or you could do this..

Folds to the right, you can still run optics on a rail.
fire it folded if that suits you. Small package when folded and stout as heck.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Averageman, is that one of the Arsenals? Pardon my ignorance if it's not but I'm new to AKs. I'd looked at some of the Arsenals with the side folding stocks but I think due to the cost, that's going to wait until a bit later (also in my area anways, there's something like a 3 month wait for one simply due to high demand). It's certainly a nice looking gun.

 

[Averageman]

Thats a barely used AK-103 I picked up for $600.
It's a custom build from this Gentleman.
http://www.ak-103.com/
He was very helpful and it was a first class build. He answered all of my questions about his builds and was extreamly helpful to a second owner. I am very happy with it.
The folding stock is a Chinese model. I purchased it from One Source Tactical. I dont know of many other folders that fold to the right side.
I had to do quite a bit of work to fit this to my rifle, but it was well worth it.