AK-63

Template:Short description Template:Template other The AK-63 (also known in Hungarian military service as the AMM) is a Hungarian variant of the AKM assault rifle manufactured by the Fegyver- és Gépgyár (FÉG) state arms plant in Hungary.

History

Although the AMD-65 had been the Hungarian service rifle since 1965, it was more expensive to build, and the forward grips had a reputation for being easily damaged in the field.

In the late-1970s, the Hungarian Defense Ministry requested that FÉG manufacture a cheaper rifle based on the more traditional Soviet AKM design.

By the end of 1977, the AK-63 was adopted by the Hungarian People's Army (beginning with the Ground Forces).

In 1978, FÉG added a folding stock AKMS version of the AK-63 to their catalogue; thereafter, the fixed-stock AK-63 became known as the AK-63F (Wooden Stock) and the folding-stock version was designated AK-63D (Descent).

In Hungarian service, the AK-63 replaced the AMD-65, which is nearly identical but features a modified heat shield and a vertical forward hand grip under the barrel.

During the Cold War and afterwards, the AK-63 series was widely exported to a number of nations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

Features

The AK-63 F and D (AMM and AMMS) are both nearly identical externally to the USSR-manufactured AKM and AKMS.

The main difference is that the AK-63 series retains the distinctive-looking straight pistol grip of the AKM-63.

The forward hand grip of the AK-63 also lacks the palm swells which characterize the Soviet AKM (and most AKM copies made in many other countries).

It's also missing the stepped lightening cut on the bolt carrier and retains the relief ports on the gas tube. The wood on the AK-63, like that of the AKM-63, has a bright, laminated blond finish.

Variants

AK-63F

Basic fixed-stock copy of the Soviet AKM, designated as the AMM in Hungarian service.

AK-63D

AKMS copy with an under-folding steel stock, designated as the AMMS in Hungarian service.

AK-63MF

Modernised AK-63D with telescopic stock, MIL-STD-1913 Swan rail and other attachments:

• CAA CBS+ACP telescopic stock
• Brügger & Thomet BT-21428 gas block
• Side mount (unknown type)
• Heckler & Koch M320 GLM
• Aimpoint CompM2 sight
  • B&T BT-21741 QD ring 30 mm ultrahigh heavy type
• Aimpont 3× magnification 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

SA-85M

A semi-automatic-only version intended for civilian sales in the United States; imported by Kassnar (of Harrisburg, PA) in both pre- and post-ban versions.

Since only about 7,000 pre-ban SA-85Ms were imported prior to 1989, it is now considered a collector's item amongst firearms enthusiasts and commands high prices (often $1,500 or higher).

The post-ban version of the SA-85M, featuring a thumbhole stock, was discontinued after only a few years of importation.

However, in recent years, several companies in the United States have built clones of these rifles from Hungarian parts kits on American-made receivers.

SA-2000S

Federal Assault Weapons ban-era version with single stack magazine. Exclusively for the US market.

Users

• Iraq
• Somalia
• Zambia

Former users

• Croatia
• Hungary
  • Main service rifle of the Hungarian Defence Forces
  • To be replaced by the CZ BREN 2
• Iran
  • Most likely captured rifles
  • Iranian Revolutionary Guards

Non-State Users

• Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front
• Template:Country data Islamic State
• Kurdistan Workers' Party
• Sandinista National Liberation Front
• Women's Protection Units

Gallery

• Weapons captured by U.S. forces during the Gulf War on display at 45th Infantry Museum.
  Weapons captured by U.S. forces during the Gulf War on display at 45th Infantry Museum.
• Kurdish PKK fighter holding an AK-63.
  Kurdish PKK fighter holding an AK-63.
• Hungarian soldier with an AK-63.
  Hungarian soldier with an AK-63.

See also

• AMP-69
• List of assault rifles

Further reading

• Weapons of the FMLN-Part Two: The Logistics of an Insurgency By Lawrence J. Whelan