FEG AK-63 / AMM

History of the FEG AK-63/AMM

Hungary, which was influenced by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, used the world-renowned Kalashnikov AK-47 series of assault rifles that debuted after World War II. In the decades that followed, the type proved to be an integral part of countless conflicts and battles, with much of its original design credited to the German StG44 - often referred to as the "father of the assault rifle." In the early 1960s, the authorities decided to modernize their AK-47s, abandoning the recognizable Kalashnikov-style wooden furniture. The resulting design became the "AKM-63" in 1963, replacing the solid wood stock with a plastic version while using vented steel at the front. A plastic fore grip was also added.

In every respect, the Hungarian version is nearly identical in design to the 1959 Soviet AKM (an upgraded AK-47)even in overall performance.

The AKM-63 was further developed into the Hungarian "AMD-65" assault rifle in 1965, it was nothing more than a compact version for use by vehicle occupants, its smaller nature made it a viable shooting weapon in armored within the range of the transporter. The AMD-65 has a shorter barrel, a collapsible stock and a plastic front pistol grip. While the AMD-65 struggled to establish itself, the basic AKM-63 itself was in use until the late 1970s, after which the Hungarian authorities commissioned local company FEG to design, develop and produce a "more economical-friendly" version and some tolerance issues to work around. Design work followed, and in 1977 the AK-63 became the new standard assault rifle for the Hungarian Army, replacing the AMD-65 and AKM-63 in service at the time, still following the lines of the Soviet AKM.

During his tenure, FEG (dissolved since 2004) supplied customers with everything from military small arms to water heaters.

The AK-63 was eventually produced in two different forms, distinguished by their stock - the AK-63F was a solid stock version, while the AK-63D ??had a folded metal stock (similar to the Soviet AKMS). Both versions ended up officially entering the Hungarian army and were called "AMM" and "AMMSz" respectively.

The "AK-63MF" then appeared as a modernized version of the AK-63D ??and brought a Picatinny rail mount for mounting various optics, lights and sights. Additionally, this model features a retractable stock assembly for a more compact end product.

The SA-85M is a relatively rare semi-automatic model designed and built for civilian sales in the lucrative U.S. arms market, with imports from Cassnar, Pennsylvania. However, their numbers have been limited due to a 1989 import ban on assault weapons, making them extremely rare today.

Like all other Kalashnikov AK-47-related assault rifles, the AK-63 series uses Soviet 7.62x39mm cartridges and relies on a pneumatic rotating bolt for ignition. Externally, the AK-63 appears in its overall presentation as a clone of its Soviet-era counterpart, save for a few Hungarian-inspired changes.

The weapon is tuned to fire from a 10-, 20- or 30-round detachable curved metal magazine with a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute.

The AK-63 family has a sizable share of combat operations around the world. Both sides used the weapon in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the El Salvador Civil War (1980-1992), the Gulf War (1990-1991) and the Croatian War. Independence (1991-1995) and - most recently - the Libyan Civil War in 2011.

Nonetheless, the AK-63 is widely used in Hungary and elsewhere.

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