AMD 65 AMD - 65 ( Hungarian : Automata Módosított Deszant [ fegyver ] 1965 ; Automatic Modified Paratrooper [ weapon ] ) is a Hungarian - manufactured licensed variant of the venerable AKM rifle for use by that nation ' s armored infantry and paratrooper ( " descent " ) units . The rifle ' s design is suited for outdoor use as an infantry rifle but can also be used from within the confines of an armored vehicle as a fire support weapon . This is possible due to the side - folding stock of shaft design that makes it more compact . The 12 . 6 - inch barrel is also relatively short for the 7 . 62×39mm cartridge . The operating mechanism does not require a gas expansion chamber at the muzzle as in the AKS - 74U to ensure reliable functioning , but does use a specially designed muzzle brake , which reduces muzzle flash , but makes the weapon louder . The AMD - 65 , along with the earlier AKM - 63 , have been largely replaced in Hungarian military service by the AK - 63 , a more traditional AKM copy with a lower manufacturing cost . Features . Of note is the fact that no wood is used in the manufacture of large numbers of AMD - 65s . The front handguard area is made of perforated sheet metal and typically has a gray plastic vertical foregrip attached to assist in controlling fully automatic fire from this short weapon . In addition , the vertical foregrip has been canted forward to lessen interference with magazine changes . Interestingly , the vertical foregrip is physically identical to the rear grip , with the former simply mounted backwards with respect to the rear . There are , however , wooden grips available which can serve in place of the common gray plastic version . While these wooden grips are also authentic , in the regular Hungarian army and air force , use of wooden grips is extremely rare . In Hungarian service , the weapon is mainly used with magazines which can hold 30 rounds ( standard magazine ) but a special variant ( popularly known in the past as " officer ' s magazine " ) is also available , which can only hold twenty rounds – an unusual feature in many other countries , who more often use the standard 30 - round or 40 - round magazines . The weapon is better suited to a 20 round magazine , as it can be locked into the receiver without interfering with the forward handgrip and it is easier to handle the weapon in tight quarters . The 30 round magazine does fit with some slight interference and it can be also fitted with the 40 round magazine . In theory , the short barrel length compiled with the short sight radius makes the weapon less accurate than its full length cousin but the increased mobility offsets this shortcoming . AMD / AKM - 63 . Another Hungarian AKM variant formerly was used as Hungary ' s standard service rifle before being replaced by the AK - 63 . It is a standard - length AKM variant , with a standard buttstock and full - length barrel . The front sight is in the standard location . However , the front and rear pistol grips and sheet metal handguard are similar to those of the AMD - 65 . Availability in the United States . Many AMD - 65s were exported to the United States and sold in kit form following the destruction of the receiver , which legally rendered the weapon to the status of a non - firearm . In order to be legally reassembled , the parts must be rebuilt on a US - made receiver which lacks the provisions for certain parts which would make it capable of automatic fire . In its original short - barreled form the completed weapon isn ' t legal for civilians to own in the United States , but the addition of a permanently attached barrel extension ( Or a $ 200 . 00 tax stamp fee to register it as a legal " short - barreled rifle " or AOW ( any - other - weapon ) under the NFA ) satisfies these legal requirements . In addition , a certain US - made parts count is required in order to comply with U . S . C . 922 ( r ) ; a statute which regulates imported rifles with certain features that the BATFE defines as not being suitable for sporting purposes . Some individuals choose to build AMD - 65s without a buttstock , thus legally classifying the resulting new firearm as a " pistol " and eliminating the need for a muzzle extension ( as well as the parts for 922r compliance ) . However , this route requires the removal of the forward grip , unless the gun is registered under the NFA as an " AOW " ( any other weapon ) . However , the semi - automatic version of the AMD - 65 is now legal for civilian use in some states . Use by foreign military and private security companies . The AMD - 65 has been exported to the West Bank and Gaza , as well as Afghanistan . An increasing number of western security forces , including contract employees of the former Blackwater Worldwide ( now known as " Academi " ) who are serving in the latter two countries , use highly modified AMD - 65s rather than conventional 5 . 56mm based rifles . The combination of a larger caliber and shorter size provides better punch during short range combat . The metal front handguard lends itself well to a relatively easy refit with multiple Picatinny rails , allowing use of red - dot optics , tactical lamps and other accessories . The wire buttstock rod can be reshaped to allow use of 75 - round RPK drum magazines even with the stock folded , and the weapon ' s internal mechanism can be tuned with aftermarket recoil dampers for smoother behaviour in full - auto mode .