FEG AK-63

The AK-63 tells an unusual story of military procurement - Hungary initially modified the Soviet AKM into the distinctive AKM-63 with its colored plastic furniture and forward grip, only to abandon those innovations a decade later and revert to a nearly stock AKM design because it was cheaper to produce. The result was a weapon so close to the original Soviet design that only experts can distinguish it from a standard AKM.

The AK-63 is distinct from the earlier AKM-63 despite the confusing nomenclature. The AKM-63 (1963) was Hungary's first licensed AKM production with distinctive modifications; the AK-63 (adopted 1977) was a cost-reduced version reverting to a more standard AKM layout. Weight varies by source: Military Factory lists 3.00 kg (6.61 lbs), Weaponsystems.net lists 3.1 kg for AK-63F and 3.3 kg for AK-63D. The 3.1 kg figure for the fixed-stock variant is used. Muzzle velocity of 715 m/s is consistent across Weaponsystems.net and Modern Firearms, matching the standard AKM specification. Military Factory lists 701 m/s (2,300 fps), slightly lower - the 715 m/s figure is preferred as it aligns with the standard 415mm AKM barrel ballistics. The AK-63D folding stock variant has an overall length of 902mm extended / 655mm folded. Large quantities were exported, particularly to Iraq and Afghanistan.