Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965

PM md. 63/65
PM md. 63/65
	Cutaway of the PM md. 1963
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Romania
Service history
In service	1963-present
Used by	See Users
Wars	The Troubles; Iran-Iraq War; 1989 Romanian Revolution; Gulf War; Bosnian War; Liberian Civil Wars; Iraqi War
Production history
Designer	Romtechnica
Designed	1960s
Manufacturer	ROMARM via Regia Autonomă pentru producţia de Tehnică Militară (RATMIL), Cugir
Produced	1963-1994
Variants	PM md. 65, PM md. 90
Specifications
Weight	(without magazine) 3.45 kg (7.61 lb) (md. 63); 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (md. 65)
Length	870 mm (34.3 in) (md. 63); 870 mm (34.3 in) stock extended / 640 mm (25.2 in) stock folded (md. 65)
Barrel length	415 mm (16.3 in)
Cartridge	7.62×39mm
Action	Gas-operated reloading
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)
Effective firing range	100 to 1,000 m sight adjustments
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Rear sight notch on sliding tangent, front post, 378 mm (14.9 in) sight radius

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1963 (abbreviated PM md. 63 or simply md. 63) is an assault rifle patterned after the AKM, and chambered in the 7.62×39mm cartridge. It is exported as the AIM.

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1965 (abbreviated PM md. 65 or simply md. 65) is the underfolding stock version of the md. 63, and is exported as the AIMS.

History

In the early 1960s, the Romanian Army used mostly PPSh-41, Oriţa submachine guns and imported AK-47 rifles. With the development of the stamped Type 4 AKM receiver, and the Soviet Union's call to each of the Warsaw Pact's nations to produce their own assault rifles chambered in 7.62mm, be they AK-47 pattern or not, the Romanian State Arsenal developed an AKM clone featuring a forward-pointing front handgrip molded into the lower handguard, called the Pistol Mitralieră model 1963 (literally 'machine pistol' model 1963). The underfolding stock version is designated the Pistol Mitralieră model 1965, and features a rear-pointing front handgrip, allowing the underfolding stock to be completely retracted.

Features

A Romanian soldier armed with a PM md. 63/65 in 1989.

The PM md. 63/65 is almost identical to the AKM/AKMS, and thus is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium-plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. Most md. 63/65 rifles lack a muzzle brake, but instead use a muzzle nut, as muzzle brakes entered production only in the late 1970s. The navy is the only remaining large scale operator of the md. 65 because of the weight of the metal underfolding stock.

The fire selector markings are as follows, from top to bottom: Domestic—S, FA, FF. Export—S, A, R.

Operating Cycle

To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, moves the selector lever to the lowest position, pulls back and releases the charging handle, and then pulls the trigger. In this setting, the gun fires once, requiring the trigger be released and depressed again for the next shot until the magazine is exhausted. With the selector in the middle position, the rifle continues to fire, automatically cycling fresh rounds into the chamber, until the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger.

Disassembly

Dismantling the md. 63/65 is identical to dismantling the AK-47 and it involves the operator depressing the magazine catch and removing the magazine. The charging handle is pulled to the rear and the operator inspects the chamber to verify the weapon is unloaded. The operator presses forward on the retainer button at the rear of the receiver cover while simultaneously lifting up on the rear of the cover to remove it. The operator then pushes the spring assembly forward and lifts it from its raceway, withdrawing it out of the bolt carrier and to the rear. The operator must then pull the carrier assembly all the way to the rear, lift it, and then pull it away. The operator removes the bolt by pushing it to the rear of the bolt carrier; rotating the bolt so the camming lug clears the raceway on the underside of the bolt carrier and then pulls it forward and free. When cleaning, the operator will pay special attention to the barrel, bolt face, and gas piston, then oil lightly and reassemble.

Patriotic Guards version

The most-produced civilian export variation of this rifle is that of the 'Gardă' designation, produced for the Romanian Patriotic Guards. These rifles have a letter 'G' engraved on the left side of the rear sight block. The civil guard versions are modified by the removal of the sear and the modification of the disconnector to be semi-automatic only. Tens of thousands of these have been imported into the United States and sold as 'parts kits' (the receiver is destroyed by torch-cutting per BATF regulations – without the receiver, the kit is no longer legally considered a firearm). They are colloquially known among firearms enthusiasts as "Romy G's".

Other civilian versions

Other civilian 7.62mm Romanian AK clones are: SAR 1, WASR 10 (including WASR 10/63), Romak 991, Romak 1, and WUM 1. The Wieger rifle lookalikes known as the STG-2000 and STG-2003 are based on WASR 10 rifles, which are the only ones still in production.

A version of the PM md. 90 carbine is also available in the United States, known as the "Draco" it has the folding stock removed and thus the BATF sees it as a pistol and legal to import.

PM md. 80

Romanian Revolution, the AK on the left is a PM md. 80 with the stock folded

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1980 is a short barreled AK variant, and the first side-folding stock version produced in Romania. It featured a shorter gas block and usually used 20 round magazines. The front sight post is combined with the gas-block to provide an overall short length. The side folder is straight and folds to the left. There are two types of muzzle brakes used: a cylindrical one, and more commonly a slightly conical one. It is also known as the AIMR.

PM md. 90

PM md. 90 carbine

Saudi Security Forces with PM md. 90.

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1990 is the 7.62mm response to the 5.45mm Pușcă Automată model 1986. It is internally identical to a PM md. 63/65, and outwardly differs in that it has a wire folding stock identical to the PA md. 86 stock, and that all of the rifles are fitted with slant brakes. It was extensively used in the Romanian Revolution of 1989 along with the md. 63 and md. 65

Short barrel version

The carbine version of the model 90, called simply PM md. 90 cu țeavă scurtă (short barreled PM md. 90), was designed for tank crews and special forces. Apart from the stock, it features the same modifications as the PM md. 80.