Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965

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

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 AKM 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

A reconstructed 'Gardă' PM md. 63, with an US-made receiver.

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.

In Germany are civilian versions on the market under the name / modell Cugir WS1-63 (fixed wood stock), WS1-64 (underfolder stock), WS1-64SB (Short Barrel 314mm with the underfolder stock).

The WS1-63HO is the straight pull non semi auto version. The gun must be charged after every shot that is fired.

PM md. 80

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

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.

7.62 mm RPK

The RPK version of the md. 63 is called the md. 64. It is essentially identical to the Soviet RPK.

Users

•  Afghanistan
•  Angola
•  Azerbaijan^[4]
•  Bangladesh - Small numbers in use in the Bangladesh Army.^[5]
•  Benin: Used by Beninese Peacekeepers in The Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[6]
•  Democratic Republic of the Congo^[7]
•  El Salvador - National Civilian Police of El Salvador since 2016. Recovered from Gang Members.
•  Georgia^[8]
•  Ghana^[9]
•  Iraq - Used by military and police.^[10][11]
  •  Iraqi Kurdistan^[12]
•  Iran
•  India
•  Liberia^[13]
•  Lebanon
•  Libya
•  Mauritania: Used by Mauritanian Military Police Peacekeepers in Ivory Coast.^[14]
•  Mozambique^[15][16]
•  Moldova - Mainly Regular Army and Police.^[17]
•  Morocco^[18]
•  Nicaragua-Used by the Nicaraguan Armed Forces and The Nicaraguan National Police.
•  Nigeria: Used by Nigerian Peacekeepers in Darfur.^[19]
•  Paraguay - A pair used by the Paraguayan Police in a shoot out against heavily armed drug traffickers near the Paraguay-Brazil border.
• Socialist Republic of Romania/ Romania: Used by Navy personnel, border guards, tank crews, reserve troops.^[20][21][22]
•  Rwanda^[23]
•  Saudi Arabia^[24]
•  Sierra Leone^[25]
•  Somalia
•  South Sudan^[26]
•  Syria
•  Kuwait: Transported by cargo planes in the '70( possibly in reserve now)
•  United States:Civilian use and for Marine Corps training and sometimes combat in Afghanistan.

Nonstate users

• Free Syrian Army
• Provisional Irish Republican Army: During the 1980s Libya supplied hundreds of PM md. 1963's to the PIRA. Today some are still in use with Dissident republican factions such as the Continuity Irish Republican Army, Real Irish Republican Army and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Real IRA splinter group) Contras.
• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Captured guns from conflict countries.

Gallery

• 
  A Romanian soldier armed with a PM md. 63/65 in 1989.
• 
  Romanian Revolution, the AK on the left is a PM md. 80 with the stock folded.
• 
  Saudi Security Forces with PM md. 90.
• 
  Afghan Police officers fire their PM md. 63 assault rifles.

See also

• Pușcă Automată model 1986
• List of assault rifles

References

• Romanian Export Kalashnikov versions at Romanian Kalashnikov Rifles
• Kalashnikov guns website (confuses the md. 63 designation for the md. 65)
• WASR-10.com - Information on the Export Version of the md. 63/65
• SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 63 Assault Rifle
• SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 65 Assault Rifle
• SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 90 Assault Rifle
• SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 90 Carbine

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