Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965

Infobox Weapon
name=PM md. 63


caption=Moroccan soldier training with the md. 63
origin=flag|Romania
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=1963-present
used_by=Romania, Libya, Morocco, Jordan, PNA, Georgia, Iraq, IRA
wars=
designer=Romtechnica
design_date=1960s
manufacturer=RomArm via Regia Autonomă pentru producţia de Tehnică Militară (RATMIL), Cugir
unit_cost=
production_date=1963-1980s
number=
variants=PM md. 65, PM md. 90
spec_label=
weight=kg to lb|3.15|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes (md. 63) convert|3.735|kg|abbr=on (md. 65)
length=mm to in|800|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes (md. 63) convert|73|mm|abbr=on|1 stock extended / convert|635|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (md. 65)
part_length=convert|415|mm|abbr=on|1
width=
height=
diameter=
crew=
cartridge=7.62x39mm
caliber=
barrels=
action=Gas operated, rotating bolt
rate=600 rounds/min
velocity=convert|715|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=100 to 1,000 m sight adjustments
max_range=
feed=30-round box magazine
sights=Rear sight notch on sliding tangent, front post, convert|378|mm|abbr=on|1 sight radius

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1963 (abbreviated "PM md. 63" or simply "md. 63") is an assault rifle patterned after the AK-47, and chambered in the 7.62x39mm cartridge. It 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 developement 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. 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 break, but a muzzle nut, as muzzle breaks entered production in the late 1970s. The navy version of the md.65 uses black polymer furniture.The fire selector markings are as follows, from top to bottom: 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 'Garda' 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, 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.

PM md. 90

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1990 is the 7.62mm response to the 5.45mm Puşcă 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.

Krinkov version

The carbine (short barrel) version of the model 90 was designed for tank crews and special forces. The barrel is shortened, the front sight is moved on the gas block, and a new flash hider is installed.

Users

Initially used exclusively by the Romanian Army in the 1960s, they were widely exported in the 1970s and after the PA md. 86 entered production. A large number of these rifles got into the hands of Arab paramilitary organizations. Muammar al-Gaddafi is also known to have supplied some of his imported rifles to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, whose members have regularly been seen brandishing the weapons in propaganda videos.

*flag|Romania Used by Navy personnel, border guards, tank crews, reserve troops and in training.
*flag|Morocco
*flag|Georgia
*flag|Jordan Sold in 2005-2006, some of which were found to be defective. The Cugir plant and Supreme Council for National Defence suffered a massive image blow as a result. [ [http://www.ziare.com/CSAT_a_acoperit_inselatoria_Romaniei_in_ce_priveste_comertul_cu_arme-372546.html CSAT (SCND) has covered up Romania's scam involving weapons trade - Ziare.com] ]
*flag|Libya
*flagicon|Ireland IRA
*flagicon|Palestine Palestinian National Authority
*flag|Iraqi insurgents, military and police.

References

* " [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm Romanian Export Kalashnikov versions at Romanian Kalashnikov Rifles]
* " [http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/models/ka234.html Kalashnikov guns website (confuses the md. 63 designation for the md. 65)] "
* " [http://www.arms.home.ro/arms/cugir1/pag/4.html SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 63 Assault Rifle] "
* " [http://www.arms.home.ro/arms/cugir1/pag/5.html SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 65 Assault Rifle] "
* " [http://www.arms.home.ro/arms/cugir1/pag/6.html SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 90 Assault Rifle] "
* " [http://www.arms.home.ro/arms/cugir1/pag/7.html SC Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA - Arms Factory - md. 90 Carbine] "