PM md. 63
Export: AIM, AIMS
Overview
PM md. 65
Romanian soldier with PM md. 65 assault rifle.
Source: Romanian ministry of defense -
© copyright lies with original owner
AIM (export designation for PM md 63)
AIMS (export designation for PM md 65)
AKM-63 (nickname for PM md 63)
AKM-65 (nickname for PM md 65)
Description
Introduction
The PM md. 63 is an early Cold War era assault rifle of Romanian origin. The design is based on the Soviet AKM assault rifle and it can be considered a licence produced version. Romanian Kalashnikovs can generally be identified by their wooden vertical grip.
Design
The PM md. 63 can be considered a direct clone of the AKM as it differs only in minor details. The most distinguishing feature is the wooden vertical grip. Several variants of the PM md. 63 have been produced, including a light machine gun. Late production models feature a wire frame folding stock derived from the East German MPiKMS-72 design.
Firepower
The PM md. 63 fires the 7.62x39mm round from a 30 round magazine. The cyclic rate of fire is about 600 rpm. The maximum effective range is about 300 meters for the PM md. 63 assault rifle and 500 meters for the PM md. 64 light machine gun.
Users
The PM md. 63 and its variants were the foremost Romanian infantry weapons during the Cold War. Over 400.000 have been acquired by Romanian forces. The PM md. 63 is one of the most widely exported Kalashnikov variants. It is a common weapon in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Many remain in use today.
Variants
PM md. 63
Fixed stock model with wooden stock and forward pointing wooden handguard. The export designation is AIM.
PM md. 65
Folding stock model with metal underfolding stock similar to AKS-47. The forward grip points rearwards in order for the stock to fold around it. The export model is known as AIMS.
PM md. 90
Improved folding stock version with East German type wire folding stock. The forward grip points forward since it does not have to acomodate the stock. It is also available in a carbine version with shorter barrel and conventional straight handguard.
Details
Media
PM md. 65
Romanian soldier with PM md. 65 assault rifle.
Source: US DOD (SSGT Perry Heimer)
Copyright: public domain
PM md. 90
Romanian marines with PM md. 90 assault rifle.
Source: Romanian ministry of defense (Mihai Egorov)
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Kalashnikov AKM
The PM md. 63 is the Romanian production variant of the Soviet AKM assault rifle.
PM md. 86
The PM md. 86 was developed to replace the PM md. 63 in Romanian service. It is an updated variant chambered in 5.45x39mm and has a 3 round burst option.