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 Compare/contrast Century and FEG/other AMD-65's**FEG received**
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/1/2010 5:44:16 PM
I really like my century AMD65, and was planning on picking up at least one more this month as SOG has them on sale for $359.99.

However, I was wondering what the main differences are between the Century and FEG. I am not looking for any Century bashing. This is a technical forum for technical comments.

For example: My century AMD65 has a different sight radius/set up than the FEG versions末which has the longer sight radius? Beyond aesthetics (I prefer the way the Century looks), what are the other barrel differences?

末I assume the Century barrel is not chrome lined.末 Is the FEG?
末The Century does not have a rear sling swivwl on the receiver末although I have seen some that do have this.
末Tapco G2 on my century.
末Wood furniture.
末Cleaning rod.
末Stock locks up tight, and is very stiff to disengage the lock button.
srb1976  [Team Member]
12/2/2010 4:13:11 AM
The FEG AMD 65 imported by TGI are factory built guns that come into the country that only accept single stack mags. TGI widens the magazine well and adds the following compliance parts:Tapco trigger group and an American made mag. They are nice guns. Mine is all numbers matching and has the original chrome lined barrel with an extension and muzzle brake welded on to make it the legal length of 16 inches. In my opinion, they are a lot nicer than the Century built AMDs because the TGI is true to the "real" AMDs. With the exception of the muzzle brake extension. Here is mine.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/2/2010 9:15:04 AM
What are the easily changed out compliance parts so I can use non-US mags?

I like the chrome lined barrel...but don't like the barrel extension. Doesn't look as authentic. I think if the front sight could have been pushed out to the brake, it would make a difference.

Still, I am considering an FEG this time.
mattjargon  [Member]
12/2/2010 9:25:23 AM
IMO the extension looks more authentic than the longer barreled AMD's that have the front sight further from the gas block..
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/2/2010 10:41:54 AM
I put my AMD up in my first post...still thinks it looks more like the AMD's in the Hungarian pic thread than the FEG. However, the FEG is growing on me...

But what else does it have for features that the Century doesn't?

What is the trigger group like?
dcs12345  [Team Member]
12/6/2010 11:03:32 AM
The receiver cover on my TGI AMD-65 rubs on the bolt carrier. The bolt also stops 1/4" from being full seated when loading a round. It is on its way back for repair, exchange, or refund.... The finish on my rifle isn't very durable looking, not that I care that much about that.
1saxman  [Member]
12/7/2010 4:28:46 PM
Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy:
I really like my century AMD65, and was planning on picking up at least one more this month as SOG has them on sale for $359.99.

However, I was wondering what the main differences are between the Century and FEG. I am not looking for any Century bashing. This is a technical forum for technical comments.

For example: My century AMD65 has a different sight radius/set up than the FEG versions末which has the longer sight radius? Beyond aesthetics (I prefer the way the Century looks), what are the other barrel differences?

末I assume the Century barrel is not chrome lined.末 Is the FEG?
末The Century does not have a rear sling swivwl on the receiver末although I have seen some that do have this.
末Tapco G2 on my century.
末Wood furniture.
末Cleaning rod.
末Stock locks up tight, and is very stiff to disengage the lock button.
http://i53.tinypic.com/nvbgvp.jpg


The non-original barrels are modified Romanians but I think they're chromed - not sure. The FEG barrels are lightly-used military chromed barrels.
The rear sling swivels seem to be randomly included. It's easy to add one.
Tapco G2 on all of them.
The wood grips seem to be getting scarce, but are a nice touch. The great majority of military AMD 65s had the gey polymer grips.
They all have a cleaning rod.
Stiff stock release button is typical - use it to extend the stock as well as fold, or the locking bolt will be damaged.

The versions with the sight farther from the gas block indicate the non-original barrel, and they do have a longer sight radius.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/7/2010 5:47:03 PM
Great. I do now see that the FEG sight radius is more true to the AMD65.

What would I need to change out to make the FEG variant compliant with com block surplus mags (like the Hungarian 20 rounders)?
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/20/2010 6:01:39 PM
I received my FEG AMD65 today末and compared it to another Century AMD 65 my dealer had, as well as mine. I will post pics as well.

My original Century AMD 65 (CAMD) is fit and finished much better than my dealer's AMD (DAMD)on the folding trunnion, and my DAMD is better than my new FEG. They hacked out the hole for the folder and did a poor job of it, then did not finish the rifle afterwards. Quite poor workmanship. DAMD is the same, but at least the rifle was re-finished before being sold. FEG AMD folding trunnion also hacked on at the top, not refinished afterwards. Also, the folder stock has a large gouge through to bare metal and rust at the trunnion and on the stock. I have seen very few AK's worse than this and was quite displeased.

CAMD and FEG both have VG/Excellent matching #s kits.

CAMD come with two VG surplus mags, sling, cleaning kit, nice NEW wood grips.

DAMD comes with one TAPCO 20 round mag, well worn (beat) and dirty/grimy plastic grips, no sling, no cleaning kit.

None had a sling swivel installed at the receiver.

The FEG has an extra hole tapped in the bottom of the receiver...not sure of the function yet.

The folder on the FEG AMD is so stiff it requires two hands and great effort to activate, the other two require firm pressure, but not excessive like the FEG.

Except for the chrome bore, I am currently quite displeased with the FEG AMD upon first inspection. The Century variants seem much better...I will make more observations after shooting and cleaning. As is, I would not pay extra for the FEG and if this gun would have been over $360 before taxes and fees (just around $400 after all), I would have sent it back. TN guns' poor reputation continues in this regard.
ak47mays  [Team Member]
12/20/2010 8:43:01 PM
my TGI (FEG) wasn't perfect but wait till you shoot it. they function silky smooth and are quite accurate for a short barrel and are crazy loud compared to a 16' rifle. i love mine. enjoy it and fix her up to your liking.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/20/2010 11:42:18 PM
I will shoot it, hopefully, Friday.

Magwell was nicely done, plenty of mag wobble left/right and up/down with metal mags. The included Tapco mag only had a little wobble left/right. I do like the FEG paint over park finish.

I figured out how to adjust the stock release button by unscrewing it a bit, now it's easier to open/close.

My selector level is so bent that when all the way up it actually bends in a crescent towrds the inside of the receiver. I took a pliers to it to bend it back some and now it's better––and doesn't put a gouge in the side of the receiver.

Here are some pics. First is the FEG, then some of the various parts and defects, then the FEG and CAMD together...

Extra hole in receiver bottom:


Almost unacceptable packing rub mark on stock:

Poor job grinding out the stock hole (top and bottom of what should have been a neat rectangle), plus some rust and grind marks on top of folding stock "tang":

CAMD stock cut...my dealer's CAMD was cut like the FEG's on the bottom, but good on top, then refinished末wheras the FEG was poorly hogged and then left unfinished for future rust.

Compared together:
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/20/2010 11:47:53 PM
Originally Posted By srb1976:
The FEG AMD 65 imported by TGI are factory built guns that come into the country that only accept single stack mags. TGI widens the magazine well and adds the following compliance parts:Tapco trigger group and an American made mag. They are nice guns. Mine is all numbers matching and has the original chrome lined barrel with an extension and muzzle brake welded on to make it the legal length of 16 inches. In my opinion, they are a lot nicer than the Century built AMDs because the TGI is true to the "real" AMDs. With the exception of the muzzle brake extension. Here is mine.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5210673418_df2756c183_b.jpg


Look at how nice the stock hole is cut on yours compared to mine. I'd be giddy with that workmanship on my FEG!

HINT: when taking off the pistol grips, you just depress the two little tabs on either side of the grip...then the little cover on the bottom of the grip pops off to allow acess. I know they look like pins, but they are not.
BNZ  [Member]
12/25/2010 10:49:50 AM
I just got TGI AMD65 w/ FEG receiver this week. At the range yesterday,I was impressed w/ the accuracy of this-it shot straight to the POA w/out me adjusting it, and the recoil was soft too. This and all my Saiga rifles are the only ones which shoot well. I had owned Norinco Mac90/91, Bulgarian SLR95/SLR107UR, Romanian SAR1/2, Hungarian SA85- and all of them had problem w/ windage of some kind.

Although the AMD65 doesn't have rear sling attachment, overall I am very pleased w/ its performance for the price which I paid <$380.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/25/2010 9:40:10 PM
Originally Posted By BNZ:
I just got TGI AMD65 w/ FEG receiver this week. At the range yesterday,I was impressed w/ the accuracy of this-it shot straight to the POA w/out me adjusting it, and the recoil was soft too. This and all my Saiga rifles are the only ones which shoot well. I had owned Norinco Mac90/91, Bulgarian SLR95/SLR107UR, Romanian SAR1/2, Hungarian SA85- and all of them had problem w/ windage of some kind.

Although the AMD65 doesn't have rear sling attachment, overall I am very pleased w/ its performance for the price which I paid <$380.


I fired mine on the 24th. I put it up against a VZ2008. I'm not sure I'll keep the VZ, but the AMD XP (even with above mentioned warts), was superb. Dead on, accuarte, mild recoil. A definite keeper. I'll just have to paint the raw metal so it doesn't rust.

Once I adjusted the folder detent, it works really smooth and slick, no great amount of effort required to push the button at all.

AMD65 tech makes a sling mount that attaches to the stock, I'm going to order a riser for this (like on my Century AMD) and the sling mount at the same time. Hopefully the Gen2 TWS mount works with this as well, I can only imagine the possibilities with a mini red dot on the AMD.

Steve6969  [Member]
12/26/2010 12:25:01 AM
Your Century AMD looks Parkerized...Real AMD's are painted as are many of the combloc rifles. My FEG AMD is perfect! 1st time out put around 750 rds through it. No mulfuctions at all. I would have no problem grabbing this for a Zombie moment...
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/26/2010 3:17:28 AM
Yes, the Century AMD is parked on all the new parts––the parts kit stuff is paint over park, or whatever the original finish should be.

Is your folding stock hole cut nicely, or does it look like my FEG's?
Steve6969  [Member]
12/26/2010 10:50:42 AM
Mine looks all Factory except for the magwell. No defects at all. All of these AK varients that have had work done or built in the US are hit or miss. I have a Yugo RPK from century that is perfect. But I have seen many others that look terrible. TGI is the same way. Call TGI and talk to them. You never know they may tell you to send it in. But, If you really think about it. $360 for any AK is pretty good as long as it runs solid with no mulfuctions...
Wulfp3ngwin  [Team Member]
12/27/2010 10:48:35 AM
I just picked up one of the TGI guns. The square cut out for my stock looks a little bit cleaner than yours. It wasn't finished after it was cut. I also noticed the tapco mag that came with it was dremeled quite a bit to fit. Steel mags fit perfect but the plastic "bullet" mags will not fit without some modification. I will put up pics when I get a chance.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/27/2010 6:07:22 PM
I have some pro mags I bought when I first got into AK's, they did not fit at all. The steel 20 rounders fit good but had more play than the Tapco 20 rounder that came with the rifle. The Tapco has been the best fit so far for me.
ak47mays  [Team Member]
12/27/2010 10:25:00 PM
Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy:
I have some pro mags I bought when I first got into AK's, they did not fit at all. The steel 20 rounders fit good but had more play than the Tapco 20 rounder that came with the rifle. The Tapco has been the best fit so far for me.


mine won't hold the 20's well either. the chinese 30's fit great.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
12/28/2010 12:29:24 PM
Originally Posted By Steve6969:
Mine looks all Factory except for the magwell. No defects at all. All of these AK varients that have had work done or built in the US are hit or miss. I have a Yugo RPK from century that is perfect. But I have seen many others that look terrible. TGI is the same way. Call TGI and talk to them. You never know they may tell you to send it in. But, If you really think about it. $360 for any AK is pretty good as long as it runs solid with no mulfuctions...


I agree. I did call them today, and they will ship me a sling (none of the 18000 AMD 65's they sold came with slings, they all came in later). A small thing, but the CS rep took the time to listen and that mattered. I thought it was interesting that they sold 18000 of these, but quit building them because it would be cost prohibitive to equip the available parts kits with US barrels. These came in as complete guns, low cap––which we all knew. But he said there wern't anymore at the time to bring in.

erne75  [Member]
1/10/2011 2:23:42 PM
I like my Century AMD65 but I would consider the FEG ones to be superior. This is my take on it:

CAMD65 Pros
-Longer barrel allowing longer sight radius
-DCI receiver
-Wood grips
-Easy to change parts to enable usage of surplus mags (it already has 4 parts, either replace PG or Piston)

CAMD65 Cons
-Non numbers matching part kits
-Romanian barrel
-Crappy soldering job affixing the brake to the barrel
-"Incorrectly" assembled rifle with the front sight pushed all the way forward

FEG Pros
-All numbers matching complete rifle!
-Receiver made in Hungary by FEG!
-"Correctly" assembled rifle with front sight next to the glass block

FEG Cons
-Need to replace 2 parts in order to use surplus mags









1saxman  [Member]
1/11/2011 1:10:26 PM
The 'extra hole' on the bottom receiver corner is not a mistake - it's the hinge for the folding stock.
1saxman  [Member]
1/11/2011 1:15:07 PM
Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy:
I put my AMD up in my first post...still thinks it looks more like the AMD's in the Hungarian pic thread than the FEG. However, the FEG is growing on me...

But what else does it have for features that the Century doesn't?

What is the trigger group like?


The attraction for many of us to the use of the FEG receiver for the AMD-65 kit is that the original AMD-65s were made by FEG as were most all Hungarian arms up to about ten years ago when FEG quit the gun business. So your question is somewhat ludicrous when taken literally as all AMD-65s are FEGs to start with. Perhaps you mean to compare the TGI build with the Century build?
1saxman  [Member]
1/11/2011 1:20:46 PM
Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy:
Originally Posted By srb1976:
The FEG AMD 65 imported by TGI are factory built guns that come into the country that only accept single stack mags. TGI widens the magazine well and adds the following compliance parts:Tapco trigger group and an American made mag. They are nice guns. Mine is all numbers matching and has the original chrome lined barrel with an extension and muzzle brake welded on to make it the legal length of 16 inches. In my opinion, they are a lot nicer than the Century built AMDs because the TGI is true to the "real" AMDs. With the exception of the muzzle brake extension. Here is mine.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5210673418_df2756c183_b.jpg


Look at how nice the stock hole is cut on yours compared to mine. I'd be giddy with that workmanship on my FEG!

HINT: when taking off the pistol grips, you just depress the two little tabs on either side of the grip...then the little cover on the bottom of the grip pops off to allow acess. I know they look like pins, but they are not.


You must be referring to the plastic grips with a cover over the screw head. I haven't looked close at any of those.
ChickenDaddy  [Team Member]
1/11/2011 4:05:21 PM

Yup, I intend to compare any and all AMD-65 style firearms.

Originally Posted By 1saxman:
Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy:
I put my AMD up in my first post...still thinks it looks more like the AMD's in the Hungarian pic thread than the FEG. However, the FEG is growing on me...

But what else does it have for features that the Century doesn't?

What is the trigger group like?


The attraction for many of us to the use of the FEG receiver for the AMD-65 kit is that the original AMD-65s were made by FEG as were most all Hungarian arms up to about ten years ago when FEG quit the gun business. So your question is somewhat ludicrous when taken literally as all AMD-65s are FEGs to start with. Perhaps you mean to compare the TGI build with the Century build?


TheGrandIllusion  [Member]
1/12/2011 2:42:08 PM
Originally Posted By dcs12345:
The receiver cover on my TGI AMD-65 rubs on the bolt carrier.


Mine did that too. I just laid a wooden dowel inside the receiver cover and hit it a few times with a hammer to widen it. Has been absolutely flawless ever since. Pushing 400 rounds through my TGI AMD now.