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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AMD-65 Junk? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/15/2016 6:13:58 PM EDT
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Well hello everyone!
I'm sitting on a chamber pot full of 7.62x39mm ammunition left over from the SKS's I sold off a year or two ago. I need something to shoot this through! So I've had my eye on an AK pattern gun for some time now. It seems that there is a company making an AMD-65 style rifle called Clearview Investments. It seems these are going for about $550 new, which I think is a good price and the guns just look so cool and unique. Here is one for sale on Gunbroker: AMD-65 Gunbroker So are these builds garbage? Are they junk? Will they break down on me and fail? This will be a range gun to supplement my PTR-91, which shoots rather expensive 7.62x51mm rounds. I like the fact that an AK shoots less expensive ammo that still hits well out to 300 meters. What do you guys know about these AMD-65 build guns? Like I said they look soooooo cool, and the price is reasonable. But, if they're some low-quality thrown together junk build that jam up all the time, I'll pass. Let me know guys! :D |
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It sounds like Clearview is the same company as Centerfire Systems, either under a different division or they have been bought out.
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242722 |
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So are these total shit, or worth it? I'm mainly worried about reliability. I looked at them because of the price before I bought a Saiga. I was turned off by the barrels not being chrome lined. Also wasn't a fan of the stock and knew I couldn't replace it right away. Whats the price? |
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$529. Any other inexpensive but reliable AKs that are good? Maybe with a chrome barrel? If it was $529 and under $600 out the door, I would get it. Do you get to inspect it before purchase, or is it online? Of the 4 Saiga's the LGS had, mine was the only one without canted sights. One other had mag wobble. Of those 4, mine was the only one worth buy. Came back a few weeks later and those 3 were sold. 
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| It's a roll of the dice. Who builds them? 3 years ago they were importing real Hungarian AMD's, & making the same mods like Century makes to a Wasr. But today, they import parts kits, & receivers, get US barrels, & who assembles them? Unless someone owns one, & give us a report, it's a crap shoot. GARY |
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If you want an AMD, then the 'go-to' version is the FEG-TGI version, they are stellar.
All others are hit/miss unless depending on the builder, thats why the FEGs bring a premium as they are hungarian arsenal built. The one in your link is a kit-build from an 'unknown' builder, I wouldn't mess with it. They are one of the 'funnest' AKs as the brake makes the AMD absurdly loud. |
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Just a few years ago, Centerfire Systems had them for $399 and free shipping.
I bought one and it was built crooked as shit. It was a hassle but I was able to exchange it for another one, but it was built even more crooked than the first one. I sent it back for a refund. I won't buy another TGI/FEG AK without seeing it first. The one in your link has a 16.5" non-chrome-lined barrel, not the typical 12.5" AMD barrel with the welded extension/brake. It's likely coming from a different builder and may be a large amount better than the ones I had. I don't know. But I'd sure like to see one in person before buying a $530 AK. Especially since it looks like it doesn't come with a cleaning rod (the original one for the 12.5" barrel would be too short), and likely uses the Tapco magazine for 3 of the 922(r) compliance parts- and especially from a seller that claims they make the gun but also claims they won't accept warranty returns. The rifles are built by Clearview Investments...
...we are not the manufacturer we do not provide the warranty. 
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Just a few years ago, Centerfire Systems had them for $399 and free shipping. I bought one and it was built crooked as shit. It was a hassle but I was able to exchange it for another one, but it was built even more crooked than the first one. I sent it back for a refund. I won't buy another TGI/FEG AK without seeing it first. Highly suspect as they were arsenal built and known for outstanding quality. |
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Quoted: Same. The WASRs have really stepped up recently, while I don't see a ton of them, the ones I have seen recently are nice rifles. Quoted: Quoted: At that price range is get a WASR. Same. The WASRs have really stepped up recently, while I don't see a ton of them, the ones I have seen recently are nice rifles. |
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If you want an AMD, then the 'go-to' version is the FEG-TGI version, they are stellar. All others are hit/miss unless depending on the builder, thats why the FEGs bring a premium as they are hungarian arsenal built. The one in your link is a kit-build from an 'unknown' builder, I wouldn't mess with it. They are one of the 'funnest' AKs as the brake makes the AMD absurdly loud. This right here. I love mine. |
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Gang, I've decided I'm going to pass on this gun. The fact that it's not chrome lined and also has a longer barrel than the 12" pinned AMD is some shit.
But, based on your excellent replies, I will be doing me some more research on the WASR guns. I'd like to maybe add a Russian surplus stock set to it, with the orange/red laminated wood and bakelite brown grip. Fuckin sick. |
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i owned 2 feg amd-65's
horrible cheek weld obnoxious muzzle flash hated the exposed upper gas tube hated the froward grip and if removed the lower handguard got stupid hot after repeated mag dumps so a glove had to be worn. loved the compactness of the gun,but i never warmed up to the amd-65 enough to keep them. |
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i owned 2 feg amd-65's horrible cheek weld obnoxious muzzle flash hated the exposed upper gas tube hated the froward grip and if removed the lower handguard got stupid hot after repeated mag dumps so a glove had to be worn. loved the compactness of the gun,but i never warmed up to the amd-65 enough to keep them. Agree with all this. I remember 5 or 10 years ago AMD's were popular, and I'd see them at the range all the time. Horrible blast from the pinned brake, wonky ergos with the VFG, wire stock, and exposed gas tube. Seemed very popular with the uh.... "less informed" shooters. |
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I bought one of the TGI/Centerfire AMD-65s when they were cheap (less than 400 bucks). The receiver was clearly modified to take double stack mags and they did a "meh" job of it. You have to file Bulgarian polymer mags to fit.
I put on a Tapco "Galil" style forend which took some creative filing and dremel work to fit. I got a stock spacer from a fellow in Texas who makes them (bolt on). I also put on a Palm grip. I put a slight bend on the stock so it fits me now like a fine English shotgun (LULZ) and have shot the crap out of it. This was my first AK in a very long time (since the late 80s). This AMD will SHOOT. The short 12.5" barrel has to be the magic ingredient- I suspect it is at a great "node" point. The silly flash hider is spot welded on poorly, but it doesn't detract from the accuracy at least. I have no idea about the current crop of kits but I would rather have a short barrel like this one (it is chrome lined) than a 16" barrel any day of the week. |
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I bought one of the TGI/Centerfire AMD-65s when they were cheap (less than 400 bucks). The receiver was clearly modified to take double stack mags and they did a "meh" job of it. You have to file Bulgarian polymer mags to fit. Quoted:
I bought one of the TGI/Centerfire AMD-65s when they were cheap (less than 400 bucks). The receiver was clearly modified to take double stack mags and they did a "meh" job of it. You have to file Bulgarian polymer mags to fit. Yes the SA2000M (that is the actual model number not AMD-65 that should be on your paperwork) is a single stack gun upon import just like WASR's. The bolt, however, was a double stack. The silly flash hider is spot welded on poorly, but it doesn't detract from the accuracy at least. Well, it is threaded on and then welded. |
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I bought one of the TGI/Centerfire AMD-65s when they were cheap (less than 400 bucks). The receiver was clearly modified to take double stack mags and they did a "meh" job of it. You have to file Bulgarian polymer mags to fit. I put on a Tapco "Galil" style forend which took some creative filing and dremel work to fit. I got a stock spacer from a fellow in Texas who makes them (bolt on). I also put on a Palm grip. I put a slight bend on the stock so it fits me now like a fine English shotgun (LULZ) and have shot the crap out of it. This was my first AK in a very long time (since the late 80s). This AMD will SHOOT. The short 12.5" barrel has to be the magic ingredient- I suspect it is at a great "node" point. The silly flash hider is spot welded on poorly, but it doesn't detract from the accuracy at least. I have no idea about the current crop of kits but I would rather have a short barrel like this one (it is chrome lined) than a 16" barrel any day of the week. That little tack-weld is AWSOME as it makes for a quick SBR conversion. Once your legal, 30 seconds with a Dremel, unscrew the extension, screw on a factory brake and 
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i owned 2 feg amd-65's horrible cheek weld obnoxious muzzle flash hated the exposed upper gas tube hated the froward grip and if removed the lower handguard got stupid hot after repeated mag dumps so a glove had to be worn. loved the compactness of the gun,but i never warmed up to the amd-65 enough to keep them. What a turkey! You hate everything that makes an AMD65 what it is, so why in the world did you buy two of them? 1. There is no 'cheek weld' with the wire stock. You can learn to be accurate enough without it. 2. The 'snake brake' is one of the most significant features of the gun. It does shoot fireballs to each side along with a blast wave. :) 3. The 'naked' gas tube is another significant feature of this weapon which was designed for airborne troops and armor crews. 4. The front pistol grip and vented steel forearm work as designed to prevent getting burned during rapid fire. If you take the pistol grip off and hold the steel forearm, you get burned. Personally, I don't think I would buy one of these 'late market' AMD65s at anywhere near the price they want. I have one of the old TGIs with the original barrel and FEG receiver. It has canted parts and I had to do a lot of tweaking on it. I had to cut off and replace the stupid two-piece extension/brake with a one-piece Tapco unit. The mag well modification wasn't quite finished - I had to file on the inside mag guide rails. I never did correct the canted sight base and the crooked trunion installation resulting in a slight angle between barrel and receiver. All I did was put a rear sight rail and a red-dot on it and it was the best move I ever made with it. The thing is a sweet shooter now and the red-dot is mush faster than irons. Plus, my front sight post had to be all the way over against the ear to line up. I love it and it's the only AK I have left - it's a keeper. 
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| I have one like the above picture ^^^^^^^^ w/ FEG receiver, bought it many years ago for $380 OTD. This was before Centerfire systems had them for sale around $399 shipped around 2011. Anyway it shoots straight and is very accurate for an AK w/ 12" barrel (plus 4" muzzle brake)- ended up selling all my Bulgarian Krink. since I like this AMD better. Don't know much about the current one. |
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What a turkey! You hate everything that makes an AMD65 what it is, so why in the world did you buy two of them? 1. There is no 'cheek weld' with the wire stock. You can learn to be accurate enough without it. 2. The 'snake brake' is one of the most significant features of the gun. It does shoot fireballs to each side along with a blast wave. :) 3. The 'naked' gas tube is another significant feature of this weapon which was designed for airborne troops and armor crews. 4. The front pistol grip and vented steel forearm work as designed to prevent getting burned during rapid fire. If you take the pistol grip off and hold the steel forearm, you get burned. Personally, I don't think I would buy one of these 'late market' AMD65s at anywhere near the price they want. I have one of the old TGIs with the original barrel and FEG receiver. It has canted parts and I had to do a lot of tweaking on it. I had to cut off and replace the stupid two-piece extension/brake with a one-piece Tapco unit. The mag well modification wasn't quite finished - I had to file on the inside mag guide rails. I never did correct the canted sight base and the crooked trunion installation resulting in a slight angle between barrel and receiver. All I did was put a rear sight rail and a red-dot on it and it was the best move I ever made with it. The thing is a sweet shooter now and the red-dot is mush faster than irons. Plus, my front sight post had to be all the way over against the ear to line up. I love it and it's the only AK I have left - it's a keeper. <a href="http://s209.photobucket.com/user/INLAND44/media/Guns/DSC01597_zpswuwftsyr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/INLAND44/Guns/DSC01597_zpswuwftsyr.jpg</a> Quoted:
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i owned 2 feg amd-65's horrible cheek weld obnoxious muzzle flash hated the exposed upper gas tube hated the froward grip and if removed the lower handguard got stupid hot after repeated mag dumps so a glove had to be worn. loved the compactness of the gun,but i never warmed up to the amd-65 enough to keep them. What a turkey! You hate everything that makes an AMD65 what it is, so why in the world did you buy two of them? 1. There is no 'cheek weld' with the wire stock. You can learn to be accurate enough without it. 2. The 'snake brake' is one of the most significant features of the gun. It does shoot fireballs to each side along with a blast wave. :) 3. The 'naked' gas tube is another significant feature of this weapon which was designed for airborne troops and armor crews. 4. The front pistol grip and vented steel forearm work as designed to prevent getting burned during rapid fire. If you take the pistol grip off and hold the steel forearm, you get burned. Personally, I don't think I would buy one of these 'late market' AMD65s at anywhere near the price they want. I have one of the old TGIs with the original barrel and FEG receiver. It has canted parts and I had to do a lot of tweaking on it. I had to cut off and replace the stupid two-piece extension/brake with a one-piece Tapco unit. The mag well modification wasn't quite finished - I had to file on the inside mag guide rails. I never did correct the canted sight base and the crooked trunion installation resulting in a slight angle between barrel and receiver. All I did was put a rear sight rail and a red-dot on it and it was the best move I ever made with it. The thing is a sweet shooter now and the red-dot is mush faster than irons. Plus, my front sight post had to be all the way over against the ear to line up. I love it and it's the only AK I have left - it's a keeper. <a href="http://s209.photobucket.com/user/INLAND44/media/Guns/DSC01597_zpswuwftsyr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/INLAND44/Guns/DSC01597_zpswuwftsyr.jpg</a> because i got them both for 6 bills otd. figured id hold on to them. i thought wrong doubled my money on both during the last scare to each his own. i think they are ugly. ymmv. |
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Thanks guys. So I have the opportunity to buy one of the older TGI AMD-65s that has the chrome lined 12" barrel that is pinned and welded to the muzzle brake. So these older guns suck too? What the fuck?? It's not that they suck, it's that it's kind of an oddball version of the AK. What do you want to do with the rifle? For a range blaster and conversation piece, it's a fine gun. It would probably be great for close range defensive work, too. If you want to shoot some carbine classes or use it for longer range shooting, I'd probably go with a vanilla AK so that I could swap parts and furniture more easily once I figured out what I wanted to change after shooting it for a bit. My personal take is that wire stocks suck terribly. I have a few Romanian sidefolder wire stocks sitting in a box because I bought them when they were cheap, not knowing how much I would dislike them. I feel this way about pretty much any stock that omits that useless "cheek weld" thing: AK underfolders, HK telescoping stocks, etc. Others obviously feel very differently, because those are popular options. Short version: it's built fine. We can't tell you whether or not you'll like it. |
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Okay cool. Well I am wanting it for close range defense work but also casual range and target use from 25 yards to 300 yards, and for plinking and blasting in the woods. Not looking for a target gun, but I love the way these guns look and how they are so short.
So the older TGI guns with the shorter 12" chrome lined welded barrels are G2G? Because I managed to find one in the classifieds and am thinking about going for it, but only if it's a reliable gun and won't come apart on me. Thank you all so much for the help!!
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Okay cool. Well I am wanting it for close range defense work but also casual range and target use from 25 yards to 300 yards, and for plinking and blasting in the woods. Not looking for a target gun, but I love the way these guns look and how they are so short. So the older TGI guns with the shorter 12" chrome lined welded barrels are G2G? Because I managed to find one in the classifieds and am thinking about going for it, but only if it's a reliable gun and won't come apart on me. Thank you all so much for the help!! Buy new or low round count if you can. If you're the first owner, it's actually something you might want to keep nice. (after the black paint all scratched off). They're built very well. The 12" barrel is good to go in the way that you can hit a 14" plate extremely consistantly at 300yd. The extended brake doesn't seem to mess that up at all. There are a few sites you can get aftermarket stuff, like a part for the stock to get a little bit of cheek weld, and a rear sling loop. They good guns, but also very much 'range blaster.' The fireballs are excessive, the stock doesn't help with accuracy, and it'll have few aftermarket parts than other models. That said, most of the quality aftermarket parts are available for them. And I would recommend replacing the handguard with something. A standard AK handguard fits with a little modifcation. |
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Quoted: Highly suspect as they were arsenal built and known for outstanding quality. Quoted: Quoted: Just a few years ago, Centerfire Systems had them for $399 and free shipping. I bought one and it was built crooked as shit. It was a hassle but I was able to exchange it for another one, but it was built even more crooked than the first one. I sent it back for a refund. I won't buy another TGI/FEG AK without seeing it first. Highly suspect as they were arsenal built and known for outstanding quality. My experience was worse than tree's. |
I love mine I modernized it a few years ago but wish I would have kept it original. I loved the fireball at night time. In all reality it functioned just as it was originally intended and did it well. I love my modernized amd though and even added a can this last year... They remind me of the a10 a little.... Kinda ugly but filled with so much bad ass it is hard to take your eyes off of...
Shit I loved it so much it followed me around at my wedding 6 years ago.... My wife was sporting a krink...she always was more of a Bulgarian ak girl.. 
Our priest was so funny gotta love coming outta a Catholic mass and having the priest complement your amd65 haha |
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I love mine <a href="https://flic.kr/p/gw4TAq" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/10185605296_13719a7782_b.jpg</a> I think this arfcomer gots it figured out... The ergo grip is the only grip you can notch out and have it clear the stock having it be comfortable and functional..As for the rails they add a buffer between the metal for heat and if he rocks some rail covers it would work pretty well and be able to run a light... And all for less the the $320 I payed a few years ago for my front end...well played 
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Quoted: You have 13 posts and already making this look like GD? Quoted: Quoted: Sick, brew. I'm going to see how much tactical shit I can through on mine. Hopefully it will double as a tactical boat anchor. Tactical.  Now would be a good time to educate Earl_Burlin on the technical forum he is posting in. Remember you agreed to these rules when you joined. In case you just clicked past the COC, (code of conduct) here you go; SPECIFIC TO THE TECH FORUMS The tech forums (Ar15,AK47,Handgun,Armory,Training,Outdoors) are more "formal" and actions permitted in the GD forum aren't permitted there. These forums are there to share information and as a result, trolling, heated arguments,insulting others,etc won't be ignored. Failure to follow the rules will get you account warnings and banned from this forum. So hang out and have fun, but be polite. dryflash3 |
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I think this arfcomer gots it figured out... The ergo grip is the only grip you can notch out and have it clear the stock having it be comfortable and functional..As for the rails they add a buffer between the metal for heat and if he rocks some rail covers it would work pretty well and be able to run a light... And all for less the the $320 I payed a few years ago for my front end...well played Quoted:
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I love mine <a href="https://flic.kr/p/gw4TAq" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/10185605296_13719a7782_b.jpg</a> I think this arfcomer gots it figured out... The ergo grip is the only grip you can notch out and have it clear the stock having it be comfortable and functional..As for the rails they add a buffer between the metal for heat and if he rocks some rail covers it would work pretty well and be able to run a light... And all for less the the $320 I payed a few years ago for my front end...well played The ergo grip is much more comfortable than the wood grip was and the front front grip makes it much easier to install a 30 round magazine. I've never had a problem with heat even after doing a mag dump with my drum magazine, but then again I also didn't buy this rifle to lay down suppressive fire for Delta Force or Seal Team 6. The rifle has never missed a beat, everything is straight, the only issue is the cheap ass paint they used to paint the rifle scratches easily, but I didn't buy the rifle to enter it in a beauty contest so it's not too big of an issue for me. If I remember correctly the rails cost $20, the front grip cost $15, the hogue pistol grip was $15, the rifle $399, the Ultimak gas tube $90, and I think the drum mag was $40. I still have the wood grips and another handguard in case I want to return it to the factory condition. The rifle has the equipment I need to make it work for me, if the OP can't lift 9 or 10 pounds worth a of rifle than he can stick to buying handguns, and if the OP does not like my rifle he can buy his own and do what he would like with it. 
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Sorry dudes and dudettes, I'm just not much of a Tacticulatarian when it comes to my AKs.
I guess I'm not getting an AMD-65. I want the damn 12" barrel ones with chrome line bbl, but I haven't been able to find one anywhere. There was a Gun Broker auction this week but the price went way too high. These are in high demand, though the shitty long barrel Century AMD-65s are everywhere... ultra gay. |
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I have one of the tgi feg ones and love it or bought it in 2011 and have 5000 rds give or take. It has been what an ak should be100% reliable. I put one of the mft rails on it. I paid under$400 for the gun mine is chrome lined bought one of the stock adapters from amd65 tech to improve cheek weld
Perfect truck gun |
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Sorry dudes and dudettes, I'm just not much of a Tacticulatarian when it comes to my AKs. I guess I'm not getting an AMD-65. I want the damn 12" barrel ones with chrome line bbl, but I haven't been able to find one anywhere. There was a Gun Broker auction this week but the price went way too high. These are in high demand, though the shitty long barrel Century AMD-65s are everywhere... ultra gay. No worries like I said to each their own.....they have become hard to find |
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Quoted: No thanks, I already own a pile of them and each has been 100% flawless. Same for everyone I know who runs them, all have been flawless. Quoted: Quoted: Good, I'll sell you my feg/tgi then. Utter POS. My experience was worse than tree's. No thanks, I already own a pile of them and each has been 100% flawless. Same for everyone I know who runs them, all have been flawless. The bad ones I have seen have misshaped receivers (bowed on bottom) mag catches cut too short, crooked gas blocks, canted sights, poor hinge assembly fitment, improperly welded and timed extension/brakes. Just a note of things to check for the prospective buyer. Paint on receiver is also junk. Gas block is so far off to one side that it has been twisted to line up with the tube. You can actually see that it has been tweaked 3-4 degrees in an attempt to keep from wasting an improperly drilled barrel. Also, the receiver is too wide, trigger pins hang on by a hair on the right hand holes. I really love the rifle, but I will probably have it rebuilt on a new receiver, eventually. On mine, I was able to rivet in an E. German mag catch, cut the weld, shorten the barrel and recrown to properly time brake before silver soldering, but couldn't fix the receiver. As it sits now, it is ugly, but functions with about half of my mags. I've specially marked the ones that work so I don't mix up with the rest of them. As with any rifle, inspect before purchase and don't be fooled by "combloc factory!" |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AMD-65 Junk? (Page 1 of 2)
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