Kalashnikovs are in themselves a love it or hate it entity, but within that broad statement there is range of emotions towards the various designs of AK which can be said to go from 'cugly' (cute-ugly) to 'fugly' (f***ing ugly). At the extreme edge of this spectrum is the AMD-65.

The AMD-65 is a Hungarian AK modification instantly recognizable for it's 'bare-bones' layout, with wire stock and stamped metal fore-grip structure. This industrial design is as stark and utilitarian as a Soviet tower block, and the last vestiges of 'bourgeois' comforts have been stripped away lest the red warrior be distracted by such luxurious appendages as wood stocks!

However, in recent years the AMD-65 has gained a hard core reputation as THE tactical Kalashnikov when the infamous Blackwater company armed some of it's contractors with it in such hot spots as Iraq and Afghanistan. This was something of a Cinderella moment as what was largely ignored as an aberration started to be looked upon with new eyes and airsoft manufacturer LCT picked up on the machismo that the AMD-65 exuded and have produced an AEG replica.

Armie's Airsoft has a review on the LCT AMD-65, where the AEG was given a laudable 8 out of 10 (see links).

My personal view is that this AK variant probably steps across the line in terms of acceptable 'fugliness', even for the average Kalashnikov fan. It does have a certain intimidating presence about it but I much prefer the more Bohemian charm of the Romanian AIMS (a lovely steel Kalash replica of which is due for release over the next month or so).

That said, it does get past that 'oh no, not another AK' fatigue that is creeping in on some airsoft forums!

Estimated price of LCT AMD-65 - expect to pay around £340 in the UK (if comparable LCT's at Fire SUpport are anything to go by).

Useful links:

> Armie's Airsoft review of the LCT AMD-65
> Official LCT Airsoft web site

Real steel information:
> AMD 65 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
> AK47.net entry for AMD-65