AK-63D
It looks just like an AK-47, and it basically is. A few years ago, Century Arms began importing parts kits from Hungary to assemble the Hungarian AK-63D, which is that country’s version of the AK-47. The particular rifle being evaluated today has an underfolding, metal stock.
To make a long story short, these rifles are a combination of imported parts and US-made parts. A certain percentage of the rifles must contain US-made parts because of import restrictions.
One of the main US components of the rifle is the milled receiver. And what a beautifully done milled receiver it is! The finish is excellent and there are no machining marks apparent as we look over the rifle.
A few nice touches are that there is a bayonet lug under the barrel, along with a cleaning rod.
At the end of the barrel, there is a traditional, slant-cut AKM muzzle brake/compensator. It’s designed to direct the gases escaping from the barrel upwards to help keep the muzzle down.
We’re not sure if it’s due to the muzzle brake, but the muzzle rise of this rifle is minimal. The AK isn’t known for punishing recoil either way.
Furniture
Although it’s military surplus wood that is used for the furniture, it is extremely nice! It has a very light, blonde color and is nicely finished, having an overall pleasing appearance.
Finish
All the metal parts of the rifle have been given a parkerized finish. It’s not just any old parkerized finish, though; it’s one of the most attractive that I’ve ever seen. It’s very even and smooth, with a black, matte appearance. No machining marks are evident anywhere, and the attention to detail on this rifle is spectacular, considering that it’s an AK.
The AK-63D weighs in at 7.9 pounds, and while that’s not lightweight, it’s far from being heavy.
The barrel is 16.3 inches long, which is about what most AKs are in standard form. With the stock extended, the overall length is 35.75 inches.
The Stock
Generally speaking, the underfolder stock was developed for vehicle crewmen and paratroopers, who would benefit from a more compact rifle. However, for easy storage, the folding stock hits a home run, making the rifle easy to store in confined spaces.
The stock can be folded even if there is a magazine in place; it has enough room to just pass right over the mag.
Firing the AK-63D with the underfolder stock is less comfortable than one equipped with a standard wood stock. The thin metal tends to dig into the shooter’s cheek. It’s not necessarily painful, but it’s not the picture of comfort either. Because of this, some shooters have taken to wrapping paracord around the side of the metal stock that they place their cheek on for firing as a sort of pad, which seems to work okay.
The rifle can also be fired with the stock folded if necessary, though this is not the best way to get accurate results at any real range.
But if you want the coolest-looking AK on your block, the underfolder is impossible to beat!
Sling
Every rifle needs a quality sling, so I mounted a Blue Force Gear Standard AK Sling on the AK-63D and never looked back. It was everything I ever hoped for and more. Okay, that sounded a little cliché, but it’s the truth. I can instantly tighten or loosen the sling, and these easy, instant adjustments are exactly what I need. I can configure the sling to fit whatever gear I’m wearing, whether it’s summer gear or winter attire within a second or two.
The adjustment tab is either pushed forward or pulled toward the operator, which will either loosen or tighten the sling. That’s all there is to it. Simple, fast, and durable. I really couldn’t ask for anything more.
At The Range
Enough about how pretty this AK looks. Does it deliver the goods at the range?
Man, does it ever! I’ve owned the AK-63D for a few years now, and while I don’t have a ton of rounds through it, I’ve fired my share. The bolt and action run amazingly smoothly.
Reliability has been 100%, as we’ve come to expect from the AK platform. It chewed through every brand of 7.62x39mm ammo that I’ve fed it so far. Mostly Red Army Standard, Wolf, and Tula, among other surplus rounds. No matter what, it devours the ammo and asks for more. Fortunately, 7.62x39mm is some of the cheaper rifle ammo on the market these days.
As mentioned, recoil is not bad at all, though it’s slightly more with the metal stock than it would be with a wooden stock. Follow-up shots can be accomplished quickly at close range.
And the 7.62x39mm is a hard-hitting rifle round, weighing approximately twice what a 5.56mm round does. As much as I’m a fan of 5.56mm, I still like the idea of being able to put .30 caliber holes in targets.
On a few occasions, I’ve run the AK-63D hard, running several magazines through it in rapid succession during CQB drills. It stood the test very well.
Accuracy is about what we’d expect; roughly a four-inch or so spread, at 100 yards. Critics of the AK platform always talk about its lack of accuracy, but for typical combat/defensive ranges, it’s more than accurate enough.
The AK’s claim to fame is its reliability, and this one does not disappoint. Century Arms got this one right in a big way.
The Real World
If you’re after a rifle to fill the roles of bug-out, home defense, or a truck gun, the AK-63D is tough to beat. For real-world engagement distances, which typically don’t exceed 50 yards, it’s more than accurate enough. Even at 100 yards, it still gets the job done.
The Magazine
Normally, I’d be just about finished with this article, but there’s another component. A new magazine that I acquired, and wanted to test.
Up until now, I’ve used a few metal magazines, and mostly Magpul PMags for my AK-63D. The PMags work exquisitely well and are inexpensive as well as robust.
Then I found the Bulgarian AK-47 magazines that feature steel-reinforced polymer construction. The feed lips are steel-reinforced, and so are the locking lugs. So the portion of the magazine that contacts your rifle’s mag well will be steel, not polymer. That fact alone makes many of us AK operators feel warm and fuzzy. Steel on steel – can’t beat it!
The magazine’s texture is smooth, but there is enough finish there that it won’t slip out of your hands. There’s a bit of friction between the polymer and your skin.
The base pad is metal and is easily removable should you need to clean the magazine.
One of the coolest aspects of this magazine is that it has solid sides without ribbing (sometimes known as “slab-sided”), which resembles some of the earlier AK magazines from long ago. In keeping with the rest of the retro look, these can be had in green, black, and brown colors.
The brown-colored magazines, with the slab-sided look, are very similar in appearance to the old Bakelite magazines from the AK-47 and AK-74 rifles. The brown color has a sort of reddish hue to it that sort of resembles the red Bakelite color of long ago. Initially, that’s what drew my interest in these magazines; their color and appearance.
Once I got them in hand, I realized that these are extremely high-quality magazines. They’re lightweight, which means something when you’re carrying around a half-dozen of these things in your ammo pouches. But they also feel very solid, which inspires confidence.
They fit perfectly into the AK-63D, easily inserting into the mag well as well as ejecting efficiently. Feeding is perfect as well.
I saved the cherry on top for last: as this is written, they’re available for $11.99 each. My goodness, that’s a steal for such quality. Even if you don’t think you need any more magazines, order a couple of these, you won’t be sorry! I did and I’m glad.
Sellier & Bellot Ammunition
Made in the Czech Republic, Sellier & Bellot has proven to be excellent ammunition over the years. This particular load is 124-grain 7.62x39mm and it is designated as “Tactical” ammunition. I’m not sure what makes it “Tactical”, but I can tell you that it’s great ammo.
The brass cases are reloadable, so they will appeal to reloaders. Of course, this is non-corrosive ammunition and the rounds are full metal jackets.
As this is written, the Sellier & Bellot 124 grain Tactical 7.62x39mm is available for $14.99 per box of 20 rounds.
Final Thoughts
I could not be happier with the AK-63D. I love the retro, classic look. It functions just as well as any AK-47 that I’ve ever used (and I’ve used quite a few), including very high-dollar rifles.
The folding stock goes a long way toward making it a cinch to store.
I can engage multiple targets quickly with it, so its performance is right up there. And it has that standard AK reliability that we’ve come to expect.
Magazines and parts are plentiful, and at this time, reasonably priced. With that in mind, I urge people to pick up magazines and ammo before it changes. It feels as though a political storm is coming that might sweep away these spectacular prices, and many folks will be kicking themselves, saying, “Man, I shoulda picked up more mags and ammo when they were so cheap!” Don’t be that guy!
