Arming the Neighbors

This is kind of a thinking out loud post.

The rifles featured in the picture above are what I could consider user friendly and would require less effort to help someone become proficient with them. We have a couple calibers- 5.56×45, 5.45×39, and 7.62×39. We have a couple sizes – 16″ barrels down to 8.5″. We have various weights. We have a couple systems- AR, AK, and the ACE could almost be considered its own as a kind of hybrid. All have the ability to use 30 round magazines. Really, lights, slings, and optics are interchangeable between all of these – I presented them as sterile as possible. It is possible to optimize each of them as needed.

Now the question is, if you had to hand one of these to someone who hasn’t shot much- which would be your intro to semiauto rifles choice? Obviously all of them can be great options. I omitted weapons with unusual ergos (AUG), and ones with more complex sighting systems.

ARs have simple selector use, simple loading, simple mag insertion, possibly a little more complex reloading.

AKs have very simple selector use, simple loading and reloading, but inserting the mag will take more effort to get it right for a beginner.

Recoil among all of them can be similar as well as accuracy.

Not everyone has a personal selection of options and that new shooter will have to use whatever they are given. As the designated gun guy, people ask me my opinions as to what best is. My answer is normally “it depends” and then covers all of the above to include costs and availability of ammo.

Now for the worst case- your significant other has never had any desire to shoot, never shot any of these and they want one immediately right now for defensive purposes – now what do you do? Hand the rifle to your kids because they have actively trained with you.

OK, that answer was partially sarcastic, but there is some truth to it. If you can integrate firearms into fun, they will want to train with you.

I personally enjoy having a working knowledge of this stuff and I am always happy to help where I can.