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The Annoyed Man wrote: I'm not making a pitch for the AR, although it is certainly just as valid a choice; but I am saying that if the AK is supposed to be even simpler than an AR, there is no reason why your mother couldn't learn to feed and care for one. It only takes the will. Without her willing participation though, this project is likely to just put a hole in your wallet the size of an AK just so that the thing will go to rust in the back of her closet. I would worry less about platform/caliber and more about whether or not she will willingly participate,

Very good point!! Maybe let her handle one of each and see which she likes.

I do think a '74 variant is a better choice than a '47 for the simple fact it recoils less and should weigh a little less (again, polymer furniture will help here).

If weight of the gun is the main factor, this is one of those rare occasions where even an AK fan like myself has to recommend an AR (specifically, a light weight one...NOT a 20" HBAR...you can go pretty nuts buildling an extremely light weight AR) because they are lighter guns and may be easier for her to use.

A drum might be too heavy for her to handle easily. A loaded 30 rounder with another nearby gets you within 15 rounds of drum capacity without the extra bulk and weight.

Not knocking drums, if I ever pick up an AES-10b I'll want one or two. Just don't think it's necessarily best choice for your moms hd gun.

AEA wrote:They should not pose any problem for a woman.

They were designed in such a way that kids can shoot them comfortably.

Edit: the laugh is for AEAs comment, which is funny/too true/sad.

The rest is in response to the OP:

If she's comfortable with the weight, I'd say its fine...a point no one can argue in the AR/AK debate is AKs are normally heavier (as long as you don't bolt something to every single rail of an AR)

A fixed stock, polymer furniture '74 would probably be the best option for a gal who wasn't a fan of recoil/weight.