TexasCHLforum.com

Odd question. Any women here shoot an AK? If so do you have trouble with mag changes, recoil, or charging the rifle? I have 8 of them and my mom is not a gun person (I had to force her to take a 38 snub and a couple boxes of talons) but I want to "accidentally" leave one and some mags at her her house since a 38 is all she has. She lives in a very large 2 story by herself and I just want her more protected. I have underfolders, side folders, and regular stocks... what would you say is best for a woman?

I also have her listed on my NFA trust and have considered leaving a HK53 there but I am not crazy about using NFA items for self defense. And I only have 3 of them and maybe 10 mags. any input is appreciated.

They should not pose any problem for a woman.

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

...I'd like to suggest a youth model 20 ga would be lighter...easier for her to handle, and plenty effective...a person who isn't "comfortable" with handling weapons needs it simple and easy...she won't train enough to become proficient...perhaps a semi-auto would be best for her...just press the safety(Rem) and pull the trigger...

JMPHO - However, I would never leave a gun for protection with anyone that wasn't willing to become comfortable with running it. If they should try to use it for defense and fumble, it could be a fatal delay.

I have used both a 223 AR format and my 9mm SBR in AR format. I did have some trouble seating the mags in my 9mm at first, then learned two things - they were cruddy after market mags, and down load them by 2 (30 instead of 32) and they slam home with little effort. I have a ball shooting both! Do enjoy my 9 more, but that is why it is MINE

While I so appreciate you wanting to her to have options, might be better served getting her some speed loaders or finding a class where she can learn from someone that is not her son telling her how. Again, JMPHO.

the new russian 5.45x39 is way softer from that Viet era of 7.62x39. If you are worried about recoil, add a cheap reocoil pad. I would worry about weight and the right way of operating an AK.

JeepGuy79 wrote:Odd question. Any women here shoot an AK? If so do you have trouble with mag changes, recoil, or charging the rifle? I have 8 of them and my mom is not a gun person (I had to force her to take a 38 snub and a couple boxes of talons) but I want to "accidentally" leave one and some mags at her her house since a 38 is all she has. She lives in a very large 2 story by herself and I just want her more protected.

If she trains with it, an AK should be no problem. Many of the people shooting AKs at Americans over the past 50 years were (are) not exactly built like NFL linebackers. That said, if she's not skilled and comfortable with the weapon, what's the chance she'll grab it in a crisis?

apostate wrote:

JeepGuy79 wrote:Odd question. Any women here shoot an AK? If so do you have trouble with mag changes, recoil, or charging the rifle? I have 8 of them and my mom is not a gun person (I had to force her to take a 38 snub and a couple boxes of talons) but I want to "accidentally" leave one and some mags at her her house since a 38 is all she has. She lives in a very large 2 story by herself and I just want her more protected.

If she trains with it, an AK should be no problem. Many of the people shooting AKs at Americans over the past 50 years were (are) not exactly built like NFL linebackers. That said, if she's not skilled and comfortable with the weapon, what's the chance she'll grab it in a crisis?

As some have said, its not a size/strength issue (little Vietnamese women in the Viet Cong used them) but it could be a training issue if she isn't a "gun person"...also, ammo selection is important using such a weapon for home defense.

Getting her to train is gonna be damn near impossible. I can prolly get her to shoot it and learn how to operate it but that will be about it. I figured AK was the most simple thing I had but I didnt even think about a 74. I might build a 74 with her in mind. She has a couple speedloaders I got her and she knows how to use them but a 38 with a couple speedloaders is nothing like a rifle. My grandfather used to think his 22 derringer was good enough, but I talked him into taking my 12g sawed off pump (I want to say that one is an old savage but I am not sure, it has the sliding safety on the back of the receiver like a berg) and an AK. I got him and my grandmother both to learn how to use both and be safe and comfortable with them. Mom has a harder head.

I didn't really think about a shotgun because of capacity and recoil, but I do have a saiga 20 that is pistol gripped and nasty that I never shoot. I might think of dropping that there. I don't have much family so I really want what I have to be able to defend themselves. I am more comfortable on the hk and ak platform than the AR in terms of reliability and ease to clear jams and whatnot. I am open to all suggestions though.

Don't know where you are located, but we often have many "moms" in our ladies groups in our area. Would love to "add her" to the roster!

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.

I recommend Kel-Tek .22 rifle. What was the name of that thing?


rifle version: SU-22 http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/rifles/su-22/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pistol version: PLR-22 http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/plr-22/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If she does not train with it or at least become a little familiar with it, the rifle will just be a whacking stick if it jams or fails or needs to be reloaded. I had a rude awakening at an odd hour of the night a few weeks ago and I was disturbed by the amount of time it took me to grab my pump shotgun get ready and switch it to fire in the dark...it told me I need to find another bedside weapon I am more familiar with or shoot it more and get familiar.

My AK has never jammed and there is no recoil.

If little itty bitty 95 lb, 4ft 10in tall Viet Cong can handle an AK47, your mom should have no problems. That said, she should practice with it at the range before you dump your nice AK off at her place.

BTW, to get her to train with the gun, do what I do to get my hard headed parents to vote. Tell 'em you're taking 'em out to lunch in a nice restaurant. Take them out. Be a good son. Then, on your way back, swing by the gun range and teach her how to be proficient with the gun. That said, I think a revolver is a much better gun for home defense. After all, you can't answer the door with an AK47. You can't trim your flowers on the front lawn while carrying an AK47. A nice snubbie would fit in her pocket in all of the above scenarios. Get a gun mounted flashlight for the AK because the only scenario that your mom would need to use the AK is if someone kicks in the door at night while she is sleeping. Make sure you get the light for that AK or else you may regret it if you go to your mom's house at night after your S.O. kicks you out of the house at 3 a.m. in the morning. It happens!

lol. That may work to get her to the range but I think she will see thru me. hah. I am not taking her .38 snub away that I got her, I just want her to have something else there just in case. She lives in VA so no worries on dropping in on her. She isn't anti gun but she isn't in love with them either. It was a chore to make her practice with the .38 and honestly she didn't need it except for loading and unloading. The 38 only holds 5rds then it is a hassle. I am just thinking if she is scared and needs something else a loaded AK can sit there forever ready to go. I bet I have 100 30rd mags couple 40rd few 75rd drums and two 100rd drums along with some random crap like 5's and 10s. Ideally I would leave a drum if I can leave one loaded long term. Just rather loading and unloading not be an issue.