Why The AR Should Be Your-Go-To Rifle
Kevin Felts 01.09.18
One of my colleagues posted a couple of articles that can be summed up in one simple statement: “The AR-15.”
In the first article, The 9 Survival Essentials: a Complete List, Jon talks about the AK-47 and how it is a good rifle for preppers/survivalists.
In the second article, What’s Your “Go See” Gun, Jon asks what firearm you use to check on something around the house.
While the prepping article is good, I feel it misses the mark a little bit. The AK-47 is the quintessential survival rifle, but it is not for everyone.
Simply put: The AK platform is more difficult to operate than the AR.
Recoil of the AK can make it unpleasant to shoot when compared to the AR.
Operation
The biggest drawback to the AK is how the magazines have to latch and then be pulled into place. This two-step process fails in comparison to the AR, which is “insert-and-slap.” Take someone who has no experience with either rifle, show them how to change magazines, and chances are, they are going to pick the AR.
Bolt operation is the next issue. Having to either reach over the AK, or release the pistol grip, work the bolt, then grab the pistol grip again all fails in comparison to the AR.
Then there is the safety. The AR safety can be operated without having to take a hand off the rifle.
Recoil
Anyone with a daughter knows most girls are sensitive to recoil. That is not sexist, it’s just the way things are.
Every young lady I have seen who shot the AR before shooting an AK, handed the AK back and said something along the lines of, “I don’t like it.” Simple fact, the AK has more recoil than the AR.
If someone does not like the recoil, it complicates training.
Stock Length
The AK is not known for collapsible stocks. On the other hand, the vast majority of ARs come with a collapsible/adjustable stock.
What does this mean?
It means the rifle can be adjusted for a 5′ 9″ tall husband, the wife who is 5′ 5″ tall, or their 14 year old daughter who is 5′ tall.
Customization
Ask your daughter, “Honey, would you like a rifle with a wood stock, or a pink stock?” Which do you think she will pick?
Let’s be honest, there are more ways to customize the AR than someone can shake a stick at. D&H produces a line of pink magazines, and then there are the Muddy Girl Pmags. You want O.D. green AR magazines, no problem; tan magazines, no problem; camo grips, no problem.
Final Thoughts
The first thing someone is going to say is, “All those are training issues,” and that is true. However, it is difficult to teach someone who simply does not like the rifle. When my daughter was a teenager, I tried to teach her how to shoot the AK, and she did not like it. The AR, however, was a different story.
As men, we can get so focused on what we want that we forget about the other family members. If there is a “go-to” long arm in the house, shouldn’t it be something all family members can shoot, and shoot well?
