Female non shooter - AR15, AK47, or Mini-14?

[Ignition Override]

Back to rifles.
After the lady makes her decision, will she also have access to somebody else's AK, SKS (or Mini 30)? Would you let her try an SKS, with the option to buy one originally designed to use AK mags? You could verify the series.
Maybe she will be able to practice often very cheaply with a .22 rifle.

 

[coloradokevin]

More to your topic, I'd vote the AR-15:

1) Simple to operate, and field strip/cleaning can be taught at other times

2) Low recoil

3) Accurate

4) better sights

 

[BADUNAME27]

An AR is complicated?

Safety selector
Trigger
magazine release
charging handle.

now how many buttons does the average car have?

 

[moooose102]

if she has never shot a rifle before what is wrong with a 22lr? but if we have to stay with the 3 you have chosen, if the ar has an adjustable stock, i would say the ar. if not, the ruger.

 

[vanfunk]

My wife, who is not an enthusiast by any means, progressed from my CZ 452 .22LR to my 20" Colt AR-15 with profound success. With her first 10 rounds fired from the AR, she managed to bust 8 3" clay pigeons at 100 yards, with iron sights. She does not like the AK, as it does not fit her well, and she experiences a greatly enhanced recoil impulse as a result. The comparatively poor iron sights don't help with confidence, either. I can't comment on how she does with a Mini-14, as I sold mine long before we were married. There's simply no substitute for trying different styles and configurations, but the AR's accuracy, low recoil, and excellent sights are a recipe for success for anyone transitioning to a centerfire rifle.

vanfunk

 

[Interceptor_Knight]

The obvious choice is the AR. The accuracy alone is a confidence builder. Show her that she can hit cans of Pepsi and make them explode at 100 yards with ease and she will be hooked.

 

[Marcus5aurelius]

I'de still go with the AK. There's nothing like that first boom to bring someone instantly up to speed : P ARs are too easy to use what's the fun of that?

 

[husker]

marcus5aurelius= ARs are too easy to use what's the fun of that? if my girl ever thinks she needs a rifle. you bet your a$$$$$ its going to say MADE IN AMERICA on it! the ar goes boom to. and then the pop can goes boom every time

 

[KBintheSLC]

I'd choose one of the .223's, and bring some actual .223 ammo... not the hot loaded NATO 5.56 stuff.

My wife hates my AK. Its an M70AB2 Yugo Underfolder... she says the steel stock feels like dental equipment or jagged forceps on her shoulder. Ouch... Personally, I like it just fine.

 

[sprice]

I would also bring all three

if not all three then just a low recoil for the first time

 

[dagger dog]

The MINI with the 5 round factory mag is a lot less intimidating than the AR or AK.

Definitly not the AK, to a non-shooter it is the apitome of EVILNESS.
Always shown in the hands of evil men.

The AR is a little more complicated than should be a starter rifle, both the
223's should be ok recoil wise, the Mini's saftey and non-threatening looks light recoil would be my choice to start some one of the fairer sex.

 

[gvnwst]

AR, it is more ergonomic, she will probably like it more than a AK, accurate, for some reason, new shooters like to know that they are shooting a really accurate rifle, (IME) low recoil, and simple. Not to mention light, if you want.

Other than that, bring a pick of them to her, and let her decide.

 

[hadmanysons]

I would say the AR-15. The noise and recoil is scares away a lot of female shooters. I would know, i've gotten a few introduced to guns and RKBA (all better shots than me their first time, not fair). I however have never shot a Mini-14 so I can't have an opinion on that. I would however recommend an AR-15 over an AK because my wife said that she wouldn't shoot an AK because it looks "scary". Her words, not mine.

 

[BlackHand1917]

I vote for the Mini-14. It has low recoil and is very user friendly. Any of the other weapons mentioned would do adequately. On second thought perhaps an AK in .223 or 5.45 might be the best choice of all.

 

[hso]

My wife has a 7.62X39 Izhmash AK-type and a Colt AR. She prefers the Russian.

There's no reason that your friend "couldn't" shoot any of them and no reason that she wouldn't enjoy any of them. She may like the accuracy of the AR better. She may like the rugged simplicity of the AK. So much depends upon the stock and grips. Heck, if she's left handed she'll probably be happier with the AK.

IOW, she should handle all 3 and decide for herself.

 

[Mike U.]

.22 LR hands down. This has traditionally been the starter rifle for a number of generations of new shooters.
Why?
Because the low recoil doesn't scare the crap outta the new shooter. We all learn to walk before we learn to run. Teach her on a .22 LR long arm first. Transition to the AR will be MUCH easier on her.
Plus, the traditional looks of a .22 rifle does not scream "evil black military death-dealer gun!".
Many women are sensitive about the appearance of a given weapon. Why do you think pink guns are becoming so popular? I damn sure ain't buyin' em!

 

[30.06]

The AK was made for that purpose and served it well .
Hundreds of thousands of small framed Vietnamese women carried and used their ' idiot proof ' AK's without any trouble at all .
Their training was minimal .
How well will a not so well trained woman , deal with an unexpected jam , in the middle of an emergency ?
The AK is also the easiest to disassemble , clean , lube , and reassemble , correctly and quickly .
Plus , it hits harder .

 

[Eb1]

Does she use a cell phone? If so, don't worry about the complexity of a rifle. The rifle will be a breeze compared to the cell phone.

 

[SHvar]

The AR by far. My wife never liked the mini-14 and definitely doesnt like the AKs she has been around (I wouldnt suggest them anyways). She LOVES my AR, she lost interest in shooting her handgun after firing the AR once.
Very low recoil (lower than the mini-14, much lower than the AK), accurate (much more so than either), easier to shoot, easy to maintain, and better looking than both. Lighter, more ergonomic, more balanced design.

 

[Kurt_D]

ex-girlfriend did pretty well with my 10/22 and AR.

 

[GW Staar]

Not the AK. If she's a sensitive woman with high values the AK may represent something less than Wholesome all American.

More important than which gun to shoot is what to shoot. Make it big, make is high vis, and make it close enough where she can see her success putting little round holes in it. (or bouncing cans around) My wife use to be interested in shooting until I bored her to death with targets that were too far away. Looking through a spotting scope was not her idea of fun.:banghead: I have repented, but I still can't interest her in trying again...so far.

The Mini 14 takes less strength to cock. The AR-15 is less likely to slam fire with reloads, and a 22 rifle is quieter! All important considerations. Have a "good" comfortable set of ear muffs to adorn her head--no squeeze plugs. Hey! You want to succeed at this, right?

 

[BMW2]

How about an M1 carbine? Not real expensive, low recoil, decent capacity.

 

[heavyshooter]

Why not start her with a Ruger 10/22 then you can transition to the Mini-14 when she is ready.

+1

This is exactly what I would do. Similar ergonomics and both as reliable as hell. Once she is proficient with the 10/22, break out the Mini-14.

BTW - If you take this course of action you better by your Mini-14 20 round mags while Ruger is selling them.

Heavy

 

[Snowdog]

The M1 Carbine, of course! Oh, it wasn't one of the options you say?

Seriously though, it's wise to let her choose. I had a similar situation rather recently. My wife took to the Warbaby when I let her choose between it and an AR-15 to serve as her "go-to" rifle. She's 5'4, so the short carbine suits her well. I haven't any doubt 15 rounds of 110gr JSP .30 carbine will do whatever she needs to get done, except perhaps the laundry.

 

[Dookie]

Of the three, I would have to say the AR, it's light, low recoil, and easy to shoot.

But if you have one bring a 10/22 and a brick of cheap ammo. If you don't, buy one for this very reason. You can even build it to look like any of the three you have. It would save you a bunch of money in ammo also. It is also much less intimidating.