Help me convince my wife I need an AK

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matsaleh

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Not that I'm whipped or anything (that I'd admit to)...

A little background: when my wife and I started our relationship about 18 years ago, we were both anti-gun (yes, we all make mistakes). Over the years, we have both come to our senses, me a little faster than her. I think we've done pretty well, considering there was a time when "no gun will ever cross my doorstep" to me having a few handguns and a CHL and carrying daily. She even wants to buy me a nice carry holster for a present soon.

But, when I talk about getting a rifle - specifically an AK - she balks... hard. When I ask her why, she gives me some pretty vague protestations, and turns it back on me to give her a "good reason" why I need an AK. Well, I have lots of what I think are good reasons: home defense (but you have the handguns for that), target shooting (but you don't need a rifle for that), etc... I have no interest in hunting, so that argument is out. When I mention that I need to be able to take out targets at the end of our street when the SHTF, she gets this look of disbelief, like that could never happen!

She comes back to me with, "get whatever handguns you want - get a .44 magnum if you want, but I don't want you having a gun like that (AK)." So, for now, I'm taking her up on that while trying to figure out this anti-AK thing. I'm sure it has something to do with the whole machine-gun image and all, but I hesitate to press her on it, since she really has come a long way towards accepting my gun-oriented lifestyle.

I'm sure I could make an ??? of myself and throw my weight around and stamp my foot, and eventually force the issue, regardless of what she thinks. But, we have built our relationship on mutual respect and trust, and I think that is a big part of why we have been together as long as we have. So I'd rather work on convincing her, rather than coercing her, to my point of view. Since the evolution in her point of view has followed my own over the years, lagging one or two years behind mine, maybe it's just a matter of time.

I'm wondering if any of you long-time married types have had to make similar sales pitches on such issues, and if so, what did you do that worked?

Thanks, and cheers!
 
Maybe she wants you to Buy American First and get a nice Garand or M1A.
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Prolly not... she's a Brit. :D Unfortunately, I can't afford the price of admission on most US designed rifles. I might buy American in the form of an AK from one of the US custom/rebuilding shops (e.g. Arsenal USA or AK-103), but I can't afford an AR or Springfield.

Besides, it doesn't look as 'menacing'.
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That might be... to be honest, I'm not totally sure she's amenable to any long gun. For as long as we've been together, and as well as I know her, I just haven't figured this one out.

Cheers!
 
Well, maybe do the 2 step. Pick up a humble appearing SKS. (Remove bayonet if it has one.) Go with the "It is just an inexpensive no nonsense rifle that can do everything a 30-30 can..only cheaper" spin. If she gets used to that idea and the rifle itself..with a little time I suppose..then point out that the AK uses the same round and was what replaced the SKS afterall. The only thing that you are adding are a shorter barrel and a larger magazine capacity. No big deal.

If this doesn't work..at least you got a good SKS out of the attempt.

Just a thought.
 
Buy a .22 caliber rifle and let her get comfortable with that idea first. Get into shooting for recreation.
Then, after you have shown her the simple pleasure of breaking clay pigeons on a dirt backstop with a rifle, try to sneak the AK discussion back in.
Think it would work?

The truth is that I don't know if I can really be of much help here. I learned how to shoot a rifle before I could read, write, or tie my own shoes.
 
Well, as a first "rifle", you could get a lever action carbine in .357 or .44. That would be a compromise.

She has an aversion to ALL rifles? Does this have any grounding in logic, or is it just part of the past liberal that still remains?;)

Point out to her that its much easier to have accidents with handguns than it is with rifles if thats what she is worried about (a lot easier to end up on the wrong side of a handgun while handling it, etc). Point out that a rifle is easier to fire accurately, is more powerful, and in the case of an AK, has a larger mag capacity, making it a more effective home defense weapon (as long as over penetration isn't a big concern). Point out that a SAR-1 is cheaper than just about any quality handgun out there.

If nothing else, you 'need' the AK for 100 yard plinking.:D

btw, if you can afford an AK-103, you can afford an AR if thats what you want... over $700 last time I checked.

Lastly, these marriages that some of you guys are in... they are built on "mutual respect and trust", as they should be, correct? The respect goes both ways guys.;) If you don't try to keep her from pursuing her own interests, she should probably show you the same courtesy.:scrutiny: anyhow, just my two cents. Back to the thread at hand....
 
I like the incremental suggestions... that was sort of how I have been leaning.

I've also taken to leaving my CDNN catalog open to the Saiga page, hoping to start an "innocent" conversation. She sometimes looks at my gun mags and asks questions (she even got me a sub to Combat Handguns for Christmas). Since I have a tendency to "obsess" on topics I'm interested in, and go on and on and on about guns at times, I'm trying to be a little more subtle just to avoid tainting my position by boring her with repetition. :p

She has an aversion to ALL rifles? Does this have any grounding in logic, or is it just part of the past liberal that still remains?
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Oh, I'm *positive* there is no grounding in logic here. That's why it's a hard position to argue against. I mean, I can go head to head with the best on logic, but against emotionally based positions, I'm defenseless.

btw, if you can afford an AK-103, you can afford an AR if thats what you want... over $700 last time I checked.
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Hmmm.... more than I had hoped - I guess that's why they put "P.O.R" under their cool pics. :)

Lastly, these marriages that some of you guys are in... they are built on "mutual respect and trust", as they should be, correct? The respect goes both ways guys. If you don't try to keep her from pursuing her own interests, she should probably show you the same courtesy.
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A valid point, to be sure. It's because of the fact that this one point is the only (I mean *only*) point we disagree on, and that she is wonderfully supportive of all my other interests and values, that I want to be sure to coax her to my way of thinking and not railroad her. Now, if it came to a point of no return (e.g. a new gun grab attempt limiting future opportunities), then the discussion would be over and I would buy all the guns I could afford. But, we're not at that point yet, so I prefer diplomacy at the moment.
 
Could always try the value proposition.

Its inexpensive (depending on model)
Its inexpensive to feed (ammo is cheap)
Its incredibly rugged.
It will last forever and never need repair.
 
if it came to a point of no return (e.g. a new gun grab attempt limiting future opportunities),
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If you ever want a SAR-1, now appears to be the time to get one, as importation appears to have ceased. Prices are climbing but still fairly reasonable, but they may not be for long. The more expensive AK-style rifles may be around longer (and the more politically correct Saiga-style rifles), however.

Also, keep in mind that the Democrats are trying their best to append a draconian hyperextension of Comrade Clinton's AWB to various bills--if it passes, I would imagine the only way to get any defense-suitable self-loader (never mind an AK--even the mini-14 with the traditional wooden stock and 5-round mag is now on the proposed ban list!) will be to already own one.

Also, as a SAR-1 owner, I can vouch for the fact that these are the "funnest" rifles ever made.

Hey, you could rent _Enemy at the Gates_ and then buy a Russian 1891/30--then an M44--then an SKS--then you'd need the AK to complete your collection of twentieth-century Russian longarms!:D
 
here is a reason

You can tell your wife that a new AK can be had for 300 bucks and it will last for centuries. Tell her that the money you save will go toward that little derringer she always wanted.
 
You may want to buy an AK before it is all gone. Have you ever looked at Saiga. It is tougher than Romanian Sar and less than half the price. It is actually an AK without feature. AK103 starts life as a Saiga. You can get a Saiga in .308 now, and that is just one nutty gun you must have. Then again you won't be able to use the "ammo is cheap" excuse on this one.
 
If the long gun is a stumbling block, maybe you should try to take her skeet shooting . Many skeet clubs have loaner/rental guns, and it would be a first step toward getting her amenable to a shoulder-gun. I've never seen somebody not have fun on a skeet range.
 
most of what i am saying will probably be muttering cause my lady loves shooting and wants a rifle and pistol as well. I would maybe try introducing her to the SKS first being that its a more "safer" looking gun with a full stock and fixed magazine. Maybe explain to her the limited availability as well of the AK's. Like said before....if you ever do get one the longer you wait right now the worse its gonna be on the pocket book. I am in the market right now for a romanian SAR-1 and they are cheap at the moment. new can be had for under 300$.....who knows.....might be 500$ in a year with the limited supply.
 
one thing i have learned is its very difficult to make up a womans mind for them,it only irrates them more when they discover what your up to and sets you up for a good burning at the stake later when you least expect it.when all else fails..bribery works best.
 
This is a great discussion, y'all. I'm sure I can make something out of all the great suggestions.

I think the surest approach is to focus on the SKS/Saiga suggestion. Slightly less "scary" appearance, IF I can just ease into long guns at all. I like the skeet shooting angle - may have to try that just to break the ice. The Brits have been into that sport for a long time, so there's a connection for her. Plus, she has expressed interest in that.

Then I can just say that an AK is just like a skeet gun, because they're both semi-auto, they both shoot ammunition, and they are both bigger than my Makarov. Or, to be a little more circumspect, the AK is just like a skeet gun, because the Saiga-12 is a shotgun too, and the AK looks almost like the Saiga-12. Hmmm?

God, I hope they sunset the AWB, and the damn liberals won't add those infernal riders to other bills. GW really let me down when he said he would not veto a renewing of the AWB. I just hope the Dems remember what a thrashing they got after they passed the AWB the first time. Being that the sunset is in September, and the elections are in November, they may have just a little memory left to be smart about it.

Anyway, thanks again!
 
Time is your friend. My wife was the same way. 13 years later, she does not have a problem. People take time to get used to new ideas.

Seriously, the Garand or Mini-14 tip is the best idea. Get the Garand and rent Saving Private Ryan with her. Who cares what the gun costs? Put it on a credit card and make payments.

Someday, she really just may need it to hit those targets at the end of the block.
 
deciet

Plan A.

have a good friend give one to you. Say he inhearited it from his dead father and that he wants you to have it because he knows nothing about them.

Plan B.

Buy It and Hide it till she comes around.

Plan C.

Tell her that you will keep it disassembled in a locked case in your home. Beats nothing. I can put mine together in my sleep. Takes like 10 seconds one handed.

Plan D.

Start talking about how you have to have a Barret .50 or a cannon or something like that and then the ak will be your compromise.

Plan E.

Tell her that if it wasn't for all of us gun nut Americans she would be the love slave of Hienie right now. She owes it to all those that came before her to be prepared.

Plan F.

This is my favorite. In the event of a natural disaster, Terrorist attack, Famine(mad cow + 3 year drought could make it happen), Disease outbreak(Flu, SARS), etc. The nice friendly neighbors might not be so nice as you stuggle to obtain food and water. This one little ol gun is a small price to pay for your familys safety. see Plan C.
 
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