Lightweight "assult rifle"

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Baron357

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I have a beautiful Arsenal AK with a milled receiver and love it but it is too heavy for my wife, what is a good choice for a lightweight “assault rifle” being good for range fun and the SHTF? I would like to stay away from pistol caliber carbines.

I am guessing an AR is what most will say which maybe the answer but any other options would be appreciated.
 
Why not a stamped Arsenal AK? The things are so darn light it's like holding a toy.
 
Look at the latest issue of SWAT magazine - the feature article is about a Cavalry Arms AR design that is in the 5 pound range. The stock and lower receiver are an integral unit which helps keep the weight down.

An M1 carbine weighs about the same, but I'd much prefer the 5.56 over the .30 carbine round. My wife likes the handling of the M1 carbine and the Ruger Mini 14 over the AR, and she is petite, but I'd give the Cavalry Arms model a serious look if weight is your main issue.
 
perhaps not assault rifles, but an AR, kel tech, or if you are looking to keep with 7.62X39 an SKS with the advanced tech druganov synthetic stock and take off the bayonet. Drops a couple pounds, keeps the short LOP, fun, easy to shoot, cheap and around 6lbs
 
My lightest AR15 weighs approx. 7lbs with a loaded 30 round mag. It was actually built for my wife. She is about 100lbs, 5'3". She handles it very well.
 
I don't mean to insult you or your wife.

But, I've heard this type of excuse before.

I strongly doubt that she wants to shoot. When that's the case, there is always an excuse.
..."its too heavy."
..."I can't see what I'm aiming at."
..."I wish it didn't kick so much."
..."I can't get this thing to move."

blah...blah...blah......

Listen -- The rifle is an AK.
It was DESIGNED for little people!

Little people who are MOTIVATED.
Not little-motivated people.

Again, I apologize if this sounds derogatory. That is not my intention. I see too much of these sorts of excuses to accept it as a simple "fixable" problem.

A weak shooter who wants to learn how to shoot well will find a way to get stronger.
You cannot make an unmotivated person do so.
 
i have high hopes for my current AR build. i'm trying to get to 4 lbs
 
Pretty much any stamped AK or AR will fit the bill, however, don't get caught up with putting optics, flashlights, foregrips and 10 pounds of other useless stuff on it.

I agree with the poster above, however, it sounds like she just doesn't want to shoot.
 
Keltec su 16 is about as light as it gets. Mine weighs under 5lbs. It's even lighter than my 16" 223 saiga that has the hollow plastic factory furniture. Mark
 
what if any rifle does she like to shoot? As far as what she, or anyone else can handle has little to do with size, Bonnie Parker was 4'11" and 90lbs, but loved her 18lb BAR, and could shoot it well, Annie Oakley was only 5', and one of the best shots with a 22 that ever was. My girlfriend was kind of discouraged with shooting for years before she met me, her one and only time shooting was a 2 3/4" 12ga slug from a 7lb single shot break action shotgun:what:. I reintroduced her to shooting with a stoeger luger in 22 and a 10/22, she liked shooting the luger well enough she bought a p22, and has managed to become quite good with it, and more inquisitive twards other firearms. she has tried most of my lighter recoiling guns, but is comfortable with 22s and thats about it. I think for someone to be safe and have fun shooting they have to at least be comfortable.
 
How about a PLR-16. It weighs under 4lbs empty and is a fun gun to shoot. Last month I had a first time ever shooter (female, 82lbs, 13years old) that had no problem handling it. She went through $40 of ammo in less than 10 minutes :eek:
PLR-16.gif
 
my vote (if economy minded) would be the Russian Saiga in 223 or 7.62x39..
lightweight & slightly better quality than many AK stamped copies.
 
id really say give a pistol caliber carbine a try. Small, light, little kick and would be a good augmentation to your gear. in a SHTF type situation what are you planning to engage that is outside of say a 9mm or .40 effective range? if its something like a huricane evac and u start taking people down at 100-150 yards your gunna have a lot of explaining to do. a 9mm carbin would do just fine for property defense from looters and zombies just fine
 
My HiPoint carbine is a big hit with the ladies of all sizes. Light, short but still has some kick and blasts targets nicely.

Not rifle caliber, but they don't really care or even know the difference to be honest.

I somewhat agree about what WEG said...she probably just doesn't want to shoot. My 22 handgun with a red dot is also a big hit.
 
One of the new imported intact VZ58s they are low cap for importation but the milled reciever is much much lighter than a milled AK, fires the same ammo and is much more accurate
Click to expand...

Where can you find those? The only ones I've seen are the ones on US recievers that are going for upwards of $1000. Bit pricey for what it is, but if there's a less expensive option (even in low cap) I'd be into getting one.
 
My wife loves the SU16's I've got an "A" and a "C" model. Very light, reasonably accurate and low recoil makes for something a small framed woman will like, and they are a lot cheaper than an AR (of which I have 3, so I'm not willing to accept that AR's are $500).

I highly recommend the "C" or "CA" modles, much better sights and a slightly stiffer barrel.

Before and after on the "C":

SU16C-1small.gif

SU16C.jpg

The "A" model:

su16painted3.jpg
 
It is far from an excuse on my wife's behalf of not wanting to shoot she love to shoot and even likes to shoot the AK but she would like her own rifle that is lighter. Simple as that, don't read into something that is not there.

The SU16 might be a good idea, how reliable and accurate are they I have hear some not so good things.
 
This will probably kick off a war about the caliber itself - but the PS90 is very light - and a lot of women enjoy it.

PS90-51.gif
 
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