Range question

[Fryguy]

Sorry if its in the wrong section move it if needed.

I'll be heading out to a local range with some friends and I wanted to get some help about shooting with an ak, its my first time. So far I've been shooting with guns and I have zero experiense with this. Should I even do it or stick to what I know?

 

[Blackbeard]

I guess I'm not sure what you're really asking. AK shoots just like every other gun. It's no evil gun, if that's what you're thinking. It doesn't shoot any differently. I actually quite enjoy shooting it. I enjoy shooting them more than an AR-15, which can feel like subsonic shooting sometimes depending on the rounds you use.

Just always protect your ears, your eyes, and know where you're shooting in a safe direction. It's a lot of fun. One of the ranges I was at last time had bowling pins that you could shoot downrange. It was a lot of fun. That was something different for me. You had to keep the bowling pins so far away because they do explode sometimes.

 

[Alan]

I'm assuming @Fryguy is talking about shooting with handguns and is probably concerned about recoil. Yes, it's more noticeable, but as @Blackbeard said, it's not that terrible, and it's pretty manageable. Since you're going to the shooting range, you'll want to talk to the instructor there for on the spot guidance.

And I agree about the AR comparison, it often feels too smooth compared to the AK.

Last but not least, welcome to the forum! Let us know how your day at the range went.

 

[anotherAndrew]

The biggest hurdle for a first-timer isn't the shooting, it’s the reloading. AK mags don't push straight in like a handgun or an AR. You have to catch the front hook first and then rock the magazine back until it clicks.

If you don't hear that click, it’s going to fall out on your first shot

 

[blackCoffee]

hi OP, one thing handguns don't prepare you for is the cheek weld. On an AK, you want your face pressed firmly against the stock.
Beginners sometimes hover their face near the sights because they're nervous about the recoil, but that actually causes the stock to slap your cheekbone when it fires. Press in firm, and you and the gun move as one unit

 

[Alan]

hi OP, one thing handguns don't prepare you for is the cheek weld. On an AK, you want your face pressed firmly against the stock.
Beginners sometimes hover their face near the sights because they're nervous about the recoil, but that actually causes the stock to slap your cheekbone when it fires. Press in firm, and you and the gun move as one unit

This brings back some very interesting memories from many years ago

Unfortunately, the internet wasn't a thing and there was no one to slap me before the stock did

 

[GF3]

Prior to the AK, I had been shooting an AR. The AR recoil may be less in terms of physics (556 vs. 7.62) but they are different. The AR recoil is a sharp exploding. Sure, breaks can modify this, but for me it always bounded me off the target slightly. The AK recoil is more rolling. For me the more rolling recoil feels slower so that I have more time to mitigate this (at least in my own mind). Actually, the recoil on my rifle must be very mild because I feel no big gap between the AR and AK recoils overall.

 

[Fryguy]

I wanted to reply with my impressins but i forgot so here i am. I appreciate your tips especially the ones about the stock. Went to the range a couple of times and a couple of more times and i'm sure i'll be considering getting one

 

[Blackbeard]

I wanted to reply with my impressins but i forgot so here i am. I appreciate your tips especially the ones about the stock. Went to the range a couple of times and a couple of more times and i'm sure i'll be considering getting one

Of course you are, and we're here to convince you that you should