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This article was co-authored by Mark Schneider. Mark Schneider is a Firearms Instructor based in Denver, Colorado. His journey into the world of firearms, novice gunsmithing, shooting, and tactics began nearly two decades ago. Over the course of his career, he has amassed over 18 years of firearms instruction experience and 10 years of security experience, predominantly in the realm of armed uniformed security. Mark has run a licensed security company and holds a license as an armed security guard with the City & County of Denver. Mark holds NRA certifications and has held multiple roles, including NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, NRA Inside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Outside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor, and NRA Chief Range Safety Officer. Mark’s extensive training history includes a wide array of tactical and security courses, encompassing advanced pistol, rifle, and shotgun training, close-quarter combat, ambushing tactics, and more.
This article has been viewed 219,844 times.
Semi-automatic rifles can be useful. Whether it's just going hunting, a decoration, or for any other reason, it's always good to learn how to shoot it. Of course, you'll be wondering where you can learn, how you will learn, and some other basic facts. Fortunately, you're in the right place! In this guide, you'll learn some basics on how to shoot a semi-automatic rifle, such as the Ak47.
Steps
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Locate the charging handle, operating rod, or similar device. You will have to operate this to put a cartridge in the chamber, clear stoppages and clear the weapon (make it safe).[1]
Locate the magazine (often improperly referred to as a clip). Load it with cartridges, and insert it into the magazine well. Make sure it latches, or locks into place.[2]Advertisement
To make the weapon ready to fire, pull back the operating rod or equivalent. A round (cartridge) should feed up from the magazine. Release the handle, and the bolt should slam home, feed a round into the chamber, and lock into place. If you are not immediately about to fire, engage the safety catch. DO NOT touch the trigger until you are about to fire.[3]
To clear the weapon (remove all ammunition), remove or empty the magazine. Next, retract the operation rod and inspect the chamber visually (look to see it is empty) and physically (put a finger into the chamber to check it is empty). It is usually a good idea to lock the bolt back if possible, to show at a distance that it is empty. Not all rifles are able to do this. AK/Kalashnikov rifles for instance cannot, though AR/AR15/M16-style ones can.[4]
Check the direction of fire. If you are not sure of what is behind the target, do not fire. Ideally, you will be doing this at a shooting range, or a quarry with a high bank to shoot toward to stop stray bullets.[5]
Release the safety. This will probably be a lever or button on the side of the action, but this varies considerably according to the rifle in question.[6]
Grasp the grip (may look like a pistol grip); place your index finger on the side of the gun over the trigger. DO NOT touch the trigger until you are ready to fire.[7]
Hold the forestock (barrel area, usually covered in plastic or wood) of the gun with your 'off' hand or you can hold it close to the front end of the handguard for a more accurate shot. Note that the closer your off-hand is to the front of the barrel, the more steady your support will be. (support hand)(if you're right-handed use your left hand; if you're left-handed use your right hand).[8]
Bring the butt of the gun to the front of your shoulder, between your chest muscle (or breast) and the front ball of your shoulder. If this feels awkward, move your support hand down the barrel or towards you until it feels right.
Tilt your head so the eye closest to the gun is looking straight down the top of the barrel. Place this eye where it can see past the rear sight but not to the sides of it (don't put your eye right next to the sight, but make sure you are not looking over the sight). If you are pulling the trigger with your right hand the left side of the butt/stock should be firmly pressed against your right cheek below the cheekbone (this is called a gun mold).[9]
Focus on the front sight. You will want to put the front sight in the 6 o'clock position, in the center of your sight picture, aligned with your target.
Squeeze the trigger slowly, without "dragging wood", that is, sliding it on the side of the grip.
For optimal accuracy, fire only at a certain point in your breathing cycle, e.g. when you have just breathed out. U.S. Marine training tutorials advise that single shots should be taken while holding ones breath for no more than 3 seconds.
Check the target. If you determine that your round went right, correct to the left, if it goes left, correct right. This adjustment is called "windage". If you are shooting high, aim lower, or if you hit low, aim higher. This is known as elevation.
Once you are finished, clear the gun. Plan your next target or method.
These guns are designed to put a bullet in the air in a short time, and if you are in a safe location, and have the ammunition, you may want to try some rapid-fire. Most legal versions of assault rifles in the United States are semi-automatic, so they only fire once each time the trigger is squeezed, but by holding the rifle and rapidly squeezing and releasing the trigger, you may be able to achieve a faster rate of fire.
Take the gun down and clean it after it has cooled down. Whenever possible, always clean the barrel by inserting the cleaning rod into the breach (back) of the barrel, not the muzzle (front). Depending on how the gas system is designed to operate, you may or may not need to clean the gas tube. Check for cleaning instructions specific to you rifle before you start, and beware small pins and springs. A magnet can help to keep track of these small parts, which are more common on modern AR designs.[10]
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionWhat's the correct stance when shooting an assault rifle?
Mark SchneiderMark Schneider is a Firearms Instructor based in Denver, Colorado. His journey into the world of firearms, novice gunsmithing, shooting, and tactics began nearly two decades ago. Over the course of his career, he has amassed over 18 years of firearms instruction experience and 10 years of security experience, predominantly in the realm of armed uniformed security. Mark has run a licensed security company and holds a license as an armed security guard with the City & County of Denver. Mark holds NRA certifications and has held multiple roles, including NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, NRA Inside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Outside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor, and NRA Chief Range Safety Officer. Mark’s extensive training history includes a wide array of tactical and security courses, encompassing advanced pistol, rifle, and shotgun training, close-quarter combat, ambushing tactics, and more.
Firearms InstructorStart by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, facing the target squarely. Grip the rifle firmly, positioning your hands and elbows for stability. Ensure a comfortable cheek weld and align the sights, then nestle the stock into your shoulder. Focus on your natural point of aim, control your breathing, and maintain trigger discipline. After each shot, keep the sights on target for follow-through. Practice regularly in a controlled environment, like a shooting range, emphasizing safety and awareness of your surroundings. - QuestionHow do I aim an assault rifle?
Community AnswerYou aim it just like any other rifle... you line the front and back-sight up with the target. - QuestionHow do I use a foregrip?
Community AnswerTo use a foregrip you need a railed front grip, which doesn't always come with an AR. To obtain a railed grip, contact your gun provider. Once you have your rail and grip, slide the foregrip on and tighten the bolts. To comfortably use it, mount it so your hand can reach it easily and it's not too far forward.
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Tips
- Learn how to use firearms safely. This is probably the most important thing to know with guns. It is often worth paying for a course approved by your region's firearms users group. In the US, this will probably be the NRA. In the UK, a Home Office approved club will give you instruction.Thanks
- Clean and lubricate the gun after each firing session.Thanks
- Take time to become familiar with the weapon. Read the service manual, or have a skilled shooter give you the basics. Make sure that you know the main parts of your rifle, how to use them, and how to clear your rifle and load it.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never point a gun at something you do not intend to shoot.Thanks
- Always treat a gun as if it is loaded.Thanks
- Check your target and what is behind your target.Thanks
- Only use the correct, safe type of ammunition in your firearm. If in doubt, do not even load it.Thanks
- Watch the bolt when it slams home. You don't want to let a finger get in the way of it.Thanks
- Do not load your gun until you are permitted/safe to shootThanks
- Ensure firearms are kept in a safe place at all times.Thanks
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.Thanks
- Always keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction. In most ranges, this is ether downrange, and up towards the roof.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- An assault rifle.
- Ammunition.
- A safe place to shoot.
- Targets.
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about firearms, check out our in-depth interview with Mark Schneider.
References
- ↑ https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/AK-47_Operator%27s_Manual
- ↑ https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/AK-47_Operator%27s_Manual
- ↑ https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/4/6/using-an-ak-47-for-self-defense/
- ↑ https://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Prep_For_Basic_Training/prep_for_basic_common_tasks/unload-an-m16a2-rifle.shtml
- ↑ https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/4/6/using-an-ak-47-for-self-defense/
- ↑ https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/4/6/using-an-ak-47-for-self-defense/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy2u3mb8QK4
- ↑ https://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/amd-us-archive/FM3-22.9%2803%29.pdf
- ↑ https://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/amd-us-archive/FM3-22.9%2803%29.pdf
About This Article
Firearms Instructor
This article was co-authored by Mark Schneider. Mark Schneider is a Firearms Instructor based in Denver, Colorado. His journey into the world of firearms, novice gunsmithing, shooting, and tactics began nearly two decades ago. Over the course of his career, he has amassed over 18 years of firearms instruction experience and 10 years of security experience, predominantly in the realm of armed uniformed security. Mark has run a licensed security company and holds a license as an armed security guard with the City & County of Denver. Mark holds NRA certifications and has held multiple roles, including NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, NRA Inside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Outside The Home Protection Instructor, NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor, and NRA Chief Range Safety Officer. Mark’s extensive training history includes a wide array of tactical and security courses, encompassing advanced pistol, rifle, and shotgun training, close-quarter combat, ambushing tactics, and more. This article has been viewed 219,844 times.
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Co-authors: 30
Updated: April 28, 2024
Views: 219,844
Categories: Rifles
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 219,844 times.
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