Looking for a ar type rifle for my wife.

[ss_element]

If someone can please help me, I am looking for 5.56 rifle for my wife. I don't have the money to buy a new piston ar, so I am looking for something in the sks/ak family but I am needing it in 5.56 instead of 7.62 any ideas welcome.

[Jeriah]

Get a 5.56mm, direct gas impingement AR. Pistons don't solve any problems that can't be solved better other ways, and they cause new problems. Read this: http://www.milcopptactical.com/piston.htm

You can get a good AR for $600 if you buy a complete upper, a stripped lower, and a lower parts kit from Palmetto State Armory. Building the lower is easy, and then you just pop the upper on. Best gun for the money right now.

If your wife has shot an AK and prefers it to the AR, you could go with something in the 5.45mm AK74 family. But the AR has advantages (easier reloads, mostly) that make it the top choice for good reason.

Off topic, but re: your user name. Is it referring to your being a fan of Microtech knives? I've never owned on but have heard good things.
http://www.myswitchblade.com/Marfione_M ... %20otf.htm

[MaconCJ7]

AR type is nothing like the AK/SKS type. What are you looking for?

[azstinger]

If someone can please help me, I am looking for 5.56 rifle for my wife. I don't have the money to buy a new piston ar, so I am looking for something in the sks/ak family but I am needing it in 5.56 instead of 7.62 any ideas welcome.

Get a Siaga in .223 and convert it to an AK. This should be the model# SAIGA-223-16

[AUA]

If someone can please help me, I am looking for 5.56 rifle for my wife. I don't have the money to buy a new piston ar, so I am looking for something in the sks/ak family but I am needing it in 5.56 instead of 7.62 any ideas welcome.

Saigas go for around $400. That's about as cheap as you can get without getting a WASR or something. You should first take her to the range and rent one of each; she's going to be the one firing it, right?

DI ARs aren't nearly as bad as you'd expect, and they're hundreds cheaper than a comparable complete piston AR.

[ss_element]

Thanx everyone, I'm trying to stay away from an AR build. I would rather her have a saiga or ak platform because they shoot just about anything. I think i will be looking into the saiga,we have gunshows where I'm at about once a month so i will be checking those out there.To Jeriah my screen name is a gamer tag I've had for years although I quit playing about 3 yrs ago marriage and kids will do that, I did check out the knife and it is freakin awesome!!! Judging from what I read about it, it seems to be worth the money but in return thats a lot for one knife. Also to AUA yep this one will be all hers I hvae an sks and and an ak she said they were a little bulky for her and she didnt like the recoil along with the follow up afterwards so whatever I end up buying I will have to tinker with so she can be 100% comfortable with it so im sure this is going to turn into a good size project. Thats ok though I get to play with guns all day and she gets what she wants its a win win.

[Polley]

I hvae an sks and and an ak she said they were a little bulky for her and she didnt like the recoil along with the follow up afterwards so whatever I end up buying I will have to tinker with so she can be 100% comfortable with it so im sure this is going to turn into a good size project. Thats ok though I get to play with guns all day and she gets what she wants its a win win.

If you don't have an AR-15, then I don't see why 5.56 is a must. Your wife may be shorter than my girlfriend (that, or my girlfriend has long arms: I do know her hands are as big as mine), but she seems to find my AK to be really comfortable. I borrowed my friend's SKS (and also molested one at the local gun store), but I don't like them. They just don't feel right to me. Another thing you could try with your AK is perhaps stance. I know there is a significant difference in muzzle rise and felt recoil between leaning back to support the weight of the rifle (I've seen a lot of people do this) and leaning forward to counteract the recoil. Might try stance to see if that helps any.

Regardless, if you're wanting a smaller-caliber "assault rifle" (is this what you meant by "AR"?), then I believe it was Jeriah who mentioned 5.45x39mm -- an AK-74. We have a Lancaster '74 ( ) and the first thing I noticed was that, with a good firing stance, the smaller round, and the muzzle brake, there was very little recoil. It's accurate, a little heavy (milled) for what it is, and doesn't have much of a kick to it at all for us. The only downside to this that I can think of is the corrosive surplus ammunition, but the other guys on here are far more informative about that issue than I am. The 5.45x39mm round is also pretty good on fleshy stuff if I remember correctly.

If you're definitely wanting .223, though, the other guys pretty much nailed it: .223 SAIGA that you can convert yourself to an "AK". The only downside to this I can foresee is magazine prices. With the money you saved with the self-conversion, though, it shouldn't be too big of an issue. I enjoy the .223 round, but my Daewoo is a 1:12 barrel, so I don't get near as many cool ammo choices in that caliber as I could. I'm not sure of the SAIGA twists, but I highly, highly, doubt they're 1:12. I would guess 1:9 or 1:7, so you'll be able to use heavier surplus ammunition. Good deal! Learning the ins and outs of your weapon during the conversion process would also be good for both of you. If there's ever an issue, you will probably be able to diagnose it better in the future (oh, wait, it's a SAIGA, nevermind). However, you said the AK was bulky for her, so I don't know what an AK in another caliber will change about the "feel" of it.

If you go the AR-15 route, I sighted in a Colt 6920 with Magpul furniture for someone about a month ago (it was already zeroed, so I basically got to dump a mag or two just for the fun of it). I had my girlfriend check it out while it was still at my house and she said she enjoyed it a lot. The handguards are pretty comfortable, the stock has a four or five position adjustment (she enjoyed this a lot), and it's pretty light compared to an AK. The sights are easy to use as the human eye tends to naturally align the post to the center of the rear "circle," as well. It's a little loud, but you're using hearing protection anyway, right? I'm more of an AK guy, but the 6920 was absolutely amazing. Sure, it was direct gas impingement, but that's a complete non-issue. As long as you keep your weapon properly maintained, it will work: this applies to a lot more than just ARs, as well. I can see myself getting a 6920 in the future, but only if I can find another (pre-ban) upper for my Daewoo. I hate that 1:12 twist...

The only downside I can see to the 6920s are the price. The guy that bought it doesn't have much of a money issue due to his career path, so that was not much of a deciding factor for him. He hated the M16A1s he was given in the Marines, and therefore hated the AR-15 with a fiery passion ever since. He was looking for a good .223/5.56 rifle, though, and the one that suit his needs best was the 6920. He loves it. He converted.

My opinion on this is, if money is an issue: definitely the SAIGA. It's cheaper, has the same manual of arms as your AK (no need to re-learn a new weapon), and you'll get some bonding time with the Mrs. Heck, even if money wasn't an issue, the SAIGA seems like a pretty freakin' good choice.

The 6920 has the fact that it's an AR-15, has millions of parts available for it, and is easily adjustable to the shooter going for it. Since I'm an AK lover, though, I'm leaning towards the SAIGA.

But, let's face it: we all know a pre-ban Daewoo AR-100 is the best choice here.

[b.s.]

Thanx everyone, I'm trying to stay away from an AR build. I would rather her have a saiga or ak platform because they shoot just about anything.

I'm not sure why this belief is so prevalent, but the AR's I've shot will shoot anything from surplus steel cased ammo to the more expensive brass. In a couple thousand rounds I've had exactly 1 FTE.

When I hear shooters talk about their AR's being picky with ammo, I've noticed that they are usually talking about maximizing accuracy rather than minimizing failures.

I apologize if you've experienced otherwise.

For what it's worth... my girlfriend likes the AR better for the collapsible stock. The muzzle brake cuts recoil down to nearly nothing... but increases it's report which makes it unpleasant for her to shoot indoors. Now she doubles-up on ear protection indoors and shoots without any issues.

She does however think the AK just looks Bad A$$.

I agree with above... rent them both, and see which one she likes the best... then paint it white or pink or purple.

[AKFTW]

Get an AK-74 so the manual of arms remains the same. It's cheaper to stockpile good 5.45 than good 5.56 anyway.

[ss_element]

,Thank to all again for the post, I just need to find a range where I live that will let you rent guns. I think the reason my AK is bulky to her is all the hardware on it, I didn't realize that at first. I will defintley be looking at the saiga and ak74. Most likely it will also be purple in the end ,but hey its hers and it makes her happy.

[L1Z4RD]

My girlfriend is 4'10" and can shoot an AR all day. She can shoot the AK, too, but prefers the lighter AR.

[AKFTW]

,Thank to all again for the post, I just need to find a range where I live that will let you rent guns. I think the reason my AK is bulky to her is all the hardware on it, I didn't realize that at first. I will defintley be looking at the saiga and ak74. Most likely it will also be purple in the end ,but hey its hers and it makes her happy.

Nothing wrong with a purple AK-74- it's how some were issued, and it looks damn good

[Crazy Wolf]

Get an AK-74 so the manual of arms remains the same. It's cheaper to stockpile good 5.45 than good 5.56 anyway.

What is good 5.45? I honestly have no good idea, what's crappy and what's quality in the 5.45 market?

[AKFTW]

Get an AK-74 so the manual of arms remains the same. It's cheaper to stockpile good 5.45 than good 5.56 anyway.

What is good 5.45? I honestly have no good idea, what's crappy and what's quality in the 5.45 market?

Good- 7N6 Russian Surplus- corrosive spam can stuff- cheap and good, AP, good terminal ballistics.

Bad- Silver Bear, other commercial crap. Not sure of exactly what is good/crap but it's all still more expensive than surplus

Basically, get a bunch of spam cans of 7N6 NOW. They are getting more expensive all the time, so buy your ammo now.

[jackal556]

What about something like this?
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-speechjammer-gun-quash-human-utterances.html

[azstinger]

Get an AK-74 so the manual of arms remains the same. It's cheaper to stockpile good 5.45 than good 5.56 anyway.

What is good 5.45? I honestly have no good idea, what's crappy and what's quality in the 5.45 market?

Good- 7N6 Russian Surplus- corrosive spam can stuff- cheap and good, AP, good terminal ballistics.

Bad- Silver Bear, other commercial crap. Not sure of exactly what is good/crap but it's all still more expensive than surplus

Basically, get a bunch of spam cans of 7N6 NOW. They are getting more expensive all the time, so buy your ammo now.

My only addition to that list would be Good/Great is Hornady V-Max.