How to Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle
Locate the bolt handle, operating rod or similar device., Locate the magazine (often called the clip)., To make the weapon ready to fire, pull back the operating rod or equivalent., To clear the weapon (remove all ammunition), remove or empty the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Locate the bolt handle
You will have to operate this to put a cartridge in the chamber, clear stoppages and clear the weapon (make it safe). -
Step 2: operating rod or similar device.
Load it with cartridges, and insert it into the magazine well.
Make sure it latches, or locks into place. , 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. , 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. , 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. , This will probably be a lever or button on the side of the action, but this varies considerably according to the rifle in question. , DO NOT touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. , 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). , If this feels awkward, move your support hand down the barrel or towards you until it feels right. , 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 cheek bone (this is called a gun mold). , 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. ,, 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. , 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. , Plan your next target or method. , 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. , 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. -
Step 3: Locate the magazine (often called the clip).
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Step 4: To make the weapon ready to fire
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Step 5: pull back the operating rod or equivalent.
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Step 6: To clear the weapon (remove all ammunition)
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Step 7: remove or empty the magazine.
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Step 8: Check the direction of fire.
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Step 9: Release the safety.
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Step 10: Grasp the grip (may look like a pistol grip); place your index finger on the side of the gun over the trigger.
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Step 11: Hold the forestock (barrel area
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Step 12: 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.
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Step 13: Bring the butt of the gun to the front of your shoulder
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Step 14: between your chest muscle (or breast) and the front ball of your shoulder.
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Step 15: Tilt your head so the eye closest to the gun is looking straight down the top of the barrel.
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Step 16: Focus on the front sight.
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Step 17: Squeeze the trigger slowly
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Step 18: without "dragging wood"
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Step 19: that is
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Step 20: sliding it on the side of the grip.
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Step 21: For optimal accuracy
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Step 22: fire only at a certain point in your breathing cycle
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Step 23: Check the target.
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Step 24: Once you are finished
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Step 25: clear the gun.
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Step 26: These guns are designed to put a bullets in the air in a short time
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Step 27: and if you are in a safe location
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Step 28: and have the ammunition
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Step 29: you may want to try some rapid fire.
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Step 30: Take the gun down and clean it after it has cooled down.
Detailed Guide
You will have to operate this to put a cartridge in the chamber, clear stoppages and clear the weapon (make it safe).
Load it with cartridges, and insert it into the magazine well.
Make sure it latches, or locks into place. , 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. , 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. , 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. , This will probably be a lever or button on the side of the action, but this varies considerably according to the rifle in question. , DO NOT touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. , 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). , If this feels awkward, move your support hand down the barrel or towards you until it feels right. , 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 cheek bone (this is called a gun mold). , 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. ,, 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. , 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. , Plan your next target or method. , 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. , 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.
About the Author
Lauren Collins
Specializes in breaking down complex pet care topics into simple steps.
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