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This page will give you some insight on how to shoot an assault rifle like the AK47 or the M16A2.



  1. 1
    Locate the bolt 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).
  2. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 2.jpg
    Locate the magazine (often erroneously called the clip). Load it with cartridges, and insert it into the magazine well. Make sure it latches, or locks into place.
  3. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 3.jpg
    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.
  4. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 4.jpg
    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.
  5. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 5.jpg
    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.
  6. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 6.jpg
    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.
  7. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 7.jpg
    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.
  8. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 8.jpg
    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).
  9. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 9.jpg
    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.
  10. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 10.jpg
    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).
  11. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 11.jpg
    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.
  12. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 12.jpg
    Squeeze the trigger slowly, without "dragging wood", that is, sliding it on the side of the grip.
  13. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 13.jpg
    For optimal accuracy, fire only at a certain point in your breathing cycle, e.g. when you have just breathed out.
  14. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 14.jpg
    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.
  15. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 15.jpg
    Once you are finished, clear the gun. Plan your next target or method.
  16. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 16.jpg
    These guns are designed to put a bullets 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.
  17. Properly Shoot an Assault Rifle Step 17.jpg
    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.

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  • Learn how to operate your firearm correctly
  • Learn proper firearms safety practises, and employ them at all times
  • Clean and lubricate the gun after each firing session.
  • Use only the proper ammunition for any firearm.
  • Do not jerk the trigger,squeeze the trigger.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • When using a foregrip, either pull the handle against you, or push away, just make sure to maintain constant pressure.
  • To clear your weapon, remove or empty the magazine, retract the bolt, and inspect the chamber. Lock the bolt back if your weapon is capable of this.
  • Get a rifle. This may be a problem with restrictions on firearms possession in many locations.
  • Obey all local laws regarding firearms
  • Do not rapid fire the gun excessively without letting the barrel cool.
  • Leave your finger on the trigger in case of a follow up shot.


  • Only use the correct, safe type of ammunition in your firearm. If in doubt, do not even load it.
  • Watch the bolt when it slams home. You don't want to let a finger get in the way of it.
  • Always treat a gun as if it is loaded.
  • Always keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction. In most ranges, this is ether downrange, and up towards the roof.
  • Never point a gun at something you do not intend to shoot.
  • Check you target and what is behind your target.
  • Do not load your gun until you are permitted/safe to shoot
  • Ensure firearms are kept in a safe place at all times.

Things You'll Need

  • An assault rifle.
  • Ammunition.
  • A safe place to shoot.
  • Targets.

Article Info

Categories: Rifles

In other languages:

Español: Cómo disparar correctamente un rifle, Русский: стрелять из штурмовой винтовки, Português: Como Atirar um Fuzil de Assalto da Forma Correta

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