Go to a nearby gun store (or store that sells guns) and take some time physically handling them.
From my experiences.
I like collapsible/adjustable stocks. I haven't figured out if my arm proportions are weird or what, but my ability to comfortably hit targets at distance when I occasionally went to a range was like night and day between using an M16 rifle with a standard butt stock and an M4 carbine with an adjustable stock. (This translates to an AR platform.)
As much as I like the adjustable steel sights that the military has standard on M16's/M4's, get a cheapo holographic sight thingie. When I say "cheapo" I mean, cheapo. You should be able to find one new for like $25 US. My eyesight isn't the greatest and my hands aren't the steadiest and these are great for compensating for that at ranges under, like, 50 feet when trying to fire at a target unsupported. These doohickies can speed up the time it takes for you ready the rifle and find your aim, aiming when wearing glasses or goggles, sweat in your eyes, or firing from less than ideal body positions with some confidence that you can hit some part of your target.
NOTE: Any weapon with adjustable sights is going to be useless until you take the time to zero them. Zeroing your shit is priority one once you've decided on what you want to own.
.22 caliber carbines are cheap, lightweight, have next to no recoil, can be fired fast and reliably hit a target, and there are .22 caliber pistols that use the same ammo which can make managing your fire arms needs a bit easier. Lacks the stopping power and range of a 5.56 chambered AR platform though. So practice shooting slightly below center mass (around the "belly" area of a human silhouette paper target).
Fun Fact: A decent amount of fire arm combat in urban environments happens around 30 ~ 50 feet at the maximum. So long range rifles aren't going to be the best for general self defense purposes.
As much as I like the adjustable steel sights that the military has standard on M16’s/M4’s, get a cheapo holographic sight thingie. When I say “cheapo” I mean, cheapo. You should be able to find one new for like $25 US. My eyesight isn’t the greatest and my hands aren’t the steadiest and these are great for compensating for that at ranges under, like, 50 feet when trying to fire at a target unsupported. These doohickies can speed up the time it takes for you ready the rifle and find your aim, aiming when wearing glasses or goggles, sweat in your eyes, or firing from less than ideal body positions with some confidence that you can hit some part of your target.
Just for the record, those cheapo sights will not last. Not only will they break quickly, but they will not hold zero for more than a hundred rounds or so. If you really need a red dot or whatever, invest the money ASAP. Holosun and Vortex both make some affordable-ish options, and if you've got the cash, Sig and Trijicon make some bangers.
Just for the record, those cheapo sights will not last.
This is the correct take.
Counter point, for a starter weapon, when you're trying to figure out things, its best to break the cheap shit that was never expected to last than to learn on a $100+ dollar set of optics.
Go to a nearby gun store (or store that sells guns) and take some time physically handling them.
From my experiences.
I like collapsible/adjustable stocks. I haven't figured out if my arm proportions are weird or what, but my ability to comfortably hit targets at distance when I occasionally went to a range was like night and day between using an M16 rifle with a standard butt stock and an M4 carbine with an adjustable stock. (This translates to an AR platform.)
As much as I like the adjustable steel sights that the military has standard on M16's/M4's, get a cheapo holographic sight thingie. When I say "cheapo" I mean, cheapo. You should be able to find one new for like $25 US. My eyesight isn't the greatest and my hands aren't the steadiest and these are great for compensating for that at ranges under, like, 50 feet when trying to fire at a target unsupported. These doohickies can speed up the time it takes for you ready the rifle and find your aim, aiming when wearing glasses or goggles, sweat in your eyes, or firing from less than ideal body positions with some confidence that you can hit some part of your target.
NOTE: Any weapon with adjustable sights is going to be useless until you take the time to zero them. Zeroing your shit is priority one once you've decided on what you want to own.
.22 caliber carbines are cheap, lightweight, have next to no recoil, can be fired fast and reliably hit a target, and there are .22 caliber pistols that use the same ammo which can make managing your fire arms needs a bit easier. Lacks the stopping power and range of a 5.56 chambered AR platform though. So practice shooting slightly below center mass (around the "belly" area of a human silhouette paper target).
Fun Fact: A decent amount of fire arm combat in urban environments happens around 30 ~ 50 feet at the maximum. So long range rifles aren't going to be the best for general self defense purposes.
Just for the record, those cheapo sights will not last. Not only will they break quickly, but they will not hold zero for more than a hundred rounds or so. If you really need a red dot or whatever, invest the money ASAP. Holosun and Vortex both make some affordable-ish options, and if you've got the cash, Sig and Trijicon make some bangers.
This is the correct take.
Counter point, for a starter weapon, when you're trying to figure out things, its best to break the cheap shit that was never expected to last than to learn on a $100+ dollar set of optics.
True, breaking cheap shit is better than breaking expensive shit. Just making sure they're aware not to bet their life on the cheap stuff.
:so-true: