How to shoot an AK-47
Five basic shooting methods

    Good, safe and accurate shooting depends on the fundamental techniques, Learn and practice these techniques;

• Aiming
• Trigger Squeeze
• Breath Control
• Follow Through

The five basic shooting positions are; Standing Position - an unstable but easy to acquire shooting position Hip Fire Position - another unstable yet easy to acquire shooting position Kneeling Position - Good middle ground between accurate fire and speed to acquire Sitting Position  - Stable position that is a bit more difficult to get into from standing Prone Position - Most stable position most difficult to acquire

Standing Position

• Quick to acquire
• Widest angle of fire
• Can shoot over obstacles, use objects as cover
• Can offer largest silhouette to return fire (when cover not used)
• Quickly return to walk or run

• Turn your body approximately 90° to the right of the target.
• Place your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Support the rifle with your left arm.
• Hold the left arm against your body for extra support.
• Hold the rifle firmly against your shoulder with the right hand.
• Do not grip the rifle tightly.
• Reverse the procedure if you are a left-handed shooter.
• Use a carrying strap as a sling.
• To help steady your shooting, rest or support the rifle on a stable object such as a tree or large rock

• Fire while moving
• Least effective position for precise shots
• With practice can be fairly accurate
• Can be used with one hand leaving other free for light, etc
• When a combat-sling is used weapons can be dropped from this position while moving

Kneeling Position

• Easy to drop to a steady kneeling position from a walk or run
• Steady position for long shots
• Disrupts your silhouette from return fire
• Allows for easy breathing and almost 360 field of vision
• Ability to twist torso for wide angle of fire
• Can stay in shooting position for more time than a stand or hip position
• Easily return to a run or walk

Elbow on the knee for stability

   Because the shooting arm is free, this position leaves the shooting arm and elbow unsupported and is not as steady as either the prone or sitting positions. But with practice, the shooter can maintain control and shoot accurately.

• Turn so you are approximately at a 45° angle to the target.
• Lower your body so the right knee touches the ground and place your left foot forward to steady you.
• Sit comfortably on the heel or the side of the right foot.
• Place the left elbow near, but not on, the bony part of the left knee, as far under the rifle as you can.
• Left-handed shooters kneel on the left knee with the right foot forward and the right elbow on the bent knee.

• Easy to maintain for a long time
• Only prone is a more accurate position
• Easier to get into and out of than prone
• Allows access to other equipment / gear

• Sit solidly on the ground.
• The legs may be crossed or open
• Body positioned about 30° to the right of the target.
• Place the left elbow near but not on the bony part of the left knee.
• As in the prone position, tuck the elbow as far under the rifle as possible.
• Place the right elbow on or near the right knee.
• Your arms form two triangles, and make a firm support for the rifle.
• Reverse the procedure if you are a left-handed shooter.
• Hold the rifle firmly but do not grip it tightly.
• Bracing your body against something stable such as a tree or rock will help steady your aim for a more accurate shot.

Prone Position

• Most stable shooting position
• Very low silhouette to return fire
• Ability to remain in shooting position for extended periods of time

Feet shoulder width apart
Elbows shoulder width apart

   The prone position is the steadiest shooting position and the one from which the fundamentals of rifle shooting are best learned. It is a good position for firing accurate long-distance shots. The prone position is usually not suitable when hunting in tall grass or dense brush which can obscure the line of sight to the target.

• If you are right-handed, lie on your stomach with your body slightly to the left of the line of aim.
• If you are left-handed, reverse this position.
• Keep your back straight and legs in a relaxed position.
• Both elbows should be bent and your shoulders curved slightly forward to form a solid upper body position.
• The upper-body and arms support the rifle weight.