DUMB AR-15 question

[koja48]

I keep mine closed . . . one more engineered barrier to keeping "junk" out & it won't snag on anything in the closed position. As for "Dumb" questions, Bear . . . I've been eminently qualified to ask those my entire life . . .

 

[walking arsenal]

That was a dumb question - please get a freakin owners manual and read it. AR are not for dummies or those too lazy to educate themsleves - that is why we have bolt action rifles.

He IS educating himself, thats why he (and most of us) are here!

Also, nice job insulting all the bolt action shooters on the board by indicating that their rifles are designed for simpletons. That was smooth.

You spelled themselves wrong too.

 

[Hypnogator]

Jeez, can't even the most innocuous thread get to the second page without someone being insulting? This guy has a legitimate question, and yes, it's rather a simple one to those of us familiar with the AR-15/M-16/M-4 family, but as we used to say in the Army, the only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask.

 

[TacoMalo]

AR so easy a caveman could shoot it..... J/K...

As others have stated the bolt will open the cover as soon as it cycles, open or closed it makes no difference. Happy shooting

 

[ConfuseUs]

How does the thing open? (I didn't want to break anything.)

In addition to the aforementioned (and more convenient) methods previous posters have mentioned you can also use your thumbnail to pry it open.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go open the safe and find out if I closed that dust cover.

 

[hksw]

Edited by me, Ron V.

 

[Joe Demko]

Closing it won't hurt anything and is part of the prescribed regimen for keeping foreign material out of the rifle when in a dirty environment. One also uses a shoot-through muzzle cap and keeps a magazine seated.
Aren't we overdue for a fan of some other design, most likely the Kalashnikov, to drop in and tell us how his rifle doesn't have a dustcover because it doesn't need one?

 

[illspirit]

Before getting an AR, I read manuals from the Army and a half-dozen or so manufacturers. I don't remember a single one mentioning how to open the dust cover. As such, it's not really a dumb question.

 

[salty]

One of the first actions you should take when inspecting a weapon is to check to see it if it is loaded. The action of checking the chamber would open the ejection port cover if it was closed - so the question would be addressed if you were maintaing basic safety procedures. The Army Training manual (TM-9) for the M16A2, M16A3,M16A4 and 5.56 carbines M4 and M4A1 references the ejection port cover so you would know when to close it and why - if you read it. Bolt action rifles are less complex so don't give me that crap about offending bolt action rifle shooters. We all know they are some of the most elite shooters and know as much or more about safety and shooting as other shooters. All the major manufactures provide manuals with new rifles or have them available if you buy a used weapon - it is the owners responsibility to get one and read it - for his and others safety. Walking arsenel - sorry about the spelling.

 

[blackhawk2000]

Aren't we overdue for a fan of some other design, most likely the Kalashnikov, to drop in and tell us how his rifle doesn't have a dustcover because it doesn't need one?

It has one. The safety. Which also should always be on when not in use

 

[molonlabetn]

Aren't we overdue for a fan of some other design, most likely the Kalashnikov, to drop in and tell us how his rifle doesn't have a dustcover because it doesn't need one?

Why state the obvious?

 

[koja48]

I hate to seem "Un-Highroad," but Salty, you're having a difficult time grasping the spirit of THR. Bear stated that he "closed the action & <didn't> want to break anything." I'll make the "leap of faith" & say he verified the chamber was empty while it was open. The gentleman is legitimately looking for advice/information, provision of which is one of the things for which this forum/site is known. It is NOT the place wherein a shooter goes to pose an honest question & receive demeaning insults in return.

Flame off.