Isn't the forward assist on an AR a dumb idea?
- Thread starter Bulletski
- Start date
True, but smacking it forward eliminates the poss. that the charging handle was hanging up the bcg from going full into battery, and also makes sure the handle itself is properly forward
Carl N. Brown
Member
Someone using an AR variant as a military match rifle and occasional varmint gun (like me) and folks using an AR in hot dirty combat conditions are in radically different situations.
Forward Assist: a case of better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it?
Forward Assist: a case of better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it?
Riomouse911
Member
That is how we would slam open a Mini-14 or a AR-15 with a stuck bolt. Never tried closing a bolt like that.
I’ve used FA lots of times. After a press check, when trying to deploy quietly, etc. I know of one cop killer still on death row who is alive today because the deputy who deployed her Mini-14 rifle tried to be quiet about it and the bolt wasn’t fully seated when she fired at him. Click!! (The clown then jumped through a window, shot the resident in the leg and tried to take him hostage, suspect was barricaded until he surrendered.) Had she just pressed the bolt forward to ensure the round was seated the story would be much different, it’s a lesson I learned and never forgot working in the area where this happened.
Rialto Police Officer Killed as His Wife Waits in Patrol Car
As his wife waited in his patrol car, a veteran Rialto police officer was shot and killed early Monday by man who later barricaded himself in a house for five hours before surrendering, police said.
www.latimes.com
(The article doesn’t have all the info, the after action reports had the final circumstances and response issues.)
Choose one or not, use it or don’t. It really is no sweat off anyone’s brow but the one with the gun.
Stay safe.
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lysanderxiii
Member
Like it nor not, think it is a good idea, or not, the Army has required a means to manually close the bolt on rifles since the M1 Garand. Had they adopted the T48 (FAL), it would have had a forward assist, or an equivalent.
You beat me by a few posts. I'm a fan of the FA, but not a fan that the design needs it. I prefer side charging handles the way God intended.
someguy2800
Member
I don't mind having a forward assist but you better damn well know what you are doing to ever use it because its likely to get you into more trouble than it will save.
someguy2800
Member
Honestly I think the biggest negative of the forward assist is that they made it a shape and location that is inviting to hit it with the palm of your hand. If you have to hit it that hard to go into battery then you shouldn't be using it. Thumb pressure only.
I disagree, you're not going to hurt anything by using the Forward Assist every time you chamber a round.
If you need that gun to work this instant, tapping the forward assist with the heel of your hand ensures the bolt is fully seated, and is a little extra insurance.
someguy2800
Member
You're not going to hurt the rifle, but what I am talking about is if you try to use it to fix a failure to go into battery due to a bad round that doesn't fit in the chamber or there is some object in there preventing it from closing. A good smack on the forward assist is now going to mean you may still not be in battery and will probably rip the case rim off trying to get it out. I've had this exact experience.
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It's best to find out you are using crappy ammo on the range. I have 2000rds of Tula 223 that results in broken shell casings, without the use of the Forward Assist, every shot fired (on multiple brands of AR15s).
Part of my kit for my AR15's is a take down cleaning rod and a broken shell case extractor.
troy fairweather
Member
Same would happen with a charging handle.
someguy2800
Member
One shouldn't beat on a fixed charging handle either, and most are not a shape that you want to hit with much force. The thin hook shaped charging handle on an AK, M1, mini 14, ect makes it somewhat obvious that this is a tool for moving the bolt and not a target to beat on. If a gentle push with your palm or firm press of the thumb doesn't move the bolt you should be trying to get that round out of the way. I see a lot of guys in videos pounding on it like it owes them money.
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Joshua M. Smith
Member
I don't have an AR. They lack soul and feel like BB guns, and I've never been attracted to them. Battle rifles is where it's at for me.
Still, I recognize their utilitarian use, and I could use a semi-auto that shoots intermediate rounds. The AR is generally more accurate than the AK from all I've read, so I'm looking at full-length ARs with carry handles.
Whichever one I settle on, it will have a forward assist. I can't imagine not having the ability to push a bolt forward if the chamber is a bit dirty, or something similar.
Still, I recognize their utilitarian use, and I could use a semi-auto that shoots intermediate rounds. The AR is generally more accurate than the AK from all I've read, so I'm looking at full-length ARs with carry handles.
Whichever one I settle on, it will have a forward assist. I can't imagine not having the ability to push a bolt forward if the chamber is a bit dirty, or something similar.
ColoradoMinuteMan
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I’ve been doing the AR thing for quite some time in recreation, target shooting and hunting.
I can’t recall a situation in which I have thought “if only I didn’t have this pesky forward assist, I could have made that shot or walked an extra mile.”
At the same time I’ve ever had a use for it. However, if I was ever in a challenging situation and felt the need to push forward on the bolt. I’d rather have it than not.
I can’t recall a situation in which I have thought “if only I didn’t have this pesky forward assist, I could have made that shot or walked an extra mile.”
At the same time I’ve ever had a use for it. However, if I was ever in a challenging situation and felt the need to push forward on the bolt. I’d rather have it than not.
ColoradoMinuteMan
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I agree in principle, however, in a pinch you can push forward on the bolt using the cam cutout for the dust cover latch.
InTheSwamp
Member
It was about time, after 60 years of use...
I built one slick side AR-15 (no forward assist) and found I could not seat a round by pushing on the dust cover relief in the bolt.
So, I like having the the forward assist. I use it only rarely but it is invaluable when needed.
I did build one side pull AR-15. But it is a 204 Ruger varmint rifle and usually carries a brass catcher when in the field. The brass catcher gets in the way of using the side pull to charge the rifle.
Use a forward assist, don’t use a forward assist, it is good to have choices and options.
So, I like having the the forward assist. I use it only rarely but it is invaluable when needed.
I did build one side pull AR-15. But it is a 204 Ruger varmint rifle and usually carries a brass catcher when in the field. The brass catcher gets in the way of using the side pull to charge the rifle.
Use a forward assist, don’t use a forward assist, it is good to have choices and options.
Shawn Dodson
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The forward assist on Kyle Rittenhouse's AR saved his life.
tark
Member
Read the first sentence in post# 50. This idea is only valid if the bolt carrier isn't very hot. OK for a hunter who rarely gets the bolt carrier too hot to touch, but remember: This gun was designed for soldiers who, in combat, are likely to have the bolt carrier too hot to touch.
tark
Member
He mentioned using it when his AR wouldn't fire. A tap on the F/A apparently solved the problem.
Shawn Dodson
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Exactly. He wasn't shooting on a square range. He was under attack with a lot of physical activity.
I am much more interested in your avatar .45 1911 than forward assist arguments pro and con on an AR
.LocoGringo
Member
To answer the OP's snarky, original premise, no, as many people here have proven by actually using the FA in combat, self-defense and hunting scenarios.
