Forward Assist on AR Platform

[shavedforbattle]

I had to use the forward assist after trying to shoot some damn near antique ammo a friend gave me. It all ended up shooting, though.

 

[rby1rby]

My stepson is a Marine & he said "If you buy an AR, make sure it has forward assist."
He didn't elaborate on why & I didn't ask. I figured he has shot them enough to know.

 

[davedolli]

I have never used the FA on any of my ARs, and can't remember ever using it on my M16 in Vietnam.

Dave

 

[jeremy]

I have used the hell out of the Forward Assist on the AR Series Rifles in the 20+ years I have been carrying them...

 

[jeremy]

The AR platform already had a forward assist before Big Army made them stack another one on. See the divot in the bolt that looks like a cut out for your finger (index or driving finger of your support hand)? That's the forward assist.

Actually, no that is not why that detent area was placed on the bolt carrier. It was to allow the chamber cover to latch.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I have never used mine, not even in the service. If I pull the trigger and there is no bang. The mag is seated properly and the safety is off. Obviously there is an issue with the round. Why would I want to force it into the chamber?

 

[DialTone301]

I haven't needed it but if I do it is there. Not sure why people like to argue about this so much.

 

[Mike.B]

In years of using them I never had to use the forward assist on my own rifle. Now some of my buddies that were lazy about cleaning theirs... a couple of times.

 

[Cerberus]

My stepson is a Marine & he said "If you buy an AR, make sure it has forward assist."
He didn't elaborate on why & I didn't ask. I figured he has shot them enough to know.

I concur. If you've ever did any infantry stuff in a sandy enviroment, ie beach landings, you will often times have the chance to see the value of the FA.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Never had to use one, but I have a total throwback retro AR that doesn't even have one (nor the deflector that I need to fire left handed) but that's just my fun rifle. It has the triangle front end and the three-prong flash enhancer. Stepping boldly into the early 60s!

 

[rooster3654]

I concur. If you've ever did any infantry stuff in a sandy enviroment, ie beach landings, you will often times have the chance to see the value of the FA.

Speaking from some military exp. the forward assist is very valuable. As soon as any dirt/dust/sand gets near an m16/m4 it inevitably fails to properly seat a round. A quick tap of the forward assist solves this problem. S.P.O.R.T.S probably seems like a long process to go through but it will solve 99% of problems in less than 3 to 5 seconds with sufficient practice. A double feed is the only problem it doesn't fix. Of course a forward assist wouldn't be needed if AR 's weren't jam-omatics in the first place

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Actually, no that is not why that detent area was placed on the bolt carrier. It was to allow the chamber cover to latch.

Have you seen an early AR-10 or the early AR-15s with the chrome bolts? No detent area and they had dust covers.

Stoner put the detent on the bolt for a reason and it wasn't for a dust cover.

Big Army insisted on the forward assist out of the politics of spite (we'll get them). Big Army was being cut out of the AR-15 and they wanted payback. Stoner thought they would realize the error of their ways and want it gone (like the Air Force or the Marines who deemed it non-essential). Today it is deemed essential.

Stoner testified to the U.S. Senate that the forward assist only bought more trouble. Concern over non-judicious use of the forward assist is a legitimate concern as whacking the FA like a numbnuts can lead to . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh1lyMyejpI

KABOOMs, they not just for breakfast or Glocks.

It's an interesting point to consider. Whether the AR has it or not is just another inane detail for gun nuts to beard stroke over.

I have them with them and without them but don't use it.

 

[c3d4b2]

I have needed to use the forward assist. I would guess it is once or twice per two thousand rounds.

 

[Hookeye]

No beach, jungle or arctic zombie killing for me- doubt I need FA.

Never use the dust cover either.

 

[dom1104]

I could live with it or without it.

Kirks way of using the detent works, it can be a little warmish tho.

It does work as a method of chamber checking too.

Mine have em, but thats because I havent gone thru the trouble to NOT have them, and the extra few oz at the midpoint of the rifle is... inconsequential.

thats my opinion.

 

[DownByTheTracks]

The day I denounced the FA my rifle jammed and I had to use it.

 

[armyvet209]

I concur. If you've ever did any infantry stuff in a sandy enviroment, ie beach landings, you will often times have the chance to see the value of the FA.

 

[Packrat67]

Origional M-16 delivered to USAF did not have forward assist. Gen Lamay of USAF saved it from heap after Army rejected it. USAF needed to replace ageing M-1 carbines for flight line defense and M-16 fit the bill.
Army did not want to adopt this weapon they were forced to by Defense Sec Robert McNamera. so they had to make changes to save face. Forward Assist was their idea. As noted above Designer E. Stoner did not think it was necessary.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

so they had to make changes to save face. Forward Assist was their idea. As noted above Designer E. Stoner did not think it was necessary.

Big Army thought a "manual bolt closure" device was necessary if they were going to be force fed the AR-15. Reaching up and under and closing it was unacceptable to Big Army. There were several different prototypes.

Stoner liked Springfield Armory's variant as it was the easiest to take off once (he thought) Big Army came to their senses *snicker*. The design from Colt prevailed and we are stuck with this "vital" thing ever since.

 

[Audie Murphy]

My son and I had run about 500 rounds of Silver Bear on my AR's maiden voyage.At about 400 we had to start using the forward assist to fully seat the bolt.