Forward assist, needed or not?

SnowRooster

SnowRooster

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I’m curious what your guys thoughts are on the forward assist on an AR 15?
do you think it’s a really needed function? Or do you think AR’s without it are just as good as those with them?

I only ever really remember using it one time, it was the end of a very long range day and it was a very dirty rifle.
 
I like them, but don’t think they are necessary. I see the utility so won’t knock anyone who is for or against them, but for me they aren’t a deal breaker.


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It is arguably a relic the Army thought was absolutely necessary to add to Stoners design, but has now become part of the legend. If I remember correctly, don't the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine and the M14 all have some type of external forward assist function? The Army had this as part of its battle rifles for decades and just couldn't see it not being there.

It does not detract from the rifle...it is a functional piece that you don't need, until you NEED it...and remember, if you find yourself using it more than once a blue moon, you likely have a a feeding or extraction issue that needs addressed.
 
Yeah, in general if you’re using it you have a problem.

There is the noise reduction advantage that P_V mentioned earlier.

I’d think I’d want one on my SHTF rifle, but it’s not a requirement.
 
SnowRooster said:
I only ever really remember using it one time, it was the end of a very long range day and it was a very dirty rifle.
Click to expand...

Sounds as if you answered your own question. You needed it if you had to use it.

(I know there are other options such as ejecting the balky round and trying to chamber another.)
 
Long_Hunter said:
It is arguably a relic the Army thought was absolutely necessary to add to Stoners design, but has now become part of the legend. If I remember correctly, don't the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine and the M14 all have some type of external forward assist function? The Army had this as part of its battle rifles for decades and just couldn't see it not being there.

It does not detract from the rifle...it is a functional piece that you don't need, until you NEED it...and remember, if you find yourself using it more than once a blue moon, you likely have a a feeding or extraction issue that needs addressed.
Click to expand...
The older guns had reciprocating charging handles and it was possible to see the bolt hadn't gone home when charging. The AR type covered the action so having that forward assist made it possible to positively check the bolt went home. I've heard, and maybe someone who was there can verify, that early on when they rolled out the M16 that charging the weapon was trained to include smacking the forward assist.
 
I've used it successfully, and I've used it and probably jammed the rifle up a bit worse.
If I required a rifle for severe environments and/or usage I'd probably want one.
For my current purposes I don't mind not having one, it's absent on my favorite, thumb to the scalloped out area of the carrier can provide enough motivation to slide the bolt home quietly if I need to and it hangs up.
 
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Timfoilhat said:
The older guns had reciprocating charging handles and it was possible to see the bolt hadn't gone home when charging. The AR type covered the action so having that forward assist made it possible to positively check the bolt went home. I've heard, and maybe someone who was there can verify, that early on when they rolled out the M16 that charging the weapon was trained to include smacking the forward assist.
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Yes..it was taught then and still taught today.
 
What firearms do not have some sort of means to help close the bolt manually? I can not think of any right off the top of my head.
 
Tim said:
Those saying it's not 'necessary'. Are you running your AR's outside of a square range environment?
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I have one AR I beat the ever living S**T out of, it’s got quality parts so she runs smooth, but I’ve never had a hiccup out of it.
 
I have used on a few occasions to “help” a round into battery ... but to quietly load a round hunting I rely on it. When setting up for ferals I quietly ride the charging handle to chamber the round and follow that with a couple of light taps on the F/A to make sure it’s full seated.
 
Ben Jefferson said:
I was taught to use it, so I still do.

The damn gun club where I learned made it memorable.

Admittedly, I am a clean and lube freak so I don't think I have EVER needed to.
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I use mine because that’s what we learned to do. When it’s beat into you, you never forget.
 
Charlie said:
What firearms do not have some sort of means to help close the bolt manually? I can not think of any right off the top of my head.
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FAL (some patterns)
Steyr AUG
HK family

[from the end of Ian's video]
 
I think they are completely unnecessary. That said, my OCD wouldn’t let me not get one. They aesthetics aspect alone would drive me insane, since I know thats how ARs are supposed to “look”.
 
I like to take out the forward assist button and jam noisemakers and kazoos in there.
heheheh rifle go PWEEEEEE
1608604463649.png

Dale Gribble said:
Never used it, bit Gene incorporated it into the design for a reason.
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because a very large customer wanted one.
taht's a fine reason.
 
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