First case of a Forward Assist saving somebody's life?

I've definitely found F/A useful when the bolt carrier group is dirty (internally) and doesn't return fully into battery. This is the only malfunction I've ever had on my old Colt that doesn't have F/A.

DustyGmt said:

Not to be that guy but that's what I figured all along. Young, inexperienced kid, got himself a sling, magazine, ammo, RDS. Might have either skipped the lube altogether or didn't apply it liberally enough as is needed in addition to it being a brand new rifle. I'm pretty sure he mentioned it had only been shot a couple times and it was during a nationwide shortage so I'm sure it didn't get a vigorous break in.

My first thought was brand new gun, probably a bone dry bcg. My first AR many years ago was completely underlubed, I shot it quite a bit pretty much dry. I kind of shudder to think of it now. Some old timers would have you believe that only a drop is needed and don't understand that the AR isn't grandpappy's shotgun and needs liberal amount of lube to be happy. (Reliable).

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I've never slapped lube on any of my ARs. Just a light coating after cleaning...mostly for rust prevention and not lubrication. Never lubed it up in my time in the service either, with the few times when full auto was used.. IMO...its not needed (I'm not firing hundreds of rounds at a time, in dusty conditions in combat). Excess lube only makes cleaning a PITA, and really not needed...and in fact in cold weather its more hurt than help.

The FA is need because there is no other way to slowly close the bolt. You always need a manual option. And if you actually use the gun, you will need to at some point. I don't understand people that want to limit options. But then I don't understand a lot of folks.

Megawatt maker said:

...conditions in combat). Excess lube only makes cleaning a PITA, and really not needed...and in fact in cold weather its more hurt than help.

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There are ways of mitigating that, short list is Slip EWL2000. OK, you use a moderate amount, it attracts the powder fouling etc. And the neat part is you can just about wipe it off with a rag, dirt/grit/fouling & all. A 2nd option is more permanent lubrication i.e. Militec1.
Cold weather here, guns are runnin' fine and I still use GREASE (rated to 40 below is simply...rated to 40 below). I agree, dripping wet is an INVITATION for problems, I've stated here & elsewhere improper lubrication CAN BE both not enough,and, usually way too much.

Just another perspective here, thanks!

d2wing said:

The FA is need because there is no other way to slowly close the bolt. You always need a manual option. And if you actually use the gun, you will need to at some point.I don't understand people that want to limit options. But then I don't understand a lot of folks.

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It's probably because they just don't understand and it's not a hit on them. The ones that just say cycle another round out just to be sure, might think they're operating in a range environment instead of a cramped smoke filled hallway or staircase. But if not, I hope they don't think they'll just bend down and be able to pick up the live round ejected with no problem, or worse, just leave it wherever it lands. lol And just cause you've been throwing grenades and firing a lot, you still have to be dead silent to pick up movements and breathing ahead of you and you can't have everyone behind you cycling rounds and making all the noise they want whenever they want. That's why you learn how to do things slowly and quietly without even looking. So I think maybe people are talking about two different scenarios when using the FA.