That the only time I can think of that I needed the FA.
Do I really need a Forward Assist?
- Thread starter Scout21
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That the only time I can think of that I needed the FA.
Riomouse911
Member
My AR’s all have forward assist buttons. I don’t use them often, but I have on rare occasions confirmed a round was seated, or helped one or two, when I couldn’t let the bolt fly because I was trying to be stealthy.
To me the FA is one of those things that you really don’t need to have, and rarely will ever use… until you need it.
Stay safe.
To me the FA is one of those things that you really don’t need to have, and rarely will ever use… until you need it.
Stay safe.
mcb
Member
I don't do press checks any more. Look at your magazine and see which side the top round is on. Insert magazine. Cchamber a round. Visually or by feel confirm the bolt is in battery. Eject the magazine and look at it again. If the top round is on the other size you have successfully loaded your rifle. Re-insert the magazine and be sure to check that it's locked in. No fumbling with charging handle or forward assist.
AlexanderA
Member
To me the issue is not whether to have a forward assist, but rather whether to use a teardrop or a round forward-assist button. And if round, whether large or small.
gotboostvr
Member
With regards to quietly chambering a round without a FA, you can use your finger on the indent on the side of the bolt exposed through the ejection port to press the bolt forward.
That's what that indent was for before the FA as we know it was added to the design to my understanding.
That's what that indent was for before the FA as we know it was added to the design to my understanding.
mcb
Member
That indent in the bolt-carrier was primarily there to clear the detent that holds the port door shut and to open the port door when the weapon is fired and the port is closed. That said that recess works just fine to assist the BCG home when silent loading.
PSA did offer a slick side upper at one time but it has been five years since I've seen them in stock, and even then it was usually in a kit instead of just a bare upper.
They are very light for an aluminum receiver at ~6 oz. which makes them great for inexpensive lightweight builds if you can find one.
They are very light for an aluminum receiver at ~6 oz. which makes them great for inexpensive lightweight builds if you can find one.
sarduy
Member
Anderson and Aero Precision both have uppers without the FA, not too long ago a build a lightweight AR without the FA and a pencil barrel, Anderson no logo lower and no FA upper is as slick as you can get it, you can even get it without the shell deflector.
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Many of the original Colt gray marked uppers used were slab sided. Many years ago these were available as surplus that came from the Air Force. I bought 2 and built M16 clones with surplus stocks and handguards. I used a gray SP1 lower on one. Had spare hand guards and stocks stashed on a shelf until I gave them away. Seems they are going for decent money these days. Oh well...
marksman13
Member
Nope.
shoobe01
Member
Forward assist is big army forcing it to happen. Back in the day it got glommed onto as a solution to the "debacle" of the M16 in Vietnam. The other services (including USAF with years more experience and being a much more science and engineering founded branch) were neutral or actually opposed to it. On the record. There was congressional testimony you can go look up. USAF /hated/ it. Colt and the Armalite guys and Stoner hated it also, on the record, then when pushed, proposed better ideas as well. A bunch built and tested. Unclear to me how the final one got selected but likely some guy in the Pentagon who had never fired a gun in anger.
The design that made it to production has a mechanical advantage so lets you force bad rounds in. Great way to stop the gun enough you need armorer tools to fix it.
Also, the AR-15 already has a forward assist. See, HK rifles (G3, HK33/53) issued to snowy countries have a cut out (with some grooves also sure) and then you push the bolt carrier forward with your thumb.
The cutout in the AR15 BC for the ejector port cover release works great for this. If you need more forward assist than your thumb here, you shouldn't be pushing that hard.
I have been taught to do this with my thumb, but sure this with the finger would work fine also.
The design that made it to production has a mechanical advantage so lets you force bad rounds in. Great way to stop the gun enough you need armorer tools to fix it.
Also, the AR-15 already has a forward assist. See, HK rifles (G3, HK33/53) issued to snowy countries have a cut out (with some grooves also sure) and then you push the bolt carrier forward with your thumb.
The cutout in the AR15 BC for the ejector port cover release works great for this. If you need more forward assist than your thumb here, you shouldn't be pushing that hard.
I have been taught to do this with my thumb, but sure this with the finger would work fine also.
highlander 5
Member
In all the years I've had an AR of one make or another I used the FA once and that was a handload thar didn't get sized properly.
The FA small simple yet effective, 1 in 1,000 additions to a rifle that I have no problem with, because
that one time could be human error causing the bolt to stop or reloads. Yet that one time can save your
life when you need it like Kyle Rittenhouse.
Some of the AR options are for fanatics or manufacture's lures like fishing lures are for fishermen, however
the rest of the aftermarket attachments to a modular rifle have a real purpose and can also save your
life, and each person should cover the basic probabilities of their need, from where you live, to what
could really be a threat where you live.
Other options for hunting or general range shooting have their own needs.
I wouldn't combine all possibilities into one AR they would end up looking fanatic and cost more
than the rifle itself, but the forward assist, I would insist on.
that one time could be human error causing the bolt to stop or reloads. Yet that one time can save your
life when you need it like Kyle Rittenhouse.
Some of the AR options are for fanatics or manufacture's lures like fishing lures are for fishermen, however
the rest of the aftermarket attachments to a modular rifle have a real purpose and can also save your
life, and each person should cover the basic probabilities of their need, from where you live, to what
could really be a threat where you live.
Other options for hunting or general range shooting have their own needs.
I wouldn't combine all possibilities into one AR they would end up looking fanatic and cost more
than the rifle itself, but the forward assist, I would insist on.
Nature Boy
Member
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When I spec’d out an upper to shoot in AR tactical high power matches I decided not to include a FA. Honestly, it was a flip of the coin.
Cornhusker77
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If it's going to get swampy mud in the action, a forward assist will come in handy.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Based on my own actual experience in the field hog hunting, the forward assist is a great feature to have for those times when you forget to chamber a round and need to do so quietly. It is an embarrassing mistake to make, but I have made it 2 or 3 times in the last 12 years. Not having the forward assist means chambering a round and getting it property seating in the chamber with a goodly amount of noise that usually is NOT conducive to being close in with the hogs.
I have actually used the forward assist many times both on ranges and in combat with the M16A1 AND M16A2. They work as intended when uses properly. They were only meant to be used with a light tap. If you have to really hit the FA then there are issues that you need to address. Never force a round into the chamber with the FA. Anything less that a light tap is asking for trouble. Having actually uses it numerous times, I want them on my ARs.
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someguy2800
Member
Sounds like you didn’t need it in that instance either. Whatever problem you had that required you to mortor it into the ground to get the bolt open would probably not have been solved by trying to beat the bolt shut. Had you been successful it getting it into battery you might have torn the rim off trying to get it back out, and had you been unsuccessful you might have had it so hopelessly jammed as to require removing the barrel.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
The cutout in the AR15 BC for the ejector port cover release works great for this. If you need more forward assist than your thumb here, you shouldn't be pushing that hard.
Does anybody else perceive this to be a potential finger safety issue when covering the vent holes?
mcb
Member
In what way? You're not shooting with you finger there your loading the gun and assisting the bolt carrier closed.
I don't believe you can get a strong enough purchase via the cover release indent to force the bolt shut on anything more than failure of the extractor to engage and allow bolt to close. Therefore not too concerned about a slam fire and it would be pretty difficult to get a finger on the trigger while manipulating the bolt in that manner, so I wouldn't think the vent holes should be an issue.
Regards,
hps
C-grunt
Member
For a range gun it is more of a convenience thing than anything. Though the guys talking about quiet chambering for hunting make a good point.
On a fighting rifle they are definitely needed. On a new rifle you are not likely to see a problem. But if you're on a mountain top in Afghanistan, you havent been to an actual FOB in weeks, it's dusty, and your recoil spring is getting up there in age..... or you are driving around in a Humvee/MRAP/whatever for hours and your rifle has been bouncing around...... or you are in a mutli hour fire fight and you are down to using partial mags, reinforcements are still a ways away, you load up a new 1/4 full mag and when you sling the charging handle it slightly catches on your gear as it slams forward...... In those situations a light tap on the forward assist to move the bolt that last couple mm for lockup, is a great idea.
On a fighting rifle they are definitely needed. On a new rifle you are not likely to see a problem. But if you're on a mountain top in Afghanistan, you havent been to an actual FOB in weeks, it's dusty, and your recoil spring is getting up there in age..... or you are driving around in a Humvee/MRAP/whatever for hours and your rifle has been bouncing around...... or you are in a mutli hour fire fight and you are down to using partial mags, reinforcements are still a ways away, you load up a new 1/4 full mag and when you sling the charging handle it slightly catches on your gear as it slams forward...... In those situations a light tap on the forward assist to move the bolt that last couple mm for lockup, is a great idea.
C-grunt
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