Nolo;
Aesthetics be damned. You obviously weren't there when the need for one became critical. Men died for the lack of it.
900F
There's a reason for it to be there not, NOT a good reason why it should be needed.
Wouldn't the more appropriate action by the initial engineering/assessment team or soldiers, have been,
"Sh*t, it won't reliably work in a combat situation without welding something on to push a round into the chamber. I know, we'll review the design and build it so it will work."
"Oh and while we are at that, we may as well as look at the ergonomics of the charger, I mean it sort of makes sense that we should place it where a soldier can get to it without moving his arms around or upsetting point of aim. "
Right now you either take your right hand off the pistol grip and tilt your head to one side whilst maintaining a grip on the handguard, grab and haul past your ear or you move your left hand from the barrel, move the rifle to one side so your body isn't in the way and after cocking, return to where you were.
As opposed to say the FAL/L1A1/G3, left hand is right by the cocking handle, maintain point of aim, don't shift your head, grasp, cycle and away you go.
Same with the ejector cover.
The British Army when it was taking on the FAL -> L1A1 were also concerned about gunk in the working parts. Their solution, as opposed to trying to bolt on a thin piece of stamped metal on springs to the rifle to keep mud and dust out of the working parts, cut dirt channels in the bolt carrier. Nothing to break, does the job, less to maintain.
Yes I know, The M16, its a weapon that's been here for 45+ years, it's still in use, modular platform etc etc.
Doesn't mean the weapon, like any machind tool, doesn't have flaws that should have been addressed at the beginning.
