A Few AR Questions

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clone

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I plan on getting a stripped lower receiver for my birthday this month. When looking around at all the options I have come across a few questions.

Does flat top uppers with standard front sights get in the way of optics?
How sturdy are the detachable carrying handle/sights?
What are the functional differences in the 4 and 6 position adjustable stocks other than the obvious and price?
 
Does flat top uppers with standard front sights get in the way of optics?
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No. Some people are bothered by having the front site in their field of vision with zero mag red dots, but most can work through it. With magnified optics it really doesn't make any difference at all -- you might notice a bit of shadow, but it does not interfere with shooting.

How sturdy are the detachable carrying handle/sights?
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They get the job done.

What are the functional differences in the 4 and 6 position adjustable stocks other than the obvious and price?
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One is newer than the other, as far as .mil issue goes. Not much practically, however.
 
I really do not want to force a round into the chamber that does not want to go. Sounds like that could lead to a lot more trouble. Or am I wrong?
 
In the few cases I have had to use the forward assist, the issue was that the bolt did not want to completely rotate due to a buildup of carbon and the stuff cheap russian ammo is coated with (Laquer?). A quick tap and the bolt assy. moved forward the 1/8th inch it needed to and I was good to go. Its only happened 2 to 3 times out of the 2 years I have shot my ar15. There really isn't a point to getting on without it since you will likely pay more.
 
Does anyone make a flat top upper without a forward assist?
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Yes, Vltor I believe and possibly a few other manufacturers that mill their receivers. I've heard them called a "slick side" before. Other than that, you are talking about a SP1 upper.
 
I am not embarrassed to say I am new to the AR rifle. But it still seems like a bad idea to force a dirty bolt closed. If it jammed closed how could you get it open? Its not like a AK or SKS in that you can just kick it open.

Has anyone gotten their AR bolt stuck closed?

I will probably go with a upper with forward assist due to the price though.
 
Better to have and not need. Let's say that you really wanted to get that bolt closed and had 2 seconds to do so, you would use a forward assist. You don't have to use it if you don't want to, but if you ever needed to, it would be there.

The forward assist doesn't jam the bolt forward, it just nudges it, as gently as you care to push on it, which will be much less force than the gunshot will impart on it. I highly doubt that the small force that you use to close the bolt will be enough to not allow the gun to cycle from the tens of thousands of psi coming from the burning gas. If anything, it'll just jam with the next round again, causing you to either use the forward assist or clean the rifle.

I've never had to deal with this problem so this is just me speculating but it makes sense.
 
Heh

I guess I am just over thinking the forward assist, since no one seems to be having the problems I am worried about. I would not be using it for battle anyway so it is moot.

Thanks for the information guys.
 
The forward assist does nothing if you never touch it. If you don't like the idea of forcing a round then don't push it. I think it is a poor solution to a problem but I can see the point of it. That said I do like the dust cover and the shell deflector. I also think they look better with the forward assist. Even if I never touch it in use I wouldn't pay extra to not have it. It really does nothing if you don't push it.
 
Of all the forward assist I've used none were on AR's.*

Never had a stuck round. I was never in a jungle or desert with one that was issued either.

A lot of guns have a FA (Forward Assist). FA = Palm on the back side of what you pulled back to cock it with.
Don't ride the charging handle on an AR. Part of the genius of the AR is why it needs a separate FA. Less mass moving & no off center mass on the bolt. Pros & Cons to the system like any thing else.
Also you can push a bolt forward by using the 'detent' on the Bolt Carrier (in theory).
 
clone, you are not overthinking. i asked the same question last year to some very knowledgeable people and the answer was exactly what you stated: bad idea.

also, they apparently can fail, although I have not personally witnessed it.
 
detachable carry handles are VERY sturdy!

The front sight isn't an issue for me, but here is a look at what I see at 1x.

IMG_4481.jpg

At increased magnification the front sight disappears.
 
RockyMntTactical,
What optic is that? I'm not into non iron sights much. That one looks pretty nice & is adjustable. Also what is the range of magnification.
Thanks,
WNTFW
 
If you have a forward assist, you are not required to use it.

I am a civilian and have the luxury of inspecting my ammo before I load it into my mags. Anything "suspect" is not used.

I don't shoot much factory ammo, mostly my reloads. I have a case gage that I use on EVERY round. If it fails the gage, I disassemble the round, reuse the components, and resize the brass.

DPMS and Fulton Armory make upper receivers without the FA.

I've had my AR jam due to a bad reload (hence the case gage). I didn't use the FA. But it required a lot of slamming of the butt against the bench and a few swear words to clear.
 
I wouldn't use the FA either, but it doesn't keep me from having on on every 5.56 AR I own.

If the FSB is in your way then you're focusing on the wrong thing. I have seen several people complain about seeing the FSB through the optic, but when you get them out runnin & gunnin they forget about that FSB real quick.
 
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