Fletchette
Member
Way back when Armalite was developing the AR-15, before it became the M-16, the design had a charging handle extending up from the bolt carrier that cycled within the top assembly carry handle. Since it was attached directly, it cycled once each shot, and could be used as a "bolt forward assist". Why was this deleted? After it was deleted, the military decided it wanted a forward assist and the strange angled push-button-type assist was added to the side of the reciever. Why not just use the original design?
Keep in mind this was all done a decade or so before we started seeing flattops for scope mounting.
Keep in mind this was all done a decade or so before we started seeing flattops for scope mounting.