M-16 Forward Assist ... did you need it?

[citizenconn]

I've considered building a non-FA AR, just for the novelty of it... but reason always prevails. Rather have it and not need it...

I prefer building sportized ARs with no forward assist and no dust cover. I do carry a couple spring loaded dust covers in my range bag in case I get in an environment where I feel it might be needed for storage. I notice Magpul has released their own version recently. I shoot ARs left handed most of the time and the dust cover gets in my way unless the receiver is built with a recess for the dust cover.

The forward assist has never fixed any out of battery issue I've ever encountered, even back when I was in the military, but I have seen it make others' issues worse. I'm more likely to use my thumb in the bolt assembly recess to ease the bolt forward or just recharge it with the charging handle. But, it seemed to save Kyle Rittenhouse in his situation so I say do whatever works best for your own situation.

I build a fair amount of side charging ARs mostly for long range target shooting and prefer them for most shooting situations other than CQB and hunting.

 

[stanley_white]

A forward assist is an absolute must for me.

IME those that decry a forward assist are often virgins pontificating about formication.

-Stan

 

[citizenconn]

IME those that decry a forward assist are often virgins pontificating about formication.

-Stan

You seem to have some weird experience in that regard.

 

[mcb]

A forward assist is an absolute must for me.

IME those that decry a forward assist are often virgins pontificating about formication.

-Stan

A man named Eugene Stoner thought it was unnecessary...

 

[21H40]

A forward assist is an absolute must for me.

IME those that decry a forward assist are often virgins pontificating about formication.

-Stan

I wouldn't want to be included in the "decry" crowd, but I'm no blushing bride either. I never happened to need one when things got real.

 

[CptnAwesome]

6 yrs in the Marine Corps and I used the forward assist on my A2 maybe twice. Both times needed and both times fixed my issue. In a clean out semi clean environment, with a rifle take care of, I haven't had to use it, and doubt I ever will.

 

[C-grunt]

A man named Eugene Stoner thought it was unnecessary...

Not the first time the end users disagreed with the engineer.

 

[Peakbagger46]

As a slightly OCD patrol cop, I’ve used the forward assist many a time after doing a press check to make sure my rifle is loaded. Without pressing it, the weapon remains out of battery.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Better to have and not need than to not have and need it.It doesn't eat anything and doesn't weigh anything so.......why not.

 

[DeepSouth]

I use an AK, my bolt doesn’t need any assistance.

Sorry, couldn’t help it.

 

[mcb]

Is there a particular stoppage or malfunction that can only be fixed by the forward assist? I have not encounter it yet and I can't think of something that can only be fixed by the forward assist.

 

[Varminterror]

Is there a particular stoppage or malfunction that can only be fixed by the forward assist? I have not encounter it yet and I can't think of something that can only be fixed by the forward assist.

to finish locking into battery or to even assist in extractor snapping over the rim.

 

[mcb]

I can do that with my thumb in the notch in the bolt carrier for the port door.

 

[Varminterror]

I can do that with my thumb in the notch in the bolt carrier for the port door.

Maybe, maybe not - and honestly, as a quiet physically capable man, I’ve challenged this belief several times especially for Grendel bolts/extractors which haven’t yet been tuned, I’ve never met anyone capable of driving an extractor over the rim with their thumb against the carrier recess. But the thumb in the window trick does absolutely not offer remotely equivalent mechanical advantage to the FA.

And of course, the FA button doesn’t get hot… so when things get hot and messy, one of us can close our bolt without pain, and with greater force.

 

[12Bravo20]

I can do that with my thumb in the notch in the bolt carrier for the port door.

I doubt that you would want to do that with a hot bolt while in combat ore even during training when shooting a lot of blanks. While the bolt will not get red hot, it still gets hot enough to burn skin.

 

[C-grunt]

I can do that with my thumb in the notch in the bolt carrier for the port door.

You're just doing the same thing less effectively and harder.

 

[mcb]

Maybe, maybe not - and honestly, as a quiet physically capable man, I’ve challenged this belief several times especially for Grendel bolts/extractors which haven’t yet been tuned, I’ve never met anyone capable of driving an extractor over the rim with their thumb against the carrier recess. But the thumb in the window trick does absolutely not offer remotely equivalent mechanical advantage to the FA.

And of course, the FA button doesn’t get hot… so when things get hot and messy, one of us can close our bolt without pain, and with greater force.

I have tried and can do it with all my AR uppers.

I doubt that you would want to do that with a hot bolt while in combat ore even during training when shooting a lot of blanks. While the bolt will not get red hot, it still gets hot enough to burn skin.

I doubt I will need to do that once I start shooting. If the gun does not go into battery while I am shooting the last thing I am going to do is try the forward assist. I will be getting that bad round out of the gun not trying to jam it into the chamber.

You're just doing the same thing less effectively and harder.

No doubt, but I can do it and keep my weapon lighter (~2oz) and simpler.

 

[12Bravo20]

@mcb I have had to use the FA in combat with both the M16A1 and M16A2 rifles. And a light tap on the FA corrected the issues and kept me in the fight.

If a light tap does not correct the issue then other remedial actions need to be taken. And I have had instances where a light tap on the FA did not work.

 

[Varminterror]

I have tried and can do it with all my AR uppers.

Your uppers which “want to function” without the fouling or ammo misfitment which causes the issues I’ve described.

Kinda like sitting on my couch right now, I don’t worry much about my fire extinguisher, since every morning I’ve ever sat on this couch, my house hasn’t been on fire.

 

[Varminterror]

If the gun does not go into battery while I am shooting the last thing I am going to do is try the forward assist. I will be getting that bad round out of the gun not trying to jam it into the chamber.

You won’t be getting that round out of the gun if you had a failure to extract, distorted the rim, and need the mechanical advantage of the FA over the power of the tip of your thumb to snap back over the rim…

 

[C-grunt]

On a fighting rifle, I'll gladly keep those 2 oz.

 

[mcb]

Hmmmm... Justifying the FA always feels like justifying carrying a second handgun for civilians CCW. You guys have come up with plausible examples but my own risk aversion is apparently not sensitive enough to take serious. Been shooting in competition and hunting with ARs for the past nearly 20 years. I have had my fair share of malfunctions and I still have yet to make a situation better with a foreword assist and when I got my first AR I definitely made a few jams much worst with it. I don't ever press check a gun, I look at my magazine if I think it did not pick up a round. I quiet close with my thumb on the very rare occasion I need a quiet close. Given my own experience I would rather not carry that ~2 oz. YMMV

 

[LimaCharlie]

I was introduced to the M-16 in advanced infantry training at Camp Pendleton in 1969. Before that, I qualified with the M1 Garand, the M2 select-fire 30 carbine, and the M-14 without forward assists.

I never used the forward assist during tours in Viet Nam. I never used the forward assist during annual qualifications for ten years. I have never used the forward assist on my of my AR-15s since I retired from the military in 1985.

 

[12Bravo20]

Hmmmm... Justifying the FA always feels like justifying carrying a second handgun for civilians CCW. You guys have come up with plausible examples but my own risk aversion is apparently not sensitive enough to take serious. Been shooting in competition and hunting with ARs for the past nearly 20 years. I have had my fair share of malfunctions and I still have yet to make a situation better with a foreword assist and when I got my first AR I definitely made a few jams much worst with it. I don't ever press check a gun, I look at my magazine if I think it did not pick up a round. I quiet close with my thumb on the very rare occasion I need a quiet close. Given my own experience I would rather not carry that ~2 oz. YMMV

Having a forward assist is not necessary for civilian use such as target shooting, hunting, or even competition - no arguments there.

For those that have to depend on their M16, M4, AR15 to help keep them alive then a forward assist is definitely warranted. This goes for the military and law enforcement.

 

[21H40]

What other weapons have an FA? I'm thinking about similar tube receiver shapes, like the M3 or a Sten.

The consensus seems to be that it is useful for closing the bolt quietly when you don't want to just pull back on the charging handle and let it drop. I was an engineer, so we weren't worried about being quiet or gentle. Some guys get sneaky missions, but we never did.