To Forward-Assist or Not to Forward-Assist

[Frankh252]

Not long ago I was on the other side of the fence, where I didn't think the FA was good for much except magnifying a jam problem.

But now I've been redeemed to the good side, where we value the FA for it's clandestine noise-reducing capabilities,

for when you don't want to alert everyone that you're chambering a round with the unrestrained release of the charging handle slamming the bolt down to seat on the cartridge.

No no no, to those who scoff at the mighty FA, we might need to quietly, gently, release tension on the charging handle and then just as quietly palm the FA to seat the bolt on that live little darlin' we have nestled in the chamber of the barrel.

Come back to the good side. Love the FA and she will take care of you when needed.

Hahalololrotflao it's been a long day and I need a beer!

[Frankh252]

Just for giggles I'm going to co-share this one by pulling it out of the Platform Mfgr's dungeons and put it here too. Let the war begin!

Not long ago I was on the other side of the fence, where I didn't think the FA was good for much except magnifying a jam problem.

But now I've been redeemed to the good side, where we value the FA for it's clandestine noise-reducing capabilities,

for when you don't want to alert everyone that you're chambering a round with the unrestrained release of the charging handle slamming the bolt down to seat on the cartridge.

No no no, to those who scoff at the mighty FA, we might need to quietly, gently, release tension on the charging handle and then just as quietly palm the FA to seat the bolt on that live little darlin' we have nestled in the chamber of the barrel.

Come back to the good side. Love the FA and she will take care of you when needed.

Hahalololrotflao it's been a long day and I need a beer!

[washguy]

I scoffed at forward assist....but it cost me a deer last season ...thru huntin...riding back in the lil 4 wheel thingy.....rifle empty...the buck I shoulda shot the first day pops out on the road 100 yds away and just stands there.....grab rifle ..put in mag....and OH Snap.. had to release the charge handle...the buck gave me the finger and ran into cover           Wash      

[beantown]

I've read all sorts of arguments for and against and FA. After qualifying with an M-16 for 13 years, I'll keep my forward assist.

[mrmackc]

Before the M16 was the standard service rifle, the  M1 training manual suggested that after loading a clip and eight rounds to tap the operating rod handle forward to assure the bolt completely closed and the round was chambered, even though the hammer on the M1 has a spur that engages a notch in the bolt to assure the bolt is rotated closed before the hammer strikes the fireing pin.  Ever since then I do "a forward assist" after chambering the first round, in my Ruger Mini-14, Ruger 10-22, remington 1100, LR308. etc., etc.,etc......

[blue109]

I'm pretty meh on the whole thing. I wouldn't go out of my way to remove it, but I wouldn't go out if my way to keep it either. My HD gun stays chambered on safe so it's a non issue there. The FA doesn't engage on my matrix gun, but it feels like I can apply the same level of force to the carrier with my thumb through the ejection port should the need arise.

[dsdmmat]

I have used the FA several times. I won't build a gun (with one exception) without some way of manually ensuring the bolt is fully closed.  I have built some straight pull bolt action ARs with White Oak side charging upper receivers that really didn't need the forward assist but since the upper receiver had a hole for one I put one in.

 

The exception being the ARES Defense SCR, all of my uppers for the SCR have a FA installed but its function is cosmetic in nature. The SCR uses a bobbed BCG and the FA does not engage the modified carrier.   

[blue109]

I don't know why, but I need an SCR in my life. 

[Tripledeuce]

I like the FA.

 

[82HALO]

I do FA on all my builds...old school army! 

[Wolfgang1952]

All of my builds have FA, there’s no other way to go.

[survivalshop]

    All my AR 15's have them & I think two out of my three 308 AR's have them . I was taught to use it ,but seem not to. I can think of reasons they are there & may be good ones .

 

[guruofhotrod]

Got one on all AR's except my 9mm pistol - better to have and not need than need and not have!