Fwd Assist

[MarkB]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but am in process of getting my first AR built in .243.  My question is...do I need fwd assist?  advantages or disadvantages?

I'm considering the MA-TEN upper/lower set.

Thanks

[Jgun]

Some of my AR's have it and some don't. Personally, I've yet to have a situation arise where I've used it. I've heard different pro and con arguments for /against it. I think that you probably won't ever end up using it, If you should happen to end up building on a receiver set that has it.  Something else, the forward assist button needs serrations on the bolt carrier to function so make sure that your carrier has them or the FA will be ornamental. Some of the guys say that they prefer the look of an upper that has the FA.

[survivalshop]

In the old days , I used to smack the FA every time I chambered the first round of a new mag. , but haven't done that in a very long time .

My 308's , I have never used one . I have one with & one with out & the one I'm building now , will not have one.

[MarkB]

Thank you both for the information.....seems that I shouldn't worry about it.

[mantawolf]

Unless you are building a rifle that will be in combat and saving your ass every day of the week, I wouldn't put a forward assist on it.

[MarkB]

thanks...get the feeling that most coyotes/wild boar won't put me in that category.  Pretty sure will be getting MA-TEN and don't think it is on there, so I'm not going to worry about it.

M

[unforgiven]

Welcome from the midwest brother Mark,my .02 I don't use my FA if I got a problem with round eject try another one.Slick side reciever looks alot better.IMO.Shoot on bro.

[MarkB]

thanks, unforgiven.

my builder seemed to think fwd assist was needed, but i'm sure i will go with consensus opinion of not needing it.

M

[unforgiven]

I would eliminate all my FA and put plug but expense not worth it.

[Robocop1051]

If you're a righty, and you don't care where your brass lands, you can go completely slick on the side. I bought one of those Mega SBU's for a 300 blk build.

[Timing]

I'm pretty sure the forward assist on the 308 doesn't use serrations. It presses against the shoulder of the bolt carrier. That said I have never used mine but still want it there. The dust cover imo is essential, maybe not for a bench gun however if you plan on doing any hunting/hiking with it keeping crap out of the action is important.

[unforgiven]

RRA Lar-8 does have serrations on BCG.FYI.

[planeflyer21]

Mine do.

Jon

[Robocop1051]

The dust cover imo is essential, maybe not for a bench gun however if you plan on doing any hunting/hiking with it keeping crap out of the action is important.

I agree with you on a DI rifle.

I think on a piston rifle you have the ability to take a few extra liberties you normally wouldn't. Especially if you are running a dry piston system, like the NiB rifles. I think as long as you aren't stompin through the mud and muck with your bolt locked back, you should be OK without a dust cover.

[MarkB]

thanks, all

[Timing]

I stand corrected.

Never seen a RRA 308, figured they were all kinda similar.

So does the FA on the rra engage the serrations? If so that would appear to be a better design overall.

[unforgiven]

Yea brother Timing just like 5.56 like I said feel its unnecessary but what the hell its their.

[ErikS]

If you hunt and want the option to more quietly chamber rounds in the field the FA can be handy.  Even if you don't it does not hurt if it is there, ya just never know.  Having it but needing it is no big deal, not having it and needing it could make for a terrible day...

[MsgtBill]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but am in process of getting my first AR built in .243.  My question is...do I need fwd assist?  advantages or disadvantages?

I'm considering the MA-TEN upper/lower set.

Thanks

Evening. I carried a M-16 in Nam in 65 and again in 69-70 and our early M-16's did not have the forward assist and I never missed it.  My Ruger SR-762 does have the forward assist and I've never used it.  I look on it just like the spare tire in my Expedition, It's there and if needed it's a great idea but (knock on wood) I have so far never used it !

[98Z5V]

Hey Bill, you just gave an answer to a post that's 3.5 years old. 

[MikedaddyH]

Another random fact;

Some milfs have hair some DONT !

[mrmackc]

Three decimal point five years, Wow... I still give the FA a whack after loading a new magazine. A habit from boot camp rifle training at Camp Matthews in 1960. Was taught to give the M1 operating rod handle a whack after loading a clip of 8, and the first round chambered.

[lasher]

Evening. I carried a M-16 in Nam in 65 and again in 69-70 and our early M-16's did not have the forward assist and I never missed it.  My Ruger SR-762 does have the forward assist and I've never used it.  I look on it just like the spare tire in my Expedition, It's there and if needed it's a great idea but (knock on wood) I have so far never used it !

 

i got there in august 65 and never carried anything but an M14 and a 1911A1, sometimes a Blooper. we didn't see M16's up in Indian country until later in 66 just after Operation Hastings, i was in country for 29 months 10 days all one big long tour

[blue109]

That's a long tour!

[unforgiven]

Glad you made it back home brother lasher. <thumbsup> Operation Hasthing's by all accounts was no walk in the park.