Has anyone ever used the forward assist?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Has anyone ever used the forward assist? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 2/7/2020 10:57:50 AM EDT

Building my first scratch built AR and just wondering two things. One is the Forward Assist just a useless appendage slapped on by overzealous and inept ordnance department bureaucrats? Two, does anyone make a flattop upper without forward assist?

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:02:28 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Building my first scratch built AR and just wondering two things. One is the Forward Assist just a useless appendage slapped on by overzealous and inept ordnance department bureaucrats? Two, does anyone make a flattop upper without forward assist?

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I never have and they are not needed.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:08:19 AM EDT

[#2]

They were a big thing in Vietnam, for silent load and after checking chamber.

It is always a good idea to use it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:14:48 AM EDT

[#3]

There are plenty of manufactures that make them. The first two that come to mind are Aero Precision and 2A Armament. The only time I've used the forward assist was to show people its function, never actually had the bolt fail to be all the way forward. I guess it is a more inconspiuous way to be able to check it that way rather than having to pull the CH back and possibly eject a round, but again I've never needed to yet. I guess for me it's similar to BUIS I might need them even though I haven't yet

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:17:01 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
does anyone make a flattop upper without forward assist?

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Everyone. well maybe not everyone but they are common and offered by Anderson, 2A, Aero Precision, etc.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:17:29 AM EDT

[#5]

I have never used one. If there is an issue with a round chambering you need to extract the bad round/fix the issue.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:20:44 AM EDT

[#6]

Every time I do a press check. So, thousands of times

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:20:49 AM EDT

[#7]

Yes. After checking for live round to ensure the bolt is closed.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:21:56 AM EDT

[#8]

I had to use it with my BCM upper a few times when using steel ammo.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:27:20 AM EDT

[#9]

I used them while in the military when we were in adverse conditions such as arctic conditions, swampy and sandy conditions. It is so engrained into my core I cant seem to go without one eventhough I have never needed it in my civilian life.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:28:52 AM EDT

[#10]

I have used it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:31:09 AM EDT

[#11]

Great for letting the bolt close slowly to avoid noise.
And then hitting the FA, to make sure its shut

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:33:30 AM EDT

[#12]

Haven't done this topic in a bit.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:38:28 AM EDT

[#13]

I figured it had probably been asked before but using the search function I can only go back 30 days. Is there a better way to search for topics?

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:39:38 AM EDT

[#14]

Yep FA is awesome I would never buy a ar without
it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:40:09 AM EDT

[#15]

In the military 2 times... both when qualifying. I felt like one grain of sand in the action and used forward assist and both times they worked and it enabled me to qualify with all 40 rounds.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:41:37 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I figured it had probably been asked before but using the search function I can only go back 30 days. Is there a better way to search for topics?

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Using your preferred search engine you can search something like "forward assist site:ar15.com" and it'll give you arfcom results going way back.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:42:22 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
Haven't done this topic in a bit.

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If there isn't a sticky somewhere for this topic, there should be!

Yes the forward assist has its place.
Yes I have used the forward assist plenty of times while in the Army.
Yes people use it all the time to quietly chamber a round when hunting.

With that out of the way. If you have to do more than lightly tap the forward assist, you have a serious malfunction that will require remedial action. Don't hammer on the forward assist, ever!

There is definitely a love/hate relationship with the forward assist. some people love it and use it, others hate it and don't want one. In the end, it boils down to personal preference. I personally like having it and have used it for the intended use.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:46:01 AM EDT

[#18]

For all the reasons mentioned, No reason not to have one.
Additional one-off reason not mentioned....
https://www.weaponoutfitters.com/ar-gas-vent.html

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:53:11 AM EDT

[#19]

I have never used one.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:53:28 AM EDT

[#20]

I actually used one for the first time on my PA10 this year deer hunting. In an effort to be quiet I must not of pulled the charging handle back all the way when first heading out to the stand. As I neared my stand I realized my bolt wasn't fully seated. Trying to minimize noise I smacked the forward assist several times, it was totally worthless. I ended up just ripping the charging handle all the way.

Posted: 2/7/2020 12:34:34 PM EDT

[#21]

In hunting. I have a couple without FA and they look sleeker.

Posted: 2/7/2020 12:45:55 PM EDT

[#22]

As other's have mentioned, I use it all the time after a press check to confirm the status of the chamber. It's also good for maintaining noise discipline, and if your bolt carrier gets dirty (think sand in the receiver), this can help you keep the rifle up.

On a range toy it's not needed, but I would never own a fighting rifle without one.

Posted: 2/7/2020 12:49:10 PM EDT

[#23]

I've used one

Posted: 2/7/2020 12:50:08 PM EDT

[#24]

Yes, 41 yrs ago in Boot camp. They made me do it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 12:52:23 PM EDT

[#25]

I’ve only used it during the low light/no light classes I have taken. If I happen to do a press check, I’ll give the FA a little push to make sure the bolt is forward because you can’t see it

Posted: 2/7/2020 1:05:13 PM EDT

[#26]

I use it every time I go hunting. Personally, I wouldn’t have one without it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 1:07:05 PM EDT

[#27]

I use it when I do a chamber check every time.

Posted: 2/7/2020 2:06:06 PM EDT

[#28]

Yes, many times

Posted: 2/7/2020 3:12:38 PM EDT

[#29]

I have more than I can count.

I rarely use it on my personal guns. But one of those things that I’d rather have and not need than vice versa.

Posted: 2/7/2020 3:25:50 PM EDT

[#30]

As many times as we’ve done this thread, certain people still repeat the same tired old exaggerated nonsense to support their hatred of it.

It’s definitely not something you want to use to “force” anything that won’t go with gentle pressure. But if it were as dangerous as many suggest, we’d need to be re-engineering anything with reciprocating charging handles to prevent abuse.

Use it, don’t abuse it. Me, I like it just for press checks. However, people will advocate the most elaborate and complicated Rube Goldberg-sequel alternatives to a press check just to avoid acknowledging how simple, and fool proof a press check is. Then you have those who advocate just using the cut sap way on the bolt carrier to push the carrier forward. It’s good to practice in the event you don’t have a forward assist.

Posted: 2/7/2020 3:29:13 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Every time I do a press check. So, thousands of times

View Quote

Posted: 2/7/2020 4:25:10 PM EDT

[#32]

I'm using it now just because we are talking about it.

IMO, serious guns should have them. What's the downside of having forward assist?

Posted: 2/7/2020 6:50:36 PM EDT

[#33]

Every once in a while, when I am all alone, so no one is watching me, I tap on my forward assist, just for fun.

Posted: 2/7/2020 7:28:20 PM EDT

[#34]

Like a small fire extinguisher in your car you'll probably never need it but if you *really* need it you'll be glad its there.

That said, I've used mine just to avoid the noise of the bolt smacking forward. Out hunting I've used the charging handle to baby the carrier forward and press the plunger a few times to get the bolt fully seated.

In situations where it isn't mechanically needed or possible (some 9mm builds, rimfire builds, etc) or if you want to eliminate the couple of ounces of weight, yes there are plenty of slick side uppers to choose from. Anderson offers a real basic flat top, no FA and to charging gate. CDNN had S&W ones for a while cheap ($29?). Matrix offers a side charging version (just got one in the mail today for my new build).

I've seen loading gate flap cover but no FA uppers but I do not remember which manufacture or vendor, and it would've been 3 years ago when I was building my 9mm PCC.....

Posted: 2/7/2020 7:34:08 PM EDT

[#35]

It is just a spring push, no where as strong as a bolt action.

If your chamber is dirty, and if a click vs a bang could be your death; then you need one.

Posted: 2/7/2020 7:42:59 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
I used them while in the military when we were in adverse conditions such as arctic conditions, swampy and sandy conditions. It is so engrained into my core I cant seem to go without one eventhough I have never needed it in my civilian life.

View Quote

This ...

Posted: 2/7/2020 7:51:46 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
They were a big thing in Vietnam, for silent load and after checking chamber.

It is always a good idea to use it.

View Quote

I've used it a few times in my deer stand. I could get along without it though.

Posted: 2/7/2020 7:56:45 PM EDT

[#38]

ive had to on one that was knarly dirty. oil gunk from a shitload of shooting over time.
showed I needed to squirt more oil in it.

Posted: 2/7/2020 8:02:29 PM EDT

[#39]

Every time I load a round.....
Just a habit don't need it except when trying to change ammo quitely.

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:55:54 PM EDT

[#40]

I've got one without it, won't have another one without it.

Posted: 2/8/2020 1:20:46 AM EDT

[#41]

They can come in very handy. If you run into some bottled beer that is not twist offs the forward assist can be used as a bottle opener.

Posted: 2/8/2020 1:28:34 AM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Great for letting the bolt close slowly to avoid noise.
And then hitting the FA, to make sure its shut

View Quote

That was my experience in the military. Chambering a round is not quiet. Sometimes you need quiet.

Posted: 2/8/2020 2:09:15 AM EDT

[#43]

Locked and loaded when going into harms way. The first bang is flip off the safety. Very quiet up to that point.

Posted: 2/8/2020 2:20:26 AM EDT

[#44]

How can you perform s.p.o.r.t.s. without one.

Posted: 2/8/2020 2:32:55 AM EDT

[#45]

Yes a lot.

Posted: 2/8/2020 2:33:12 AM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Everyone. well maybe not everyone but they are common and offered by Anderson, 2A, Aero Precision, etc.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
does anyone make a flattop upper without forward assist?

Everyone. well maybe not everyone but they are common and offered by Anderson, 2A, Aero Precision, etc.

My Smith sport (original gen 1) doesn't have forward assist. And I like it.

Posted: 2/8/2020 3:26:31 AM EDT

[#47]

Especially on new builds that haven't been broken in yet completely. Chambering the first round from a fresh magazine sometimes the bolt doesn't close all the way and a couple taps on the FA seats it in full battery.

Also same thing for doing a "quiet" loading of the chamber for hunting, or for tactical reasons, gently pull back the CH and gently ride it forward. Usually hangs up on the back of the cartridge in the mag. Reach over and gently push the FA while still riding the CH and then it will chamber the round mainly but not fully go into battery. Another couple taps on the FA to get into full battery. That is how you load first round into chamber off a fresh mag while not making a bunch of noise.

For these reasons I now prefer uppers with FA even though they usually cost me a little more.

Also press checks when the bolt is withdrawn just enough to visually confirm a live round is in the chamber. Often when you let the bolt go back forward it takes a tap on the FA to fully seat the bolt again.

Posted: 2/8/2020 1:47:15 PM EDT

[#48]

This "quiet" cambering argument is a bunch of crap. Do you conceal carry? Do you not put a magazine in, chamber a round and put on safe before holstering? Going hunting, load the magazine but not chamber a round and put on safe? I'm so WTF.

"Oh. I'm in danger now. Time to get ready. There's the buck of a life time, time to load a round...."

Posted: 2/8/2020 2:14:42 PM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:
This "quiet" cambering argument is a bunch of crap. Do you conceal carry? Do you not put a magazine in, chamber a round and put on safe before holstering? Going hunting, load the magazine but not chamber a round and put on safe? I'm so WTF.

"Oh. I'm in danger now. Time to get ready."

View Quote

Breaking news!

AR15's have a floating firing pin.

Posted: 2/8/2020 3:15:56 PM EDT

[#50]

So what's your point?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Has anyone ever used the forward assist? (Page 1 of 2)

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