What exactly is forward assist?  Also, is there any place on the net that has a nice blow-up diagram of an AR, showing and describing all the parts?

Thanks!
-Red-

I'm not up on the proper terminology but I'll give it a try.
It's the "plunger" type thing on the right side of the upper. It's on the outside about level with the bolt. It's behind the bolt. If the bolt doesn't close on it's own all of the way you can push the forward assist and it will engage the bolt and push it forward. Seating it.
It's behind the brass deflecter. I hope that helps. Some older ARs might not have a forward assist. I'm not certain though.
There are people here that know EVERYTHING about the AR system. There are schematics elsewhere here also. Search the different forums.

For a diagram, try [url]http://www.fulton-armory.com/AR-15Diagram.htm[/url]

[red][size=4] P.R.K.

In basic terms a forward assist is a feature of the rifle which allows you to force the bolt to close if it gets fouled and dirty inside the feed ramp area and around the bolt. I would say this would only be necessary to use if you were in a fire fight in a muddy or sandy environment that you submerged the weapon possibly. I have one on both my AR's and have never had to use them.

John

oh yeah and what Garryowen said....

I thought it was to make a simple jam a really screwed up jam.

Bill

Happiness is a warm gun...
Bang bang, shoot shoot...

Forward assist is when she reaches around and grabs your hiney and pulls........ohhhhhh nevermind [BD]

It's that thingy that looks like a giant nail head.  You hit it with a hammer when the gun jams.  The bigger the jam-the bigger the hammer.


Nuckles.