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I picked up my Bushy M4A3 from my FFL a few hours ago,[red][b]Congrats [:D][/b][/red] and set about understanding it by reading the manual.  While by no means am I new to firearms, I am brand spanking new to the AR, so please bear with me.  

The manual states that the safety can only be positioned in the "safe" position after the hammer is "cocked."  Unfortunately, nowhere else in the manual does it explain how to "cock the hammer" (at least in those words).  I pulled the rear slide (forgive my unfamiliarity with correct terminology--the manual is now in my car and I don't remember the correct word), held the bolt lock and let the slide catch in the open position.  I was then able to position the safety into "safe" mode just fine, so I figured the aforementioned action was "cocking the hammer." [red][b]Correct, the gun is now cocked[/b][/red] I have two questions, now.  First, how do I "uncock" the hammer, [red][b] Refer to the section called "Clearing Your Rifle" in the "Operating and safety Instruction Manual" that you should have gotten with the rifle [/b][/red]and second, when I pull the slide back and lock the bolt assembly in the open position, the slide freely travels back and forth.  I can push it back forward without resistance to a certain point.  Can I snap it completely forward without damaging anything, or will the gun automatically do this when I release the bolt lock? [red][b]After you lock the bolt to the rear, you should always push the charging handle forward until it locks. You will also want to ensure that the charging handle is locked forward, prior to firing the rifle, your nose will thank you [;)][/b][/red] Again, sorry for the ignorance, but I have to learn somewhere, and I figured this is the best place to do so before I even think about firing the gun.  Thanks in advance for your consideration.

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What you are pulling on is called the Charging handle, it will cock your hammer.  there is no way to decock the gun, such as a decocking lever. [red]the best way is to make sure the chamber is empty and dry fire the gun toward a safe location.[/red] [blue][i] I was gonna say that, but figured that it was safer to have him read it [;)] That was why I put the reference from the Owners Manual[/i][/blue]

Just as Fijfi have said, the cocking handle will ride freely when the bolt carrier is lock in the open poistion.  you have lock it back in.  Most important thing is to let the bolt slam forward with out any assistance.  even when you are charging the gun with out locking the bolt back, you just pull on the cocking handle and let it slam back into battery.

The safety will only work when the hammer is cocked.

Take it out to the range and shoot it.  HAve fun and congrats on your first AR.  believe me, it will not be your last.

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 there is no way to decock the gun, such as a decocking lever.

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Yes there is, you remove the magazine, cycle the bolt and then remove the rear take-down pin and pull the trigger.
Decocks my AR15 everytime.
[x]

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I would make it a point to make a clear video about the operation of my company's guns and include it with the sale of every one... What would it cost them, two or three dollars a gun?  

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Let assume that it costs you $5 per video (I'm guessing it would be more).  Bushmaster would need have upfront $275,000 just for videos.