Does anybody use forward assist?

Vent_O_Later

Vent_O_Later

New member
I was just wondering, I have never used mine on my RR. I also have a slick side dpms sportical coupled with a plum crazy its my lite calling rifle. With everyone wanting a "lite" rig, I was just wondering why they even put them on there, I see its purpose in say "combat", but I know if my round won't fully chamber, the last thing i want to do is hammer the thing in there.
 
Works good if your trying to be quite chambering a round and thats what I use it for
wink.gif


~Bryan
 
+2. You can take it off and plug it, if it makes you feel better. Iv used mine to close the bolt a few times when the charge handle slipped out of my fingers.
 
I hit mine everytime I rack it. Just to make sure that bolts closed. I hate to here click when there is something in front of me to shoot...Jason
 
After loading my rifle when hunting, I pull the charging handle back just a bit to make sure I have one in the chamber. I then use the forward assist to close the bolt again.
 
Like others said its great for being quiet loading one into the chamber.

I have also gotten into the habit to hit it after put one in the chamber because of an unfortunate click instead of boom sound I had with a coyote filling my scope.
 
Originally Posted By: N WolfI do the same but I dont have a fa. I use my thumb.

This is the direction I am headed. I push the FA sometimes and wonder if it does any good...
 
Originally Posted By: Vent_O_Later the last thing i want to do is hammer the thing in there.

I used mine once, and learned this the hard way.
I can pretty much tell (now) where the bolt needs to be in order to go `bang`, and I can let the bolt close slowly enough that it will stop before that point(?term-battery?), then a light push of the FA button or use your thumb.
The important thing is to not force it if there is a problem.
 
Originally Posted By: Vent_O_LaterI also have a slick side dpms sportical coupled with a plum crazy its my lite calling rifle. With everyone wanting a "lite" rig, I was just wondering why they even put them on there,

Did you know the DPMS Sportical Slickside upper is HEAVIER than the DPMS upper with FA and dust cover?
smile.gif


True.
 
The FA is worthless IMHO, if you want to close the bolt quietly, then use the cutout for the dust cover latch and push it forward with that. If it wont go with that I doubt it will go with a "gentle" push with the FA. I have turned several minor jams into tough ones with the FA. It really has no purpose in this day and age. If your rifle is going to go "click" the FA is not going to change that, trust me, I have tried it more than twice. Go with the plug or find one without it, Les Baer has one and it is what I am going with on my 6.8 build.
 
Last edited:
exactly what rowdy said! ive made a jam a lot worse w/fa due to a neck sized brass instead of full length sized piece
really shouldnt need it.
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: Vent_O_LaterI also have a slick side dpms sportical coupled with a plum crazy its my lite calling rifle. With everyone wanting a "lite" rig, I was just wondering why they even put them on there,

Did you know the DPMS Sportical Slickside upper is HEAVIER than the DPMS upper with FA and dust cover?
smile.gif


True.

Depending on material used, I see your point, but...if they were both made from the same stuff, the slick side would be liter.

This is my point, if the intended purpose of the FA was to "force" the round into the chamber, why are they still manufacturing them this way? And ya the dust cover is cool but how many "dust" covers have you seen around a bolt gun? My point is if ya don't need it, why put it on for more weight?

I know, you don't need cruise control but it's nice to have, but at what cost?
 
Originally Posted By: Vent_O_Later

Depending on material used, I see your point, but...if they were both made from the same stuff, the slick side would be liter.



Both made out of the same material. Both made from aluminum. Same grade of aluminum too. Slick side IS heavier.
 
Lets say your dug into a hole trying to not be detected by enemy, and you need to chamber a new round from a fresh magazine, last dang thing you want to do is have this very loud pull and release of the bolt slamming home giving away your position prematurely. You gently pull the bolt back and slowly let it down, then use the FA to finish getting the bolt fully forward so it will fire.
Or, more importantly and i suspect the real reason, say you dropped your weapon in mud and grime in the heat of battle and the action is filthy, (Think Viet Nam Jungle, sands in Iraq or Afgan) you might need help getting the bolt all the way forward and by God you dont have no freaking time to strip your weapon down and clean it, or to pull the bolt back and inspect for the reason, your fighting for your life..now you have a good idea of why that daggum button is on the side of your weapon.
 
Last edited:
I had shot plenty of guns before the military but never ARs. So the standard procedure stuck with me from boot camp at the range, afghanistan before I stepped outside the wire everyday, and even today hunting.

When loading a bolt closed and unloaded weapon, stick mag in, chamber round, pull slowly on charge handle until I see for my self that round is in the chamber, close bolt, give the FA a good palm heal strike.

I knew that every day I left the wire or a animal is in my sights, that round is ready to go.

I do the same thing with my bolt actions as far as watching the round slide into chamber.

FAs are a real AR specific item. any other weapon that has ever had a charging handle can be used the exact same way, hitting it forward.

Never had to use my FA in combat, even when my weapon was wrecked and nasty, I never had one jam
 
Back
Top