Saga of the AR15 Forward Assist: A Solution Searching for a Problem

[@se7enspac3s]

Worked for kyle.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

If I had an M&P 15, I would also want to forward assist on it.

[@MrGhjkl63]

@@ForgottenWeapons I can't even get mad at that as an M&P 15 user

[@smilingcat1703]

@@ForgottenWeapons I feel very attacked right now

[@MykeruMedia]

Yup. Worked for Kyle. After Rittenhouse shot domestic abuser skater boy Anthony Huber, who had just made the colossally stupid mistake of trying to take someone's rifle by grabbing it from the barrel and pulling it up into his chest, the next round didn't go fully into battery and Rittenhouse noticed the bolt open roughly an inch. This was after he cut Gaige Grosskruetz some slack and didn't shoot him on the spot. Noticing the round was not in battery Kyle Rittenhouse hit the forward assist. Grosskruetz seeing this thought Rittenhouse had a malfunction and decided this was an opportunity to shoot him in the face. What he didn't realize, being stupid and a Glock owner*, but I repeat myself, was that what he just witnessed was Rittenhouse fixing a malfunction and paid with his lifelong ability to jerk off with his right hand. Say what you will about the forward assist but here is a documented instance where it did exactly what it was supposed to do. *Opinion offered solely for the purpose of kicking the hornet's nest for shits and giggles.

[@ivehaditidontcareanymore.6326]

Our boy is free now

[@ernstbergerbrent]

One of my favorite quotes about the army: "if it ain't broke, we'll fix it until it is."

[@TheMuffs2004]

ernstbergerbrent And so many people will never fully understand the level stupidity that the Army can somehow operate under until they see it first hand. 🤣

[@chrisclark5204]

We always used to say if you want to know if it can be broken, give it to a grunt, he will break it.

[@happysamoan97]

-The US Engineer Corp, destroying the Everglades

[@Vnx]

My employer seems to operate on the same philosophy.

[@30cal23]

@@TheMuffs2004 or if you had family in the army i heard once about a moron SSG (the dude who runs explosive course prob that rank) telling a new recruit to carry blasting caps (y'know the shit used to start c4 explosions) on his arm and run with them well that guy got thrown out and the recruit died.... and a fuckton about being on bases how you have to play politics much more than focus on merits if you want any rank past specialist (E-2 i think that's literally a slightly better grunt)

[@Craccpot]

That AR15 adoption story at the beginning reminds me of "Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution"

[@LedosKell]

Watch the Tales of the Gun episode for the M16, it goes into great detail about the guys from Springfield being shitheads about the rifle being adopted.

[@bofoenss8393]

Just like how the Spitfire mk IX became the standard fighter for the rest of the war when it was introduced as a stopgap measure pending other marks to be developed.

[@bedlamite42]

"It's only temporary, unless it works" - Red Green

[@Red-yt2dk]

As a programmer, I can only agree.

[@paulshayter1113]

@kevin lawrence, Red Green is a genius of international renown.😉

[@gunsandcommissions]

If you enjoyed this video, smash that forward assist button...

[@thumb-ugly7518]

TimcastIRL right?👍

[@brucecamparmament3728]

Smashed!

[@kineticdeath]

but then it may fail to extract. Im not sure the button should be pushed!

[@redacted4033]

Enjoyed but cannot like bc 223 likes

[@alahos]

Hit the subscribe button at 200 yards and finish with the bell

[@KPX-nl4nt]

As a kid I always wondered what that odd looking button was on the AR-15/M-16. Now, as an adult having qualified countless times on the M-16 in the military and owning a couple of AR-15s, I still wonder what that odd looking button is good for.

[@enlightenedatheistphotogra3329]

if your barrel is clocked it is better camming it forward than charging it and slamming the extension again. that's all i got.

[@DDD893]

As a kid I was playing original Counter Strike, and there is was a charging handle 😆 So I didn't have any question back then

[@TheXaelem]

Owning a ar15 you rarely get jams. But go work with an issues rifle either by government or private security company or whatever and the crap ammo you het supplied and jams aer quite common. Ammo based issues not rifle

[@atpyro7920]

i used that thing maybe once or twice, and that's probably because the rifle I was issued for qualification was beat to hell and back.

[@12mrcool1]

@@atpyro7920I used it once or twice too, but mainly just because it was a button and ADHD liked said button

[@pirig-gal]

10:05 I love Stoner's answer. "I'd choose the Springfield solution, I guess." "Its because it's the best, mr. Stoner?" "No, it's terrible. All of them are terrible. But this one is the easiest to fix once you realise how terrible it is."

[@av0-cad03]

Well, he was right. It seems to me, at least, that uppers without forward assists are becoming more popular on "high speed" rifles at least.

[@derektran9404]

@@av0-cad03 They're becoming popular any any rifles really, as they've proven themselves to be wholly unnecessary and deadweight.

[@av0-cad03]

@@derektran9404 but muh bullet button

[@derektran9404]

@@av0-cad03 Yes, button go mash.

[@av0-cad03]

@@derektran9404 BUTTON GO MASH

[@EphemeralTao]

When I was in basic training and doing rifle qualifications, we were told by our drill sergeant that if we got a bolt-override condition, to slam the forward assist and jam it in there good and hard, so it couldn't be cleared. That way, we didn't lose time on the qualifications trying to clear it; since we could report it as an unrecoverable malfunction and restart the test with a different rifle; which helped guarantee we would get a higher score. Yeah, our DS was... interesting.

[@silentdude56k]

Sounds like your DS was a gamer.

[@bezimienny_andzej6425]

Damn, real life powergamer :D

[@routergray7041]

That didn't happen to be Ft Leonard Wood did it? Mine said the same.

[@Swervin309]

Sounds like a guy who was playing to the lane, and not to achieve the training's intent.

[@ScottKenny1978]

When your evals are written based on how well your platoons do... Reward the wrong things and see what happens.

[@willrogers3793]

For the longest time, I had no idea it was called a “forward assist”. All of my dad’s army buddies just called it a “jam enhancer”.

[@Colonel_Overkill]

in my experience I have used the button once to its intended purpose and finished closing the bolt when there was a minor buildup and it worked perfectly. I cant count the number of times it functioned as a jam enhancer but I can assure you that the count was over 1 lol.

[@the_real_ch3]

Masemeno Nasaku what’s the difference between a bug and a feature? MARKETING!

[@franklindavidson9193]

I use the forward assist on my AR when chambering a round for my home defense gun. I ride the charging handle down and seat it with the forward assist. I was told by a Vet (unsure what branch or unit) that this was the best way to use it. Cramming shit into the chamber that doesn't want to go doesn't seem like a prudent idea.

[@JumboStiltskin]

Franklin Davidson this is the proper use. It could be useful in scenarios where silence is a priority as well.

[@remcodenouden5019]

@@Colonel_Overkill how exactly can the forward assist cause or enhance a jam?

[@JasonLihani]

Lol I love Stoner's response. "I dunno, I choose neither. There's no point." "Okay but you have to choose one." "Fine, the Springfield one since it'll be easier to undo." Haha I love that.

[@spvillano]

But then, he thought that direct impingement was a good idea.

[@taestott]

​​@@spvillanoIt is if your goal is the lowest recoil possible. It's not if you want maximum reliability and a good suppressor host. Considering the AR-15 was originally designed as a civilian sporting rifle, it makes plenty of sense for the platform.

[@spvillano]

@@taestott nice fish story, all about the one that got away... 'The ArmaLite AR-15 was designed to be a lightweight rifle and to fire a new high-velocity, lightweight, small-caliber cartridge to allow infantrymen to carry more ammunition.' Infantrymen are decidedly not civilians or exceptionally sporting. I know that intimately, given I retired from the 56th Brigade Combat Team. And the gas piston modifications and models don't have more or less recoil than the direct impingement system does. Ask any SEAL or Marine that uses the M-27. The AR-15 was originally designed as selective fire, it was later made in the military selective fire and civilian semiautomatic only models. Direct impingement was chosen for both saving weight and simplification of assembly, the latter making the rifle cheaper.

[@BaconSlayer69]

@@spvillanoit is a good idea even today

[@SkyPilot54]

Stoner for president

[@todesgeber]

Army - "one time purchase..." *decades later*

[@axilleastsoulas1036]

Well if the y have being buying the same thing for literal decades... isn't it just a looooong ass one time purchase? :P

[@whyjay9959]

@@jessemorris744 That'd be the Colt 9mm SMG, used since the 80's...

[@SGTMinguez]

"There is nothing so permanent as a temporary solution."

[@spvillano]

@@SGTMinguez heh, just go onto any base and look at the ancient buildings with a T-number on them. T for temporary. Some predate WWII, being built by the CCC during the depression.

[@shelleyking8450]

Well, McNamara SPIW pew-pew didn't work out so...the gap they needed to fill after the M14 became infinite.

[@chuckm4540]

Ian is one of those rare persons who has actually read all the books behind him.

[@carlsartor1423]

The book on the shelf "Assault Rifles" looks like it is to the right of Submachineguns of the world Vol. 1 & 11 by Musgrave and Nelson. All three (plus others) of which were the first cutting edge books on the subject.

[@spacecoyote6646]

Has Ian written any books?

[@etabmc]

@@spacecoyote6646 I know he wrote a portion of Larry Vickers WWII small arms book but I’m not sure about any full books.

[@nekogudo2693]

@@etabmc Man, people really forget about Chassepot to Famas quick.

[@chuckm4540]

@@spacecoyote6646 if he hasn't, he should.

[@tombickers]

Clearly that is the sniper button, for when you want to make extra-precise shots.

[@garybower1824]

So that's why I can't hit squirrels in the head when they are farther then 900 yds. Your a genius.

[@ihs200]

yeah obviously

[@11jerans]

Someone’s been talking to Afghanis

[@ME262MKI]

Of course, thats the button for increasing the zoom!

[@gcart7675]

no just no 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@miss1ngNo.4o4]

We're all talking about the forward assist. Let's all take a moment to appreciate that the Army stopped there, and didn't want the charging handle to reciprocate

[@dick8997]

😂

[@brittgardner2923]

That would have made the nose-to-charging-handle stance favored by a lot of people for CQB... awkward.

[@longiusaescius2537]

Huh

[@stubeast4031]

I like my eye just the way it is.

[@rus0004]

Remembering that the charging handle was inside the carry handle, and nowhere near your face.

[@kenhelmers2603]

The 'story' I got from my 'Basic' DI was "IF and when you ever submerge the rifle, upon leaving the water you pull back on the charging handle to break the seal and let the water drain out of the barrel, then let the charging handle go forward and then tap the forward assist to ensure the bolt is back in battery. This was not to be used otherwise." Under those circumstances, it made sense to me. Quieter than cycling the action and you didn't lose a round.

[@DonyaLane]

Wow, thanks for sharing this info... Very cool... It's a piece of "operator history."

[@dog_transport_fw]

If you pull the charge handle back halfway and let go it should still get into battery.

[@smkdsilverado09]

@@dog_transport_fw not good if you are trying to remain undetected

[@HoneyBadgerRy]

@@dog_transport_fw I've experienced jams from only half charging the rifle before that were fixable with the forward assist. But if you just charge it all the way and let go, no probblems.

[@yoostburg]

@@dog_transport_fw Key word there is "should". Not sure you would want to take that chance in this situation.

[@CobaltLobster]

I was Air Force trained on this weapon. My instructor basically said "You have to know that thing is called a forward assist for purposes of training. If you have to use it, you are now considered to be in evade and survive mode."

[@danielschultz2605]

They don't even mention it anymore unless you directly ask lol

[@bobmcbob49]

or the Army with the M16 "carrying handle"- "if you have to know what this is called, it's called the carrying handle. Never under any circumstances carry your rifle by the carrying handle"

[@njgilly20]

air force trained on this weapon lmfaoooooo

[@nomad155]

@@bobmcbob49 wait seriously? Why?

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

@@nomad155 "That isn't a briefcase, private! It's a freaking rifle! The only paperwork I want to see done with it is your zero card on the range! NOW BEAT YOUR FACE!" was the answer I got to that question.

[@ENKTDeeColon_and_randomnumbers]

Army: You need to do this this this and this before we can even consider adopting it Air Force: **flips through latest firearms catalog** Oh, AR15, looks nice! **fills in the mail order card**

[@joshuahadams]

I’m picturing it as the person filling out the card writing *really* small to fit the order size in.

[@ianfinrir8724]

Sounds about right.

[@embracethesuck1041]

That's the luxury of buying something because it's on the list, but you know you'll never use it.

[@rickdavis7141]

army brass: we want to go 100 fps faster. And they did. Dirty powder got it going faster but caused jams along with the get the bullet jammed in there button, called a forward assist. And what do ya have? Dead troops. But the bullet goes faster when its not jammed. Army brass are some of the dumbest things ever.

[@get_n00tscoped]

Colt admin: "oh cool an order for.... HOW MANY RIFLES?"

[@D00000T]

USAF: don’t need it USN: sure why not USMC: sure why not US army: REEEEEE NEED BUTTON TO PUSH BOLT

[@humphreybumblecuck5151]

When yer in der mud unt der blood ye need ta forcefeed yer rifle its grains n giblets in between the mud n grit so as to ye can blast at teh enemy n not let’m get away.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

​@@humphreybumblecuck5151 Sure worked for that boy Kyle.

[@spvillano]

@@humphreybumblecuck5151 that's what fire missions are for.

[@pkt1213]

I wonder how often the phrase, "This got more complicated when the Army got involved," has been said. Describes my life perfectly since January 2001.

[@zloychechen5150]

Military ain't a profession. It's a sexual orientation.

[@guypierson5754]

My experience was the opposite: I wasn't being given choices. I'm super pessimistic and melancholic, don't give me choices I see the bad that can come of both. Just tell me what to and hand me some tools and I'll try it a dozen ways, I'm best in the middle of the pack, following the lead and keeping the stragglers making the pace.

[@pkt1213]

The Army is easy, be where you are supposed to be, when you're supposed to be ther, and in the correct uniform. That is 90%. They do however, make everything else more complicated than it needs to be.

[@billbrasky6827]

Guy Pierson Are you from WV by chance?

[@Activated_Complex]

pkt1213 Also, remember to salute these guys, but not these other guys, though you still have to do what both of them say, and they may tell you to do different things, at the same time. Also, sometimes those guys you salute, salute really senior versions of the guys you generally don’t salute, and have to do what they say. And you don’t salute when you’re doing not very Army stuff, or when you’re doing really really Army stuff, but you always salute when you’re doing normal Army stuff.

[@pewpewTN]

Forward assist: "Is your rifle slightly jammed? Use forward assist to take that jam to the next level"!

[@ParoXyzmm]

The Jam enhancer!

[@WingMaster562]

@@ParoXyzmm sounds like what a certain Specialist Hazard stuck in Pt. Folk would say

[@ParoXyzmm]

@@WingMaster562 Indeed

[@professorstein5855]

If you’re ignorant you would say exactly that. S.P.O.R.T.S. Forward assist is step 5 after the jam is cleared. BUM.

[@professorstein5855]

If you’re ignorant you would say exactly that. S.P.O.R.T.S. Forward assist is step 5 after the jam is cleared. BUM.

[@vibeslide]

"you can forward assist the heck out of it if you want to." Made my day.

[@Hybris51129]

Things you can say about your gun but not your girlfriend.

[@Hybris51129]

@Zippydsm Lee If this is what you do without sufficient coffee then I can only imagine what you can do with a entire pot of coffee.

[@vibeslide]

@@Hybris51129 I'd never use my rod without lubricant on her. She's always so dirty inside after usage. She has no special needs, runs reliably on everything. Got her dead cheap at an auction. Grandpa brought her back as a souvenir. She has brought me nothing but joy.

[@Pilgrim771]

I just came across this video about the bolt assist on the M-16. I'll speculate that anyone who says it "isn't/wasn't necessary" never spent any time in the field in Vietnam. I did two combat tours there, and used both the version without the bolt assist and subsequently the newer version with the assist. I'll bet anyone who experienced both versions in field conditions would surely opt for the assist. Without going into long details there were also problems with the earlier, non-assisted versions concerning the metallurgy and tolerances on the chambers. After these rifles were dunked in a muddy stream or rice paddy, there was often enough grit in the chamber to prevent the next round from seating with only the pressure of the recoil spring. That's where the later bolt assist came in handy. Regarding the comment that once the bolt was forced closed, the spent case occasionally wouldn't eject. That was true. The grunt's solution was to tape a cleaning rod to the forestock with 100 mph tape. When the failure to extract occurred the soldier pulled off the cleaning rod and jammed it down the muzzle to force the shell casing and the bolt by brute force to the rear (Like ram rods for old muzzle-loaders). It might also be worth noting that a difference between the Air Force and the Army was that the Air Force were using the rifles for security police guards at SAC Bases where no crawling through mud and swamps was required. It's not hard to imagine why, in those circumstances, the Air Force didn't find the bolt assist useful.

[@edmundlibby2215]

Absolutely right. The forward assist is also useful when loading the rifle as quietly as possible, since letting the charging handle forward slowly will lead to hangups. You can use the port cover catch recess on the bolt carrier to nudge the carrier forward, but the forward assist may be needed for the last 1/4".

[@spvillano]

There were problems with metallurgy, non-chromed rifling, tolerances, political interference that resulted in precisely the prohibited type of smokeless powder being in the rounds and more. If you want something fucked up, ask the Army to handle it, want it mangled beyond recognition, give it to a politician. But, don't forget, not all USAF were zoomie and missile guards. Some did run CSAR missions. One thing though, how'd you get cleaning kits? The early '16's shipped without cleaning kits, resulting in men thinking that they never needed cleaning. At least, per everyone I knew that served in Nam when the M16 was introduced. Loved my M4 in the sandbox, although I really loved the reintroduced M14, brought back updated as an M1A as a DMR. Although, the best things we had beside our Strykers was Kevlar and radios to call for air or indirect.

[@DeeDee-bm9hr]

Ok so maybe 50 years ago crawling through mud a forward assist would be useful to jam 1 round into the chamber, followed by a high probability of extraction issues. Today this is obsolete and a non issue with advancements in metallurgy

[@spvillano]

@@DeeDee-bm9hr an interesting takeaway, given the dozen comments from men who used the forward assist with no problems in combat in these very comments.

[@Triple_J.1]

The gun has got to go bang.

[@WildernessMedic]

“It got more complicated once the army got involved.” I immediately burst into laughter. Sounds about right.

[@azzajohnson2123]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon_Wars

[@The_Ballo]

Great movie

[@prevster]

0

[@nabilbudiman]

**The Pentagon Wars theme starts playing in the distance**

[@robinstewart6510]

Oh, come on. The needs of the Air Force were somewhat different than that of the Army. The Air Force wasn't typically crawling around in the mud and swamps of Vietnam, while the Army was. That said, we were taught to eject the round rather than using the forward assist. However, I did try it once and it worked just fine.

[@Rudofaux]

Grunt: (uses the forward assist) Firearm: (jams) Task failed successfully

[@stoictraceur4794]

Hey! Max Headroom, huh?

[@official_commanderhale965]

Соломон Ртутный That was bad ammo, I’m willing to bet he made that load wayyyy to hot aka too much powder for the components to handle.

[@official_commanderhale965]

Соломон Ртутный first of all, good joke. Second, I read maybe half of your essay.

[@samuelmmmk181]

@Соломон Ртутный I read your article, brother man.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@Соломон Ртутный or when the magazine follower nosedives. Had that happen with a couple of GI metal magazines. No way to remediate short of mashing the forward assist. Round was still caught under the feed lips, but far enough forward to hit the barrel extension.

[@SomeGuy-sj1ly]

"The army won, by persistence and stubbornness" yeah that sounds about right

[@Erin-bd6jg]

Can confirm this is accurate.

[@samsowden]

Take that hill. Send a division down the middle. When that doesn't work send a division down the left. When that doesn't work etc etc etc.

[@gepo6882]

That’s how they win wars too lmao

[@juliusevola4135]

get out of my walls why are you watching through the holes why

[@strikemasterice2004]

@@gepo6882 Ironically that's how insurgencies like the Taliban or guerrilla fighters like the Viet Cong win against the US army. They don't defeat the army, but drag out the fighting until the US is sick of that shit and pulls out.

[@hughsonj]

I served in both the Army and the USAF, and I always wondered why my USAF rifle didn't have the forward assist. Now I know!

[@dbmail545]

"Committee: a life form with six or more legs and no brain" Robert A Heinlein

[@deadflowers7017]

A camel is a horse designed by a commitee.

[@fantabuloussnuffaluffagus]

@@deadflowers7017 and an elephant is a mouse built to government specifications

[@jdog4534]

@@deadflowers7017 I'd heard it was a donkey

[@TheWilferch]

"A camel is a horse that a committee built ".......

[@singleproppilot]

Committees: Because none of us is as dumb as all of us.

[@heathdean3807]

Air Force: "Forward assist is unnecessary." Army: "Haha, plunger go squissssssssh."

[@BloodyKnives66]

Air Force shoots in boot camp and that's about it... I'd hardly use listen to any gun maintenance they'd suggest

[@heathdean3807]

@@BloodyKnives66 Also AFSC dependent, at least when I was in. I was in a civil engineer unit, we were required to qual every 15 months. AF qual is still a joke, using simulated distance targets at something like 25 yards.

[@immikeurnot]

@@BloodyKnives66 Like Army's rifle maintenance is worth a shit. "Replace the buffer spring? Why??"

[@patrickc1508]

Matt Carrasquillo Ya, because the army is so much better........ “No we don’t even need to issue these with cleaning kits!” “Let’s take a cartridge that doesn’t want to chamber and force it home!” The forward assist just makes the problem worse. You go from a failure that is not too hard to fix, to probably having a stuck case and still having the original problem to deal with after mortaring our the stuck case.

[@Izathatch]

@@BloodyKnives66 Funny, I'm AF and I qualify every year, fam fire every 6 months and do training with sims every other month or so. I'm not saying I'm anywhere near the level of SOF or some shit but there are people in the AF who do fire more than you'd realize. Hell, if money weren't an issue, we'd be firing a lot more.

[@VSO_Gun_Channel]

The plunger forward assist. Basically, disconnected from the operating components until used. Overall out of the box idea from the traditional way of doing things

[@ShellShock794]

What happens if a round doesn't seat properly? *AR:* We need to design a small intricate device to slowly lock the bolt into place *AK:* I don't know, just kick it or something

[@WandersALot]

H&K: Slap it till it breaks.

[@dsheshin]

Rafael Enriquez not a hammer but your buddy's helmet

[@Colonel_Overkill]

@@dsheshin depends on condition of both hammer and comrade as to which is used...

[@davidh7246]

@@WandersALotOperator SLAPS charging handle *It wasn't very effective* Yeah but did you see how cool I looked?

[@Volvith]

AR: I'm sorry, the bolt won't close, it can't fire anymore. AK: Bolt doesn't close, one sec. **violently beats AK charging handle on a table** There, all fixed, will do another 25000 rounds now.

[@chrisf247]

The "don't have holes that let crap in the rifle" ethos was so strong with the AR, but relatively uncommon since.

[@jonmeray713]

Chris F so underrated. Ar15 is the gun people love to hate

[@AtlasJotun]

@@jonmeray713 I thought it was just the AK guys. I have a WASR-10 and an M&P Sport II, no hate on either. My father is a Vietnam vet who trained with an M14 but carried an M16 shortly after deployment. He has often referred to the M16 as "that piece of shit tried to kill me... TWICE," but the first time I handed him my shiny new Smith&Wesson, he looked like he was saying hello to an old friend. He immediately began recalling the accuracy of his A1, and the tremendous efficacy of that tiny bullet, a deep respect very apparent in his voice. He did also say that Marines and soldiers largely cleaned and maintained the rifles on the same schedule as any other, and the only issue with the rifle (albeit a big one) was the chamber, not any lack of maintenance on the 'space gun'. I personally believe the AR has a legacy of unreliability that is somewhat overblown, but the fact remains: AR = America's Rifle. Damned good gun. Eugene and Mikhail both built excellent rifles that excelled in their respective military roles, and still do to this day.

[@chrisf247]

I think the end of the AWB and so many new vets has gotten rid of any negativity towards it. Worldwide AR and AK are still *the* rifles, period.

[@AtlasJotun]

@@chrisf247 Hell yeah, brother!

[@zacht9447]

@@AtlasJotun The main issue with the early AR was the powder charge change that made it unreliable, Ian has covered this before

[@audunburns6270]

"A solution searching for a problem" sounds like my 1st marriage

[@goosedeathable]

I can relate...

[@somenbwithabadhistoryteach5872]

@dar'man beskar Ordo jokes are a lost art on you, aren't they?

[@somenbwithabadhistoryteach5872]

@dar'man beskar Ordo kinda knew that already. Instead of reciting something that's already said, why don't you think of a new tune instead of treating a KZbin comment section like a Twitter flame war? Inspirationless slug.

[@somenbwithabadhistoryteach5872]

@subcomandante marcos I was figuring it was a guarantee, but I really don't know.

[@tmbxd3469]

I used the forward assist the other day while at the range. Don't know why it failed to feed but I slapped the forward assist and it went home and didn't hiccup the rest of the 300 rounds. I'm a forward assist truther now.

[@Dan-hs6rt]

Yep...and you weren't dodging incoming fire to be able to have the time to sucessfully do so. Happy you lived to plink another day, range guy...

[@skyhawk_4526]

Using the forward assist the will move the bolt carrier forward about 2 mm with each press. There is no "and it went home" when it comes to using the forward assist. So, Mr. Forward Assist Truther, I find your comment dubious.

[@gmc1966]

FA is handy for racking the bolt silently

[@shatterdreamz2325]

Prior Air Force Security Forces here, I can't tell you how many thousands of hours I've spent on the Range training and firing with an M4 or M16. I carried it all throughout my career through the Middle East and stateside. And not once, never in my career, did any range instructor or training document discuss the forward assist button. The Air Force doesn't acknowledge its existence to this day. After my tenth year of carrying the rifle, I asked someone what is this thing on the side for? Literally, no one knew and I never spoke about the button again. Until this video today...and I still don't know how to use it or why I would.

[@Slash2xx]

That is because your CATM instructors knew what kinds of problems that would cause from hours of running the range. I never taught it as an immediate action for a failure to chamber. We had a back office idiot who got it in their head we needed to add the forward assist for our range malfunction training so we just changed the T in SPORTS to "look at the forward assist to make sure it has not fallen off." Nothing like making a round that does not want to fit into chamber become part of the chamber you need a rod and a mallet to remove.

[@LRRPFco52]

@Albo alt USAF purchased 3 different 20" AR-15 models from Colt in the 1960s-1980s. Colt RO 601 "Green Rifle" Colt RO 602 Colt RO 604 which had all of the 603 (M16A1) improvements except the forward assist. That included the Type E stock with cleaning kit compartment, heavy buffer/spring guide, full fence lower receiver, raised markings upper, 1/12" twist rifling, chrome-lined chamber and bore, and bird cage flash hider.

[@affalee8216]

Used both. Most definitely preferred AR-15 to M-16. M-16 glitched more.

[@rjframe4410]

@@Slash2xx Forward assist use @2:39 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp7Skqaonsyeh5o

[@affalee8216]

@Timothy Verrinder if it works right.

[@fabsenbmx]

"all four branches" - crying in coast guard tears

[@steviebleckley]

Technically there is only 3 branches Army, Air Force and Navy. The Marine Corps is under the department of the Navy and the Coast Gard is under the DOD

[@redtandem8483]

How about Space Force ?

[@1sttvbn]

🤣

[@nunyabusiness4904]

@@redtandem8483 the Air Force looked at the dom and sub relationship between the Navy and Marines and said "I want that too."

[@PapaJoJ]

@@redtandem8483 there's no war in space...yet

[@fokker1138]

I'm with Clint Smith on the matter; "Why would I want to beat something into the chamber that don't want to go on its own?"

[@fokker1138]

@The94GTC If it won't fire the next round, it's no good. You can close the bolt into battery with your thumb if it's not jamming.

[@the_real_ch3]

Clint definitely has a way of boiling things down to their essence...and then yelling it at you until you get the picture.

[@SSGTWinters]

"look god and stoner got together on this and its perfect " -Clint Smith

[@kevatut23]

Have used the Forward Assist twice. Both times worked as advertised. Both times round extracted. One time, the difference between using it, or racking another round, bought me the time to be able to comment on subjects like this, in the future. Great work Ian. As always, intelligent and informative.

[@fredericlepeltier3435]

By your comment you proved the army was right. It did avoid 1 deadly malfunction.

[@Privat2840]

used the forward assist countless times. The m16 doesnt work so smooth after thousands of rounds and with some sand sticking to the lightly oiled bolt.

[@cdnarmymedic]

Ditto. Used it twice in 30 years. Once during training exercise firing blanks with a gritty rifle, once on a two-way range. I guess the Army was right in the end.

[@1BeGe]

Yup. As I said on other comments: the people that don't want it are the people that never had to rely on the state of their rifle to not die, right now. I always used the forward assist after doing brass checks. Was there times the brass check turned out to be necessary because turned out a round didn't actually strip and there was no round in the chamber? Yup. Was there times after doing a brass check where I used the FA and the bolt actually wasn't fully in battery and it wouldn't have fired if I hadn't used the FA? Yup. Being able to both check and ensure the state of your rifle as being condition 1 ready to go is not an optional feature for those about to run into buildings full of people that want to kill them.

[@thatfedexguy8764]

I’ve used the forward assist many many times. Super useful when you need to quietly ready your weapon and it doesn’t seat fully.

[@CPTGump]

I think the Army was insistent on the forward assist because otherwise "SPORT" would just have become "SPOR"; And we all know how important a slick acronym is to the Army.

[@Theelderdragon01]

S.P.0.R.T.S. Remediate action drill.

[@shawnr771]

@@Theelderdragon01 Immediate action. Remedial action was if it failed the second time.

[@SirPunch2Face]

@@shawnr771 Nah it's remediate action. Remediate is to fix. So SPORTS is an action to fix a problem.

[@ОлегКозлов-ю9т]

Please explain this acronym for me My best guess so far is Senatus Populusoue Romanus

[@SirPunch2Face]

@@ОлегКозлов-ю9т It's what you're supposed to do if your weapon jams. S - Slap upwards on the magazine P - Pull the charging handle all the way back O - Observe the ejection of whatever is in the chamber R - Release the charging handle T - Tap the forward assist S - Squeeze the trigger/shoot

[@geodkyt]

Seeing all that tape on the "M16A1" configuration rifle reminded me of how we used to set up our M16s for patrols. The only difference is we kept it off the metal (aside from the front sling swivel and sling keeper, for noise reduction), and we would take a knife and slit the seams where the handguards come apart so we could still fully field strip the rifle to get some oil on the barrel for rust prevention, and it was easier to remove the tape before returning the rifles to the arms room (who would not accept them all taped up). Bore cleaner, CLP, or just about any solvent would take the tape residue off in a minute or two. But randomly running diagonals of OD 500mph tape on the handguards and stock not only provided major camoflage by breaking up the long black object, it even reduced the CLACK of a stick hitting the handguards while moving through dense brush.

[@sickboy1031]

Eugene Stoner originally named it a "Jam Enhancer"

[@WhiterunGuard11998]

This is too funny 😂

[@Falconguygaming]

Do you have a source? I wanna know more lol. Might be engraving something

[@snek9353]

lol, I'm stealing that.

[@johnmcpherson3661]

He also developed the AR18 which was a dud.

[@ryanashby3640]

@@johnmcpherson3661 not because it functioned poorly

[@ablationer]

And by Counter-Strike logic, pulling on it chambers a round...

[@busteraycan]

Upside: Doesn't eject an unfired bullet Downside: You have to pull it everytime you get the gun on your hand for some reason.

[@DAS_k1ishEe]

Even when playing as a child with basic shooter knowledge of guns, that animation always looked suspicious to me.

[@asdasd-ty9se]

Valve is based in the Seattle metropolitan… so it’s not surprising, at all.

[@matthewshedlock70]

@@asdasd-ty9se But the actual animation was originally in CS 1.6 and made by the modders who originally made it. Besides I'm pretty sure that in CS:GO (The latest) it was fixed, along with a few other weird animation, texturing and modelling issues.

[@ng.tr.s.p.1254]

@@asdasd-ty9se nuh uh, it was a dumb but honest mistake, some devs did have experience with firearms.

[@nferraro222]

I was moving a monitor at work yesterday. I realized there was a button on the back. I HAD TO PRESS THAT BUTTON. The entire stand popped off in my hands and hit the floor.

[@ZGryphon]

At least it wasn't the button to degauss the tube that you used to get on the larger CRT computer monitors. Pressing that while touching particular parts of the case in, for instance, certain SGI and DEC monitors--say, while moving them--might get you a fun surprise, and by "fun" I mean "high-voltage".

[@nferraro222]

@@ZGryphon Spoilsport - next you're gonna say don't work on a monitor without unplugging it and draining the tube:)

[@ZGryphon]

@@nferraro222 "Work on," hell, some of those old SGIs, you could zap yourself just trying to pick the damn things up.

[@toxicannonymity]

"a real killer would have asked with that little red button is for"

[@charles_wipman]

Interesting history; that shows how the military logic works some times.

[@MagnokTheMighty]

Sometimes? At least with the Army, that's how it is all the time...

[@claudiodiaz9752]

You misspelled *always.

[@Jajalaatmaar]

Why is the US army/ordinance so retarded?

[@sharpshooter740]

*Army “Logic”

[@milanstepanek4185]

It gives credence to the point Larry Vickers was making in an interview with Ian that even the US army would be perfectly fine using some type of modern AK-design instead of an AR-15-based design because for the regular guy the simpler the thing is the better. No extra buttons for the bolt, just a charging handle sticking out as a fixed part of the bolt assembly so if they want to have the option to manhandle the bolt no matter what, they can.

[@judgemental9253]

‘The jam enhancer button’

[@Aware_Coffee]

It is quite good at doing that

[@achievementcava]

Ahh, tovarischi

[@dwaybetoggymackinaw5893]

Nothing like making a bad situation worse

[@rowdyzack5914]

Well actually it is technically the sniper button

[@skatedoodle2117]

Sus

[@benjaminw6985]

Only used my forward assist once in mr career; dirty, gritty bolt during a training exercise in basic. No extracting and it got me through the event. Really drove home the importance of low crawling with the bolt cover up. Cleaned and relubed, no more faults.

[@spvillano]

Did my basic in '82 at Dix, rifles were worn out, one in my platoon had the ancient split flash suppressor and actual Mattel fore grips. Rarely needed more than a slight jarring if something hung up, even in the sandbox.

[@ATruckCampbell]

@@spvillano AKs are often synonymous with "old worn out but still works", but from what I have heard, service M4s and 16s seem to really take the cake on "absolutely clapped out how tf does that still work".

[@cammywammy420]

U.S. Army: "we are just going to buy this once" Me: "yeah bro thats the same thing I said when i bought my first AR. That didn't work out"

[@stephenbritton9297]

"When in doubt, push a bunch of buttons" - Launchpad McQuack, pilot.

[@awesomemcawesomeshorts9531]

A man of culture, I see.

[@rcairnut]

my first rifle in the USAF was still a green stocked slick side, that was in 1971.

[@badguy1481]

I qualified with the M-16 in 1970 (USAF). Don't remember ANYTHING about the forward assist.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@badguy1481 That's cause it wasn't there. I was at Lackland in '71 and it still wasn't. If it had been the instructors would have very clearly instructed us not to fuck with it, same as they did with the giggle switch.

[@geodes4762]

Mark Fergerson: I was assigned to a US Army warhead detachment in Northern Italy in 1975. We had a USAF element that ran all our commo. They kept their weapons in our arms room. They were all without the forward assist and all had the old open flash suppressors.

[@rcairnut]

@@markfergerson2145 yep I remember the giggle switch warring/threat also lol

[@texasPD1911]

Carried a M-16 for ten years in the AF started with a 3 prong flash , triangle front stocked with a chrome bolt also carried a GAU5

[@johnwalton5576]

In the Marines in combat with the M16-A2, a couple light taps on the forward assist after loading a new magazine gave me extra confidence. Knowing that when my life was on the line, and I needed to pull the trigger, the weapon would go bang. Whether or not this was based in reality, or strictly psychological really doesn't matter. That extra dose of confidence is huge in combat, and I personally think the Army made the correct decision. Believe me, I do not utter those words very often.

[@Privat2840]

becasue with the M16 you can not observe the bolt to tell if it is 100% seated.

[@skyhawk_4526]

Fortunately, being in the Air Force, I knew of a thing called physics, and therefore there was no need to use the forward assist give me any extra confidence. If the weapon had ammo and went into battery, it would fire.

[@YourShow124]

@@skyhawk_4526 the US Air Force, perpetuating their own stereotype since Top Gun hit the silver screen 🤣🤣🤣

[@DowntownDeuce2]

Same here, and it saved Kyle Rittenhouse 's life...

[@DowntownDeuce2]

​​​​@@skyhawk_4526Well considering you didn't have to use it in combat, much less in unforgiving environments, it really doesn't matter. A failure to go into battery in a sterile hangar or airfield could only be your fault. Kyle Rittenhouse would disagree, considering it's the only reason he's still alive. A 17-YEAR-OLD SLOB HAS ALREADY FACED AND ADDRESSED MORE THAN YOU, AND DID SO SUCCESSFULLY. LET THAT SINK IN, it gives your opinion real perspective....

[@JoeyP322]

I remember being in the Air Force in the 80’s at the range. We had the early M16’s with no forward assist. I remember the arms instructor saying, if you ever get a rifle with the forward assist, never push it. Don’t ask me why.

[@davidares286]

Jonathan Spier I’m curious what the problem really is, I was in the marine corp and never had any issues with the forward assist

[@sentinel6507]

David Ares - best analogy I can make is that its the same problem as “circumcision”. It started out as a religious practice, and it It can sometimes cause more problems than leaving a penis “al natural /\” but since theres a possible chance it would come in handy in the future , why not?

[@ScottKenny1978]

Because there's only one jam that you need a forward assist to clear. IF your mag follower nosedives and jams the cartridge into the end of the barrel extension while it's also still held under the feed lips.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@Jonathan Spier I fall under the "rack the charging handle and go" mentality for most issues that could conceivably be addressed by the forward assist. Quiet closing? There's a detent in the bolt carrier. Round did not completely chamber? Yank the charging handle. If the second one doesn't chamber, either, time to open her up and look.

[@marcusborderlands6177]

@Jonathan Spier well they for sure won't after you jam the FA and then spend 5 minutes punching out a stuck case with a stick

[@SAArch82]

For what it’s worth, my experience is based on extensive operational use, training and instruction in the Canadian Arctic with a Colt Canada C8. Its my opinion that most ar15 pattern rifles in civilian hands will never utilize the FA to its potential. This isn’t a bad thing, as it’s evident that it’s function isn’t comprehended based off the comments: many people assume it’s intended purpose is to jam an uncooperative, unsized or dirty round into the chamber of the rifle, or that it somehow was proposed to be used for some sort of stoppage clearance. If that’s the extent of ones understanding of its use, then I understand why they wouldn’t think it necessary. 100% of the time, I want a FA. The two times I use the FA: 1) during extreme cold weather. I’m not talking about just regular cold weather, I mean really cold, like between -30 to -60 and the BCG doesn’t like to move into battery during loading. I had have literally had to “walk” the bolt forward with a half dozen taps of the FA on a clean, unfired rifle. It’s almost as if the steel BCG and the aluminum receiver have friction between them. I’ve used every lube imaginable as well as a dry firearm, and this situation is unavoidable to any degree of certainty in my experience. I’ve even had fail to fire with what I assume is either a slow hammer drop or the firing pin having friction in its channel, due to the cold. -30 and lower is a horrible thing for mechanical devices. 2) anytime where the bolt has moved backwards after loading, but prior to firing. For example: A- the final sequence on a press check. Range shooters may not see this as a necessity, but the people who trust their life to a firearm they carry all day will inevitably have the desire to check the chamber to ensure they have a round present. If there wasn’t a FA, an operator who pulls back the charging handle wouldn’t have a way to put the action back into battery. (Not 100% true, as there is a small divot in the BCG at the port where one could press their thumb). The mind is a funny thing when you’re laying in a snowbank for 12 hours in the dark, trying to remember where and when you racked that action and starting to doubt yourself on an task the you do almost instinctively- sometimes you like to confirm things. B- when you patrol with a rifle, there is a possibility that you inadvertently pull the charging handle back on a piece of kit, thus bringing the action out of battery. Do I trust that the buffer spring put things back into place with only 1cm of travel??? The answer is “no I don’t”. Before I go into a situation where I require that rifle to work and my life depends on it, it brings great peace of mind to tap the FA to ensure the action is forward and the round is fully chambered. Your mileage may vary, but I thought some people may appreciate my perspective.

[@desertborn7579]

Terrific perspective, not on my radar. I learned something.

[@SAArch82]

Thanks for the comments.

[@chuckg3269]

Can confirm, forward assist on a C7 during winter is a must. Snow and ice accumulate in the receiver. You can mitigate it but you can't prevent it. First round usually needs a push to make sure everything's seated properly but after the first few rounds things start working smoothly.

[@jopalo31675]

Expert explanation. I served in the US Army for 12 years... I’ve used it plenty of times. You have to be in it to understand... if you’ve never been in the right conditions, deployed in the frigid snow, deserts and jungles you wouldn’t understand.

[@joshuapowell2675]

You made some good points I hadn't considered. I would say it's useless in most scenarios, but the effects of expanding and contracting dissimilar metals makes a lot of sense. I didn't have that problem in the desert, but extreme cold affects metal differently than extreme heat. Very well-put and your experience made for an informative read

[@aapex1]

Like my Diddy used to say: "If it don't fit, FORCE IT". He maintained our cars, we walked a LOT!

[@chitoryu12]

At our training institute, an instructor was asked to see if an unmarked key went to a forklift. He went "Well, if I oil it and force it in it might work!" What the hell gets people thinking like this?

[@sthenzel]

@Howard Black Percussive maintenance?

[@TheCherrybuster]

Your Diddy'd had a lot of virgins

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

@@chitoryu12 Murica?

[@NERV287]

If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks, fuck it, it didn't fit anyway.

[@unclebob4208]

Clint Smith said don't shove sh!t into the chamber that doesn't want to go into the chamber. Solid advice.

[@christaylor77723]

Tell that to Kyle

[@DinnerForkTongue]

Kyle Rittenhouse: Are you sure about that?

[@blessedbaphomet]

Be careful what you say to that little brat, he'll be blubbering in no time 🤡

[@LordVader1094]

​@@blessedbaphometName checks out lol

[@mothman-jz8ug]

Typically, the bolt wouldn't move forward with enough force when opened and released manually. Anyone who says the forward assist wasn't necessary is simply saying "I never used an M-16 rifle". Ask experienced combat soldiers if they would want it taken away.

[@tmpace9]

Summary: Airforce: There's no reason. Army: But what if there was? Airforce: but there's not. Army: ehh there might be. Airforce: No Army: MARCH ALONG- SING OUR SONG

[@KaDaJxClonE]

WERE THE ARMY OF THE FREE!!

[@Swervin309]

I literally laughed out loud.

[@TrangleC]

This "making the soldier feel better about something"-placebo thinking seems to be pretty common in the US Army. I read an interview with the guy who developed the hand to hand combat system for the Green Berets and he spilled the beans on how all that "99 ways to kill with your bare hands" military martial art stuff doesn't really work and is only supposed to make the soldiers feel better, basically. In one of those extremely rare situations where two enemies on a modern battlefield come close enough to each other for hand to hand combat, the one who acts first, will most likely prevail and it is almost irrelevant what he actually does. Screaming at the enemy can already give you the deciding edge. Whoever overcomes their shock and hesitation first, will most likely win, even if what he does is kind of stupid. That is why those military hand to hand combat systems are designed to make the soldier think he is a close combat killing machine, because it will give him the confidence to act instead of seizing up. To actually get good at martial arts, you need to train for hours every day and not even professional special forces have the time for that. They have more important stuff to train and rehearse. When it comes to this kind of stuff, 2 rules apply: A: It takes 10 000 hours to get proficient at anything, whether it is martial arts or playing an musical instrument, or whatever. B: You can only be proficient at something when you actually can train it. You can't really train breaking necks, slitting throats and gouging out eyes and stuff like that. Sure, someone who does a lot of grappling and choke holds and so on, will be better at breaking a neck than someone who never did anything of the sorts, but even that grappling guy is a layman and will never be a "neck breaking killer machine". The Green Berets guy also was very critical of the idea of teaching Krav Maga to civilians in strip mall dojos. All that gun grabbing and knife fighting stuff was developed as a last ditch hail Mary survival tactic for Israeli spies and soldiers who got caught by their enemies and know they'll probably get killed anyways if they don't do anything. To someone like that in a situation like that, it makes sense to take a 5% chance. To a civilian who gets mugged somewhere in the USA, it doesn't. It will probably get them killed.

[@HamburgerMolester]

Too much Adderall bro.

[@Abdega]

This tells me that someone, somewhere out there is an expert/master of breaking necks and I wanna see that person

[@1pcfred]

The US military gears itself towards the 16 year old intellect. If a child cannot understand it they're not interested.

[@TrangleC]

@@HamburgerMolester I don't need adderall, I'm all natural. Those "TL;DR" comments always amuse me for two reasons: 1.) Nobody forces anybody to read any comment. Telling me it is too long or too wordy for you, is as if you would walk into a store just to tell the people working in there that they should be embarrassed because you don't want to buy anything from that store. 2.) Because of how sycophantic KZbin subscribers and their comments tend to be. If I were a content creator and would have made a 20 minute long video about this subject, I would probably get tons of likes and positive comments and people thumbing-down people who disagree with me, if I wouldn't totally fuck it up. But instead I wrote a comment that takes maybe 1 minute to read and that makes me a asshole who talks too much. Whatever dude.

[@ragingbombast]

When I was in (Non-Combat, US Army) our combative instructor told us that hand-to-hand training really only had two objectives - Getting soldiers comfortable with how grappling works (Not necessarily proficient) and giving soldiers just enough practice to disengage from a hand-to-hand situation so your battle buddy can shoot the guy who just jumped you. And if your battle buddy isn't right there ready to shoot the guy, then you're already 7 screw-ups deep and no amount of training is going to help you.

[@Midnight24435]

13:10 - For those newer to firearms, if you want a really controversial subject, try digging into the ATF's classifications of what is a pistol, a short barrel rifle, and a rifle. Once that's clear as mud, check out your state's laws on firearms as they try to follow with extra laws concerning firearms. Might realize that a significant portion of people passing laws on these subjects don't have a single clue what they're talking about, nor ever held a firearm or shot one.

[@trevorlahey1956]

Lol yea, what a crock of shit. Ar “pistols” like who’s going to actually hold the thing like a pistol

[@AgentTasmania]

That much both sides of the issue can agree on. The laws that exist are awful

[@domphilbrick]

@@AgentTasmania If both sides can agree on that, then why do people keep voting for this shit?

[@Bacteriophagebs]

If by "significant portion" you mean "virtually 100%" then I agree completely. I have never met, talked to, or seen on TV a person who was pro-gun-control who knew anything more than the most absolutely basic, surface-level things about firearms (and even then, those are rare). I have met and seen plenty who know nothing (or less than nothing because they "know" things that are completely wrong), many of whom are the Congresspeople trying to pass gun control laws. I'm convinced by now that ignorance is a _requirement_ of being anti-gun. I suspect that anyone open-minded enough to learn about firearms soon learns that they are tools, nothing more. As for the rest, there's no need for them to learn about guns, because their reasons aren't based on facts, but on _feelings._

[@Bacteriophagebs]

If you want a perfect example of a nonsensical gun law, look up "922r."

[@pgiando]

The forward assist is the tap part of the Army SPORTS response to a stoppage. Slap the magazine, Pull the charging handle, Observe the chamber' tap the forward assist, pull the trigger.

[@nekomakhea9440]

alternate title - History of the Fail Button: Nyet, Rifle Is Fine

[@efirizaki5656]

If they got this shit in soviet russia They coud tottaly end up in gulag That is why by the 50s the got the the rifle thing solve...

[@darksu6947]

@@efirizaki5656Off to the Gulag with you!

[@KylleinMacKellerann]

That "fine" rifle nearly got me killed twice - by jamming. Apparently the Air Force didn't let the thing be shot a great deal or get dirty.

[@nekomakhea9440]

@@KylleinMacKellerann Probably a combination of both. This is the Chair Force you're talking about...

[@Atlittle104]

The forward assist has one valid purpose: cambering a round somewhat quietly. I've done it a few times when hunting hogs where I would ride the charging handle home and then press the bolt into battery with the forward assist. But yeah, for clearing malfunctions I would never touch the thing.

[@schifty1]

It's also good for doing press checks. There's varying opinions on press checks themselves (whether they're necessary or useful, etc.) but if you preform one, hitting the forward assist as the last step helps ensure that the bolt went fully back into battery.

[@bjm1219]

You can also press forward on the indent on the BCG that opens the dust cover. I’ve done that quite a few times and it always seems to work.

[@johncaelles9143]

@@RedJackOfClubs Yes it does work. I have done it hunting as well. Also one year while hunting I didn't have time to clean my AR10 style rifle, it had maybe 200 rounds through it, it last early november & -15C outside (I'm in Canada) and I couldn't get my rifle to chamber a cartridge. Didn't matter how many times I pulled the charging handle back and let it fly forward. Was a combination of bad lube (fire clean), freezing cold weather, snow, etc. That was the last hunt that AR10 went on. The next season I made sure I had a forward assit on my rifle.

[@ericplaysbass]

Works for me, too.

[@NeonVars]

@@schifty1 This is probably the only reason why I like my forward assists. Checking brass is habit thats hard to break, and sometimes letting go of the charger doesn't fully seat the bolt due to carbon build up. A quick tap of the FA and it's done, you move on. I've seen it where people pull the trigger and nothing happens because they forgot to smack the FA after press checking.

[@funkervogt47]

7:18 - Keep in mind that, "Air Force" and "Army" are formidable-sounding titles, and their use in this discussion could easily mislead people into overestimating how well-grounded the stances of each organization were. In reality, the debate over the forward assist was between literal handfuls of people who weren't much smarter or less likely to let their egos cloud their judgement than average citizens. "The Army believes that X is correct" might actually mean "One professional desk jockey who has carved out a niche for himself in the organization and outlasted/edged out his bureaucratic rivals thinks X is correct."

[@thelemon0001]

I was always aware of the analogy, but yes this needed to be said.

[@thelemon0001]

"Taking merit out of the system" pretty much describes the entirety of western world history.

[@thelemon0001]

I know. Just making a joke, no need to prove any points.

[@superfamilyallosauridae6505]

Welcome to NGSW, except he used to not be a desk jockey.

[@funkervogt47]

@@superfamilyallosauridae6505 I had to Google that acronym, and what I found raised nothing but red flags. "The Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Program is an iterative, prototyping effort, using Middle Tier Acquisition Authority, to develop operationally relevant, squad-level lethality to combat proliferating threats..." Yep, that's classic U.S. military acronym apocalypse bullshit with "House Defense Committee investigation into the project failure" written all over it.

[@6254KLR]

13 years in the Army. Used forward assist 2 times. Once at the range and once in a firefight.

[@skyhawk_4526]

But were either of those times actually necessary? Asking for an Air Force friend.

[@MichaelVanHeemst]

USAF: *Logical thinking* US Army: *We need to be able to jam it in there*

[@aceofthesky1247]

It's the Jam Enhancer

[@craig2196]

USMC: *CAN IT HOLD CRAYONS?*

[@eleventhprimarch5303]

Navy:

[@ralphmueller3725]

As a retired Army Vet. I can confirm that.

[@khathaway414]

Forward assist always seemed like a stupid idea to me. Why jam a bullet in the chamber if it didn't slide in. I rather just clear the chamber and lose one bullet than risk it going off like a bomb in my rifle.

[@Grubnar]

5:52 "The Air Force looked at this and said; That's stupid!" Yep, that is the Air Force point of view summed up in two words all right!

[@JohnsonLobster]

The Air Force looking over at what the Army is doing: "What on Earth are you idiots doing?"

[@embracethesuck1041]

That would be the first time ever the airforce embraced KISS.

[@JohnE9999]

I always used to say that, "In the Air Force, we enlisted people send the officers out to fight and die, after admonishing them not to bring our planes back full of holes." :)

[@richardhunter607]

@@JohnE9999 The joke I heard was an Army officer would say "We're taking that hill men". A Navy officer would say "We're sailing in harms way men". And a Air Force enlisted man would pat his officer on the helmet and say "Go get 'em Sir!"

[@Ideo7Z]

It's a bizzaro world when the Air Force is the voice of reason over the army's insanity ala the Pentagon Wars' Bradley AFV.

[@kaiserc2471]

Sometimes when I'm cleaning my ar, I just like to push the little button and it makes me smile.

[@Gottaculat]

Sometimes I just sit there with the rifle across my chest, and push the button for no reason other than to push a button.

[@kaiserc2471]

@@Gottaculat leftists: "Gun owners are pure evil!" Gun owners: **pushes button that does nothing** "Teehee!"

[@MesaAufenhand]

@@kaiserc2471 you get free AK if you go far enough left

[@Charles-A]

So you like pushing the "happy button"?

[@bobbydellaserra441]

I have two buttons in my car that are for options I don't have. I push those buttons because I can push those buttons.

[@Rick-wn5oh]

I like the forward assist. It is the only method I've found to quietly chamber a round. If you would rather not notify everyone in a 4 acre area, softly pull the charging handle then ease it forward. Then softly tap the forward assist. This reduces the whiplash sound of a charging AR-15.

[@cakeboss4194]

Ah, the long and storied history of the 'jam enhancer'.

[@afelias]

Sadly, does not actually make jam tastier.

[@phant0]

I love this name for it. I'm going to use it from now on.

[@1ohtaf1]

Except that the "jam enhancer" would actually be the user.

[@phant0]

@@1ohtaf1 "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield

[@joshuamartin3232]

Austin Wortham a loud FOOOMP sound can be heard from the small arms repair motor pool. “God damnit, Spc. Zach is making mini cannons with the left over gun powder again!”

[@AmstradExin]

Isn't that like cartoon logic? 'MUST PRESS RED BUTTON!'

[@mike6252]

George Jetson approves of the forward assist 😂

[@wolfsworkshop9095]

I mean, it was the late 60 army, probably all the training they got was a anna barbera short animation on the m16 and a kick in the butt

[@Ponen77]

See this button? (points to big red button) (as other fella goes to touch it, slaps hand away)Dont touch it. Its the History Eraser button you fool.

[@TheCherrybuster]

@@Ponen77 Thank you Mr. Fukuyama

[@alimanski7941]

Former conscript, can confirm, pressed button for hours.

[@arkadeepkundu4729]

Army: We want it there so soldiers think that they can fix it by pushing that button, regardless of whether or not they actually can. Airforce: Lol. NOOB. That's stupid, look at us, we're so confident that we didn't even put a gun on our plane. Marines: _laughs in crayon_

[@Daethy]

* *exhales through nose loudly* *

[@kilianortmann9979]

Navy: We train our guys, so they actually don't need the gun on our planes. Top Gun theme starts.

[@knutdergroe9757]

Marine here, Just don't eat the green crayons. They taste terrible..... And we are just happy when our rifles can hit the target repeatedly at 500 yards. Every thing else is secondary.

[@derekcarstensen9134]

Maybe I am the Lone Ranger here but I can say I am glad it was there it worked when I needed it some times in excitement you don’t get the charging handle fully pulled to the rear before releasing it so your not in full compression of the buffer spring the bolt goes forward but but does not have enough energy to fully impress the round into battery I was glad it was there it worked for me

[@clancen]

You can imagine my psychological state in Fort Benning when I was taught about the "forward assist". Felt like all my worries just floated away as my DS screamed at me.

[@rooh5825]

Ah, Benning... 1990. I'd never been away from home more than 2 weeks. Yet there I was between my junior and senior year of high school, at 17 years old, getting yelled at, with as many f bombs crammed into one sentence as adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs, you name it, all to belittle me. Great times!

[@danadunkel5658]

Fort Benning fucked me up. I went into auto pilot down there. burned in my brain is "hit that forward assist private or I'll hit you".

[@Manglet762]

"What does it do? It keeps the Drill Sarge from yelling at me so that's good enough!"

[@737215]

"Didn't have a brass deflector" *[Flinches left handedly]*

[@shawnr771]

The had a brass deflector that snapped into the gap between the top of the upper receiver and the carrying handle. The detent pin went into the scope mounting hole.

[@Canis_Lupus_Rex]

@@shawnr771 Not exactly, it was a brass catcher. Being a lefty I was given one to use in basic, after the first three rounds it would cause the rifle to jam. I ditched it on the first range and delt with the brass hitting me in the nose.

[@shawnr771]

@@Canis_Lupus_Rex Well ours did not have the ability to catch they deflected the round down. I never used on just saw them in basic. I dont remember seeing them after that. Probably because like my Sargeant said "Drop You are not paying attention. "

[@Canis_Lupus_Rex]

@@shawnr771 I learned to deal with the M16, the M60 was another story.

[@itsapittie]

As much as I hate the forward assist, I have no problem with the brass deflector. As a rightie, I can live without it but it doesn't add much bulk or any complexity and even righties shoot left-handed sometimes.

[@jimmiejohnson8827]

CS:S reload animation: “Is this the bolt?”

[@counterfeit6089]

I was wondering why the animation always looked so weird

[@epik7083]

Was searching for this

[@thehoovah]

Was also searching for this comment lol

[@Edua1111]

@MEEPBUD CS:CZ got it right even back then, while 1.6 and CS:S just kept pull that thing... CZ always felt to be the superior version.

[@xpk0228]

it didn't even pushed the FA, it looks more like pulling it backward

[@cl570]

When I was a young lad my father was teaching me the ins and outs of my new AR at the range. I asked him what this was and he said, “no clue bud, just shoot.” And it still makes me laugh till this day. Never used it, probably never will.

[@caminam78]

depends on whether your in a nice putdoor range or a muddy moist jungle

[@georgewhitworth9742]

@@caminam78Yeah, bench shooters like pushing buttons, lol

[@josh6550]

I've always called it the "I'm certain it does something button"

[@lostaudio]

Lol, AusSteyr AUG also has an unknown button that no one knows what it does.

[@kakalimukherjee3297]

JAM

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Pull the charging handle slightly out of battery. Now push the button. You now know what it does.

[@robpetry84]

Sometimes, late at night, when I'm all alone...... I tap the forward assist.

[@kohrenhund]

Why.

[@redghost-uy7hq]

@@kohrenhund it's a button and it's fun to press

[@kohrenhund]

@@redghost-uy7hq fair enough

[@That_Guy5575]

Idk why, but this made me giggle

[@utah20gflyer76]

The few times I've used the forward assist it didn't turn out well. If the cartridge doesn't want to go in there is a reason. Fix the real problem rather than force the cartridge in. You know what's worse than not getting the cartridge into the chamber? It's not being able to get the cartridge out of the chamber.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ Emperor: Man, have you got that right! Ever had a double-feed with bolt override? My man, you just haven't lived until you've dealt with one of those suckers! Stuck cases suck too, though....

[@johnnunn8688]

Emperor POOPYPANTS, yep, recycle then shoot the bastard.

[@skinnwork]

I've found that it helps in extremely cold temperatures, like around -30 C. The bolt sometimes needs a little extra help closing.

[@ScottKenny1978]

It's fine, as long as your mag follower didn't nosedive and jam the cartridge between the feed lips and the end of the barrel extension. Then you do need a forward assist. As it was, I still managed to exhaust my Sailor language twice while fighting with it. I have since scrapped those followers, replaced with Magpul antitilts. Only downside is that the 20rd GI magazine only holds 17 now. But it works reliably when packed full.

[@bullwag1978]

I enjoy having uppers that come with fwd assist, because I never care enough yo actually assemble them, so it just leaves a nice hole I can look through

[@grumples1517]

The forward assist is actually super useful and I used it countless times on my m16a4 in the Corps (0311 '05-'09). For starters after firing a shit ton of rounds and then trying to chamber the first round of a new mag, sometimes the built up carbon would cause the rifle to mostly chamber a round but be out of battery by about a quarter inch. So the forward assist would seat the round and then it would work fine because the bolt had enough energy to cycle and chamber each round while firing. Secondly, and admittedly a little less important, it was necessary to use the forward assist when firing more than a mag or 2 of blanks during training. Those little bastards would gunk the rifle action up really fast cause they burnt extremely dirty. I bet some other guys who served have similar experiences. But in the civilian world, I really can't see a need for it because you can always just stop at the range and lube the bolt up a little bit to keep things moving until you can do a proper cleaning.

[@knutdergroe9757]

SEMPER FI !!!

[@David-bf6bz]

Yeap same experience, worn weapon, questionable magazines, non inopportune time for field servicing. Forward assist was handy

[@budcrm1]

This. This right here.

[@Tatwinus]

The solution in swedish army is "gas mode 2". Flip the gas tube forcing more gas into the action. Works like a charm. No extra weight or parts. Makes a hell of a mess for cleaning later though.

[@grumples1517]

@@Tatwinus i don't think you understand. For starters, the m16 does not have different gas modes as it is not adjustable. But if you read my post, i stated that the rifle would function fine while firing because there was enough energy to cycle and chamber the next round even when really dirty. The problem is really only when trying to chamber the first round of a new mag after a reload and using either the charging handle or the bolt release button. So even if the gas system was adjustable, that wouldn't solve any of the problems that I'm discussing.

[@CULatte]

It ensures a place a drill sergeant always has to find carbon

[@skootz24]

I tell everybody that asks that it's the self-destruct.

[@zloychechen5150]

well, it is. while you're trying to rectify a ptroblem that you've made worse, ivan is coming at you with a sickle.

[@edi9892]

Maybe, in case of a squib-load or something like that...

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

Its the jam enhancer.

[@joe549549]

Liberals will now be out smashing all the forward assists

[@aspenfacer-valentine4397]

Karl on Inrange said there was a case of it cracking the bolt carrier and receiver because someone put pressure on it while firing, so it's not necessarily wrong.

[@robs4517]

As a guy who carried an M16 in Iraq I can tell you it can be handy to have a forward assist. You can spend all day in a sand storm and the enemy won't give you time to clean your weapon before a fire fight so you may actually need the forward assist from time to time. Also, remember the Air Force never goes to the field so they don't even need weapons so they are good with no forward assist. The Air Force didn't even need a chrome lined barrel.

[@caminam78]

always better to have and not need it

[@b.thomas8926]

I remember in basic my M-16A1's upper and lower was so loose, you could wobble the two and cause the bolt to release. The spring was so shit that I had to use the bolt assist several times in live fire in order to get the weapon to work. So I guess in a way, the Army was correct; they needed the bolt assist because they planed the wear the weapon out to the point where you had to use the bolt assist and wishful thinking in order to shoot the dumb thing.

[@petman515]

Its complicated I know that the original adopted version was planed to use a very specific ammo load. The army changed from that load very shortly after adoption and the assist turned out useful after that. It's also strangely useful for civilian shooters with the wise veriety of ammo.

[@matrix3509]

I remember playing America's Army multiplayer years ago, and I specifically remember the M16 reload animation ALWAYS ended in hitting the forward assist. I didn't know anything about firearms at the time, but now I can't help but think some Army consultant during that game's development probably decreed from on high that the forward assist MUST be hit during every reload. Its especially funny because the game (at least as far as I know) never had any type of weapon malfunction mechanics programmed in. It was a purposely useless animation, and I think that kinda describes the Army perfectly.

This just reminds me of far cry 2 and how cool (and horrible) the weapon degradation system was

[@erebostd]

matrix3509 to my knowledge they follow the SPORTS reloading protocol, the T in there stands gor tapping the forward assist...

[@BicyclesMayUseFullLane]

Eh, there were malfunctions in the game, and of course it's annoying as hell. Incidentally, basically no one uses single shot, contrary to army doctrine.

[@kennethherrick8436]

I was in the Army for 15 years. I used the forward assist once or twice. When a rifle is a little dry or dirty the bolt might not lock up. Rarely happens but I say it's a good idea.

[@GlenBradley]

That’s what a lot of commenters here are missing. The bolt still has to make like a 1/6 turn AFTER the round is chambered, in order to lock. Never ever ever use the FA to force a round into the chamber. But using the FA to lock the bolt after the round is fully chambered is fine. Crud in the bolt carrier (particularly in the cam) can make the bolt reluctant to lock. And generally a locking fail is only from a manually loaded round, like when loading a new mag. When you have all that gas blowing back into the bolt it’ll generally stay hot enough to fully lock back into battery without intervention.

[@commenter4799]

Yeah, I've used it a couple times, too. It's a push feed rifle, so if it doesn't seat, the head may not be engaged by the extractor, so you'd have to drop the mag and rack it, which may cause an ND with the free floated firing pin. It's better to have it.

[@6254KLR]

Same here, only twice. Once in a firefight, once on the range.

[@eseak123]

Same here ! And yes, the bolt head needs to turn after the bullet is chambered.

[@InnerCityYouth]

Dad was airborne for the same amount of time, always told me you'll thank God for the FA, you will probably never need it but when you do it'll save your life

[@conradmeek5142]

I served more than 20 years in the ARMY with M-16/M-4s. I cannot recall actually ever using the forward assist outside training as such the "T" in the "SPORTS" acronym was largely ignored by myself after BASIC training. If the bolt doesn't go forward on its own you have other problems. It simply was not necessary, collected plenty of grime though.

[@dan725]

Heh, my buddy did find a use for it though. When hunting small game, I saw him charge, but held the charging handle, and let the bolt in quietly without any noise. Then he proceeded to jam the forward assist until the bolt was in place. It was his way of loading a round quietly.

[@coppertopv365]

Good idea..

[@seanholmes8290]

I was going to post about this. Pretty common trick used by hunters.

[@Dracomandriuthus]

Ian mentions a bolt forward assist in one of his videos about... I think a german police sniper rifle.

[@BangBang-hk4rg]

That’s actually pretty smart!

[@JamesSmullins]

I used to do that, then discovered it's even quieter to use the groves in the bolt that are there to push it the rest of the way. Foward assist is just something else to snag on when least wanted.

[@fien111]

Army: Where's the way to force the bolt into battery? Armalite: There isn't one Army: But where is it, though? Air Force: There isn't one, you don't need it. Army: But where, though? Everyone in the entire rest of the firearms world: There ISN'T and SHOULDN'T BE ONE, you don't need it, it'll just make the problems worse! Army pointing the rifle and shaking with rage: BUT WHERE THO?

[@manputty933]

Army Strong.

[@Rexhunterj]

I sometimes wonder if it's the US Army that munches crayons and clag glue instead of the US Marines. Australia has a similar problem currently where we have modernised Austeyer AUG rifles that might be replaced with a fully polymer bullpup that looks and functions nearly the same, the Australian Defence Force grunts think there's no reason to change it, the weapon they have is perfectly fine, the guys who buy the toys disagree for some reason. Then again, we are the country that purchased a few F-35's to modernise our airforce... Because the Prime Minister wanted to lick America's boots.

[@NordboDK]

@@Rexhunterj what would you replace the F-18s with?

[@fien111]

@@Rexhunterj nah, Marines don't eat crayons.....then they'd have nothing to draw dicks on everything with. They do absolutely bat live grenades at the enemy with their entrenching tools when they're bored, though.

[@carlost856]

@@NordboDK we still don't have the damn things. It wouldn't have made a difference if we burned the money.

[@Burritoswithfritos]

Honestly that rifle looks beautiful without the shell deflector. I want one now even if I'll burn my face shooting lefty.

[@aerodyte6908]

How u comment this a week ago?

[@GunsNGames1]

@@aerodyte6908 Patreon

[@GunsNGames1]

@@zdub8438 M16A2 is hella sexy too

[@Burritoswithfritos]

@@aerodyte6908 patron early access i dont have tome every day to watch a video and it allows me to watch them in bulk before they come out. Yeaterday i watched a video that isnt gonna be released until August 31st. Im just gonna say its really worth it to have if you watch religiously. This is the church of Gun Jesus after all.

[@jeffreywacker3598]

My Colt Sp1 is no problem, I shoot rifles southpaw. My spent casings go over my shoulder pretty consistently.

[@josephjones836]

You are probably right 99% of the time. Imo, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 1.) quiet reload so the enemy doesn't hear you for special ops. 2.) If the bolt gets dusty, sometimes the little tap helps. If you're in a clean environment, or in a situation where your rifle is always clean, you're not really going to use it unless there's a minor magazine feed issue where the round doesn't quite seat into the chamber.

[@GCJT1949]

Back in the 1970s I was a small arms repairman at Ft. Hood, TX. We still had some weapons without the Forward Assist. I found it useful when shooting blank ammunition. Dirty stuff. Geoff Who has been around.

[@banjobill8420]

Stoner: "look how they massacred my boy"

[@onemoremisfit]

If you can put a 7.5" bbl on it, remove the buttstock, call it a pistol, then replace the missing buttstock with a wrist brace that the feds better not see you putting on your shoulder, and that isn't a massacre, I'm sure Stoner isn't too upset over a fwd assist.

[@isaacmorris8007]

onemoremisfit you can shoulder braces now brother

[@onemoremisfit]

@@isaacmorris8007 OK, as long Stoner isn't rolling in his grave, but they only called it a pistol so the feds can't say it's an SBR, and I personally say you should be lawfully able to modify it any silly way you want, but I'm not going to test the feds myself, they were threatening shooters over that sig wrist brace a few years ago.

[@coppertopv365]

M16 Wasnt supposed to be a 5.56 round.

[@JanTuts]

9:50 "Nyet. Rifle is fine." - Eugene Stoner

[@sound7846]

Het

[@rcairnut]

lol perfect!

[@0scr_]

Нет

[@BeelzebulKlendathu]

А что, если - да?

[@arnox4554]

Fun fact: Eugene and Kalashnikov were good friends.

[@SpaceMissile]

0:27 - "Which some left-handed people..." _looks down, scornfully at rifle_ "...had a problem with." not sure if that was intentional or not, but it was perfect.

[@DrangleicTrash]

Definitely intentional, Ian is left handed

[@zacht9447]

He used a GAU5 clone in a match and his cheek was literally bleeding by the end of it

[@elaynedyness359]

After burning through a few thousand rounds, it does help. Sometimes its the mag that causes the issue, sometimes its other. Forward assist gets the job done, if it fails repeatedly, swap mags, if it fails after that, you failed to take care of your weapon....

[@jonthatcher3958]

Why am I watching this, I lost all my rifles in a boating accident

[@dustin1931]

I lost my boats in a rifle accident.

[@ElessarEstel]

@@dustin1931 I lost all my wives in a rifle accident so I know how you feel

[@faucon8807]

I lost all my boats in a wife accident

[@Mr_Exactly]

I lost all my accident in a boat wife

[@someretardontheinternet]

I lost my toy boat

[@snoopy9292]

I think I used it maybe three times. And usually it was when in a tight space or awkward position and I didn’t or couldn’t pull the charging handle far enough to get the bolt to seat correctly. My position on it is since it doesn’t cause malfunctions I don’t mind having it. But I’ll also admit it’s probably as Ian said a psychological thing. Had one in the Army so want one outside lol. Plus who doesn’t love buttons.

[@knutdergroe9757]

I don't love buttons, My ex-wives are too good at pushing them...... All my AR's have them..... Maybe, it is a Veteran thing(MARINE CORPS for me). As yes I have used it.

[@thomasa5619]

I think Karl said they occasionally break internally and cause malfunctions tho?

[@5000rgb]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine I suppose the pin could fall out or the spring could break but those seem highly unlikely and there would probably have to be some extra stupidity involved. I don't see that happening on its own.

[@thomasa5619]

One Doomed Spacemarine “it’s a ratchet on a spring” Yeah mechanical things break, railway wagon brakes are a pneumatic pistol or piston + spring, simple right? But the gear I work with, the springs break into multiple pieces, cause brakes to drag, sets of hot wheel detectors, and ends up costing a million dollars in lost track time, equipment downtime, and repairs.

[@rotgut14]

Thomas A it’s not THAT common. I’m a locomotive engineer that works the road interdivisional pools. It’s really rare

[@robertdole5391]

Forward Assist was very helpful for those of us in Afghanistan. The dust and sand was terrible and after a few hours riding in the back of a truck (Pre-MRAP days) dust and sand were everywhere. Our rifles would jam from time to time and the forward assist would help overcome the grit. I think it has been helpful but not really ever harmful. Never had issues with failures to extract, but failure to feed was seemingly the issue we had the most.

[@MaggieKeizai]

If I had a dollar for every FTF malfunction I had with my M16s, I'd have at least a couple hundred dollars. I didn't have those problems with my M4, I think the updated feed ramps helped a lot, but anyone who mocks the forward assist can straight up fight me. That thing was so goddamn necessary that it actually makes me kind of mad to think that Stoner's ego could have cost american lives after it was proven that the design needed a wee bit of enhancement. Gun Jesus is out to lunch on this one. Sorry, Ian. My experiences in Iraq trump your armchair.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

It's worth even in conditions without dust or sand. Such as Kenosha, Wisconsin.

[@GrantC67]

Agreed. USMC 11-17. Only used the FA once in training but it occurred to me at the time that there was obviously a very good reason to have it. All these civvies bitching about the extra ounce of weight is hilarious. Their rifles are safe queens and their entire experience is completely limited to ultra sanitary conditions.

[@volkardlokisson6292]

I served in the Army as an infantryman. There were times when sand would get blown into the chamber by the wind (fine sand particles) and under those conditions sometimes the bolt face wouldn't fully lock forward, the forward assist was useful to force the sand to be compacted enough to lock the bolt head in and continue fighting. A rare issue easily avoided with proper cleaning and maintenance. The mantra of rack tap squeeze is still burned into my memory all these years later.

[@kirksealls1912]

I like the forward assist in that it allows you to effectively do a “bump check” to confirm a round was actually chambered

[@fuxl100]

on the aug we learned to use the forward assist for loading the rifle more silently or "geräuscharmes laden"

[@fathead8933]

Exactly. The reasoning isn’t for use on a standard flat range. It’s there for use in a firefight. A lot of guys from the civilian side fail to understand this aspect. Karl was even told this by Chuck Pressburg in a Primary and Secondary podcast. The modern example of issues that needed solved was the use of the M110. Its generally hated over other Sniper weapon systems because of the lack of forward assist. There’s absolutely nothing more defeating than trying to load a rifle and then tap racking an entire magazine worth of ammunition out of the weapon.

[@Ccrasus]

Same with the G36

[@fathead8933]

T D B the M110 is an AR10, with the same operating system. Nice try deflecting.

[@geodkyt]

This is why the AR15 bolt carrier has that scallop that you can see through the ejection port. Shove it with your thumb, and it *will* send the bolt home if the problem is that you've tried to improperly load a round and ride the bolt forward (denying it the designed closing pressure). If "thumb on bolt carrier" doesn't provide enough oomph to seat the bolt fully, there is a *mechanical* interference in the chamber (like sand, or the top half of a torn apart brass case), and hammering it in not only probably won't work, but may well lock the gun up so you can neither fully chamber in battery nor extract the new round without mortaring the gun.

[@gilmakover9565]

In the IDF too, with the M16s and M4s. Doesnt have an equivalent on the Tavor however

[@brisiobrien1]

As always a very good in depth explanation on the evolution of the "Forward Assist" on AR-15 type rifles. I might add and hardly ever mentioned is the indentation in the bolt carrier exactly where the 2 gas exaust holes are drilled. This indentation serves as a means to accomodate the protrusion of the dust cover door when closed. You can use this indentation as a means to help push the bolt forward with your thumb, effectively using it as a poormans forward assist.