Forward Assist vs Slick Side

[tk421991]

I'm starting my first AR build and I'm wondering what the advantages are of having a forward assist vs not having one. I'm leaning towards a slick sided upper.

 

[alohadoug]

After twelve plus years of Active Duty, I've never had a use for it. My wife is left handed and the forward assist always left her with a fat lip (Army teaches nose to the charging handle).

Aloha

 

[Bonesinium]

I don't use nor see much use for a forward assist. For most practical applications it is worthless. If you have combat applications then it may have an application. I guess are combat arms folk would be able to give some input here.

 

[mac1911]

I like the look of a slab side.
I have zero input other than that. I have only used it once in a match. Learned the hard way what alibis are in nra high power by hitting my FA and charge handle.

 

[Squire]

I have one of the completely slick sides (no deflector) on a 300BLK for hunting (very light weight setup). In the field it's not a big deal, but at the range it's a little annoying have the brass fly by your right ear.

 

[mac1911]

After twelve plus years of Active Duty, I've never had a use for it. My wife is left handed and the forward assist always left her with a fat lip (Army teaches nose to the charging handle).

Aloha

I shoot lefty also,,,,,how does she hit her lip? I get bloody noses fairly easy and if I don't ride the recoil with the rifle sometimes the CH whacks my nose just right, makes for a mess.

 

[tk421991]

I have one of the completely slick sides (no deflector) on a 300BLK for hunting (very light weight setup). In the field it's not a big deal, but at the range it's a little annoying have the brass fly by your right ear.

That's what I'm planning on doing with this gun myself, except I want to build a .25-45.

 

[Squire]

That's what I'm planning on doing with this gun myself, except I want to build a .25-45.

They make one with just a deflector too (which I got for my Vermont Cabin 300BLK build.

I bought this in the group buy:
http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/store/productdetail.aspx?pid=51

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Whacking a forward assist is a mixed bag. You might get a recalcitrant round to chamber and fire, but then, you might get a defective round so firmly jammed in the chamber as to prevent a field clearing of the jam.

 

[xtry51]

I've used mine before. Misfeeds happen.

Try disassembling a rifle with a BCG wedged halfway open. Good luck.

I see no reason to not have one.

 

[tk421991]

I've used mine before. Misfeeds happen.

Try disassembling a rifle with a BCG wedged halfway open. Good luck.

I see no reason to not have one.

I've seen ARs hose up four times at the range before and each time, the guy who owned the gun didn't know how to clear the gun. Does a side charging bolt help any? With the AKs and M1A I've owned, it's easy to clear the gun by just yanking back the charging handle but I know ARs don't have reciprocating charging handles like those other guns.

 

[xtry51]

I've seen ARs hose up four times at the range before and each time, the guy who owned the gun didn't know how to clear the gun. Does a side charging bolt help any? With the AKs and M1A I've owned, it's easy to clear the gun by just yanking back the charging handle but I know ARs don't have reciprocating charging handles like those other guns.

Depends.

I've seen misfeeds even on high end, properly maintained guns in training classes that required a lot of force to seat the bolt. Issues can include damaged charging handles (bent, preventing /handle/bcg movement forward).

 

[AllaSnackbah]

I've needed it on my bcm, shooting in freezing cold temps, idk if my bolt got snow/ice in it or the oil froze, but it failed to seat fully on a reload. I'll never trust a gun without it.

 

[Admin]

I've needed it on my bcm, shooting in freezing cold temps, idk if my bolt got snow/ice in it or the oil froze, but it failed to seat fully on a reload. I'll never trust a gun without it.

+1

I've shot in enough shitty conditions where I have needed it. If you don't need one in below zero temps, your rifle probably isn't lube sufficiently.

just my .02

 

[Kisspik002]

I have never used my FA, I do like the slick side that come with dust covers, Spikes makes one for about 110 I think, best of luck.