Forward assist
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Forward assisting is the practice of moving the
As a device
The forward assist is a button found on firearms with non-reciprocating (IE: not attached to the bolt/bolt carrier) cocking handles, commonly on
Another instance where the forward assist can prove useful is when performing a stealth chamber check. Rather than letting the bolt go forward under full spring tension after verifying a round is in the chamber, the bolt can be let forward gently and then the forward assist can be used to fully close the bolt. Doing so will produce a very distinct "click" rather than the loud sound of the bolt slamming forward.
The forward assist had been used on the Heckler & Koch G41 and implemented in 2007 on the MSAR STG-556,[4] a U.S.-made clone of the Austrian Steyr AUG rifle, but the usefulness of such device is questionable, since the design is not normally prone to the malfunction that leads to the need of the forward assist in other firearms; in fact Microtech Small Arms Research Inc., the manufacturer of the STG-556, has dropped the forward assist on all rifles manufactured since November 2008.
As a procedure
On firearms where the cocking handle is permanently connected to the bolt/bolt carrier, a forward assist device is not necessary as the bolt can be assisted forwards by simply pushing or tapping the cocking handle forwards.[1][5]
The forward assist is generally not necessary as a standard procedure on any firearm. An exception is the
The design of the
Further considerations for use
The forward assist's use can correlate with an increase in malfunctions with feeding and extraction. Test data from the original trials indicate that, while the forward assist itself is not causal to inducing a malfunction, the need to use the forward assist will likely coincide with feeding and extraction issues exclusive from the use of the forward assist. While the forward assist can be effective in some circumstances as the tests demonstrated, the firearm's user should know when to conduct a remedial action, such as cleaning the firearm, if repeated feeding and extraction issues present themselves and as time allows. It has also been demonstrated to be a safe mechanism to use even when held while firing.[9]
See also
- List of firearm terminology
- List of established military terms
- Receiver (firearms)
References
- ^ S2CID 219084970.
- ^ "British Army Infantry Weapons". www.forces80.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "Load, Reduce a Stoppage, and Clear an M16A1 Rifle". Soldier's Manual MOS 02K: Bassoon Player. United States Department of the Army. 1980. p. 2–40. Retrieved 25 December 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Rodriguez, Greg (23 September 2010). "Microtech STG-556". Shooting Times. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "Report of the M16 Rifle Review Panel. Volume 1. History of the M16 Weapon System" (PDF). Defence Technical Information Center. 1 June 1968. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Steward, Oliver (1 January 2018). "The British SA80 Assault Rifle: Was it ahead of its time?". Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Gimian, Todd (17 July 2021). "AR-15 Forward Assist: What It Does & Do You Need One?". Pew Pew Tactical. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "Enfield SA-80: L85A1 L85A2 L85A3 assault rifle (UK)". Modern Firearms. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Full Spectrum. "The Vindication of the AR15's Forward Assist". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.