No problem. Sure, the scallop can be used that way, but it's hardly ideal. For one thing, bigger guys like me can barely fit a thumb in the ejection port, let alone generate any real forward force on the BCG. Add the possibility of gloves, heat, lube, etc. and it just ain't happening.
Forward Assist
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ReverendOD
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I had a friend who served a few tours in the sandbox and says he never used his. That being said he did says he was glad it was there and did see others use it to seat rounds on occasion.
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Harrison
US Veteran
Not just low end AR, are without the forward assist. There are quite a few expensive custom made competition rifles that don't have a forward assist. It is considered unnecessary except in an extreme military environment, or for people too busy to occasionally clean their chambers.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Charging is a noisy event. If keeping things quite is required, ride the charge handle forward and then use the FA. Light click rather than a loud smack might just come in handy.
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The original AR rifle did not have the forward assist. For the most part, if a round will not chamber, I am not interested in forcing it into the chamber. Under that circumstance, I want it out of the chamber.
Was out in the bitter cold the other day and had to use it more than once, had the wrong buffer in the rifle, and the wrong lube on it as well. Forward assist was used more than once until we figured out what was going on. Changed the buffer, relubed the gun with much thinner oil and it performed flawless. I usually shoot 5.56, that day we were shooting .223. So yes the forward assist can save your ***, if need be.
cyphertext
US Veteran
I don't use the FA, or try to use my thumb, but you could with gloves... But this goes back to my post on SPORTS. If your bolt doesn't go into battery and you do the slap, pull, observe, release, and it still doesn't go into battery, it is time to identify the problem and correct it through remedial action.
As -db- pointed out too, the operator needs to understand what is going on with the firearm. If the action is sluggish, due to 400 rounds already fired in a dust storm and the enemy is still firing at you, bump the assist. If you are shooting paper at the range, stop and figure out what is causing the issue.
Maddmax
US Veteran
Maddmax
US Veteran
I think you're onto something. I hunted (local,100 miles) high and low for the M&P-15T when I first got into MSR's. My "lazy arse" wanted an already free floated barrel and didn't want to go through all the hastle of changing everything out. Little did I know then,how easy & fun it is AND very adictive (to say the least) to change anything out.
Anyway,I NEVER found a 15T with out a FA and dust cover.loveat1night
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This topic always the most debating topic for the MP AR version. I would like to have the dust cover more than the FA. Well my Sport has none. And no problem so far after I decorated it into the "ninja Mall" AR15
I would like to have the dust cover more than the FA. Well my Sport has none. And no problem so far after I decorated it into the "ninja Mall" AR15 
And if not having a forward assist makes an AR lower end, someone should let Les Baer know... they've been turning out a lot of low end guns.
If he did build one with a forward assist, would it cost more...or less?
If you understand why they were put there in the first place, you can decide whether you need one or not.
How many Les Baer AR's are used in extreme conditions?
nawilson
US Veteran
I have never needed to use one on an AR... now, I have needed to use them on M16s and M4s. Your local range is not the same as crawling around in the dirt.
No, the original M16 as designed by Eugene Stoner did not have a forward assist. When the M16A1 was adopted, it did. The A1 was an improvement over the original design based on lessons learned in Vietnam.
No, the original M16 as designed by Eugene Stoner did not have a forward assist. When the M16A1 was adopted, it did. The A1 was an improvement over the original design based on lessons learned in Vietnam.
NJM15
Member
Bought it new this past December from a local gun shop in Southern NJ the boss for the button is there but that's all
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
22 years in the military shooting the M16A1. I don't recall ever needing the FA. The dust cover seems like a good idea tho.
TheMaineEvent
Member
I can't ever recall using the FA during my time in the military. For those who think it's important to have one I'd say that you'll have much bigger issues to worry about if you're in a situation where having a FA matters.
Not to put words in your mouth, but if keeping things quiet is required (whether in hunting or in combat), there ought to already be a live round in the chamber. The only light click should be the trigger.
cyphertext
US Veteran
If you are saying "low end" from a cost perspective, then fine... but from your statements, I read it to be a quality perspective.
I think I have a quite a good understanding in why they were put there in the first place. In fact, I explained it in this very thread. Not only did I explain why they are there from a history stand point, I explained how they are used in military training.
The Les Baer ARs are used in the same conditions that S&W or any other civilian rifle is used in... LEO use, three gun, HD. Are you saying that the Les Baer doesn't need the FA due to the conditions it is used in? On the Les Baer AR, the FA is actually optional, you can get it with or without.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Not to put words in your mouth, but if keeping things quiet is required (whether in hunting or in combat), there ought to already be a live round in the chamber. The only light click should be the trigger.
You shouldn't climb up into the stand with a round in the chamber, per your hunter safety training. But this is where you can force the bolt closed with your thumb.
I get to my stand at least an hour before legal shooting hours anyway.
If I were in a stand, I would charge the rifle after I got situated up there.
From a hunting perspective, I was thinking Coyotes. Around here, there's no need for a stand. You just get off the tractor and shoot them in the field. We can't hunt deer in my state with an AR-15, unless it's chambered for .450 bushmaster. Bizarre, I know.
From a hunting perspective, I was thinking Coyotes. Around here, there's no need for a stand. You just get off the tractor and shoot them in the field. We can't hunt deer in my state with an AR-15, unless it's chambered for .450 bushmaster. Bizarre, I know.
cyphertext
US Veteran
I would have to go back to the history books, but I believe the carry handle was added prior to the Army fielding the XM16E1. However, most of those lessons learned were ammunition related. In any case, a lot of good men were lost...
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