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Forward Assist - Why Everyone NEEDS Them...
- Thread starter Skans
- Start date
orionengnr
New member
I read about a .300BLK in a 5.56 once, and owning both I am aware to not be "that guy". I'd like to think that if you did not notice that one short fat .300BLK round while you are loading the mag...your situational awareness is probably sub-par. Just sayin'...I know a guy that used one once. Assisted a 300bo into a 556 chamber. Pulled the trigger & things got ugly. Luck was with him & just messed up his hand,the rifle wasn't as lucky.
It was a new box of 556 ammo that had a 300 bo round in it & he didn't notice it when loading the mag.
As regards the three-pronger, I worked with a guy who served in Vietnam pretty early on (late 60s/early 70s) and he told me that story too. In his version, it was the actual three-pronge flash hider being used to engage the band, then twist-and-snap...and that was what caused the barrel damage.
The DOD's response (in his version) was to replace the three-pronger with the small birdcage. Sounded plausible at the time.
I think the HBAR came along much, much later. Maybe 1990s?
And to keep it (sorta) OT, I have owned a number of AR platform rifles, and have never used the FA (mostly because of what I have read and heard about it usually making the problem worse). But at my age, rifles are range toys, not daily-use tools....
Ignition Override
New member
Oh no-
They forgot to design FAs in my PTR-91 “G3”, FALs and M1A.
They forgot to design FAs in my PTR-91 “G3”, FALs and M1A.
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I've had personal experience with three different makers "AR-10" class rifles, and none of them had a forward assist.
The "explanation" I was given was that the bigger, heavier parts (and spring) don't "need" a forward assist. And, if you get a round that doesn't fully chamber, EJECT IT and load another round.
The PTR-91 “G3”, FALs and M1A rifles all operate differently than the AR-15 in the way they cycle and lock up, and don't have separate forward assists, and seem to work well without them.
The "explanation" I was given was that the bigger, heavier parts (and spring) don't "need" a forward assist. And, if you get a round that doesn't fully chamber, EJECT IT and load another round.
The PTR-91 “G3”, FALs and M1A rifles all operate differently than the AR-15 in the way they cycle and lock up, and don't have separate forward assists, and seem to work well without them.
Ignition Override
New member
44 AMP: Exactly, they are totally different designs than any AR. And the HK/PTR-91 is so unique. With its only "gas system" being the roller-delayed blowback force, its in a really weird world of its own (as with the MP5, HK-93 etc)..
In my previous comment I was trying to add a little humor, mock surprise, with no emoji.
In my previous comment I was trying to add a little humor, mock surprise, with no emoji.