AR15s; Do you prefer with bolt assist or without?

[x007x]

Title says it.

[AEA]

With

[Longshot38]

Lets just say that we should have learned our lessons in Vietnam. So with.

[puma guy]

Lets just say that we should have learned our lessons in Vietnam. So with.

Y-u-u-u-u-p!

[The Annoyed Man]

With.

[Dave2]

With. I know they're reliable if you keep them reasonably clean, but why remove a potentially life-saving feature?

[74novaman]

Most People I've talked to that used ARs extensively in the military can't recall ever using the feature.

That being said, unless you're building a retro Colt clone, might as well have one.

[puma guy]

Most People I've talked to that used ARs extensively in the military can't recall ever using the feature.

That being said, unless you're building a retro Colt clone, might as well have one.

I have used it once or twice.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

They are 100% unnecessary but I don't think an AR looks right without one.

[WildBill]

They are 100% unnecessary but I don't think an AR looks right without one.

So aesthetics is the only reason to have one?

[Wes]

Most People I've talked to that used ARs extensively in the military can't recall ever using the feature.

That being said, unless you're building a retro Colt clone, might as well have one.

same here, the one i finally bought had it but i was not too worried about it.

[JeepGuy79]

All of mine have it, but I never use it. only reason I could see for it would be trying to close the bolt quietly, but a 5.56 is pretty loud even with a good can so I wouldn't use that covertly myself. If my bolt cannot close all the way on its own I am picking up someone elses weapon until I can clean mine.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

They are 100% unnecessary but I don't think an AR looks right without one.

So aesthetics is the only reason to have one?

For me it is. The bolt carrier "thumb groove" serves the same purpose as a forward assist and all of my bolts have a thumb groove.

[tbrown]

All of mine have it, but I never use it. only reason I could see for it would be trying to close the bolt quietly, but a 5.56 is pretty loud even with a good can so I wouldn't use that covertly myself. If my bolt cannot close all the way on its own I am picking up someone elses weapon until I can clean mine.

You may not have that luxury.