AR15s; Do you prefer with bolt assist or without?

[The Annoyed Man]

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.

Me too.

[v-rog]

I'm not sure about that. We were trained to use it.

It's not a real AR without one

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.

[The Annoyed Man]

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.

You better have gloves on. Have you ever handled a freshly fired bolt? ARs fire from a closed bolt, and the parts get HOT. I realize that you can use the groove on the bolt, but you won't want to do it until the bolt cools a bit. And that may be time you don't have. Out of probably 1500 or so rounds, I've only ever had to use my forward assist once on my carbine, and I used it once on the Bushmaster varmint rifle I used to own. Yes, I could have used the thumb groove, but using the forward assist was faster and cleaner.

[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.

You better have gloves on. Have you ever handled a freshly fired bolt? ARs fire from a closed bolt, and the parts get HOT. I realize that you can use the groove on the bolt, but you won't want to do it until the bolt cools a bit. And that may be time you don't have. Out of probably 1500 or so rounds, I've only ever had to use my forward assist once on my carbine, and I used it once on the Bushmaster varmint rifle I used to own. Yes, I could have used the thumb groove, but using the forward assist was faster and cleaner.

At the range, ranch, or while hunting; I always wear gloves when I shoot, or use any hand tool for that matter. All of my ARs have a forward assist, I was just pointing out that the FA is not necessary.

[JeepGuy79]

2 of my hk53's have the thumb groove forward assist. If you like the skin on your thumb I wouldn't use it. Brutal.

[olafpfj]

This got asked at http://professionalsoldiers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the responses from the QP's (aka Green Berets) was priceless.

Based on their mindset and my wannabe armchair fantasies I would say...with.

I'll never be more than a range jockey but technically my AR is my "civil defence" rifle and should conform to military requirements...

[Dave2]

(All quotes edited for conciseness)

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

You better have gloves on. Have you ever handled a freshly fired bolt? ARs fire from a closed bolt, and the parts get HOT.

At the range, ranch, or while hunting; I always wear gloves when I shoot, or use any hand tool for that matter.

Maybe it's the other way around for you, but personally I misplace my gloves far more often than my forward assist.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

2 of my hk53's have the thumb groove forward assist. If you like the skin on your thumb I wouldn't use it. Brutal.

These help.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

(All quotes edited for conciseness)

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

You better have gloves on. Have you ever handled a freshly fired bolt? ARs fire from a closed bolt, and the parts get HOT.

At the range, ranch, or while hunting; I always wear gloves when I shoot, or use any hand tool for that matter.

Maybe it's the other way around for you, but personally I misplace my gloves far more often than my forward assist.

I guess so, my work requires eye , hand, and hearing protection everyday so its second nature for me. My wife is a safety coordinator for XM so she makes sure I wear my PPE at home (mowing, hand tools, etc). I suppose we have seen enough hand/eye injuries and hearing loss for us to know better than going without PPE when there could be a risk of injury.

[JeepGuy79]

those gloves are pretty cheap. They work well?

[74novaman]

(All quotes edited for conciseness)

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

You better have gloves on. Have you ever handled a freshly fired bolt? ARs fire from a closed bolt, and the parts get HOT.

At the range, ranch, or while hunting; I always wear gloves when I shoot, or use any hand tool for that matter.

Maybe it's the other way around for you, but personally I misplace my gloves far more often than my forward assist.

Okay, that was funny.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

those gloves are pretty cheap. They work well?

Yep, don't last as long as Mechanix but the dexterity can't be beat.

[sookandy]

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.

In 8 years I never used it. Plus the one I have now. Just my .02

[74novaman]

There is something cool looking about those old rifles without the forward assist.

Not my pic:

[flintknapper]

Definitely WITH.

Use mine all the time to charge my rifle when hunting without making as much noise.

Doesn't hurt to have one if for some reason you have a cartridge not go all the way into battery. Though that shouldn't happen, it does...for some folks. Can't hurt to have it.

I haven't had a flat tire in over 5 years, but I still carry a spare.