Lets talk forward assists

**Valorius** · April 6th, 2012, 11:33 AM

Yes, there are a lot of BAD schools out there apparently.

They are not "top tier" either if they're teaching students that the FA has no use.

Tell that to the Specialist that fought an entire gunfight during OIF using his M16A2 in single shot mode.

Tell that to the first sgt that posted on this thread- the one with 30+ years experience using M16s IN THE FIELD, and all the other vets that have commented, who have used M16s IN THE FIELD. Tell that to me, becuase i've had to use my FA countless times in crappy field conditions, especially with blanks.

Maybe if you spent a month in a foxhole or a few weeks in the desert at NTC as opposed to a tactical firing course you would learn something. In lieu of that, perhaps you should ask yourself why every single military DI M16 sold to the US or any other military since the introduction of the M16A1 has had a FA. Ask yourself why every other combat rifle on the entire planet has a manual bolt closure mechanism (either a reciprocating handle, or a FA of some type).

It's not because it's not needed. You get swamp goo in your M16 and it won't fully chamber with the bolt release, without an FA you are well and truly fucked.

Edit: You know what...you're right. If you're in a firefight and your AR won't chamber a round, use harsh language to convince it to behave. Not the FA. It's obsolete and has no use because "top tier" instructors say so.

**cdi** · April 6th, 2012, 12:01 PM

Um, I earned the same blue cord as you. I have been using the M16 for the last 31 years.
That includes use on two continents from extreme cold to jungle environments and many, many nights in a fighting position.

I also repair, maintain and modify them, almost on a daily basis in the course of my work- and a file full of certs from a bunch of "bad" schools across the country that ignore the FA and concentrate on concise IA drills.

**Valorius** · April 6th, 2012, 12:12 PM

So you're telling me you've never, in 31 years, used the FA on any of your issued M16s, from A1 to M4?

I know you're certainly not telling me that.

PS: Thanks for your service.

**fastfive0** · April 6th, 2012, 02:31 PM

Cant we all just agree to say its a personal choice? I have never really used it but I can understand where it could be useful as well as situations where it could be harmful. That said I dont think I would buy an AR without one.

**cdi** · April 6th, 2012, 02:34 PM

I have used the FA. Especially when SPORTS was being drilled into my head at Benning.
That being said, it was long years of use and study and especially listening to those who know that changed my opinion of the device.

**Valorius** · April 6th, 2012, 02:56 PM

Well my friend, my experience leads me to believe that it absolutely belongs on there. Even in training exercises in even just dusty conditions your FA can get a workout with blanks and MILES gear.

Clearly, opinions vary among people intimate with the weapon. Of all the versions, i liked the M16A2 the best. To me that is the M16 in it's most perfected form.

**DennisH82** · April 6th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Ok then the smart kids say use it if you need it, if not it looks so nifty

can some one tell me wher the dang FA is on my musket, we are having volley practice next week and I want to maintain my three shots per minute rate of fire.
I couldn't help myself, on a side note I hade to use my FA today ay SGL 127 when some sand blew into my bolt carrier while zeroing. Glad I had that dang FA you never know when you need to fire off all three round quickly

**DennisH82** · April 6th, 2012, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Valorius

So you're telling me you've never, in 31 years, used the FA on any of your issued M16s, from A1 to M4?

I know you're certainly not telling me that.

PS: Thanks for your service.

Sometimes it's hard to convey the training and battle conditions and the effects they have on the AR platforms to folk who have mostly training courses to use as their point of reference. Don't get me wrong I would love to attend some of Hesse high speed courses but I don' t have the folding money to spare. Plus I am kind of stuck on the training I received from vets and AMTU cadre.

**Franky4Fingers** · April 7th, 2012, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by DennisH82

Sometimes it's hard to convey the training and battle conditions and the effects they have on the AR platforms to folk who have mostly training courses to use as their point of reference. Don't get me wrong I would love to attend some of Hesse high speed courses but I don' t have the folding money to spare. Plus I am kind of stuck on the training I received from vets and AMTU cadre.

Ya know, not all of use arm chair commandos are just using our own experience to ask their questions/forming opinions. We're using our own experience as a basis, then reading/listening to the opinions of many experts and grouping them together as a whole and averaging it all out.

And as you've seen and can see if you do some searches, you'll see some very experienced people saying you don't need this thing.

So...keep that in mind as well. I think we're all learning a bit here.