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History of the AR Forward Assist (Patreon)

Published:
2020-07-14 20:43:12
Imported:
2021-03

Content

Scheduled for July 30

Files

Saga of the AR15 Forward Assist: A Solution Searching for a Problem

http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons https://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons/home Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.bbtv.com/collections/forgotten-weapons In 1963, the US Army set out to purchase 85,000 AR-15 rifles as a one-time procurement to hold the infantry through until final adoption of the expected Project SPIW rifle. Where the previous Air Force purchases of the AR-15 had been simple over-the-counter transactions with Colt, the scale of this new contract prompted Robert McNamara to set up a committee to standardize the rifle requirements of all four service branches. One of the disputed items was the addition of a manual bolt closure device. The Air Force, having tested the AR-15 for several years by this point, saw no need for such a device. The Army, however, insisted that it was necessary both as a confidence-building feature for the infantryman and because it might in some situation solve a malfunction. Today, let's discuss the sequence of events that led to the eventual January 1964 adoption of the now-familiar plunger type bolt closure device. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle #36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

Comments

Anonymous

Good story As a lefty also I learned Decades ago to Shorten the Ejector pin in the bolt face a few thousands and the empties come out semi forwards. The deflector is unnecessary.. Later from Hot locked down again Texas. I know its toasty in Az. also.

Anonymous

Have you ever had to use the forward assist Ian?

Dana Arbeit (edited)

Comment edits

2021-08-14 02:36:00 Cool presentation Ian. Wasn't the rifle adopted as the M16/M16A1? In the video, it is always referred to as "AR-15". I was a teenage developing military history/gun nut during the late 60s and some of what I remember is slightly different. Not only did the USAF adopt the M16(no forward assist) but so did U.S. Army Special Forces for use in SEA. The Army then adopted it for Airborne forces due to its compact size compared to the M14 which at that time was being used by US forces in Vietnam. When US combat units first deployed, the Army and Marine units had M14s. The exception was 173rd Airborne Brigade. I believe they had M16s. Then the Army chose to adopt the M16 for all troops in Vietnam. That is when problems began to develop due to high-volume production at Colt and DOD approving a change of powder in loading the ammunition. That lead to the development of the M16A1(w/Forward Assist). There were lots of contemporary articles on those issues, 'Nightly News' features and later I got and read the Collector's Grade books on both the M14 & M16. During that time, the AR-18 was suggested as a better rifle and cheaper. I read a news article that DOD did a study and in high-rate production the M16 was costing around $250(not sure on exact numbers here) while AR18s would cost about $180 each. As far as use of the FA, I was on the range once with a soldier who rode the charging handle forward so the bolt didn't lock. He was about to pull the CH again when I said to use the forward assist. He looked at me like I was speaking in tongues. Now he was from an ANG medical unit but had been through Basic at least! Anyway, the whole M16/M14 thing will never lack for discussion points. Thanks for the great videos.
2020-07-15 09:07:40 Cool presentation Ian. Wasn't the rifle adopted as the M16/M16A1? In the video, it is always referred to as "AR-15". I was a teenage developing military history/gun nut during the late 60s and some of what I remember is slightly different. Not only did the USAF adopt the M16(no forward assist) but so did U.S. Army Special Forces for use in SEA. The Army then adopted it for Airborne forces due to its compact size compared to the M14 which at that time was being used by US forces in Vietnam. When US combat units first deployed, the Army and Marine units had M14s. The exception was 173rd Airborne Brigade. I believe they had M16s. Then the Army chose to adopt the M16 for all troops in Vietnam. That is when problems began to develop due to high-volume production at Colt and DOD approving a change of powder in loading the ammunition. That lead to the development of the M16A1(w/Forward Assist). There were lots of contemporary articles on those issues, 'Nightly News' features and later I got and read the Collector's Grade books on both the M14 & M16. During that time, the AR-18 was suggested as a better rifle and cheaper. I read a news article that DOD did a study and in high-rate production the M16 was costing around $250(not sure on exact numbers here) while AR18s would cost about $180 each. As far as use of the FA, I was on the range once with a soldier who rode the charging handle forward so the bolt didn't lock. He was about to pull the CH again when I said to use the forward assist. He looked at me like I was speaking in tongues. Now he was from an ANG medical unit but had been through Basic at least! Anyway, the whole M16/M14 thing will never lack for discussion points. Thanks for the great videos.

Cool presentation Ian. Wasn't the rifle adopted as the M16/M16A1? In the video, it is always referred to as "AR-15". I was a teenage developing military history/gun nut during the late 60s and some of what I remember is slightly different. Not only did the USAF adopt the M16(no forward assist) but so did U.S. Army Special Forces for use in SEA. The Army then adopted it for Airborne forces due to its compact size compared to the M14 which at that time was being used by US forces in Vietnam. When US combat units first deployed, the Army and Marine units had M14s. The exception was 173rd Airborne Brigade. I believe they had M16s. Then the Army chose to adopt the M16 for all troops in Vietnam. That is when problems began to develop due to high-volume production at Colt and DOD approving a change of powder in loading the ammunition. That lead to the development of the M16A1(w/Forward Assist). There were lots of contemporary articles on those issues, 'Nightly News' features and later I got and read the Collector's Grade books on both the M14 & M16. During that time, the AR-18 was suggested as a better rifle and cheaper. I read a news article that DOD did a study and in high-rate production the M16 was costing around $250(not sure on exact numbers here) while AR18s would cost about $180 each. As far as use of the FA, I was on the range once with a soldier who rode the charging handle forward so the bolt didn't lock. He was about to pull the CH again when I said to use the forward assist. He looked at me like I was speaking in tongues. Now he was from an ANG medical unit but had been through Basic at least! Anyway, the whole M16/M14 thing will never lack for discussion points. Thanks for the great videos.

Anonymous

I have fired at least 20000 rounds from an AR-15 in my lifetime and cannot remember ever using the forward assist. In fact, I avoid using it because if a round doesn't chamber properly ramming it home with the forward assist will probably make the problem worse or create one when there wasn't really one in the first place.