(mm forward bolt assist?

**AbitNutz** · 11-13-15, 02:13

I saw that some AR's have a forward bolt assist and some do not...what would that be? Is the forward bolt assist just not needed in 9mm? I would think that since 9mm's are blow back designs that they would get crud more easily.

**BillBond** · 11-14-15, 07:16

Some people think they are not needed at all on any AR15, but I use mine occasionally.

As far as 9mm goes if it had one I would not mind it.

Not sure why you think a 9mm would have more crud buildup since a lot less powder is being burned.

**BillBond** · 11-14-15, 07:16

Double tap.

**AbitNutz** · 11-14-15, 07:54

You're right. Way less powder being burned but with a straight blow back design I would think that a lot more of it would get in the chamber than with a true locked breach system, no?

**BillBond** · 11-14-15, 08:45

The breach is still closed on a 9mm it is just not locked, if it were not closed you would have more serious problems than crud buildup.

Plus it does not have a gas tube dumping gas into the bolt.

**jbjh** · 11-14-15, 11:59

The original Stoner design did not have a forward assist. It was added at the insistence of the military.

There are several schools of thought on this; one being that if a round isn't chambering, clear the offending round, rather than force a potentially greater malfunction.

FWIW, in all the time I've shot an AR, I've never used it, and I've had plenty of malfunctions (older, non-mil spec guns, 223 in an 5.56, etc...).

When I shot IPSC, I was taught to start with Tap-Rack-Bang whenever I had a malfunction. Same with every course I've taken. When I started shooting an AR-15, I did the same. Anytime my bolt won't go all the way forward, if I'm on the bench, I want to know why, and if I'm competing (or God forbid shooting for blood) I want a fresh round in the chamber.

Sent from 80ms in the future
Much peace
Jimmy