Couple of ?? about forward assist and immediate action
I was wondering if there was any particular reason why the newer rifles have a round button for the forward assist plunger, and the older ones (my special one was made by the Hydramatic Division of General Motors) have the teardrop fa plunger.
Other question is, for immediate action drills, is the acronym SPORTS still useful. That went, Slap the magazine; Pull the charging handle; Observe the chamber area or ejected round; Release the charging handle; Tap the forward assist; Shoot.
The debate I've seen since the advent of the internet on the actual use of the forward assist...whether to gently use it if close to battery, or to slam it mindlessly as I was taught at Ft Dix.... got me to wondering if the change in shape of the part was maybe to encourage thumb use only rather than the slamming palm of the hand. Or maybe there was other reasons, anybody know?
I've been away from these rifles for several decades, choosing instead the .30cal semis. Lately I've been brought back around. I like this newly-found for me, board. It seems much more polite than the other side of the street.
PS: If anybody knows of a source of 20", 1/7 or 1/9 skinny barrels (.625" or thereabouts), I'd appreciate the info.