Same here. The forward assist was designed into the system resulting from hard lessons learned during the Vietnam war.
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The forward assist is also handy for silently chambering a round while hunting. Not so much for sneaking up on the ever-elusive paper target. :D
I'm not getting this trend either, it's nice to have the forward assist just in case. Is it really a weight issue or perhaps slightly less costly on parts not having it on there.
Once the economies of scale are worked out it should be about $15 cheaper and 2-3 ounces lighter. That's not insignificant. I've not seen a use for the FA except in guns that are both dry and dirty.
I've been known to curse ARs, Glocks, and even AKs, but I've never, ever had to use a forward assist.
Its cool to see these coming out. I have Leas Baer uppers with no forward assist. It was a big deal to try to get a hold of them with the M4 feed ramps.
Its nice to know for future builds I can now just get them from Rainier.
I have never needed the forward assist, and like the weight saving and sleekness of the slick side. It also works great with a charging handle that operates from the right side as well.
I read here on M4C a while back, and somewhere else that I can't recall that the reason for the deletion of the forward assist is that some people feel as if it is no longer necessary, and that they feel that it's just more parts that could potentially break and make the weapon malfunction.
Now, granted, if the pawl of a forward assist did break off, it may cause some serious ass pain on the range, or worse in an operational environment, but how many of us here have actually had forward assists break? I've personally never seen one.
Thanks to the OP for this post. It's good to know i can source something else than have to mess w/ the Baer.