[italianstallion]

The latest SIG Spears (XM7) being delivered to the 101st this September seem to have deleted the forward assist.

The forward assist on the XM7 has been present on all prototypes and testing rifles:

Anyone have any insight on this ? I have a few theories:
1. SIG convinced the Army the XM7 FA is unnecessary, especially on a piston system. (Although JSOC/SOCOMs new Spear-LT all have FAs.)
2. Shave a few ounces off the total weight and/or less protrusions to catch on.
3. Cost savings (SIG), and/or logistics (Army won't have to keep spare parts on hand, Armorers won't have to receiving armorer training on this part and develop a replacement schedule).

 

[Mayhem like Me]

no need for it its just extra crap

 

[PilatusTurbo]

The forward assist was never a good idea, nor was it ever endorsed by Stoner. If you can't get a round to fully chamber and go into battery, the last thing we should do is jam the damn thing in there.

ETA it'll also be a nice cost reduction, hopefully.

 

[warbow150]

no need for it its just extra crap

Yep. One potential way to turn a malf into a jam.

 

[Majestic9C1]

All my rifles have a forward assist but I have never needed to use it...

 

[SDDL-UP]

Saw a competitor on a show called "COMBAT MISSIONS" destroy his M16 by using the forward assist. Probably way easier to screw up using it than most people realize.

Much more than forward assist or no forward assist is the whole duplex case thing and CHAMBER PRESSURES!!!

 

[Gamera]

Does this mean they will discount them $12?
😂🤣😆

 

[zaitcev]

1. SIG convinced the Army the XM7 FA is unnecessary, especially on a piston system. (Although JSOC/SOCOMs new Spear-LT all have FAs.)

SOCOM might want a silent close function. But otherwise FA is a net negative for a military.

 

[rfd339]

S.P.O.R.S...

 

[Big Bird]

But it's mil spec....errr wait.

 

[CBennett]

no issue with this at all. I have never been in a prolonged firefight, I shot a LOT of ammo in the Military a lot of it in a row, never had to use the forward assist.. I actually voted no preference as I dont care..id buy it with or without and if its slightly cheaper without all the better. My BCM has it my friends doesn't have one i think his is a M&P sport?? not sure but no assist they both run 100% and work and neither of us has ever said man i wish I did(or in my case didnt) have a forward assist.. when you dont use it...no reason to miss it or have it I guess.

Im positive someone can come up with a story where they use it and it "saved their lives" but im guessing thats relatively rare..

 

[CAcop]

The forward assist only really works when the bolt is gunny and you do a chamber check and the bolt doesn't move forward after. It's helped on those training days where we had 5 rifles being used by 40 people all day.

I bought a big spray can of CLP just to get things moving again until the end of the day.

 

[cciman]

Does it create or increase another problem ? --> forcing a cartridge into battery when it doesn't go, vs. tap rack.

 

[italianstallion]

SOCOM might want a silent close function. But otherwise FA is a net negative for a military.

yes, all possible.

 

[Fatboy2001]

I've fired/owned a few M-16's and AR-15's. Never used it.

 

[Mayhem like Me]

Yep. One potential way to turn a malf into a jam.

my LMT has no such device and functions flawlessly , but then again it was designed by an amazing engineer , not a committee.

 

[MarkCO]

I've been building my ARs without a forward assist for the last 20 years. I use the below to complete my stripped 7075 uppers.

Carbon Arms Upper Parts Kit

STRETCH Precision produces the full line of the soft shooting, hand lapped STRETCH 16 Precision AR15 barrels.

www.stretchprecision.com

 

[cciman]

Consider this from the 50,000 feet military decision level: (turn on wise dad voice)

Teaching many thousands of people the correct situation to use a "forward assist button" compared when "to absolutely not use it " (jamming the rifle with a stuck cartridge) and have them make the correct mechanical decision under combat stress - adds a layer of complexity to the training program that does not need to exist. Adds cost all the way around.

Simple is best. Human nature to want all the options, even if they may never be used or used incorrectly.

 

[F14A]

My Colt M4 has one, but honestly, I’m indifferent to the FA.

 

[pewNerds]

Clint Smith @ Thunder Ranch said (in much better words) that you need to clear jams not force them into the chamber.

...with that, Kyle Rittenhouse says he saved his own life by using his before taking the famous shot that removed the bicep from that fake EMT.