While you did answer the question, it is better to clear a jam by pulling back on the charging handle, possibly while also mortoring the buttstock. Hitting the forward assist is just as likely to make the jam worse. (This also counts for AKs, this isn’t an AR only thing)
Some newer ARs don’t come with forward assists anymore, sometimes to prevent people from making jams worse, but usually cause they’re for sport and if your rifle malfunctions in a way that needs a forward assist, you can just take the L and get off the range to solve the issue.
Regardless, if you hit the forward assist, just make sure you’re in a position that this might be the last round you can fire without doing some maintenance.
But you are correct, ARs are as popular as they are for a reason. They’re reliable, easy to get parts for, and ammo (while expensive) is just about everywhere.
While you did answer the question, it is better to clear a jam by pulling back on the charging handle, possibly while also mortoring the buttstock. Hitting the forward assist is just as likely to make the jam worse. (This also counts for AKs, this isn’t an AR only thing)
Some newer ARs don’t come with forward assists anymore, sometimes to prevent people from making jams worse, but usually cause they’re for sport and if your rifle malfunctions in a way that needs a forward assist, you can just take the L and get off the range to solve the issue.
Regardless, if you hit the forward assist, just make sure you’re in a position that this might be the last round you can fire without doing some maintenance.
But you are correct, ARs are as popular as they are for a reason. They’re reliable, easy to get parts for, and ammo (while expensive) is just about everywhere.
True. With my most recent rifle, I intentionally bought an upper receiver without one because I’m not usually in combat situations. Usually.