by 
kuyakev
ANSWERS: 7
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On older models, it helps to completely close the breech. Early models had springs that weren't quite strong enough.
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The button is there to help you do something you really never should do -exept in an emergency. That means try to close the bolt when you are not sure it would do it without the forward assist. You could damage several parts and end up with a weapon that wont lock or jam just because of that. Sorry my english im european
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When doing an excessive amount of shooting or using dirty ammo like WOLF brand, the cartridge can get stuck maybe a half inch from being fully seated in the chamber due to excessive carbon buildup. The rifle will not fire if the cartridge is not seated and the bolt is not fully in battery. The forward assist will help you run it in firmly. If you are using the forward assist at all, you should stop and clean the weapon if at all possible. This was the cause of the very first malfunction complaints on the original GI M16 in Viet Nam. They added a forward assist to give the operator a tool to keep throwing lead under adverse conditions, but what made the true difference was to change the propellant in the cartrdidges they used, the first brands were too dirty for any useful purpose.
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The charging handle on the top of the M-4/16 rifles is there due to somewhat of an oversight when it first came out. The charging hangle can easily extract the bolt back but it's not secured or fastened to the bolt. It must be this way so that the charging handle won't come back with each shot and injure the shooter. The resulting problem is that when the chamber is fouled and the bolt ride home if for whatever reason it is blocked or slowed down by fouling or a simple jam. There was no way to force the bolt home. Colt/Armelite came up with a fix in the way of the forward assist device which now allows the shooter to force the bolt closed regardless of dirt or fouling simply by hitting the device with the heel of your hand.
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It's for backup use only in case the bolt does not close completely. It usually means something is wrong and the weapon needs attention. but in the heat of battle you just want it to close so you can shoot (although at that point it may not shoot anymore anyway). It can indicate an unsafe condition. none of my target rifles even have the forward assist, they are smooth sided.
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to double check that the bolt is home sweep sights checks sights tap forward assist close ejection port cover...
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If the chamber is dirty, a round might not fully seat.Slapping the forward assist rams the round in fully so it can be fired. +5
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