Forward assist: Difference between revisions

The design of the [[L85]] makes the forward assist quite awkward as the left supporting arm must come off the hand grip and reach over the top to strike the bolt forward with the left edge of the left hand, much like a "karate chop". It may be a perception of awkwardness by external users due to unfamiliarity, as the drills are not seen as awkward by common users, it is a slick and swift drill when carried out by trained personnel where reload and ready times are similar to that of M4 type counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-27 |title=Enfield SA-80: L85A1 L85A2 L85A3 assault rifle (UK) |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/bez-rubriki-en/sa80-l85-eng/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}}</ref>

 

The forward assist's use can correlate with an increase in malfunctions with feeding and extraction. Test data from the original trials indicate that, while the forward assist itself is not causal to inducing a malfunction, the need to use the forward assist will likely coincide with feeding and extraction issues exclusive from the use of the forward assist. While the forward assist can be effective in some circumstances as the tests demonstrated, the firearm's user should know when to conduct a remedial action, such as cleaning the firearm, if repeated feeding and extraction issues present themselves and as time allows. It has also been demonstrated to be a safe mechanism to use even when held while firing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Full Spectrum |title=The Vindication of the AR15's Forward Assist |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjU8InWxr0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/MhjU8InWxr0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=7 September 2020}}{{cbignore}}

</ref>