What model M16 is this based on the pictures.

[Quibbley]

I am former Air Force Security Police. I was active duty between 1984 and 1987. I got out a little early under the reduction or strength program. I worked in high security restricted areas and was trained for Air Base Ground Defense (i.e. Air Force version of combat school).

The M-16's we carried did not have a forward assist. I never needed it. I am not certain but I believe the lower receiver was marked as M-16...I could be wrong though. The bolt carrier has a place to put your thumb to push it forward in the event the bolt did not go into battery.

Also, while stationed in Germany I worked in the armory a bit. I remember one person in my flight (Air Force equivalent of a platoon) was issued a M-16 that the lower receiver was marked as Armalite AR-15 Patent Pending. I never new how old the rifle was but I figured it must have been one of the early one purchased by the Air Force.

[ridgerunner]

I was in Viet Nam in 1969. Never was a big fan of the forward assist. Kind of like getting a tractor stuck. If you stop before it gets stuck too tight, it's a lot easier to get out.
You can kick that charging handle on the latch side a lot harder than you would think, and not break it.
The only time I spent on an air base ( coming into country, leaving country ) it seemed that the perimeter got quite active after dark.

[S.B.]

Johhny in Texas, have you ever seen a well maintained(clean) AR15 that needed the forward assit?
Steve

[leemozoid]

Without a Forward Assist it is prior to 1970 or earlier. I enlisted in the Corps (March, 1969) and never saw one without a Forward Assist. We qualified with M14's in Boot Camp. Saw my first M16 in mid May '69 in Infantry Training at Camp Geiger then. All had a Forward Assist (IIRC). In fact we were taught to smack the Forward Assist with the heel of our hand every time we chambered a round from a fresh mag. Was that a hold over from someone's experience in Viet Nam in combat, can only assume so.

SPORT
Slap the bottom of the magazine
Pull the operating handle to the rear
Observe the chamber
Return the bolt home
Tap the forward assist

[can14]

I have an xm16e1 colt rifle. It is marked ar15 and has the forward assist etc.

[Johnny in Texas]

Steve after a weekend of hunting pigs and other critters I rarely have a clean and well maintained M16 so mine gets used at night mostly after a mag change also comes in handy when chambering a round silently at night so their are other uses for the little devilish thing. I remember one night I pulled the trigger and heard a click and realized no round in chamber so I milked the bolt closed very slowly with the forward assist and did not spook a group of hogs I was trying to get a few shots at. $hit happens that is why I like the dang thang. But if you don't want one hey man I am ok with it.

[Col. Colt]

The AR-15 Series was originally designed by Stoner with the forward assist INTERNAL - that little cutout inside the ejection port on the side of the Bolt Carrier is all you should ever need, shaped to fit your Thumb!

If you have to force it closed, something is too bad wrong, and you may then JAM it closed - which you Do NOT WANT TO DO!! CC