TexasCHLforum.com

I did a forum search and could not find anything here about this rifle.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My son has given me the AR15 bug and while I would like to build my own I really do not want to invest in a couple hundred dollars worth of tools at this time.

I saw this rifle in a local store and tried to do a bit of research on it. The crowd over at AR15.com have mixed reviews mainly over the lack of a forward assist. In the thousands of rounds I have put through various AR15/16 I have never used the FA. While I understand its function, I view it as a carryover from the early M16s. (What do I know I could be wrong.) The lack of a dust cover is a very minor concern but I am not planning on carrying it through the sandbox. I believe the 1:8 barrel will allow me a better range of ammo options.

My use for this rifle would be mostly plinking. There may be an occasion for varmint elimination but I have not seen a coyote in a while around here. The racoons are on the increase but I prefer to trap them for elimination as they are up past by bedtime. I may use also use it as a truck gun and put my Model 94 away.

Thoughts? THANKS!

my opinion is: if you want an AR just get an AR. S&W has a few other ones that are around the same price but include all the features an AR normally has.

I've used the forward assist once, out of I don't know how many rounds through several AR15s. It was a rifle in need of a cleaning, shooting on a hot day, and one round failed to chamber all the way. The forward assist nudged it the rest of the way in. I fired the round, and the rest of the day went without event.

If you shoot clean burning ammo, and you clean the rifle regularly, you may never need to use a forward assist. DPMS also offers rifles without it. OTH, on the day you need one and your rifle doesn't have one, it just became a club. So, it really depends on what reasons you're buying the rifle for. If it's entirely for plinking and having fun, then it doesn't really matter. If it may also be called into a home defense role, then it might matter.......or not. Kinda up to you.

If it's just for plinking get the M&P 15-22. I've been jonesing for one for a while now.

8 years in the Army and having my own AR I have not once ever used the forward assist.

When Eugene Stoner first designed the AR platform there was no forward assist. The scooped out section on the bolt carrier was your forward assist. The shooter was supposed to press the bolt forward with finger pressure using that indention. The Army and Marines wanted the forward assist. It's a handy tool to really jam an already jammed gun. A dust cover is nice but not 100% necessary.

MoJo wrote:When Eugene Stoner first designed the AR platform there was no forward assist. The scooped out section on the bolt carrier was your forward assist.

I did not know that. You learn something new every day.

Thanks for the replies!

@gigag04 - I already have a couple of .22s, the M&P 15-22 would already be in my arsenal otherwise.

@TAM - Yes, if it was my primary HD weapon, the FA would be of more concern.

After mulling it over for a couple of days, I think it is time to bite the bullet and start ordering parts and tools.

i8godzilla wrote:

After mulling it over for a couple of days, I think it is time to bite the bullet and start ordering parts and tools.

cajunautoxer wrote:You can get them thru here $57 shipped
http://palmettostatearmory.com/1560.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best deal I can find on a stripped lower.

I have never used the forward assist either, I just like the way it looks.

The tools are less than $100 total except the cost of a bench vise. I think building your own is a good route, especially if you are already familiar with the weapon system. Even if your not familiar with the weapon the interweb will tell you all the do's and don'ts of building one. Its pretty easy if you are confident in your ability. Good luck on your search and post some pics when it happens.