What is forward assist?

A forward assist is a feature found on many modern rifles, particularly AR-15 style rifles. It is a button or lever located on the side of the rifle's upper receiver that is designed to help push the bolt forward into battery if it fails to fully close on its own.

The forward assist was originally added to the design of the M16 rifle during the Vietnam War to address issues with the rifle's bolt not fully closing in dirty or muddy conditions. It allows the shooter to manually push the bolt forward to ensure that the rifle is ready to fire.

While the forward assist can be a useful feature in certain situations, it is not always necessary and some shooters choose to forego it on their rifles. It is primarily seen on military and law enforcement rifles, as civilian shooters may not need the added functionality it provides.

Overall, the forward assist can be a helpful tool for ensuring reliable operation of a rifle in adverse conditions, but it is not a critical feature for all shooters.