Forward assist

Some firearms have a dedicated device to allow forward assisting; on others, it is simply a procedure performed on reciprocating (i.e. attached to the bolt/bolt carrier) charging handles.

In order to ensure that the extractor is clipped around the rim of the casing, the forward assist is usually struck rather than pushed.

[6] Having realized the frequency with which the firearm jammed when taken outside of the clean environment of the test range, the forward assist was implemented to save the operator the potential danger of aiming the rifle and pulling the trigger and the rifle not going off because the bolt is not fully forward (a safety arrangement called a "safety sear" stopping the hammer from being released and the firearm firing, because of the dangers of firing with the bolt not fully closed).

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.

[8][failed verification] The forward assist's use can correlate with an increase in malfunctions with feeding and extraction.