AR Questions

[Marlboro Man]

I recently built my first rifle. As you can guess, it was an AR15 in the .223/.556 cal. anyway, I had so much fun doing it and like working on guns that I've decided to get an FFL and open a business. While I was at the gun show this past weekend, I saw some AR's that had the dust cover removed, and the forward assist sections cut out of the frame, leaving the bolt carrier assy. exposed. When I inquired as to why they had done that, I was told that the dust cover was an antiquated and unnecessary on the gun. When I asked if that didn't allow more dirt and debris to get into the mechanism causing malfunctions, I was told that it presented no such problems. Anyone know if that is true. I did like the lever that was tapped into the front of the bolt assy. which basically does away with the charging handle and aids in wounded operation of the rifle.

[esaabye]

What you are describing is typical of a match rifle where I don't have the ability to use my charging handle due to a raised cheek piece. See this one as example...

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17553&cat=259&page=1

you can also find slick side uppers (dpms makes them) that are normal except no forward assist.

The dust cover does not do you any good after the first shot as it stays open. The forward assist is useful in deflecting the brass. Without it a lady handed shooter gets hit in the cheek.

[SideShow Bob]

What is a "lady handed shooter" ?.........[LOL]

And no, the forward assist does not deflect brass, ask any "lady handed shooter" that was issued an M-16A1, that is the job of the brass deflector bump. Those didnt come on the rifles until the M16A2s.

[Lars]

That all depends on what you are using the rifle for. My AR that is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is a precision rifle and so I will be removing the forward assist and replacing it with a AR gas vent to help when I'm running it suppressed. On a precision gun if the round won't seat on its own I'm not going to pull the trigger. Same thing for the dust cover. I have no need for it on the 6.5 as it is always clean when shooting, but on my .223 coyote gun the dust cover is always closed to keep dust and brush out of the chamber when going from stand to stand. If you want to really know if those two features are outdated just ask any one that carried one in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[MarkCO]

FAs are a waste andso we make the PlugAR to plug the FA port. I do keep the dust covers on most of my ARs though.

[esaabye]

The lady is lefty with iPhone spelling. You are correct, the fa does not do anything for you but the deflector does really help a lefty shooter.

[Marlboro Man]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm getting set up to get back into competitive shooting, so I'm always looking for what the latest and greatest tricks are. If I'm right, the consensus is that it's not detrimental to the rifle to make those modifications. BTW essabye, thanks for the info on where to get the piece to replace the charging handle and assist.