I own both flavors, with and without dust cover and forward assist. The one difference is, the one without the dust cover and forward assist is only used for target shooting at the range and never goes out for hunting or anywhere it might take some abuse.
I have a slick side and I'll never sell it. Lightest 16 in AR I have. It is even lighter than my ddm4v7lw and that's only 6 lbs. I do have a diamond fluted pencil barrel which is providing most of my weight reduction.
@@skipperclinton1087 ounces = pounds. Where I go hunting it matters. I have ARs that are heavy too, that's the beauty of it. It's my setup for alpine hunting, I cross country ski, snowshoe, & snowmobile with it too.
@@armstrong2052 When I look for gear I'll be packing I ALWAY look at the weight of it first before I buy right down to the ounce and how much it'll all weigh when assembled and added up. That's what always amazed me when I read comments from people about having to bug out during the riots. The people bragging about how many thousands of rounds they had. Unless you think you can throw it all in the back of a PU and drive to some remote hideout it doesn't matter because if you can so can others too that will try and take it from you if you even make that far. Just like the utube vids on people hiking the AT or the PCT you'll find discarded gear along the trail. After awhile/miles those ounces turn into pounds and the 'luxury' items get tossed!
@@skipperclinton1087 I get that, I'm in NW Montana so most bug out scenarios wouldn't apply to me. Not impossible to imagine something like that happening though. I always tell people to use their camping and snow gear at least a couple times a year. That way they have a good grounded realization of the tasks involved, and their personal limits. People I've talked to for the most part are fucked if they had to "bug out". They tend to be either unprepared, incapable, or something to that extent.
The ability of the AR to keep debris out of the action in the first place is one of its greatest advantages. It’s basically sealed with the dust cover closed, and the DI action, while inherently dirtier does help to blow debris out of the action
When NATO first went into the 'stan, sand from helo landings would get everywhere. Countries that used weapons like the G3 ended up having issues with dust getting into the weapons and sticking to oil, gunking up and creating stopages. As well sealed as the AR-15 system is, you'd be impressed with how fine sand can still work it's way onto the BCG through an open dustcover. Also if dust gets onto the outside of the BCG, once the weapon fires a lot of that dust will travel rearward with the BCG into the gun. Dustcovers are worth having if for no other reason than helo insertions. I also live in a very dry area, so having another way to keep oil from evaporating off is an added bonus.
Good video, and absolutely correct. Look, I’ve been shooting for 60+ years and that has taught me that failures to function are often foreign object caused. For example, non-Beretta M9 magazines in recent Southwest Asian combat sometimes failed to function, due to very find sand that is common in that region. The best way to resolve such potential problems is to prevent their occurrence. And that is why the cheap, light and unobtrusive “AR dust cover” is so sensible. For those AR owners who suggest, “I never use this weapon in places with lots of detritus,” I’d caution, “never is a long time, how can you be certain?”
But is it REALLY needed or is it just a convenience? Like they said that shotguns don't have dust cover but they wish they did and yet people still use shotguns without them.
How did US troops in WW2 and Korea ever survive using a rifle that not only didn't have a dust cover, but a rotating bolt exposed to the environment and was top loaded by en bloc clips lol? I await your explanation.
A while back I built a lightweight rifle for hunting without a FA or dust cover. Also went with a lightweight BCG. That upper receiver and BCG now sit in a box somewhere and have been replaced on that gun by a receiver with both a FA and a dust cover as well as a full mass BCG.
You can say "ive seen tests where its not needed." BUT in the military we harp on "contingencies". A back up to a back up. Redundancy for things such like this definitely are important to us. It doesnt add any extra weight, I prefer a dust cover, just to have as that extra level of protection. For my guys up in Alaska (sorry, i feel for you), the dust cover defintely helps from freezing, as ive seen in garand thumbs testing...but ofcourse those were under EXTREME conditions. So again, i think its nice to have there
Your gun will work without a dust cover. But no matter how slight you think the benefits of having one is, the benefits out-weigh the draw-backs. The one and only drawback being 2 extra grams of weight
Anyone that's ever deployed to a dusty environment like Iraq knows how much dust covers are needed. I always kept mine closed and anyone's I saw opened I closed theirs too 🤣. We know how that Iraq moon dust can get in everything so I also kept a piece of rolled up cloth in my mag well when unloaded and my barrel cap on too. My other guys were usually cleaning their weapons a few times a week cause of the dust but I rarely ever had to clean mine unless I fired. One of my guys asked why I wasn't cleaning my M-16 and I showed him my mag well trick and opened it up to show it was spotless and oiled inside. He too started using the mag plug trick and barrel cap. So yes a closed dust cover and a couple other simple tricks will keep ya weapon clean and running smooth, even after 15 months in the dusty sun 🤣.
Haha, I was that guy too. I made it my mission to close everyone's dust covers. It also helped feed that satisfying urge when you push and closed and could feel and hear the audible click.... Idk, that did something for me but I'm a weirdo.
Back in 89/90 I used a muzzle cap and a rolled up sock stuffed in the magwell. When you and your buddies lives are on the line you want your rifle to function and that means you need it clean!
@@gokuusf my 2nd deployment in jan09 you were there for the surge. Where were you? I was on Taji. This deployment was pretty boring status of forces agreement changed and we didn't do much
I went to a smooth side upper when s&w came out with their 700 dollar ar15. They tested it at gunsite. Didn't clean it and got it as dirty and dusty as they could. Passed with no problems. Bolt assist, Stoner didn't want that. The military did. Brass deflector, possibly if you are a lefty. No problems here. Brass deflector was added late 70s or early 80s I believe
I can see the argument for the Forward Assist not being useful but the dust cover is extremely important! It keeps the rifle a closed system which increases its reliability 10-fold in less than favorable conditions.
@@KRN762 I totally get that that’s why I said there’s an argument rather than it’s conclusive. Personally I think it is necessary. It’s just one more failsafe that doesn’t add almost any weight whatsoever. But to be fair when getting training you are taught to not use the forward assist. I was always taught to rack a new round. I don’t like jamming a round that’s not going into the chamber correctly. For all you know you could create a bomb if there was an obstruction.
@@KRN762 all you have to do is use your thumb to push the bolt carrier forward from the ejection port. and then once home replace that worn out buffer spring.
Take it from an 80's Vet. You need that "ejection port cover" and forward assist! If we called it a "dust cover" in Basic it was push ups and scrubbing latrines all day.
@@Enjoyer.762 Unless a soldier is in a firefight the point is to close the port off, in the field with wind, dirt, sand, fine grit gets in! After a leak, zip it!👈 😃
When I saw the title of this video I wanted to cry. I was so afraid of what I would hear. There is no way I will ever have an AR without a dust cover. I served with M4s and M16s in the Army for 21 years. It's like nails down a chalkboard thinking an AR would not have a dust cover
How did the troops in WW2 and Korea ever survive not having a dust cover and using a rifle that had an exposed action and was top loaded by en bloc clips lol?
Yes, a dust cover is important but I think that my next one will not have a forward assist. If it's not going into 🔋, I'm gonna find out why. Tanks gentlemen.
Not a AR but a shotgun I have I kinda wish it had a forward assist. Only because if it's anything less then dripping with oil, it won't go into battery.
I am a firm believer in the dust cover (as well as the forward assist) although I am 100% guilty of forgetting to engage mine 80% of the time. Keep them coming fellahs!!!!! I'm loving it!!!
My understanding is that the bolt carrier itself forms a fairly good seal, per InRangeTV mud tests. That being said, there’s really no reason not to have it - unlike the forward assist, I’ve never heard of a dust cover induced malfunction.
@@kurdistanindependance5471 I’ve seen *mud* get in there and not cause a malfunction, and there’s video evidence - see above. Note that I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a dust cover - I think you should - because even though it’s not *that* important, it does add a small benefit with no real downside.
The environment I'm in is dusty and windy, I notice my AR has a coat of dust on it even when it's inside. The dust cover keeps the bolt clean from the dust. I think it's a good idea to have a dust cover
The forward assist wasn't on Eugene Stoner's AR. The dust cover was. And before you claim a forward assist is necessary, explain why it is lacking on the M110, L129A1, and MARS-H?
@@Lofi.z34 The AR10 based rifles I listed are used in military service. The M110 the US Army. The L129A1 the UK military. The MARS-H the New Zealand military. Those militaries accepted the rifles without requiring a forward assist. And why do you believe the proper remedial action is to force a round into the chamber?
@@Lofi.z34 They were trained to smash the forward assist. Stoner's original AR15 didn't even include one for the obvious reason that forcing a cartridge into the chamber can cause worse problems.
Imo the forward assist is a necessary evil on a fighting rifle. Using it for impromptu press checks and proper bolt seating during loading always made me a little more confident before a patrol. Anyone that’s had to load and unload multiple times a day in less than optimal conditions has an acute understanding of weapons’ failures. (Again, these are MY opinions and based on MY experiences)
OK, I'm a BRIT 🇬🇧, so I'm ready for the "what would I know" comments. I am also an 18 year Army SF vet who was also a small arms weapons instructor for 13 of these years. The dust cover is more of a military thing...if you have one of these as a Civi, you probably don't need a dust cover. If you've ever been a soldier/marine ....you know EXACTLY why the dust cover is there. crawling through a culvert full of pig shit, piss, body parts and mud at the start of your 72 hour patrol means you want that breach area covered as much as possible. Sand, shit, mud and whatever else it is dragged through ... you'll take ANY type of help to stay clean, and when I say clean, I actually mean OPERATIONAL. So here is my 2 penneth worth. Civis ...no dust cover required, but it's handy. Military ...Dust cover ESSENTIAL. God Bless America. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I don't care one way or the other, just wanted to point out that the dust cover and forward assist were revisions specifically requested by the US Army. Lord Stoner did not design it to require either. The round divot in the BCG is the original forward assist, and the the bolt operates from the closed position... It is sealed by default. I have dust covers on most of my builds, but only because the damn things come in most LPKs and if it's there, I may as well install it. If it doesn't come in the kit, I don't bother to get one at all. Never had a single jam or malfunction on any build with or without that could be attributed to some kind of interference from the lack of a dust cover.... and I'm *HARD* on my guns (I will invariably torture test my builds before I ever take them to the range or out for hunting, classes, whatever... I don't own a single... no, wait, I have ONE firearm that still looks brand new. All the others look beat to shit). Don't really care if anyone wants to argue. Like I said, I've got all flavors. The ones without function just as well as the ones with. Take that for what you want.
@@lincolnpascual Lincoln remember that the lowest bidder gets the contract. Ball powder was cheaper than Dupont and considering that ball had been used for a long time before for 30.06 and 7.62X51 you think maybe some people in procurement were getting a backhand?
@@skipperclinton1087 oh absolutely. That's what happens with a bureaucracy, though, till this day. Too many fingers in the pie, and everybody wants a piece. Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a say. You want shit to go right, gear some palms. Otherwise? You get the big green weenie. It's not uncommon for someone to be involved just looking to get his hands greased. Use this instead of this... sent that there first.... we're gonna have to hold on to this until it clears... etc etc etc. This is why I taught my guys how to Strategically Transfer Equipment to Alternate Locations, when needed. We made our ride uparmored like a damn tank. It was beautiful. Even tactically acquired a Mk19 from a cav unit we were cool with. When we needed batteries, we robbed the PX by pallets and distributed batteries across the entire company. Everyone was topped up nice on 123s and AAs.
You can do without a lot of things on an ar and still have a functioning ar. You don't need a safety selector switch, a bolt catch, a stock, flash hider, mag release, dust cover, forward assist, sights etc. The rifle will still fire without such hardware.
If the forward assist is light, cheap, and unobtrusive enough to keep, then that goes double for the dust cover (which, unlike the forward assist, actually does something).
As today's ARs can come in various calibers, I find the dust covers handy as they can be easily removed and etched with the specific caliber of that particular upper. Most barrels have the chamberings on them, but covered by handguards.
I own a S&W M&P 15 Sport, a very popular rifle. As you know, it does not have a dust cover or a forward assist. We use it only for plinking/target shooting at the range. We absolutely have no need for a dust cover. And in over thirty years of shooting AR platform rifles, I have never had to use a forward assist. Not all Americans utilize these rifles for hunting or shooting out in the woods.
Good morning gentlemen As always you are a pleasure to learn something new from That being said I think that some people just have to much time on their hands Too question the necessity of a dust shield is tantamount to saying why do we need bullets or rifles at all Well thanks again for the videos brother's Have a great day God bless Just saying
The AR platform has evolved with the forward assist and the dust cover for valid reasons. No need to rethink or redesign the mousetrap. They are both essential to the operation of the firearm.
Watch Shawn Woods, mouse traps have come a long way, so that is a bad analogy anyway. If a design feature is needed then keep it if you require it for your mission, otherwise trash it.
I just finished an Aero M5 build with a dust cover. My brother, who works on a large ranch here in south Texas, has a D.P.M.S. Slick side LR 308. He said that is the one thing he wished his had because of the the dusty conditions here
Doesn't matter if you have a cover or not. It was designed to have one.... however most guns don't have a cover and the AR does not function much different than thousands of other semi auto rifles. Do what you want. Whatever floats YOUR boat.
Years ago DPMS used to sell a very stripped down model that didn't have one. No shell deflector either.. Of course they sold the "bolt-on" units if wanted.
I went with the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport 2, instead of the 1st generation because of the Sport 2 having the "Dust cover". And it has the forward assist. I have 3 that are all set up different, but all of them have "Dust Covers".
I have a T91 upper with no brass deflector. But it has a dust cover. If u tune them right u don't really need a brass deflector but u need a dust cover. No forward asst. available but Marines are taught to tap rack in roll.
Dust cover is a must have, forward assists are like fire extinguishers, a wall ornament until you need it. So, it's a must have. Take the drama a bit farther, "Why do you carry a firearm?" It's there when you need it. A knife? Same reason. Now it becomes a "Duh" point.
I have a DPMS LR308 that doesn't even have a place to mount a dustcover... no forward assist either... my two AR15's are slick side as well... and only because those were the uppers I could find at the time.
Cross Machine Tool (CMT) makes a fantastic, Billet, Lefty AR upper that is not designed to utilize a dust cover. I have one on one of my builds, which is pretty much just a range rifle. All of my other Lefty ARs have a dust cover. Sidenote: Lefty AR dust covers flip “upwards,“ not “downwards,” like a standard AR.
@@SilverStarHeggisist - Great question. If the dust cover is on the left side, and were to flip downward, it would come to rest right on top of the bolt catch paddle. ‘LEO Armory’ makes Custom dust covers, and were great to work with. They were able to print my designs “upside down,” on my dust cover, so it would be orientated correctly.
I can tell you from personal experience on deployments when SHTF and I’ve been moving or clearing rooms I didn’t make sure my dust cover was closed between shooting rounds lol. Dust covers help keep bigger chunks of debris out but absolutely necessary? I don’t think you HAVE to have one for your weapon to function and stay clean. In any area with fine particles they will find a way into your weapon system when the wind picks up, you fall, or a multitude of things happen. “Moon dust” or very fine sand in the Middle East finds its way into any opening which can be between the upper and lower if the fitting isn’t just right or anywhere for that matter. Fine sand is in CA and AZ as well as tons of other places in the US as well. Dust cover is nice but it doesn’t protect your firearm from everything, and I definitely don’t take the time to always put my dust cover back into the closed position in the middle of a movement or something. My .02
Exactly that's what I'm saying, the thing is spring loaded it opens on it's own, if your in a firefight your not gonna go, "oh let me close my dust cover".
@@kirksmith347 exactly. It’s nice to have but I don’t think it’s necessary and these guys didn’t even test anything just gave their “opinion” which seems uneducated at best
If you're in a firefight the dust cover springs open the second you shoot a round, what are you gonna do keep closing it manually? Dust cover is only good for transportation.
If you’re going to bet your life on that weapon, then you need the dust cover and forward assist. If you ever served in the military, then you know why. For my hunting versions, I have switched to side chargers with no dust covers. (Obviously) I mostly hunt from a stand though.
You forgot the most important reason to have a dust cover. When basic trainees forget to close it, they get to endure the wrath of their Drill Sergeant. It helps keep things clean as well.
I have a AR with no dust cover or forward assist. If it’s just a range gun for target practice like mine is. I see no issue with not having them. I also have one with a dust cover and forward assist.
I crawled almost a mile through a swamp in a nuclear security training exercise. I was damn glad for that dust cover. I was playing rodent in the mud and muck and morass to avoid the thermal cameras. The gun worked, when I needed it to work. I smelled like catfood and ass afterwards, but the gun worked.
This is crazy that this is even a thing. The Winchester 1873 lever action is one of the first guns I know of that incorporated a dust cover to keep dirt out. Do you need a dust cover for the gun to run? No. Does it help keep it clean and running longer? Absolutely. It's a good thing to have on a gun.
No forward assist means different charging mechanism. Because in case of checking for a round in a chamber and slowly letting go off of a charging lever, might not close the bolt. Then you will have to push the bolt with fingers from the extraction window. Why slowly? You might not want to create unnecessary noise in some situations.
@@skullofserpent5727 If a bad guy is that close to you, you're already screwed. And if you're expecting trouble why wouldn't you have your round chambered and firearm ready to go ahead of time? Do you conceal carry a pistol? Do you carry it with no round in the chamber? Same principle applies to a defensive rifle. Your "go to" firearms should be always loaded and a round chambered unless you are clearing them for cleaning, inspection, or repairs.
@@Enjoyer.762 that is a good point sir. But sometimes you are in the forest, in the night and might need to load the weapon. (hence the caution not to bee to noisy) Besides, for whatever reason you might need to load the weapon you need some leverage to operate the bolt in both directions, unless the firearm is open bolt operated. I prefer to have that leverage.
@@skullofserpent5727 That still makes no sense to me. If for whatever unlikely situation that I need to be in the woods with my defensive rifle, my semiautomatic rifle will be carried loaded with a round in the chamber the same way my EDC concealed carry pistol is carried. If I am in the woods because there's some highly unlikely gun fight (84% of civilian self-defense shootings are within 7 yards), the enemy isn't likely to hear magazine changes and bolts closing. What you are claiming sounds awfully similar to the debunked Fuddlore myth of WW2 where people claimed that Axis forced used to hear the ping of spent M1 Garand en bloc clips.
Does a forward assist/dust cover have any disadvantage besides being more moving parts? I can see deleting it to look “cool” and be minimalist...but I cant see the justification for deleting that utility for serious use.
I see no upside to removing the dust cover. It’s very lightweight, it only closes when the bolt is in battery, and it reduces the chance of getting mud/sand/etc in the action. Keep it! I can see a debate about the forward assist. It does introduce another moving part. More importantly, if a round won’t chamber the first thing you should do is try to extract it - not pound it into the chamber. Unlike the dust cover, the forward assist was not part of Mr. Stoner’s original design.
I don’t have forward assist on any of mine but still pro dust cover & unless you install it incorrectly I don’t see how its detrimental in anyway. Plenty of combat rifles have them for a reason
Strictly speaking, the AR's dust cover isn't as necessary as on other rifles since the bolt itself does a good job of blocking ingress. . . But it doesn't weigh much, doesn't cause problems, and is a great way to personalize your rifle. And it does a good job of keeping grit out of the action.
I am a former Marine & I believe that all AR-15's & M16's should have a dust cover. I own a 1986 AR-15 that has a dust cover. The M116-A2 I had in the Marine Corps was also a 1986 model& had a dust cover. So I am more prone to have a military spec AR-15 that is the same as the M16-A2 rifle I had in the Marine Corps..
There is the fellow over at InRangeTV that dumps mud on rifles to see if they will still function and an AR with dust cover closed is very resistant to a muddy and also a dusty environment. More so than an AK believe it or not, But!!!!!! I was told of someone that has gotten an AR-15 carbine for self defense and he wanted a low bucks gun so he has one minus dust cover and forward assist. The gun will likely never be used in the field. It is strictly intended for defense of the home. He lives in an urban area. His neighborhood is clean and houses kept up, but there are some population areas only a short distance away that could explode and like many americans he wants something to guard his home and has chosen an AR. The point is he is not a soldier and does not need a soldier's gun. But a couple of 30 round magazines is about the best self defense deterrent that an urban home owner can have. Cost of the rifle is an issue. It will reside in a gunsafe. Remember the couple outside of East Saint Louis with the empty AR15 and a BLM mob. The mob went away after breaking down the gate to get in. Link to ar-15 mudtest ua-cam.com/video/YAneTFiz5WU/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/YAneTFiz5WU/v-deo.html
The stoner platform operates with much tighter tolerance than something like an AK. Keeping out debris is important for any weapon platform and improves reliability when kept closed.
Thing is, there is a case to be made for no forward assist, but dust covers are one of the many things you absolutely need. On the point of the Military still adding forward assists on their new guns, I’m of the opinion that the FA is a byproduct of the military always soldier-proofing their stuff, not in terms of reliability but as a testament of the military making sure shit doesn’t break in the hands of new recruits.
The negatives GREATLY outweigh whatever "benefits" there may be, even on a range gun. Why someone would go out of their way not to add one is beyond me. Also, I've been to MANY ranges and the vast majority of them are visited by scumbag low life's that don't know how to properly use a sand bag or clean up after themselves thus leaving all the rests littered with sand from the popped sand bags where they were resting a hot barrel on rather than their handguard. Just put the damn dust cover on man...
@@badvlad9861 Now you're just being stubborn for stubborns sake.... War doesn't qualify the choice or need for a dust cover... If saving acouple bucks for something that's going to live in a safe or be hung up on a wall really is that important to you then more power to ya but if the firearm can come with or have one easily installed and the firearm is intended for any specific task other than sitting idle then not having one is just moronic at that point unless the look of not having one makes you chub up or something...
Old 1970’s U.S. Army Drill Sergeant here. Just imagine pushing thousands of unskilled basic trainees through mud and grime without dust covers. …well, yeah, it is kind o’ funny…
Why is this even up for debate? Who would want dirt and debris getting into their weapon on purpose?
If you just continue to leave your ARs in the safe as the safe queens they are, you won't have to worry about it.
because it human nature to give unwanted opinions
@@mobieus7 The bolt is directly exposed to the environment. Same with M14. Same with Mini 14 / 30.
Remington 700 no dust cover
Mossberg 500 no dust cover
FN FAL no dust cover
HK MP5 no dust cover
@@Elcheecho yeah and the FN FAL performance during the six day war was poor
“There are dust covers and there is also life alert, Steve” 😂 best line ever on Smyth Busters!
I can't stop laughing OMG HAHAA
That was a good one.
Yep. I thought “Whoa! Caleb bringing the smack!”
So wait, are you saying that the life alert comes with a dust cover?
@@dfl19034 No, you have to take one from somebody's AR-15 (at the range)
I own both flavors, with and without dust cover and forward assist. The one difference is, the one without the dust cover and forward assist is only used for target shooting at the range and never goes out for hunting or anywhere it might take some abuse.
I have a slick side and I'll never sell it. Lightest 16 in AR I have. It is even lighter than my ddm4v7lw and that's only 6 lbs. I do have a diamond fluted pencil barrel which is providing most of my weight reduction.
@@armstrong2052 I had no idea that the dust cover on an AR weighed so much! How many ounces is that again?
@@skipperclinton1087 ounces = pounds. Where I go hunting it matters. I have ARs that are heavy too, that's the beauty of it. It's my setup for alpine hunting, I cross country ski, snowshoe, & snowmobile with it too.
@@armstrong2052 When I look for gear I'll be packing I ALWAY look at the weight of it first before I buy right down to the ounce and how much it'll all weigh when assembled and added up.
That's what always amazed me when I read comments from people about having to bug out during the riots. The people bragging about how many thousands of rounds they had. Unless you think you can throw it all in the back of a PU and drive to some remote hideout it doesn't matter because if you can so can others too that will try and take it from you if you even make that far.
Just like the utube vids on people hiking the AT or the PCT you'll find discarded gear along the trail. After awhile/miles those ounces turn into pounds and the 'luxury' items get tossed!
@@skipperclinton1087 I get that, I'm in NW Montana so most bug out scenarios wouldn't apply to me. Not impossible to imagine something like that happening though. I always tell people to use their camping and snow gear at least a couple times a year. That way they have a good grounded realization of the tasks involved, and their personal limits. People I've talked to for the most part are fucked if they had to "bug out". They tend to be either unprepared, incapable, or something to that extent.
The ability of the AR to keep debris out of the action in the first place is one of its greatest advantages. It’s basically sealed with the dust cover closed, and the DI action, while inherently dirtier does help to blow debris out of the action
When NATO first went into the 'stan, sand from helo landings would get everywhere. Countries that used weapons like the G3 ended up having issues with dust getting into the weapons and sticking to oil, gunking up and creating stopages. As well sealed as the AR-15 system is, you'd be impressed with how fine sand can still work it's way onto the BCG through an open dustcover.
Also if dust gets onto the outside of the BCG, once the weapon fires a lot of that dust will travel rearward with the BCG into the gun.
Dustcovers are worth having if for no other reason than helo insertions.
I also live in a very dry area, so having another way to keep oil from evaporating off is an added bonus.
@@Blade4952 The G3 runs dirtier than a DI (internal piston) AR. The chamber flutes become very fouled.
Yes it is. NECESSARY!
Good video, and absolutely correct.
Look, I’ve been shooting for 60+ years and that has taught me that failures to function are often foreign object caused. For example, non-Beretta M9 magazines in recent Southwest Asian combat sometimes failed to function, due to very find sand that is common in that region. The best way to resolve such potential problems is to prevent their occurrence. And that is why the cheap, light and unobtrusive “AR dust cover” is so sensible.
For those AR owners who suggest, “I never use this weapon in places with lots of detritus,” I’d caution, “never is a long time, how can you be certain?”
But is it REALLY needed or is it just a convenience? Like they said that shotguns don't have dust cover but they wish they did and yet people still use shotguns without them.
you're an idiot.....we're sport shooting in america, not in a war!
How did US troops in WW2 and Korea ever survive using a rifle that not only didn't have a dust cover, but a rotating bolt exposed to the environment and was top loaded by en bloc clips lol? I await your explanation.
@@Enjoyer.762 just because they got by without in the past doesn’t mean we should continue to do so now. We can always do better.
Life alert joke was on point!
Emotional damage!
The dust cover is also a good way to make sure that the bolt is in battery.
ooooooooooo thats a neat tip i never would have thought of this
@@zacsdiyguns DOH !!! I bet that one stung :)
A while back I built a lightweight rifle for hunting without a FA or dust cover. Also went with a lightweight BCG. That upper receiver and BCG now sit in a box somewhere and have been replaced on that gun by a receiver with both a FA and a dust cover as well as a full mass BCG.
Holy shit what a story! Riveting!
All ARs must be built for the same use. Eh?
You can say "ive seen tests where its not needed." BUT in the military we harp on "contingencies". A back up to a back up. Redundancy for things such like this definitely are important to us. It doesnt add any extra weight, I prefer a dust cover, just to have as that extra level of protection. For my guys up in Alaska (sorry, i feel for you), the dust cover defintely helps from freezing, as ive seen in garand thumbs testing...but ofcourse those were under EXTREME conditions. So again, i think its nice to have there
Your gun will work without a dust cover. But no matter how slight you think the benefits of having one is, the benefits out-weigh the draw-backs. The one and only drawback being 2 extra grams of weight
And if you don't like how it looks, there are some clear plastic AR dust covers out there!
@@jarink1 that sounds ugly as shit. I'd say if you don't like how it looks get one with a catchy one-liner or a cool symbol printed on it
Anyone that's ever deployed to a dusty environment like Iraq knows how much dust covers are needed. I always kept mine closed and anyone's I saw opened I closed theirs too 🤣. We know how that Iraq moon dust can get in everything so I also kept a piece of rolled up cloth in my mag well when unloaded and my barrel cap on too. My other guys were usually cleaning their weapons a few times a week cause of the dust but I rarely ever had to clean mine unless I fired. One of my guys asked why I wasn't cleaning my M-16 and I showed him my mag well trick and opened it up to show it was spotless and oiled inside. He too started using the mag plug trick and barrel cap. So yes a closed dust cover and a couple other simple tricks will keep ya weapon clean and running smooth, even after 15 months in the dusty sun 🤣.
Haha, I was that guy too. I made it my mission to close everyone's dust covers. It also helped feed that satisfying urge when you push and closed and could feel and hear the audible click.... Idk, that did something for me but I'm a weirdo.
Back in 89/90 I used a muzzle cap and a rolled up sock stuffed in the magwell. When you and your buddies lives are on the line you want your rifle to function and that means you need it clean!
Iraq was an unforgiving environment. When were you there?
@@jamesnewman5695 Dec. 07 - Mar. 09 lots of fun in the sun 🤣
@@gokuusf my 2nd deployment in jan09 you were there for the surge. Where were you? I was on Taji. This deployment was pretty boring status of forces agreement changed and we didn't do much
I went to a smooth side upper when s&w came out with their 700 dollar ar15. They tested it at gunsite. Didn't clean it and got it as dirty and dusty as they could. Passed with no problems. Bolt assist, Stoner didn't want that. The military did. Brass deflector, possibly if you are a lefty. No problems here. Brass deflector was added late 70s or early 80s I believe
I didn't expect to laugh out loud, but "I'm an old man, I trip a lot" got me.
Yes it keeps the dust out!! In all seriousness it is necessary when it comes to medium or heavy debris. Any small amount you can't keep out.
I can see the argument for the Forward Assist not being useful but the dust cover is extremely important! It keeps the rifle a closed system which increases its reliability 10-fold in less than favorable conditions.
Ask Kyle Rittenhouse if the FA saved his life....
Twice.
@@KRN762 I totally get that that’s why I said there’s an argument rather than it’s conclusive. Personally I think it is necessary. It’s just one more failsafe that doesn’t add almost any weight whatsoever. But to be fair when getting training you are taught to not use the forward assist. I was always taught to rack a new round. I don’t like jamming a round that’s not going into the chamber correctly. For all you know you could create a bomb if there was an obstruction.
@@KRN762 fuck that murderer
@@KRN762 all you have to do is use your thumb to push the bolt carrier forward from the ejection port. and then once home replace that worn out buffer spring.
@@DavidA20200 I only see the need for FA for those new to the AR platform and or weak/missing limbs
Brownells is the exclusive distributor of the wwsd 2020 rifle, which has a dust cover but no forward assist.
Take it from an 80's Vet. You need that "ejection port cover" and forward assist! If we called it a "dust cover" in Basic it was push ups and scrubbing latrines all day.
💯💯💯🎯🎯🎯🎯
Are you still in the military? No. It's ok to call it a dust cover.
Ejection port cover sounds way cooler than dust cover! Anyways who would walk around with the fly of pants open? Lol
@@GC-Jo Do you stop to close the dust cover between shots? No.
@@Enjoyer.762 Unless a soldier is in a firefight the point is to close the port off, in the field with wind, dirt, sand, fine grit gets in! After a leak, zip it!👈 😃
When I saw the title of this video I wanted to cry. I was so afraid of what I would hear. There is no way I will ever have an AR without a dust cover. I served with M4s and M16s in the Army for 21 years. It's like nails down a chalkboard thinking an AR would not have a dust cover
Did you sperg out and close your dust cover between every shot because God forbid a spec of dirt got into the BCG lol?
How did the troops in WW2 and Korea ever survive not having a dust cover and using a rifle that had an exposed action and was top loaded by en bloc clips lol?
@@Enjoyer.762 a little bit of dirt in the wrong place will stop just about any machine.
@@SilverStarHeggisist ua-cam.com/video/dHwoZ6SS_pY/v-deo.html
@@SilverStarHeggisist I await your response to the AR15 dirt test video I just linked in the comments.
Yes, a dust cover is important but I think that my next one will not have a forward assist. If it's not going into 🔋, I'm gonna find out why. Tanks gentlemen.
So you're saying that trying to jam a round into the chamber that doesn't want to be there is a bad idea? 🤔😉
Not a AR but a shotgun I have I kinda wish it had a forward assist. Only because if it's anything less then dripping with oil, it won't go into battery.
🤷♂️ it’s a battle rifle, they learned from earlier weapons failures.
The British had a different method for keeping their SLR (imperial FAL) rifle working. Sand cuts in the bolt
I am a firm believer in the dust cover (as well as the forward assist) although I am 100% guilty of forgetting to engage mine 80% of the time. Keep them coming fellahs!!!!! I'm loving it!!!
Someone once said, you should not tear down a fence if you do not know why it was put up. I think this applies to this very topic.
Good one
G. K. Chesterton said that. One of his many great quotes.
My understanding is that the bolt carrier itself forms a fairly good seal, per InRangeTV mud tests. That being said, there’s really no reason not to have it - unlike the forward assist, I’ve never heard of a dust cover induced malfunction.
I THINK IF DUST GETS IN THERE WILL BE A MALFUNCTION
@@kurdistanindependance5471 I’ve seen *mud* get in there and not cause a malfunction, and there’s video evidence - see above.
Note that I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a dust cover - I think you should - because even though it’s not *that* important, it does add a small benefit with no real downside.
@@kurdistanindependance5471 EXPLAIN AWAY THIS - loser.
ua-cam.com/video/dHwoZ6SS_pY/v-deo.html
It's kinda like a storm window. Sure your main window keeps the weather out... But the storm window just makes its job a little easier.
I’ve had 4 malfunctions caused by the dust cover.
I resemble that remark being an old guy. Anything you can do with a life alert can be done better with a loaded AR.
The environment I'm in is dusty and windy, I notice my AR has a coat of dust on it even when it's inside. The dust cover keeps the bolt clean from the dust. I think it's a good idea to have a dust cover
I don't see why it's a debate
I've never understood why things like the forward assist and the dust cover are so controversial. They definitely serve a purpose on a fighting rifle.
The forward assist wasn't on Eugene Stoner's AR. The dust cover was. And before you claim a forward assist is necessary, explain why it is lacking on the M110, L129A1, and MARS-H?
@@Lofi.z34 The AR10 based rifles I listed are used in military service. The M110 the US Army. The L129A1 the UK military. The MARS-H the New Zealand military. Those militaries accepted the rifles without requiring a forward assist. And why do you believe the proper remedial action is to force a round into the chamber?
@@Lofi.z34 They were trained to smash the forward assist. Stoner's original AR15 didn't even include one for the obvious reason that forcing a cartridge into the chamber can cause worse problems.
Imo the forward assist is a necessary evil on a fighting rifle. Using it for impromptu press checks and proper bolt seating during loading always made me a little more confident before a patrol.
Anyone that’s had to load and unload multiple times a day in less than optimal conditions has an acute understanding of weapons’ failures.
(Again, these are MY opinions and based on MY experiences)
@@hateferlife So why doesn't the M110, L129A1, and MARS-H have a forward assist?
Dust cover yes, but I've never needed a forward assist.
I like dust covers because they keep junk out of my dust.
spend a day in the desert with no dust cover on your rifle and then tell me you don't need one.
OK, I'm a BRIT 🇬🇧, so I'm ready for the "what would I know" comments. I am also an 18 year Army SF vet who was also a small arms weapons instructor for 13 of these years. The dust cover is more of a military thing...if you have one of these as a Civi, you probably don't need a dust cover. If you've ever been a soldier/marine ....you know EXACTLY why the dust cover is there. crawling through a culvert full of pig shit, piss, body parts and mud at the start of your 72 hour patrol means you want that breach area covered as much as possible. Sand, shit, mud and whatever else it is dragged through ... you'll take ANY type of help to stay clean, and when I say clean, I actually mean OPERATIONAL. So here is my 2 penneth worth. Civis ...no dust cover required, but it's handy. Military ...Dust cover ESSENTIAL. God Bless America. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I don't care one way or the other, just wanted to point out that the dust cover and forward assist were revisions specifically requested by the US Army. Lord Stoner did not design it to require either. The round divot in the BCG is the original forward assist, and the the bolt operates from the closed position... It is sealed by default. I have dust covers on most of my builds, but only because the damn things come in most LPKs and if it's there, I may as well install it. If it doesn't come in the kit, I don't bother to get one at all. Never had a single jam or malfunction on any build with or without that could be attributed to some kind of interference from the lack of a dust cover.... and I'm *HARD* on my guns (I will invariably torture test my builds before I ever take them to the range or out for hunting, classes, whatever... I don't own a single... no, wait, I have ONE firearm that still looks brand new. All the others look beat to shit).
Don't really care if anyone wants to argue. Like I said, I've got all flavors. The ones without function just as well as the ones with. Take that for what you want.
"Lord Stoner" didn't design the weapon to be used with dirty ball powder either!
@@skipperclinton1087 yup. The fault of that falls on army logistics. Bureaucracy is a bitch. What was the word for it again? Oh yeah... BOHICA.
@@lincolnpascual Lincoln remember that the lowest bidder gets the contract. Ball powder was cheaper than Dupont and considering that ball had been used for a long time before for 30.06 and 7.62X51 you think maybe some people in procurement were getting a backhand?
@@skipperclinton1087 oh absolutely. That's what happens with a bureaucracy, though, till this day. Too many fingers in the pie, and everybody wants a piece. Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a say. You want shit to go right, gear some palms. Otherwise? You get the big green weenie.
It's not uncommon for someone to be involved just looking to get his hands greased. Use this instead of this... sent that there first.... we're gonna have to hold on to this until it clears... etc etc etc. This is why I taught my guys how to Strategically Transfer Equipment to Alternate Locations, when needed. We made our ride uparmored like a damn tank. It was beautiful. Even tactically acquired a Mk19 from a cav unit we were cool with. When we needed batteries, we robbed the PX by pallets and distributed batteries across the entire company. Everyone was topped up nice on 123s and AAs.
Back in my day the big discussion was how we were gonna carry the rifle without the carry handle when they moved to flat-top upper receivers.
What was your solution?
@@SilverStarHeggisist We just started holding them instead.
@@Devilman666 I guess the carry handle is kinda what the sling is for anyway
@@SilverStarHeggisist yeah but then you're just slinging it, not carrying it.
@@Devilman666 true
You can do without a lot of things on an ar and still have a functioning ar. You don't need a safety selector switch, a bolt catch, a stock, flash hider, mag release, dust cover, forward assist, sights etc.
The rifle will still fire without such hardware.
I’d argue the mag release is a necessity
@@Tarumarugan california neutered guns do without
@@KhabarovVictor stop voting for Democrats
That’s the beauty of the AR, you can customize it however you like…
Yea that’s pretty important
If the forward assist is light, cheap, and unobtrusive enough to keep, then that goes double for the dust cover (which, unlike the forward assist, actually does something).
As today's ARs can come in various calibers, I find the dust covers handy as they can be easily removed and etched with the specific caliber of that particular upper.
Most barrels have the chamberings on them, but covered by handguards.
I own a S&W M&P 15 Sport, a very popular rifle. As you know, it does not have a dust cover or a forward assist. We use it only for plinking/target shooting at the range. We absolutely have no need for a dust cover. And in over thirty years of shooting AR platform rifles, I have never had to use a forward assist. Not all Americans utilize these rifles for hunting or shooting out in the woods.
There’s dust covers and there’s life alert 😂
Good morning gentlemen
As always you are a pleasure to learn something new from
That being said I think that some people just have to much time on their hands
Too question the necessity of a dust shield is tantamount to saying why do we need bullets or rifles at all
Well thanks again for the videos brother's
Have a great day
God bless
Just saying
The AR platform has evolved with the forward assist and the dust cover for valid reasons. No need to rethink or redesign the mousetrap. They are both essential to the operation of the firearm.
I can name 3 military AR based rifles in current service with militaries that all lack a forward assist. M110, L129A1, and MARS-H. All 7.62 NATO.
Watch Shawn Woods, mouse traps have come a long way, so that is a bad analogy anyway. If a design feature is needed then keep it if you require it for your mission, otherwise trash it.
@@Enjoyer.762 and Eugene Stoner the man himself made the AR without a forward assist from the get go and always viewed it as a bad idea.
I just finished an Aero M5 build with a dust cover. My brother, who works on a large ranch here in south Texas, has a D.P.M.S. Slick side LR 308. He said that is the one thing he wished his had because of the the dusty conditions here
Doesn't matter if you have a cover or not. It was designed to have one.... however most guns don't have a cover and the AR does not function much different than thousands of other semi auto rifles. Do what you want. Whatever floats YOUR boat.
I've always been a firm believer that the dust cover is a great asset to have whenever possible.
the dust covers on the M-16"s during Vietnam. Helped Saved a lot cleaning time.
Years ago DPMS used to sell a very stripped down model that didn't have one. No shell deflector either.. Of course they sold the "bolt-on" units if wanted.
I went with the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport 2, instead of the 1st generation because of the Sport 2 having the "Dust cover". And it has the forward assist. I have 3 that are all set up different, but all of them have "Dust Covers".
That's an excellent budget AR. I have one and have had zero problems with it over thousands of rounds. You'll like it
@@fujimi715 Oh I love them. I got my first one in 2018. Zero issues, with minimal upgrades.
I have a T91 upper with no brass deflector. But it has a dust cover. If u tune them right u don't really need a brass deflector but u need a dust cover. No forward asst. available but Marines are taught to tap rack in roll.
Dust cover is a must have, forward assists are like fire extinguishers, a wall ornament until you need it. So, it's a must have. Take the drama a bit farther, "Why do you carry a firearm?" It's there when you need it. A knife? Same reason. Now it becomes a "Duh" point.
Why doesn't the M110, L129A1, and MARS-H have the forward assist lol?
I agree you should have a dust cover a combat or hinting AR. But on a bench AR not really needed it.
Plus the satisfying snap when you close it
How is obsolete?
I have a DPMS LR308 that doesn't even have a place to mount a dustcover... no forward assist either... my two AR15's are slick side as well... and only because those were the uppers I could find at the time.
All ARs need $50 Forward Controls EPCs.
Cross Machine Tool (CMT) makes a fantastic, Billet, Lefty AR upper that is not designed to utilize a dust cover. I have one on one of my builds, which is pretty much just a range rifle. All of my other Lefty ARs have a dust cover. Sidenote: Lefty AR dust covers flip “upwards,“ not “downwards,” like a standard AR.
Interesting, I wonder why
@@SilverStarHeggisist - Great question. If the dust cover is on the left side, and were to flip downward, it would come to rest right on top of the bolt catch paddle. ‘LEO Armory’ makes Custom dust covers, and were great to work with. They were able to print my designs “upside down,” on my dust cover, so it would be orientated correctly.
I think life alert might be needed more than a dust cover. "Help I've fallen and I can't get up" LoL
Is it a must to have your supressor adapter (flash higher, muzzle brake, etc.) Rocksett to your barrel???
I never used it since I only go to the range (always open ), eventually I may need it one day , so it does hurt to have it .....
needed or not - cool factor, i like it.
Trust me. The amount of moon dust in Afghanistan would end this debate immediately.
Sounds like the dust cover is just an AR condom. Can prevent some things but not really required.
The dust cover keeps dust and dirt out of your action.
I can tell you from personal experience on deployments when SHTF and I’ve been moving or clearing rooms I didn’t make sure my dust cover was closed between shooting rounds lol. Dust covers help keep bigger chunks of debris out but absolutely necessary? I don’t think you HAVE to have one for your weapon to function and stay clean. In any area with fine particles they will find a way into your weapon system when the wind picks up, you fall, or a multitude of things happen. “Moon dust” or very fine sand in the Middle East finds its way into any opening which can be between the upper and lower if the fitting isn’t just right or anywhere for that matter. Fine sand is in CA and AZ as well as tons of other places in the US as well. Dust cover is nice but it doesn’t protect your firearm from everything, and I definitely don’t take the time to always put my dust cover back into the closed position in the middle of a movement or something. My .02
Exactly that's what I'm saying, the thing is spring loaded it opens on it's own, if your in a firefight your not gonna go, "oh let me close my dust cover".
@@kirksmith347 exactly. It’s nice to have but I don’t think it’s necessary and these guys didn’t even test anything just gave their “opinion” which seems uneducated at best
I was going to say that exact same thing.
"Stoner made it. I believe in it. That ends it..." Paraphrasing an old bumper sticker-LOL
If you're in a firefight the dust cover springs open the second you shoot a round, what are you gonna do keep closing it manually? Dust cover is only good for transportation.
If you’re going to bet your life on that weapon, then you need the dust cover and forward assist. If you ever served in the military, then you know why. For my hunting versions, I have switched to side chargers with no dust covers. (Obviously) I mostly hunt from a stand though.
I have two side charging as well, smooth shooter.
I see you Brownells.
If I had a M5/Mcx Spear I'd be using it in random videos too.
You forgot the most important reason to have a dust cover. When basic trainees forget to close it, they get to endure the wrath of their Drill Sergeant. It helps keep things clean as well.
Cool look ,BOTH features
Life alert hahaha. As Steve's legendary coffee cup removes Caleb's teeth. Buy a dust cover for that Elvis hair
I have a AR with no dust cover or forward assist. If it’s just a range gun for target practice like mine is. I see no issue with not having them. I also have one with a dust cover and forward assist.
Looking forward to the new Magpul quick cover.
I crawled almost a mile through a swamp in a nuclear security training exercise. I was damn glad for that dust cover. I was playing rodent in the mud and muck and morass to avoid the thermal cameras. The gun worked, when I needed it to work. I smelled like catfood and ass afterwards, but the gun worked.
That is a descriptive likening!
"Help I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up" - Steve In A Year Or 2.
This is crazy that this is even a thing. The Winchester 1873 lever action is one of the first guns I know of that incorporated a dust cover to keep dirt out. Do you need a dust cover for the gun to run? No. Does it help keep it clean and running longer? Absolutely. It's a good thing to have on a gun.
Great job guys!
"I'm old and I fall down" hmm 🤔, sounds like a strong argument.
I think InRangeTV mud tests have show how useful the dust cover is. It's so light and unobtrusive, why would anyone not want one?
I'm totally onboard with the dust cover, still no forward assist for me though
No forward assist means different charging mechanism. Because in case of checking for a round in a chamber and slowly letting go off of a charging lever, might not close the bolt. Then you will have to push the bolt with fingers from the extraction window. Why slowly? You might not want to create unnecessary noise in some situations.
@@skullofserpent5727 If a bad guy is that close to you, you're already screwed. And if you're expecting trouble why wouldn't you have your round chambered and firearm ready to go ahead of time? Do you conceal carry a pistol? Do you carry it with no round in the chamber? Same principle applies to a defensive rifle. Your "go to" firearms should be always loaded and a round chambered unless you are clearing them for cleaning, inspection, or repairs.
@@Enjoyer.762 that is a good point sir. But sometimes you are in the forest, in the night and might need to load the weapon. (hence the caution not to bee to noisy) Besides, for whatever reason you might need to load the weapon you need some leverage to operate the bolt in both directions, unless the firearm is open bolt operated. I prefer to have that leverage.
@@skullofserpent5727 That still makes no sense to me. If for whatever unlikely situation that I need to be in the woods with my defensive rifle, my semiautomatic rifle will be carried loaded with a round in the chamber the same way my EDC concealed carry pistol is carried. If I am in the woods because there's some highly unlikely gun fight (84% of civilian self-defense shootings are within 7 yards), the enemy isn't likely to hear magazine changes and bolts closing. What you are claiming sounds awfully similar to the debunked Fuddlore myth of WW2 where people claimed that Axis forced used to hear the ping of spent M1 Garand en bloc clips.
@@Enjoyer.762 thank you for your input.
Does a forward assist/dust cover have any disadvantage besides being more moving parts? I can see deleting it to look “cool” and be minimalist...but I cant see the justification for deleting that utility for serious use.
I see no upside to removing the dust cover. It’s very lightweight, it only closes when the bolt is in battery, and it reduces the chance of getting mud/sand/etc in the action. Keep it!
I can see a debate about the forward assist. It does introduce another moving part. More importantly, if a round won’t chamber the first thing you should do is try to extract it - not pound it into the chamber. Unlike the dust cover, the forward assist was not part of Mr. Stoner’s original design.
Damn shots fired at Steve today with the Life Alert Job 😂. Steve you gotta get him back now
I don’t have forward assist on any of mine but still pro dust cover & unless you install it incorrectly I don’t see how its detrimental in anyway. Plenty of combat rifles have them for a reason
Nevada folks be like “yeaaah I think I’ll keep my dust cover” 😂 It mind as well be Tatooine out here. The xm5 even has it. Stoner knew what was up.
Hey Caleb how come you & Steve use Brownells coffee cups??? I got one & love it! BJR
Make that clear: VIEWER REQUESTED. Lol Caleb. Honestly, sometimes I watch these things just for you two.
Strictly speaking, the AR's dust cover isn't as necessary as on other rifles since the bolt itself does a good job of blocking ingress. . . But it doesn't weigh much, doesn't cause problems, and is a great way to personalize your rifle. And it does a good job of keeping grit out of the action.
If not yet stated: "Better to have it & not need it, than to need it & not have it."
S&W proved that the dust cover sells better, when they upgraded the Sport I to the Sport II and sales took off. Geoff Who has one without one with.
Pandemic maniacs are what really helped those sales.
I am a former Marine & I believe that all AR-15's & M16's should have a dust cover. I own a 1986 AR-15 that has a dust cover. The M116-A2 I had in the Marine Corps was also a 1986 model& had a dust cover. So I am more prone to have a military spec AR-15 that is the same as the M16-A2 rifle I had in the Marine Corps..
There is the fellow over at InRangeTV that dumps mud on rifles to see if they will still function and an AR with dust cover closed is very resistant to a muddy and also a dusty environment. More so than an AK believe it or not, But!!!!!!
I was told of someone that has gotten an AR-15 carbine for self defense and he wanted a low bucks gun so he has one minus dust cover and forward assist. The gun will likely never be used in the field. It is strictly intended for defense of the home. He lives in an urban area. His neighborhood is clean and houses kept up, but there are some population areas only a short distance away that could explode and like many americans he wants something to guard his home and has chosen an AR. The point is he is not a soldier and does not need a soldier's gun. But a couple of 30 round magazines is about the best self defense deterrent that an urban home owner can have. Cost of the rifle is an issue. It will reside in a gunsafe. Remember the couple outside of East Saint Louis with the empty AR15 and a BLM mob. The mob went away after breaking down the gate to get in.
Link to ar-15 mudtest ua-cam.com/video/YAneTFiz5WU/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/YAneTFiz5WU/v-deo.html
The stoner platform operates with much tighter tolerance than something like an AK. Keeping out debris is important for any weapon platform and improves reliability when kept closed.
Thing is, there is a case to be made for no forward assist, but dust covers are one of the many things you absolutely need. On the point of the Military still adding forward assists on their new guns, I’m of the opinion that the FA is a byproduct of the military always soldier-proofing their stuff, not in terms of reliability but as a testament of the military making sure shit doesn’t break in the hands of new recruits.
LOL, you do you... Had a bad experience in the field... so I build all of mine without. But heck that's why I build my own equipment....
Even the AK's safety is used like a dust cover. Who exactly is questioning the usefulness of keeping outside gunk out of your inside junk?
Even the AK’s Selector...
Depends on what you’re doing with it... range target shooting? Not needed. On the battlefield? Yes. Needed.
So mission dictates gear?
The negatives GREATLY outweigh whatever "benefits" there may be, even on a range gun. Why someone would go out of their way not to add one is beyond me. Also, I've been to MANY ranges and the vast majority of them are visited by scumbag low life's that don't know how to properly use a sand bag or clean up after themselves thus leaving all the rests littered with sand from the popped sand bags where they were resting a hot barrel on rather than their handguard. Just put the damn dust cover on man...
If you are on the battlefield you probably are not using your AR-15, so mute point. If not at war, dust cover not needed.
@@badvlad9861 (gruff voice) if I'm there, it's a battlefield.
@@badvlad9861 Now you're just being stubborn for stubborns sake.... War doesn't qualify the choice or need for a dust cover... If saving acouple bucks for something that's going to live in a safe or be hung up on a wall really is that important to you then more power to ya but if the firearm can come with or have one easily installed and the firearm is intended for any specific task other than sitting idle then not having one is just moronic at that point unless the look of not having one makes you chub up or something...
that life alert joke was a zinger! haha
That life alert line took me out 😂
Old 1970’s U.S. Army Drill Sergeant here. Just imagine pushing thousands of unskilled basic trainees through mud and grime without dust covers. …well, yeah, it is kind o’ funny…
I disagree. You guys mentioned bugs getting inside your shotgun. And why wouldn't you want that? It's a free friend!