Is it bad to..

[Sebben]

..let the bolt slam home on an AR platform with out having any ammo or snap caps in it? I only ask because someone was very apprehensive about closing the bolt on my 308 AR he rode the charging handle down instead of just hitting the release. The only thing it could hurt would maybe the extractor. What's your take on this?

 

[3O8Junkie]

Re: Is it bad to..

Rack away..
The only time I ride the charging handle is the first round when I am out hunting, and thats just so I can use my pretty forward assist.
In all seriousness the AR was designed as a battle rifle, racking the charging handle with nothing inside will not hurt a thing. I like the sound, and sometimes I do it just to sooth myself.. )

 

[BattleAxe]

Re: Is it bad to..

I'll ride the charging handle on an empty rifle if for no other reason than it doesn't sound too healthy not to. Does it hurt anything? Don't know but I've got too much money invested in my gear to find out the hard way.

 

[3O8Junkie]

Re: Is it bad to..

The correct answer is no it doesn't hurt it. I have enough money invested in my gear to trust it will work when I need it to.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: Is it bad to..

It is absolutely fine to let the action close under its own power on a empty chamber.
That is much less violent than the ride it takes when cycling.

 

[MrLebowski]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr. Phil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is absolutely fine to let the action close under its own power on a empty chamber.
That is much less violent than the ride it takes when cyling.
</div></div>

+1
Well put

 

[BattleAxe]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr. Phil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is absolutely fine to let the action close under its own power on a empty chamber.
That is much less violent than the ride it takes when cyling.
</div></div>

Good point

 

[pupdawg]

Re: Is it bad to..

I do it as a courtesy on other peoples ARs. I ride it home. With my own I let it fly home sometimes and sometimes I dont.

I agree that it probably doesnt do any damage.

 

[mike mccurry]

Re: Is it bad to..

I have been letting mine slam shut for 15 years. No damage yet

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Is it bad to..

If it did hurt it the military would probably have to buy a shitload of new uppers, and figure out a new way to practice our weapons manipulations without letting it slam home. I let it slam home on my duty rifle and my personal and have never had problems.

 

[DeadPool]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShooterMcGavin33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The correct answer is no it doesn't hurt it. I have enough money invested in my gear to trust it will work when I need it to.
</div></div>


This.

Best answer in here.

 

[shootist~]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr. Phil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is absolutely fine to let the action close under its own power on a empty chamber.
That is much less violent than the ride it takes when cycling.
</div></div>

I do not agree with this. Stripping a round from the magazine reduces the force significantly.

I'll sometimes let mine slam home on an empty chamber, but do so rarely. Common sense (to me) indicates that slamming metal to metal on a regular basis could accelerate wear. But each to their own.

 

[Inogame]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShooterMcGavin33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rack away...
...I like the sound, and sometimes I do it just to sooth myself.. ) </div></div>

Amen brother!

 

[Cleanmiss]

Re: Is it bad to..

I love the sound too it makes me smile when Im sad lol

 

[Glock30]

Re: Is it bad to..

let her rip

 

[rjdriver]

Re: Is it bad to..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Glock30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">let her rip </div></div>
Like He said..... I would be afraid of a gun that wouldn't stand up to just working the action.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Is it bad to..

The short answer is "no" is doesn't hurt a thing.

The long answer is the military, and the Marine Corps specifically drops the carrier with the bolt release at the end of the "inspection arms" Drill movement. To do this with precision (so that the entire platoon sounds like one) takes many, many, many weeks of work executing the move. Now add to that the weeks of dry fire practice leading up to a rifle qualification week and you can see these rifles have the carrier slammed home countless times. The rifles are still battle ready and still able to punch a man sized target at 500 yards.

I allow the bolt carrier to slam home on my AR10 and it's still an MOA rifle.