Re: MMR Mossberg Modern Rifle
Congrats on the writing opportunity, and on your past experience.
While I have never worked in a gun shop formally, I have made many sales for my local shop, just by happening to be there when someone was 'looking'. True, there are many out there who 'know' what they are looking for when they go into a shop or to a gun show. But I would be willing to bet, there are probably more who only know what they have read in a magazine, online, or in a forum.
I'm not saying that is a bad thing, as any information they can acquire and use to help them make a decision or to learn more about the platform may help them down the line in choosing a make, model, that is right for them. What I don't care for, is when folks develop the 'holier than thou' attitudes and start preaching about how certain brands are better than others, only to find out that they are basing their sermon on what someone else said, without trying or comparing the brands in question. Not saying that is what you are doing, or anyone else in the forum.
I have been around the AR platform since the late 70's. I carried one for Uncle Sam for 8 years all over central America, and other 'great vacation places'. I served as the 'unofficial gunsmith' for our group, only because I had a knack for keeping my piece ticking when others would fail. I have personally assembled over 150 AR's for myself and to help friends, over the years, and can usually successfully troubleshoot most malfunctions and get the piece running again with little or no trouble.
I'm sure you are aware that when the AR first came out, it had no forward assist. That feature was added when our GI's started running into feeding issues in 'Nam. Most of the problems were causes by dirty or fouled chambers, bad magazines, creatures or foreign debris in the action or chamber or all over the rounds, and for rounds that were notoriously loaded with the wrong powder. So the forward assist was added to help them 'force' the round into battery. In a combat/LEO situation or where your life is on the line, that may be a last resort to keep you in the fight. But ... I have also witnesses incidents where someone has tried to force a round in, only to jam up the gun and put them out of the fight. Or, they end up forcing the round in, getting it jammed up so that it won't extract! There are times when the previous round may have had a lighter load - a low-powder round. IF so the next round will most likely not fully load and seat into the chamber. THIS is what the forward assist was actually designed for, for that type of occurrence. Again, it all depends on the situation.
Personally, I would probably drop the mag, rack the action, and clear any debris. Then check that particular mag and the round, also the chamber to see what the problem is. But in an urgent situation, you may not have the time. That is why you keep your gun inspected, clean and lubed, inspect your magazines and EVERY round that you load - if you think you are going to be using that particular gun in 'harm's way'.
Now, for the average guy who will most likely never be using one of these in that scenario - is the forward assist really necessary? In my honest opinion - no. But, it is an inexpensive feature, does not add much weight. It's main advantage that I have found is, that you can chamber a round 'quietly' in a hunting scenario. That being said, there are several models out there that still do not employ a forward assist, even on models that can and are used for hunting. Sure they are cheaper to manufacture that way. And they do make the action simpler, and hopefully more reliable.
While they are meant to serve a purpose, are they really necessary? No, not really. They do have advantages, like in a hunting scenario - to quietly load a round. They can help in a situation where the previous round was low-powder. This is assuming that the round being fed has no obstructions, malfunctions or deformities, and the chamber is free and clear of debris that might be causing the mis-feed. Using the forward-assist to force the round in, will most likely cause just that - a JAMMED weapon.
So, again, it all comes down to the buyer finding something that he/she likes, features that they want, and a price they are comfortable with. There will always be the Chevy-vs-Ford debates on which models and brands are better - and here's why, but for the most part - the average user/buyer will never have to use one of these for anything more than what they were designed for - regardless if the manufacturer puts the 'Tactical' stamp on it or not. I really don't think Mossberg is offering these as 'ready for a CARBINE Class torture test' or to go to the nearest Sand Box.
No, they don't have a forward assist. And I'm sure they probably don't have a FA or match BCG assembly, or a heavy buffer, or a match trigger, or .....etc, etc, etc. I didn't see mention of Mil-Spec, HPT, or MPI parts anywhere. But in all reality, do they need to? IF that is what the buyer wants or needs, then keep looking.
What it comes down to is, no, these do not have some of the features that other brands may/may not offer. Price wise, we still don't know what street/store price will be. So it's really hard to make a case either way. Sure there are some 'top shelf' (whatever that really means) brands out there that might be available at similar price points, but again, we still don't know what the price on these will be. And if they are priced the same as those other brands, well then the buyer has more options.
But with or without a forward assist on these, I would not let that be the deciding factor on whether or not I would buy/own one.
It all comes down to individual wants and needs, and what they are willing to pay for, and sometimes you do get what you pay for, sometimes more - sometimes less. That's where research on the models and features is helpful. As well as figuring out what it is you really need or will be using the tool for, and knowing how to use it. For someone NEW to AR's, or even to someone with some experience with them, I really don't see anything wrong with these - from what the write ups have to offer. Of course, that is without handling one. I'll save my final opinion until then
