Why are standard short and long handguards made of two different materials?
Why do traditional forged front sight bases look as if they’re cast?
Why is the gas tube opening in an upper receiver shaped like an “X”?
Why are the majority of standard A2 buttstocks gray in color?
Why were semi-auto bolt carriers developed if full-auto carriers work, and work better?
Why was the system of having a separate charging handle located above the bolt carrier implemented, rather than a simple latch mated to either side of the carrier (as in the case of many other semi/full auto rifles)?
Why were semi-auto bolt carriers developed if full-auto carriers work, and work better?
The semi-auto bolt carriers were developed so the leading edge of the hammer would catch the firing pin and not be able to ride the carrier forward and fire in a full auto type action.
Why was the system of having a separate charging handle located above the bolt carrier implemented, rather than a simple latch mated to either side of the carrier (as in the case of many other semi/full auto rifles)?
The reason for this is that Mr. Stoner wanted to keep all of the moving parts on the inside. The reciprocating charging handle can (and will) get caught on your equipment. The G3 charging handle is great because it folds out of the way but the AK does not. Now there are advantages to the AK’s charging handle but that is not the discussion here.
I’m sure there are others here that can answer the other Q’s.
The semi auto carrier was develop so it would not trip the auto sear. It makes it harder to convert a AR to full auto. At least that is my understanding.
To the best of my knowledge the materials used in the military M4/ M16 handguards are the same. Fiberglass-reinforced nylon. The material used in Bushamster handguards is different- it is cheap ass plastic. One of my co-workers here did not believe me, until I removed the heat shields from a Bushmaster M4gery and broke the handguards in half by squezzing them.
