Ah, yes, 1) is a rule for self-loading rifles with reciprocating charging handles, starting in the US I suppose with the '30s M1 Garand. On the off chance the

Ah, yes, 1) is a rule for self-loading rifles with reciprocating charging handles, starting in the US I suppose with the '30s M1 Garand. On the off chance the gun will fire while you're manipulating the handle, make sure your thumb is out of the way so at worst your palm will be beat up a bit. The AR-15/M16/M4 which follows that family (M1 and '50s M14) lacks that "feature", replacing the lost functionality with a separate forward bolt assist. In other major rifles of that general era, the AK-47 etc. and SIG SG 55x and I think it's 510 predecessor reciprocates, this in fact goes back to the original Nazi StG 44 "storm rifle", the FAL and G3 don't.