The BC doesn't have to be negligently dropped by the user, I have seen several self release due to wear or sudden shock to the rifle like bumping into objects or even swinging into the operator while slung.
I agree that the time and action required to remedy a short stroke is the same as that for a failed attempt at the BC. However, there is no cognitive thought required to use the CH if that is your primary method. If the BC failed you now have to cognitively think about how to remedy that, the answer is the CH. We're back to Hick's law, you're complicating the learning process and the execution process by introducing more options. This very issue is present in Art of the Carbine one(I cannot find my reference material for a specific time in the video) where a student experiences a stoppage, a type III. He clears the rifle, inserts a fresh magazine, then slaps at the BC and mounts the rifle. He gets the click, he pauses, then reaches for the CH. Had he always used the CH the second stoppage would never had occurred. Every time a magazine is inserted you run the CH. That belief and thought process saves time and effort. The link below is from Carbine II and it shows essentially the same issue(00.28-00.42). The EXPERIENCED shooter clears his double feed then attempts to use his BC to chamber a round. Not knowing that his bolt is not locked to the rear as he just finished clearing his stoppage. Again, had he simply trained to always run the CH after inserting a magazine it wouldn't matter whether he was clearing a type III or executing a reload, the result would be the same, a loaded rifle. Oddly enough, at the end of the video when Costa is explaining the remedial process, he uses the CH not the BC. Is that because he consciously thought about the position of the bolt due to his actions or is that because he knows it works by default. Either way, its the solution. If he had consciously thought about it, he's wasting mental resources on cognitive thought that should be second nature. As I said, the negative issues associated with the CH are the responsibility of the operator, making them something you can control. The failure of the BC to hold open is something you cannot control. I'll stick with actions I have a chance at controlling over those I don't.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losDuQ4FWGw
You are correct however in that what I prefer, practice, and preach is very easy for mass training. I don't see a downside to something that is easy to learn.
As for the transition between systems and across different platforms. Yes, the actual manual of arms will differ slightly based on design. The mental process and the gross function of each action is identical. Locating a CH is much easier than locating a BC on a foreign platform. Learning that new platform is greatly simplified by having to locate only three controls. Mag release, CH, and selector/safety. The rest is not important.
With lefties in mind, I see your point. The advantage of being left handed on the AR FOW is clear. The issue is that not everyone has long enough fingers or enough strength to execute a BC reload. If such a technique does not work for everyone(or very near everyone) then it becomes a specialized skill/tactic. A lefty who reloads with his trigger finger and the BC on an AR will struggle with any other platform. For those who hit the range or compete, that isn't much of an issue. For those who run the gun for a living, its a serious gamble.
A shooting buddy of mine is left handed and his first critique of anything new is whether or not it works for lefties. The majority of Magpul's teachings are not lefty friendly. Nor is what they teach platform friendly. They teach skills for right handed AR shooters. A lefty or an AK operator will not succeed with their methods.
TDC
I agree that the time and action required to remedy a short stroke is the same as that for a failed attempt at the BC. However, there is no cognitive thought required to use the CH if that is your primary method. If the BC failed you now have to cognitively think about how to remedy that, the answer is the CH. We're back to Hick's law, you're complicating the learning process and the execution process by introducing more options. This very issue is present in Art of the Carbine one(I cannot find my reference material for a specific time in the video) where a student experiences a stoppage, a type III. He clears the rifle, inserts a fresh magazine, then slaps at the BC and mounts the rifle. He gets the click, he pauses, then reaches for the CH. Had he always used the CH the second stoppage would never had occurred. Every time a magazine is inserted you run the CH. That belief and thought process saves time and effort. The link below is from Carbine II and it shows essentially the same issue(00.28-00.42). The EXPERIENCED shooter clears his double feed then attempts to use his BC to chamber a round. Not knowing that his bolt is not locked to the rear as he just finished clearing his stoppage. Again, had he simply trained to always run the CH after inserting a magazine it wouldn't matter whether he was clearing a type III or executing a reload, the result would be the same, a loaded rifle. Oddly enough, at the end of the video when Costa is explaining the remedial process, he uses the CH not the BC. Is that because he consciously thought about the position of the bolt due to his actions or is that because he knows it works by default. Either way, its the solution. If he had consciously thought about it, he's wasting mental resources on cognitive thought that should be second nature. As I said, the negative issues associated with the CH are the responsibility of the operator, making them something you can control. The failure of the BC to hold open is something you cannot control. I'll stick with actions I have a chance at controlling over those I don't.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losDuQ4FWGw
You are correct however in that what I prefer, practice, and preach is very easy for mass training. I don't see a downside to something that is easy to learn.
As for the transition between systems and across different platforms. Yes, the actual manual of arms will differ slightly based on design. The mental process and the gross function of each action is identical. Locating a CH is much easier than locating a BC on a foreign platform. Learning that new platform is greatly simplified by having to locate only three controls. Mag release, CH, and selector/safety. The rest is not important.
With lefties in mind, I see your point. The advantage of being left handed on the AR FOW is clear. The issue is that not everyone has long enough fingers or enough strength to execute a BC reload. If such a technique does not work for everyone(or very near everyone) then it becomes a specialized skill/tactic. A lefty who reloads with his trigger finger and the BC on an AR will struggle with any other platform. For those who hit the range or compete, that isn't much of an issue. For those who run the gun for a living, its a serious gamble.
A shooting buddy of mine is left handed and his first critique of anything new is whether or not it works for lefties. The majority of Magpul's teachings are not lefty friendly. Nor is what they teach platform friendly. They teach skills for right handed AR shooters. A lefty or an AK operator will not succeed with their methods.
TDC
no way I am taking my hand up to rack the action on every mag change, considering that not only is that alot of work, but I have to take my hand off of fire control every time? I'm wondering who is not lefty friendly here....
