Hey guys. I know this thread is a little old but I wanted to address some of the points brought up. Many of which are also brought up on forums down here too. But just bear with me.
I'm fully aware that IMI/IWI didn't see the need for a forward assist and the IDF's guns don't have them. Most modern "assault rifles" do have some sort of assist feature however. Whether it is a reciprocating charging handle, separate button or even a finger notch through the ejection port.
I do agree that if a cartridge is so badly deformed or such that it should not be forced into the chamber. The biggest complaint down here is the charging handle is getting bumped causing the bolt to go out of battery. The gun will still let you pull the trigger but it will not go bang. Then you have to charge it and try to fire again. After all that noise, your game has probably run away already. We use semi auto sporting rifles for hunting A LOT down here. Coyotes and wild hogs are the most common animals because many states that have problems with these varmints do not restrict how they can be hunted. Heck in some places you can use a suppressed machine gun, at night, with a spot light or night vision. So if you are having to charge your Tavor again to get the bolt closed, you have likely lost your chance at your target and ejected a live round onto the ground from out of a tree possibly.
I showed the prototype to the guys at IWI US at the NRA show this spring and they loved it. Evidently they get asked often about a forward assist because they said I would sell a lot of them.
The button hasn't hit anybody in the face that has tried it. I let everyone try it at the shows to see. Also keep in mind that was just the first prototype. I have set the button farther forward, and inward, since.
The beauty of the aftermarket is that people that do not want something, don't have to buy it. But the people that do see a need for it will. There was enough demand for it down here that I decided to move forward with the design and the response I've gotten about it shows that people do indeed want it.
Here is a few articles that show additional pictures if you care to see. Yes the bolt carrier gets notches machined in it.
http://www.gunsandtactics.com/bullpup-shoot-2015
http://www.recoilweb.com/2015-bullpup-shoot-coverage-73023.html
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/10/01/developments-from-gear-head-works/
Oh and just a heads up, you should start seeing more of our products up your way next year. I didn't forget about y'all!