AR-15 reloads in CoD

[Kitteh]

I have a question regarding the reloads of AR-15 platform guns in games like Call of Duty. When performing an empty reload the player doesn't pull the charging handle, but instead does something to a switch or something on the receiver close to the magazine. What exactly is he doing and why not just pull a charging handle?

 

[Dense_Electric]

Probably just Infinity Ward not doing their research again. I notice he doesn't tap the forward assist either, which is not strictly necessary but is generally a good idea to ensure that the round is fully chambered.

 

[CRAVE CASE 55]

Technicly there are no AR-15's in any CoD. But the Commando pretty much is one.

 

[RuralGamer]

Yeah;
M4 and M16 in CoD4 and MW2
the M16 and the Commando in BlOps

I never really thought of that till now, considering in BF2 they always charge it before firing.

Probably just Infinity Ward not doing their research again. I notice he doesn't tap the forward assist either, which is not strictly necessary but is generally a good idea to ensure that the round is fully chambered.

I thought they did use the forward assist, but only if you empty the whole magazine.

Edit: and in Fallout: New Vegas, you always charge the Service Rifle and Assault Carbine.

 

[XHolySmokesX]

...does something to a switch or something on the receiver close to the magazine. What exactly is he doing...

I was in army cadets for a good few years (English btw) so i have reloaded my fair share of magazines.

Now i don't know much about the rifles themselves and have forgotten the name but when reloading you need to release the magazine from it's housing by pressing the release catch which holds the magazine in place.

I guess thats what the character is doing in COD when he reloads his weapon.

 

[default]

I'm sure I see them using the forward assist when they empty a magazine. But they work the charging handle when you pick up an M4 or M16...

 

[Kitteh]

Technicly there are no AR-15's in any CoD. But the Commando pretty much is one.

That's exactly why I said AR-15 platform guns. It was so I didn't have to say M16, M16A4, M4A1, and Commando every time.
This has been bugging me and I've been doing research. It's definitely not a forward assist. That's what looks like some button near the rear sights.

 

[Smooth Operator]

OH no you did not just diss Call a Doody! (easy on the ban hammer, it was a joke)

Anyways, they copy paste hundreds of gun models into these games but the animations are recycled because it's really not worth the extra effort for the 3 anal fans who have actually seen a gun in real life.

 

[baddude1337]

I can't really remember the name, but I think on M4 and M16's there is a button there that is the same as pulling the receiver.

 

[Kitteh]

I can't really remember the name, but I think on M4 and M16's there is a button there that is the same as pulling the receiver.

You're thinking of the forward assist.
Ok i think I've got it. It's either a "bolt stop" or a "thumb safety selector." but i don't think its the selector cuz that sounds like the switch that can change safety-semiauto-3round burst-full auto.

 

[Wintermoot]

maybe it,s a developer oversight wherein they don,t know how the gun exactly works.

 

[G.F- Phergan]

When the rifle is fired until the magazine is empty, the last shot (as every shot) pushes the "hammer" piston backwards. Normally, this would happen, and the piston would push a new cartridge into the chamber on it's way forth. But now, since the magazine is empty, it will get stuck in the rear position.
This allowing the rifleman to change his magazine, and press the release button, bringing forth a cartridge from the full magazine, and the weapon would be ready to fire. The button is located on the left side of the rifle, opposite the magazine drop button.

And I'm not talking about the forward assist.

Most newer automatic rifles work this way. HK-416, HK G36C, Colt C8 Carbine, and so on.

 

[andreas3K]

I read in book about guns that it's like the thing on an automatic pistol that makes the slide stay back after you fire the last round and when you put in a new mag you just release the slide forwards to load the first round into the chamber. I'm pretty sure it's that.

 

[Kitteh]

thanks i'm pretty sure the player is tapping the bolt stop. i thought he was moving some slide, but it seems more like the bolt stop. i saw in a video that its an optional way to chamber a first round to pulling the charging handle

 

[Najos]

thanks i'm pretty sure the player is tapping the bolt stop. i thought he was moving some slide, but it seems more like the bolt stop. i saw in a video that its an optional way to chamber a first round to pulling the charging handle

Yeah, that's exactly what is happening. The firing chamber will remain in the open position once the final round is fired and there's a switch below the chamber and above the magazine well on the left side that, when pressed, will release the bolt and chamber a new round. The only times anyone should need to actually pull the charging handle would be on the first round chambered or during a malfunction.

 

[Paragon Fury]

Because when making a game, you're trying to keep everything in a nice balance. That includes reload times, and the extra animations for different weapons could vastly unbalance certain weapons, so you just have a simple "stock" reload animation and time, and you only adjust the hand movements for the positioning of things like the foregrip or magazine.

 

[fix-the-spade]

What exactly is he doing and why not just pull a charging handle?

Bolt Stop (Bolt release), it's the fastest way to reload an M-16 as the bolt locks open when the last round from a magazine is fired. You press the leveler on the left side of the receiver and it releases the bolt, chambering the first round in the magazine.

<spoiler=Watch this video from HEAT to see Val Kilmer use it at around 2:40>
<youtube=BqT1lCqQyh0>

 

[Hop-along Nussbaum]

Sounds like you are referring to the bolt release lever on the thumb-side of a right-handed M-4. The M-4 is standard issue to combat troops and is often mistaken for the AR-15. Yes, you can also pull-release the charging handle on the rear of the weapon, but it's really not necessary unless you're clearing.

When the shooter depletes their ammo, the bolt on the M-4 locks itself to the rear, and remains there while the shooter reloads. Insert magazine, charge the weapon, get back to shooting.

Personally, I would rather have an M16A4, but that's me. The M-4 looks tough, but in reality the shorter, adjustable stock and shorter barrel make for a less accurate weapon by comparison. The M-4 was developed initially for tactical units, but became widespread standard issue because the adjustable stock and smaller size made it more "customizable" for troops of various sizes and shapes.