Andy, I suspect you were trained on the FCH? I've worked with US soldiers who were trained to fire the M16 NTCH (nose to charging handle), and it was a difficult habit to break for them. They still felt it was "better" in spite of all of its shortcomings. In the end, they shot better NTCH because of their prior experience and training.

I've never liked FCH. The G3 (I've owned many 7.62, three 5.56 and three 9mm variants) ALWAYS annoyed me because of that dreadful folder. The location made it difficult too.

Same thing with the HK G36.

For me - they are just slow and cumbersome. However, just like NTCH I conceded that a properly trained person is probably just as fast with a FCH.