Rifles and Reliability

[jpruitt]

I've always been into handguns, but I don't know so much about rifles. Which rifle action type or types are considered more reliable (lever, bolt, semi-auto, etc).

Also, does it make any difference if the rifle has an internal or separate magazine?

 

[jd46561]

I have milsurp rifles. The Mauser type action and the Swiss type straight pull action are both fine. The semi autos can jam up ,were as bolt action rifles hardly ever do. As far as mags go , I have never experienced a problem with any.

 

[benEzra]

Depends on the caliber you want and the role you want it to fill. If you are looking for a 1/2 MOA 600-yard varmint rifle, your choices will be different than if you are looking for a 100-yard deer rifle or a home-defense carbine.

With regard to reliability, it depends on the rifle more than the action type. A civilian AK (semiauto) is arguably as reliable and more durable than any non-milsurp bolt gun, for example.

 

[moooose102]

if you are buying something new, anything made today is pretty reliable. it is the older versions that have had issues. the most reliable action would probably have to be a single shot, then the bolt action. just buy a quality new firearm of the type you want and you will be fine.

 

[Mr. D]

I have a sporterized 1908 Argentine Mauser. I can't imagine anything more reliable except, perhaps, a single shot. The action is just so dang simple!

~Dale

 

[MMCSRET]

The fewer moving parts, the fewer possibilities for problems. fewer wear points the better. Personal decision.

 

[cat9x]

bolt guns I'd say, although...

my father has hunted with a Browning BAR in .270 since 1969 and has never had a jam / malfunction of any type. The rifle shoots sub moa at 100 yards year after year.

 

[armoredman]

Above posters have it right - the most reliable rifle in the world, barring ammunition, is a single shot rifle, in a cartridge based format. In a bolt, all the Mauser based actions have been flawless for me. As for semi auto, AK and vZ-58 rule the roost for me in reliabilty.

 

[stubbicatt]

The G3 is probably as reliable as the ubiquitous Kalashnikov.

 

[dmazur]

Magazine feed issues

AFAIK, most Mauser-based designs used a staggered arrangement for cartridges in the internal box magazine, and this has led to occasional problems with feed reliability.

It's related to the shoulder angle, overall cartridge length, etc. and the feed lip geometry. As this is part of the action, it's kind of important to get it right the first time when a gunsmith is adjusting it.

When they work, they tend to work great and they stay that way forever.

External magazines can get bent, have a locking mechanism that can be difficult to release or difficult to engage. They can use a staggered arangement and feed from alternate sides, like an internal box magazine, or they can feed to a tapered "centerline feed" design, or they can just plain be an in-line magazine.

These can also be great and stay that way forever, provided the magazines don't get bent up in rough handling. (Very unlikely in typical civilian service.)

 

[DRYHUMOR]

When the rushing lion is only 10 yds away

Bolt

When the zombies outnumber ya 10 to 1

AK or G3