Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
For rugged and reliable, bolt actions are better than most semi-autos because of the vulnerability of the detachable magazines.
Among bolt actions, the Springfield's bolt mechanism isn't as rugged as the Mauser and others.
For accuracy, it's less the inherent accuracy than it is the ability of the user to shoot accurately: The location of the rear sight. The Mauser, easily among the most rugged and reliable, loses out because the rear sight is mounted ahead of the receiver ring. Rear-mounted peep sights make life easier for the shooter.
Among bolt actions, the SMLE and the 1917 Enfield rate high in all three categories. The SMLE likely gets the nod from TV folks because of the 10-round capacity. The 1917 is 5+1.
As far as semi-autos, I'd give the nod to the Garand because of the magazine vulnerability issue--remembering that "firepower" is not at all important in this particular discussion.
The question of quantity produced, and over how many decades, involves such parameters as, "It works okay," and "We're tooled up for it, already."
Art
Among bolt actions, the Springfield's bolt mechanism isn't as rugged as the Mauser and others.
For accuracy, it's less the inherent accuracy than it is the ability of the user to shoot accurately: The location of the rear sight. The Mauser, easily among the most rugged and reliable, loses out because the rear sight is mounted ahead of the receiver ring. Rear-mounted peep sights make life easier for the shooter.
Among bolt actions, the SMLE and the 1917 Enfield rate high in all three categories. The SMLE likely gets the nod from TV folks because of the 10-round capacity. The 1917 is 5+1.
As far as semi-autos, I'd give the nod to the Garand because of the magazine vulnerability issue--remembering that "firepower" is not at all important in this particular discussion.
The question of quantity produced, and over how many decades, involves such parameters as, "It works okay," and "We're tooled up for it, already."
Art