AR vs. lever action reliability

[gunguy1960 2]

In a SHTF situation, where you can only grab one gun and a bore snake, no gun tools or parts, which would you grab, AR or lever?

[greatgunstatenj 32]

AK all day

[djg0770 481]

Given the two choices, lever.

[Alex V 99]

AR all day long...

[High Exposure 5,664]

AR

[302w 83]

AR. A more reasonable question is a bolt action or AR.

[vladtepes 1,060]

AR and I would automatically have tools... my ammo rig is WITH my AR.. and has basic tools.. lube.. and a spare lower parts kit... 

[djg0770 481]

Guy asks a simple question, frames it perfectly.

 

Everyone comes up with their own G-damn rules.

 

Welcome to modern freaking america. 

[djg0770 481]

Let's also examine the post title since I got me panties in a wad already, mkay?

 

 

AR vs. lever action reliability

 

So tell me, you're going to pick a semi auto gas DI rifle over a lever action?  Go ahead. 

[vladtepes 1,060]

 

So tell me, you're going to pick a semi auto gas DI rifle over a lever action?  Go ahead. 

 

that's exactly what I have done.. it is also exactly what the military has done...

you know why? because its practical.. 

[vladtepes 1,060]

I would STILL pick it even without tools... I have put more ammo than I can carry through my AR with ZERO failures... run the gun to DEATH without cleaning it... still runs..

mag changes with an AR are going to be WAY faster... and to have a fair comparison what lever action caliber are you comparing.. 

[Vlad G 345]

As soon as you know which is more reliable, a coil spring or a leaf spring, the question answers itself. You should see the mean round count to failure for lever internal parts.

[blksheep 466]

No brainer. AR.

[Vlad G 345]

Ooh-Ooh I want to answer this one again.

 

If you had to drive across the country in a SHTF situation would you pick a Model T or a Jeep?

[blksheep 466]

Model T would look cool.

 

I would pick a Toyota though

[Parker 213]

As soon as you know which is more reliable, a coil spring or a leaf spring, the question answers itself. You should see the mean round count to failure for lever internal parts.

 

What lever action today uses leaf springs?

[High Exposure 5,664]

Aren't the ejector and firing pin springs still leaf type?

[Parker 213]

The ejector on the Marlin is a leaf spring. Uh, and the loading gate too. Firing pin is floating with no spring. Hammer and trigger are coil and music wire springs. Magazine tube is coil spring. I sometimes forgot.

[High Exposure 5,664]

Marlin Firing Pin Spring:

FITS: 1894 - Common Parts; 1895 - Common Parts; 30AS/AW, .30-30; 336 - Common Parts; 336CC, .30-30; 444, .444

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/938750/marlin-firing-pin-spring-marlin-336-444-1895-all-models-1894-all-models

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Definitely AR over lever action.

 

I'm more familiar with the platform and it is much much easier and faster to reload.

[Vlad G 345]

Additionally the question did not specify which lever gun. I have one, it was made in 1954. There is a lot of leaf springs in it. It also throws brass in my face, can be short stroked, can't use pointed bullets, holds 7 rounds, it is slow to load, can't fire it from prone without gymnastics for cycling the action, etc.

 

It is a handy rifle and I wouldn't mind using it for hunting for fun.

[Parker 213]

Um, that too. Back by the rear and front firing pins. (It's a lot smaller than that picture.) Okay, so there's a few. Never seen one break though.

[usnmars 136]

Wow, cant believe this is even a discussion.  Lever all day any day.  Manual operated vs DI....  A round that is proven itself as a reliable round for deer vs a round that many states say is illegal to use for deer because it isn't large enough.  The benefits are definately leaning 1 way, proven reliability of a lever gun with a prove track record for big game, vs a gun that craps where it eats and they just keep blaming all its issues on ammunition since the day it was fielded. 

[Vlad G 345]

Wow, cant believe this is even a discussion.  Lever all day any day.  Manual operated vs DI....  A round that is proven itself as a reliable round for deer vs a round that many states say is illegal to use for deer because it isn't large enough.  The benefits are definately leaning 1 way, proven reliability of a lever gun with a prove track record for big game, vs a gun that craps where it eats and they just keep blaming all its issues on ammunition since the day it was fielded. 

 

All good reasons why the US marines storm beaches with 1894's.

[High Exposure 5,664]

All good reasons why the US marines storm beaches with 1894's.

Shhhhh.... Vlad G...... Don't let reality interfere with fantasy! Don't you know that the AR is a glorified .22 that is made by Mattel and is the worst gun ever made. Just as any soldier and they will tell you. It jams [sic] all the time and that teeny tiny bullet couldn't hurt a mouse.

[vladtepes 1,060]

Wow, cant believe this is even a discussion.  Lever all day any day.  Manual operated vs DI....  A round that is proven itself as a reliable round for deer vs a round that many states say is illegal to use for deer because it isn't large enough.  The benefits are definately leaning 1 way, proven reliability of a lever gun with a prove track record for big game, vs a gun that craps where it eats and they just keep blaming all its issues on ammunition since the day it was fielded. 

 

 

will remember this if there is ever a deer Apocalypse.. 

[usnmars 136]

actually at one point in time they did, it was called the 1895 winchester....... 

[Parker 213]

In reality, in a SHTF scenario, what exactly would John Q. Citizen be storming? It's any interesting discussion, one weapon vs. the other, but the chances of storming anything or establishing a defensive position for a standoff is rather moot, if not suicidal.

 

In a bad situation I will call upon my great-grandmother's Lakota Sioux skills and shapeshift into a coyote, slipping away into the night.

[raz-0 1,259]

Wow, cant believe this is even a discussion. Lever all day any day. Manual operated vs DI.... A round that is proven itself as a reliable round for deer vs a round that many states say is illegal to use for deer because it isn't large enough. The benefits are definately leaning 1 way, proven reliability of a lever gun with a prove track record for big game, vs a gun that craps where it eats and they just keep blaming all its issues on ammunition since the day it was fielded.

 

The only reason you don't see .223 permitted is that you start having to specify bullet construction, weight, and velocity to a group of diverse individuals, some of whom have trouble identifying the sticky side of tape.

[High Exposure 5,664]

actually at one point in time they did, it was called the 1895 winchester.......

 

The Winchester built M1895 Lee-Navy was a straight pull bolt action rifle, not a lever gun. (Issued to the Dept of the Navy in 1895, Marines didn't get it until 1897)

 

I can find no reference to Marines ever being issued a lever action rifle.

 

I know TR bought some and issued them to his fellow officer in the Rough Riders but that is about it...