AR v. pump: field stripping, cleaning & maintenance
This continues to be an interesting thread.
I've posed a question at the end of this post - which may be slightly OT in this thread, but not much due to my broad intentions for a new rifle - but first, some background.
For some months, I've been looking at rifle options for my next weapon.
(The current collection: shotgun (user name numerical digits + P); a revolver; a pistol; a .22LR bolt.
For a second rifle, I'm interested in hunting mostly deer (mulies and white tail), with defense as a second motivation. (My 870P is my main defensive weapon, hanging only a few feet from my sleeping spot.)
For meat hunting, I started looking at bolts and pumps.
For a while, I looked at Remington 7600s.
Then I found the 7615P in .223 and became momentarily excited.
I came to my senses, realizing that .223 is not a suitable rnd for deer in optimal conditions.
After that, I started considering larger calibers: .308, .30-06, .270, 7mm08.
For the past few months, I've been planning (and saving) for a Browning A-Bolt in 7mm08.
But this thread has made me again consider the AR's (damn alluring they are), including whether they (and .223) could be used for deer. (Short answer: theoretically yes, with good shot placement, but not legally in most states in pre-TEOTWAWKI conditions.)
But the most interesting result of reading this thread has been to make me reconsider a
Remington 7600 in a .30-06 carbine (w/ 18.5" barrel).
It's based on my beloved (and familiar) 870P pump action (I agree with Cosmo: pumps are underrated), and about the same length and weight.
It's got an awesome array of rnds - from 125 gr to 220 gr.
It could serve as a SHTF rifle, covering both hunting needs (with attention to shot placement given that short barrel) and defense needs requiring a carbine.
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So, to my question, the answer to which could influence my choice:
I have no (= zero) experience with AK, AR & other autos.
The only auto rifle that I've ever owned was a Remington Nylon 66 in .22LR years ago.
So, how do you compare ease of maintenance,
including field stripping & cleaning,
for an AR v. that for a pump gun like a 7600?
Remember: I'm familiar with my pump shotgun already,
but have no experience with an auto. That's why I'm asking.
Seeking simplicity and functionality,
Nem