As a gun novice why would I pick a lever action over a semi-automatic that loads itself. Does the lever action do a better job of perhaps stopping jams over the other?
@Elderberry
@Sighlass It all depends on the purpose of the rifle. I am late to the semii-automatics. I started out with lever, bolt action, and pump guns. My first rifle was the lever action Ithaca model 49 .22 single shot. My second was the Glenfield 30 in 30-30 Win. I then went thru several bolt actions; Rem 521 Sportsmaster .22, Rem 700 in .243, Mauser 98, Mauser 95, Mauser 93, another lever the Marlin 1895 in 45-90. A pump Rem 760 and a couple of Pump Shotguns.
My only semi--autos were a Ruger .22 that I gave away cause it was too inaccurate to please me, a M1Carbine, 2 M1 Garands, and a MAS 49/56. Now recently I've built 2 ARs. One in 6.5 Grendel and one a Wildcat, the 358Yeti.
I am very fond of the lever rifles for hunting. I never scope a lever gun. They are balanced to carry single handed with your hand wrapped around the middle of the receiver. You can't carry them that way with a scope on them.
As for reliability, I believe the bolt actions are most reliable, followed by the lever actions. I don't know how it falls between the pumps and semi-autos. I do know that my M1-Garands are very reliable. And not well known, My MAS 49/56 is known for reliability, and I'm very pleased with its accuracy. Note, it is Not one of the Century Arms .308 Conversions.