Editing Semi-automatic rifle (section)

==Disadvantages==
A self-loading mechanism designed for specific cartridge dimensions and power may fail to reload dirty or bent cartridges, struggle to extract low-power training cartridges, or be damaged by cartridges of excessively high power. Some rifles require [[Lubrication|lubricated]] cartridges, making them prone to collecting dirt. Reliability issues in the mechanism can negate the advantage of faster [[Shooting|firing]], potentially lowering the [[rate of fire]] compared to manually loaded rifles if not designed for easy manual reloading. The [[United Kingdom]] regarded the reliable rate of fire from manually loaded rifles as nearly as high as self-loading rifles as recently as World War II.<ref>Johnson (1944) p.43</ref>

Semi-automatic rifles are uniquely susceptible to [[slamfire]] malfunctions caused by abrupt cartridge [[acceleration]] during self-loading. Slamfire discharges are unlikely to hit the target and may cause [[collateral damage]].<ref>Johnson (1944) pp.352-357</ref>

The time required for changing or reloading [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]] can reduce the effectiveness of a rifle, as it imposes a duration limit on the continuous rate of fire. High-capacity magazines increase the rifle's weight and typically reduce feeding reliability due to the varying spring tension ranging from a full magazine to a nearly empty magazine. Additionally, detachable magazines are generally less durable than internal magazines.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://guncreed.com/2023/10/15/detachable-vs-fixed-gun-magazines/#:~:text=Reliability%20Concerns%3A%20One%20significant%20disadvantage%20associated%20with%20detachable,prone%20to%20malfunctions%20such%20as%20misfeeds%20or%20jams. |title=Detachable Vs. Fixed Gun Magazines |date=15 October 2023 |publisher=GunCreed |accessdate=14 November 2024 }}</ref>

The complexity of a self-loading mechanism makes self-loading rifles more expensive to manufacture and heavier than manually loaded rifles. The semi-automatic M1 Garand weighs about 410 [[gram]]s (0.9 lbs.) more than the bolt-action M1903 Springfield it replaced, an increase of seven percent. American development of a self-loading infantry rifle began with the [[.276 Pedersen]] cartridge in recognition of the difficulties of producing reliable self-loading mechanisms for more powerful cartridges. Although the M1 Garand was ultimately adapted to fire the [[.30-06 Springfield]] cartridge at the insistence of General [[Douglas MacArthur]],<ref>Johnson (1944) pp.41,71&79</ref> most subsequent self-loading rifles for infantry use have been chambered for less powerful cartridges to reduce weight, making the service rifles easier to carry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollings |first=Alex |date=2021-08-25 |title=Why the US military switched from 7.62 to 5.56 rounds |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/762-to-5-56-rounds/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=We Are The Mighty |language=en-US}}</ref>