retsupt99

I have to agree with the 'lever gun' suggestions.
General purpose? A Marlin 336 (in stainless) 30-30 is about as general purpose as one can get. For fun, I'd throw in a Henry Rifle in .22 mag.
You can get both of these for less than the cost of that evil black AR you're taking about, and no one will look twice at you with either one in your hands.

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ibesarcasm

MY all purpose rifle is the .308 in an AR platform. (your choice of manufacturer)
problem with the smaller rounds is of course knock down, but also many places (CO is one) will not let you hunt game with .22 cal. you gotta have a .243 or better. Weight may be a consideration for you, but this would be how I would roll if I was limited to one all purpose/general purpose rifle. Plus, you can still get rounds of the shelf at wally-world!

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Stevew

i concur with the two post about lever guns. Even a 357 mag at rifle velocities is formidable. A carbine lever action handles well. A true dual purpose rifle.

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CRags99

I LOVE my Marlin 30-30! Best rifle I've shot and I've done several 'black guns' too.

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Gideon

Easy for me to say this when I have a 5.56 Stag Arms 2, AR 15 in the safe plus 1200 rounds of .223 ammo, but I too think the lever action is an ideal urban all purpose rifle. Let's face it, we're not going to be sniping guys out past 300 meters. Urban or even rural up close and personal defense means stay out of harms way, avoide, evade and when you can't, fight your way out of trouble.

I too think a good lever action is ideal. It doesn't look tacticle cool but a good Marlin 1894C in .357 can take down a deer at close range with a well placed shot but can also be devestating on two legged critters. The recoil is nominal, capacity is "ok" at 10 rounds and you can also shoot the ammo out of a revolver (SP101 being a good choice).

PeterCartwright

I like the lever gun option, too...especially in the ubiquitous .30-30. Ammo is everywhere, and the carbine/cartridge combination hits more above its weight class than many modern hunters realize. I also nabbed a used but not abused Mini-14 ( and 83XXX vintage) from a retired LEO buddy quite reasonably. This particular gun has a 10" twist (Mini-14s have several different twist rates based on manufacturing date) which seems to do quite well with a broad variety of bullet weights. It's also a pretty versatile little gun. Ruger has finally made the 20 round mags available to the public.

Bottom line, I think you could be into a nice, dependable used gun for under $400. (I've personally found very, very nice Marlin 336's for half that).

PC

usmcjones

An AR is my choice. Ak's, 30-30's and larger cal. rifles are great for open areas. The 223 is alot lighter and extras for it are very easy to find. Pick what is comfortable and something you are familiar with.

puffer

Based on your "idea" of what you seem to be looking for when say a "General Purpose"

I utilize a SOCOM16. 7.62 NATO ( you may want it configured to handle .308 civilian )

Up side on this gun is
1.Garand platform.
2. 7.62 NATO
3. Size
4. With the muzzle brake recoil is not a problem & the "recovery" is quick

Down side on this gun
1. It is LOUD (as are any guns with muzzle brakes.
2.$$$$$ they are not cheap
3.7.62 NATO has high penetration & in "urban" situations " collateral damage" MUST be taken into consideration.

This gun is my GP & the uses (note it is not what I use for Home or Property Protection ( I have a 12ga & hand guns for this )
1. Tactical = equipped with a "giles sling" & 20 rnd Mag.
A. CQ (under 50 yd.s = the peep sights.
B. Out to 100 yds, = Gen. the peeps but sometimes "scoped" ( see "hunting")
C. 100 - 300 yds = Scoped ( Leupold 4x "scout scope" )

Hunting & in the "Field" = 5 rnd mag & hand loaded "hunting rnds" Scoped or peep sights, depends on usage.

Another ideas, if $$$ are a problem,
The a SK/AK platform chambered for .308 ( note the recoil is a "little nasty" so a good "pad" is recommended. )

Also the guns chambered for .223 ( I own a Ruger"rancher") but the major down side to this cal, IMHO, is that if you want a gun for GP & that includes hunting etc, then you will be restricted to "varmints" & sm. game in most states.

Puffer

jwhite75

The AR is a very popular option. I have one myself. I also like the M1 carbine, and the lever guns. The great thing about the lever guns is they come in so many different calibers, almost as many as an AR. LIke the others have said they dont attract as much attention. You can also get the new scout rails and mount a red dot. This over all makes them a very effective defensive rifle in very easy to find calibers.

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cuban11182

I have my Malin 336 in 30-30 and a ar, I've got the best of both worlds!