Thanks all.
I like the non-PC idea. That is why I have an AR already
You all are right, I should not cave, I will not be trading in my AR for a more PC gun. But, in the end, I discovered that I am really looking for a cheaper gun for a "trunk gun" basically.
There are many good ideas above. Even the Ruger Mini-14 would be a good lead-spitter if I got caught in a riot or something.
But, for the trunk gun I opted to get a lever-action.
It seemed that it would get me in less trouble from the cops if they saw it (most people don't drive around with a rifle in the trunk in the city, so just having one is wierd enough to most people), and it fills the role very well. Not only that, but I just think it is way cool, and I grew up shooting those types of guns, so I am quite an accomplished snap shot with that setup.
I got a .357 Magnum Winchester 94 "Trails End".
I got the .357 Magnum because it is plenty of power for thin-skinned medium game (if you catch my drift), especially out of that 18" barrel, ....and I can reload ammo for it, .....and it is cheap ammo with lots of availability and variety, ....and I have a .38 revolver that can swap ammo. I can't think of anything that I realistically will ever shoot that will not potentially drop with one decent shot from a .357 Magnum out of an 18" barrel, and I hear that the .44 Mag is not that fun to shoot anyway.
Lastly, I chose the new "trails end" because it has the 18" barrel and extended tube. I am told it was made for Cowboy Action shooting, for high capacity. Very cool! It holds 11+1 I believe, of .357 Magnum and a little bit more if I use .38 Special instead. The slightly longer barrel is not what I wanted, but I get a little longer sight radius and higher capacity. I like this rifle!
All of this comes at a price that I do not have to sweat over, I can throw it in my trunk, defend life with it if need be, not get branded as a whacko with an assault rifle if I use it, and not worry if it gets confiscated after it is used in defense.
I will keep my AR at home and the lever action will be my travel companion when I need a cheaper alternative. I think that the lever action is going to be a very useful weapon with practice. I like the fact I can reload it on the go, always trying to keep the mag topped off. Seems like it has a lot of tactical potential.
Thanks for all the ideas. Don't we all wish we had enough money to just buy "one of each" so these decisions would not be so tough.