lever actions for a defensive rifle

[boneaddict]

and if you run out of bullets for the 7th intruder, that steel buttplate would go good right between the eyes.

[hillbilli]

as to the penetration problems and concerns, you can find ammo that wont over penetrate in about any of the lever gun calibers. If you live out of town a bit then standard loads are fine. they had a shooting in arkansas when i was there- the farmer defended his place with the .30-30 marlin,-hit the first guy in the hand- the second guy decided he didnt want to play. main thing is -shoot it, make sure its reliable, shoot it enough the action is second nature to you, be able to shove rounds in the loading gate without taking your eyes off target.. come to think of it, if you get that familiar with it, it wont matter as much which rifle action type you brought..

[44 Flattop]

I've relied on a levergun for defense for over 30 years.  In a pistol caliber of course.  My 24" Marlin Cowboy in .44 holds 12+1 and with a 255gr cast bullet at 1100fps is the cats meow.  It can be reloaded quickly and easily while still in battery and in shooting leverguns for nearly 40 years I can't remember a single jam out of the many dozens I've owned.  My 20" Marlin CB version is even slicker'n the 24" model (which is mightily slick) and never have even the slightest hangup in cycling the action even with SWC's, while alternating 44 specials with 44 mags 

I live in a little cabin way out in the woods past the powerlines, no neighbors to speak of outside of deer and elk, so an AK47 or AR15 isnt' really needed and too much penetration is a good thing if any bad guys figure out there is an inhabited cabin here. 

44

[Straight Shooter]

I was watching American Guardian or Best Defense a while back and they featured a 16" levergun for home defense.  It rated high marks because of its compactness, reliability and power.  Personally, I prefer a short-barrelled, 12 gauge pump with #4 buck or BB.

[hookr88]

If I were to pick a rifle for home defense I kind of like my Taurus Thunderbolt in 45 Long Colt. Pump action with 13 + 1. Quick to cycle, large caliber, slim chance of over penetration, and not lilkely to run out of ammo.

[carpsniperg2]

the levers are good for most of us but for a child or a wife in the heat of the moment to much of a chance of short stroking and such i will stick to a shotgun and a handgun or a carbine rifle.

[spikehunter]

 Got a s/w 629 in .44 only need 1 shot