I have both, when I'm camping, I take my Winchester Model 94 in .44 mag (not a traditionalist). Why? I don't have a good answer for that, I guess it just fits the application better. I'm pro-gun, but have never EVER had a situation where I was dependent on a gun to get me out of it. Close once, when a cow moose bluff charged me, I thought I was going to have to shoot, but never have I actually had too. The lever action is a friendly enough gun, others are not intimidated by it, I find that when people see it they tend to come over and ask about the "cowboy gun", when I have the AR i get more of a "who is the right wing wacko militia nut job" sideways glance.