Currently I only own a lever action rifle in .22lr, but I'd like to get one in a centerfire caliber as a defensive weapon, particularly when staying in ban states or areas where "scary" looking rifles are not kosher for defensive use (from a jury/DA perspective). I think I'd rather have a lever action rifle than an AR modified to comply with ridiculous laws. It's my understanding that lever action rifles are not as durable or reliable as a modern semi-auto, but what is the most reliable one? Typically I like to run a thousand rounds through a firearm before I'll trust it for serious use (not all at once, but over a few range sessions with proper cleaning and lubrication), and I really start to trust one when I get to two thousand rounds without a stoppage or malfunction.
Caliber is secondary, though I already have a revolver in .357 Magnum, so it'd be nice to be able to keep it in that caliber for logistics reasons, but that's not the most important factor.