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I just call it a carbine or rifle. When I hear "assualt rifle" I think of the politically charged term to get emotions riled up and used for political purposes. I hear "AR" or "AR-15" I think of the 20" barrel length versions and may or may not be used for hunting or competitions. "Defensive rifle/carbine" is set up for home/self defense, "modern sporting rifle" is set up for hunting or gun games/competition (mostly 3 gun etc). "Patrol rifle" seems more like a LEO set up rifle.

Set ups are what the intended purpose and thus how they are equipped. This would be type of optic if there is one, if there is a flashlight, etc. the names I listed tend to be the more commonly used ones. You often hear "defensive carbine" referring to the carbines and the classes they are being used for which is primarily self/home defense. The semantics imply the use. I usually refer to mine as a carbine sometimes a rifle or sometimes an AR.