[robsdak]

hard question. Depends on what part of the country your in, i would think.

For me, just day to day living.
20ga.
.22 bolt action rifle
.22 pistol

Have a couple Ruger Single Sixes and Mark 1 and 2. Have been looking lately at a Walther P22.

[Sctr22]

hard question...I would probably say...

12 gauge shotgun
.22 bolt action rifle
.22 pistol/revolver (personally would opt for the revolver)

Of course this would depend on whether or not I'm bugging out, staying where I am, and just how bad the SHTF. Youc an carry a lot of ammo when talking .22s for the same weight as a larger caliber. Plus having two guns inthe same caliber would mae one less caliber to carry. You can use the pistol for selfdefense...certainly not the best choice, but a .22 is definitely a deadly round when used correctly. .22s are also relatively quiet, so hopefully it wont attract too much attention. You can also use the shotgun for self defense if you need to. If I wanted a higher caliber pistol I would probably opt for the 9mm...with the number of people buying pistols in that caliber and the number of LE and Military that use it finding some should be relatively easy and once again you can carry more for the same weight as say .45 acp. IMO

[Bowman1911]

Urban/Suburban?

Springfield 1911 in .45acp
Remington 870
Bushmaster M4A3

Already own all 3 & have adequate ammo & mags for each, so it wouldn't cost me a dime. Urban environments average less than 100yd target acquisition so iron sights are good enough & wouldn't require larger caliber than .223 or 5.56. Covers all types of varmints 2 & 4 legged alike. Puts food on the table & keeps hands out the pot.

[erlendg]

The civil guard here in Norway has set me up with an Heckler & Koch HK416 and an glock 17, so self defence is covered.

But i
I don't have a permit for a hunting rifle or shot gun.

[Ron Fontaine]

12 or 20 Gauge (the 20 gauge is highly under rated in my opinion)

.22LR bolt action but the Ruger 10/22 is hard to resist.

.308 or 30-06 hunting rifle, or 30-30

My feeling is these three basic firearms will set you up for anything from hunting of all game to self defense, home defense, and learning marksmenship.

A handgun comes in handy too, so probably four firearms are optimal. Good handgun choices are many but something along the lines of 9mm is fine. I like the .40SW too.

It is a good idea to include those calibers that are common in your area so that resupply of ammo is more likely. For example, in some areas the 30-30 rifle is very much in use so that may be a good choice for you. In other areas of the world, this caliber would be difficult to find and so obtaining extra ammo could be problematic.

In a major SHTF situation, you may be resupplying from your enemy. In that case, use the same weapons as your enemy and you'll be less likely to run out of ammo.

[Omegaman]

Here are my top 3.

12 pump- Mossberg or Remington because of after market parts for them.

Any common cal. High cap semi auto ( 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 acp ) I would skip
10mm, 357 sig and 38 super.

I would go with Ruger 10/22 they are tough and once you have one it is a great platform to build off of. There are tons of after market parts like high cap mags from 10 rnd -100 rnd, stocks and barrels plus lots of online mods.

I know you are on a buget as are a lot of us, thats why I tried to stay away from makes and models when I could. You buy the best that you can afford, though I would add 1 more fire arm if you could. In a city area I don't know if I woud go with a hunting type bolt gun. I think I would go with the SKS or 1 more shot gun or pistol because it is nice to have back a back up.

[WildHog]

.45 auto
12 ga. pump
30-30 (poor mans assault rifle)

Don't forget to bring a good knife or tomahawk. This is a SHTF scenario, right?

[Foxfire]

12 ga shotgun
.308 or 45/70
45 cal pistol.

I agree on the 22 cal rifle though. But where I am that would only irritate the big bears more

[gkckak]

Carolina is right on it for me.

[PreacherLWIC]

22 and 12guage. 22 for hunting and self defense put them in the right place and that person is done. even with 9mm and 45 they say to aim in the sinus area a 22 will do just fine in the sinus areas as well. also a 22 subsonic will be used for hunting when do not want to bring attention to yourself.
12 guage self defense birds deer hogs(slugs, buck shot) whatever you need.