3 vital guns

[1lowpayment]

I'm interested in finding what is the consensus (I know, funny) on what are the three most vital types of guns to own. I don't want a huge collection (I know, funny) I would just like 3 basic guns.

I'm not asking for exact brands or calibers, but ranges... for instance

1. 12 ga shotgun with bird/slug barrel
2. 9mm or up handgun, high capacity
3. .223 or up rifle, high capacity

I'd like a proper mixture for whatever may come my way. Hunting, self protection, SHTF scenario.

I really like a .22 pistol, but then would I need a .22 rifle... you get the idea. What do you think?

[Maromero]

I'd keep the shotgun, get a wheelgun and a small/compact semiauto or vice versa, small revolver and a semi auto. Example a 686 4 inch barrel and a compact for cc or a j frame S&W for cc and a full size auto whatever caliber you fancy. Just my two cents

[azredhawk44]

#1 - A rifle. The rifle is your queen of weapons. It harvests game and defends as far as your eye can perceive. Depending on your taste you might go with a lever action in .45/70, a bolt action in one of the .25 to .30 calibers, or an autoloader in an available caliber (.223, 7.62x39, 7.62 NATO, 6.5 SPC, 6.8 Grendel for military style rifles, or .243 on up for sporting autoloaders). Were I to choose one, it would be a quality M14.

#2 - A pistol. Revolver or semiautomatic, doesn't matter so much IMO. Get one, learn it, keep it on you. I favor .45acp in autos and .44sp/mag in wheelguns since I believe in momentum and diameter over energy, and I tend to go play in the back country where the wild things are. Your tastes may vary if you have different threats to face. Make certain it is of an appropriate weight and size that you can conceal it if need be. Were I to have one and only one, it would be a Colt Commander .45 1911. Despite my forum handle, I tend to carry my Colt more often than absolutely any other gun... and the .45acp is the same power level as the old .45 Colt carried by cowboys across the country before the invention of the .44 magnum.

#3 - The wildcard. Some may say shotgun, others may say rimfire weapon. I lean towards a quality rimfire revolver. A revolver will be less finicky than a rimfire autoloader, IMO. Ruger's Single Six is probably the least expensive reliable weapon out there. The S&W 617 would also be a good choice. I'd stay away from Taurus, Comanche and other off brand .22's for a "one and only" gun. There is a strong argument for a 12ga pump shotgun as a third weapon though, especially as a back up or loaner long gun.

[Oldfalguy]

Just some thoughts -
If you are starting from scratch with nada-
If it would be me I would have a revolver because just to me there is little to break than a semi- extractors, springs, mag lips- you get the idea

Rifle- Bolt gun for most of the above reasons\Get it in a caliber that is and will be around in an uncertain world- forget the Grendel's, 6.8's etc. stick with 223 or better yet the .308. Availability to me is more important than caliber's selection-

The cowboys of yesteryear sorta had it good, rifle and pistol same caliber- Today that is possible but perhaps not quite as effective at longer ranges.

Shotguns- While I like autoloaders a quality pump seems it would be more lasting and just as effective able to cycle darn near anything you find laying around.

Granted, the foregoing does not address firepower in the rate of fire department but I really do not think that can be done with just 3 guns and be reliable in the long term when parts might be a bit harder to come by (read as SHTF time)
The above is just what I think is a minimum and opinions will inevitably vary from the above. But if you could just add a couple more it would be a semi hi-cap pistol and rifle.

[BillCA]

Why do people always limit themselves to 2 or 3 guns? I guess it's the nature of how people perceive things. Anyhow...

1. Rifle: As much as I respect azredhawk's opinion here, the rifle really is your Queen of guns for all the reasons he lists. For that reason - and because it's your "reach out and touch someone" gun, I'd favor a well-made slick bolt action. No magazines to lose or valuable brass to hunt down, can be operated rapidly if needed, long range precision for taking down meat or defense. Use one in a caliber that is widely available with enough whup-a** at 200-300 yards to take larger game. Cals of .270, .308, .30-06, 7x57, etc. Even a good .243 fired within its limits will drop medium game well.

2. Handgun: Here I vote for the .22LR Revolver. Something like the S&W 617 with a 6-inch barrel for long range small game hunting and the extra velocity to ward off small pest critters. Ammo is small and you can carry 500 rounds for the weight of 50 .45ACP. If you eliminate the .22LR, then the .38/.357 wheelgun. In survival mode, you save your brass to reload without scrounging for it. In combat mode, the .357 penetrates well and will work for medium game. And there are no magazines to lose, plus you can load black powder ammo if forced to do so.

3. Shotgun: Most likely a 12-gauge pump for simplicity. Using slugs/buckshot for large game and defense and a selection of various birdshot for harvesting game makes it versatile. It's your "close range" defense gun and the gun to choose against multiple adversaries within 50 yards. An 18-20" barrel is good for close quarters. Buy a 2nd barrel to swap for bird hunting (and the chokes too).

Advisory Note:
In order to be "prepared" for the eventuality of some disaster, just owning the guns isn't enough. Just like owning a piano doesn't make you a concert pianist, just owning the guns doesn't make you a marksman (much less a skilled combat shooter). You will need to practice and to learn each weapon's capabilities and limitations. Hunt with them. Carry them. Practice defensive tactics with them.

To be well prepared for a long term (months long) disaster, you'll want some spare parts for each gun. Firing pins, springs, screws (especially sight screws), maybe a sear. And the tools to effect field repairs.

Personal Note: The above are basics. You can build on top of that. If you selected a .308 bolt rifle, then later buy a .308 semiauto rifle. If you opt for the 6-inch .38/.357 you can build on it later when you buy a snubby version for concealed carry or a backup. You can also buy a lever action carbine in that caliber for medium game, giving you three guns for a single caliber. A 20-gauge supplements the 12-gauge for women and kids. With slugs it can take smaller deer or pigs.

[Bigfatts]

For me it would be:

1. 12ga riot gun. 18" bbl with screw in chokes and rifle sights. Good as a defensive weapon and will take anything from squirrels to moose.

2. Bolt action .22 rifle, I'll take my Mossberg 146b. Good for putting all kinds of food on the table and you can store large amounts of ammo in a small space for relatively little money.

3. Scoped centerfire rifle of whatever flavor you like. I prefer bolt action. If I were contemplating a new collection I would go with something like the CZ 550 in either 6.5 or .30-06. If you're an ITEOTWAWKI kinda guy you could go with something like an M1A or AR15 that could double as a defensive/offensive gun.

[ZeSpectre]

For me it would be
1) a good medium power rifle
2) A second identical rifle (for parts/backup/ or to hand your partner)
3) A reliable pistol (that you can keep on you at all times).

Modern tactical stuff is great but if I had a pair of top grade Swiss K-31 rifles (and a decent stock of ammo) I'd be a happy camper.

[Maromero]

I see people are contemplating a societal breakdown scenario when making their choices. If that where the case you need a .22 for putting food at the table in a stealthy way without bringing unwanted attention. You need a .223 rifle or 12 gauge shotgun for protection or both at the expense of a .357/.38, 9mm or .45. These cartridges would be the most abundant. Stockpile on ammo too, specially the .22.

If you are talking about daily life in society as we know it today I stick to my earlier choices. Shotgun for the home with a handgun as a back up to the shotgun or for cc and a small handgun for either back up in cc or as the main cc weapon. You can also hunt with the shotgun. Pretty much got your bases covered.

[Skans]

I'd ditch the .223 for a .308 battle rifle.

[ZeSpectre]

I see people are contemplating a societal breakdown scenario when making their choices.

That's because, for a good chunk of online America, that's the only time guns would become "vital" (with the possible exception of self-defense pistols/revolvers).

The rest of the time most of us will just toddle down to the local gunshop for whatever we need when we need it.

[oneounceload]

First off, for me, would be a shotgun - it has the versatility to be successfully used for small game, large game, HD, even BP hunting
Secondly a handgun like a 66 snubby where the magnum power is there if necessary and it can be used for HD or SD. IF you opt for a semi, then get one that you can get a .22 conversion kit for - that would help
Third would be a rifle comparable for taking game or defense - 260, 7-08, 308 series or larger - my preference would be a bolt action

[P5 Guy]

I'm trying hard to see why a handgun would be essential.
My choice would be a 12gauge shotgun with two barrels. A shot unchoked barrel and a tighter choked 26 inch for bird hunting. The receiver would be a pump. It would also have to have a conventional style stock.
And two rifles. A semi auto main battle rifle and a scoped rifle in the same caliber as the semi auto. A good choice for hunting would be a good choice for long range protection too. An M1A and a Remington 700 come to mind first, but I'm sure that any other makes would do just as good a job.

[Buzzcook]

12 gauge Shotgun and a nice .22 rifle and .22 handgun.
Why limit yourself to 3?