Suppose you lost everything including all you firearms and equipment, say house fire w/o insurance. Which gun do you buy first when you get set up again?
Can you stand to wait and buy a $1000 top of the line firearm or pick up a cheap shotgun just to have something quick?
I think I would go with a cheap HD or used 870.
I can't stand being w/o a gun.

(Topic stolen from CSSA magazine)

AWOB!

if you think you need protection get:
now rem. 870. $200
soon .357, .44mag revolver. $300
soon Ruger 10-22.  $200
if you need a deer gun you can get an rem ADL with scope for $350

later a good AR $800
much later a good AR10 is $1200 (.308)
much later a good 1911 is $600-1000

No choice for a .357 revolver that would be my second choice.

I will echo 308wood…

1. Shotgun
2. .357 revolver
3. .22 rifle
4. .308/ big game hunting rifle
5. AR
6. 1911

My preference only:

A good .308.  You can go out to 500yds or in close.  Can do function as HD in a pinch and can put food on the table if needed.  Can also bust a "covered" target and is inherently more accurate than a smooth bore choke tube shotgun.

Just my preference.....

i actually am sort of in this situation for real. no fires or anything.  i moved from NY to VA with six guns and had nobody to shoot with and needed money so i eventually sold them all (VERY VERY BIG MISTAKE, IT ONLY TOOK DAYS TO REGRET IT!) don't ever sell your guns you'll hate yourself for it!!!

so now im rebuilding my collection.
these are the guns i bought in order:

1st  EAA 12ga o/u - i shoot a lot of clays
2nd  norinco SKS - first gun i bought when i was 18.
3rd  springfield xd 9mm - cause they're cool.
4th  380 bersa - gift from wife, don't tell her but i'm not too fond of it.
5th  will be an ar kit... hopefully in jan '03.
6th  thinking about a CETME 308??? i'm gonna post que's about it in a sec...

 

My first buy would be a rifle-Shotgun
combo and the rest will follow.
Savage comes to mind.There are others.

Quoted: i actually am sort of in this situation for real. no fires or anything.  i moved from NY to VA with six guns and had nobody to shoot with and needed money so i eventually sold them all (VERY VERY BIG MISTAKE, IT ONLY TOOK DAYS TO REGRET IT!) don't ever sell your guns you'll hate yourself for it!!! so now im rebuilding my collection. these are the guns i bought in order: 1st  EAA 12ga o/u - i shoot a lot of clays 2nd  norinco SKS - first gun i bought when i was 18. 3rd  springfield xd 9mm - cause they're cool. 4th  380 bersa - gift from wife, don't tell her but i'm not too fond of it. 5th  will be an ar kit... hopefully in jan '03. 6th  thinking about a CETME 308??? i'm gonna post que's about it in a sec...

Where are you in VA? I could always use another shooting partner.

staunton

ak then .308

Not Gonna Happen !
I have some stashed with relatives.

And if ALL our houses burned down;
I would sell my POS car

Not gonna be without a gun.... EVER!!!!!!!!!!