$300 and no gun at all, but...

There was a thread on here in the past day or two about a $200 pawn shop Mossberg, I'd go for that and some ammo.

Edit to add:
Here's the thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=718096

Maybe a high point? Never shot one but hear owners are happy with the value.

A S&W or Ruger revolver in .357. Obviously used.

I'd find a good used .38 or .357 revolver or a used Ruger P-95

I would NOT buy a Hipoint.

Hi point 9mm carbine.

Radom P-64, FEG PA-63, and I like the idea of a K frame or Ruger Six series or even a MKII.

Pistol or Long gun?

If you say long gun only like for home defense, I say get a shotgun Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 used. Shotgun shells seem to be in plentiful supply.

Pistol?
New would have to be a Highpoint .45 acp $160 +/- .
Used would be a Rossi .38 spl.

$300 is a bit limiting but doable. I only suggested the Highpoint .45 acp because they are a good shooter, lifetime warranty and well within range of $300 which leaves with several boxes of ammo to buy. It never jammed on me, but the gun is bulky and ugly.

Used Ruger P95. Since they're still only about $350 even in the panic climate, I bet $300 would net a LNIB or 90+% used one.

Talk down a Stoeger Uplander, or get a new bow and a fighting knife. Not much in these parts that low. Add another 50, and a Taurus .357 magnum concealed carry, or a 870 hunting model.

Probably have to go with a bow, though.

Used Mossberg 500. Can be used well for defense, hunting, and sport.

12 Ga Mossberg
#8 for birds
#6 for squirrels/rabbits
Buckshot for HD
Slugs for bigger game

Does bow not count as 3?

No one has mentioned a .22 (I don't think).

Never mind, a Ruger MKII was mentioned

$300

I'd take the $300 and buy a rake, a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Then I'd walk around to my neighbors and see who needed any yard work done. Then when l
had enough money I'd buy a used .38 and plenty of ammunition for practice. In my area this would cost at least $400 used, .38 ammo is pretty readily available now at Cabellas. To get a permit in my state would cost around $350 for the class, fingerprints, and permit. Here is another idea, I'll bet some folks would gladly trade an old rifle or shotgun for some help shoveling snow in the winter.

I would go with either a used S&W Model 10 or a Radom P64 with some new Wolf springs to get the DA trigger under control.

I picked up a brand new Tikka T3 Lite in 270 last November for $350, and I had to scope it before it was usable. So... even though it was a great deal, that wouldn't qualify.

For $300...? That would be tough. I just checked the local gun board. The following firearms are currently listed for $300 or less:

Savage 110 in 7mm mag with scope base and iron sights
a couple of 25acp and 380acp pistols
Mosin 91/30
a few 20 and 12 gauge shotguns
a couple of 22 rifles and a few 22 pistols
KelTec P11 9mm
Lee Enfield MK-4 .303
Sporterized M98 7mm Mauser with scope rings
Savage 110 in 30-06
Hi Point 9mm and 45's
Yugoslavian M57 Tokarev
a couple of muzzle loaders
Savage M42 22/.410 over-under
Remington 770 in 300WM, scoped
Yugo SKS
Rossi 357mag
Taurus single action 357mag
Remington 710 in 300WM

Of these, the Sporterized M98 7mm Mauser would be on my list because it seems to have some character. But, I would probably get the Savage 110 in 7mm mag, because I could shoot it with the irons until I could afford a scope.

Used ruger mk 3

Indeed, it is beetledog. I really had no idea there was such a varied selection of inexpensive firearms for sale here. Plenty to choose from, for sure. Everything from moose guns, to camp guns, to plinkers, to home defense guns. Even handguns from 22 to 45 and 357. Not too terrible.

Ruger 10/22 (Birch stock on Cabelas is $239, scope it with the change...even if it is a Tasco),o r a Henry 22 lever.

under $300 for one gun

My choice would be a Zastava M88A or M70A. 9mm Tokarev style semiauto with a hammer block slide mounted safety. J&G Sales in Prescott AZ has them for $259. Slim as only a single stack can be, rugged as an eastern bloc duty weapon is expected. My EDC since 92 very little to maintain in all that time. Added three dot sights with ease, but a good high glow paint is nearly as good. The extra $41 buy a Lee Precision Classic Field Loader.

When I turned 21 my mother paid for my CPL class as a birthday present. I was in college, and super broke (although, that still hasn't changed, haha). I did a lot of research on the popular inexpensive guns and settled on a S&W Sigma in 9mm for my first pistol. I paid ~$320 for it after tax.

Yeah, the trigger sucks, but it's manageable. But the selling point was the reliability, and ease of maintenance. The only malfunction I've ever had with it is a squib. Obviously not the guns fault. It was a great first carry gun for someone who really can't afford much. It's my wife's bedside gun, now.