Starting Over

I'd think about a 10-22 and a used police trade in, like a Third Gen S&W, since with a budget like that, you need a couple indestructible firearms that should last forever.

I'd buy a 4-inch .357 magnum revolver, no doubt a Ruger GP100 ... used if I had to. Very easy to reload for, even if all you have is a Lee Loader. IMHO, a 4-inch 357 is almost as versatile as the 12-gauge pump. Compact enough to carry, good sight radius, load it from mild to wild.

George P said:

You do not want a rifled barrel for hunting birds; you'd be better off with a regular smoothbore and use the slugs designed for that.

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I understand what you are saying, my assumption was that the 12g already had a smooth bore for bird hunting, I'd also like a rifled barrel for hunting deer, etc. with slugs

P5 Guy said:

$550 ?
Put that into a different barrels for the shotgun, assuming you have a 'normal' one a rifled barrel for slugs. with sights and a short cylinder bore for close self defense. With the left over cash buy ammunition.

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Yes, this what I was getting at with having two barrels for my pump action 12g shotgun

I have three barrels for my Mossberg 500: 28-inch vent rib with removable chokes, 24-inch rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount and 4X M8, 18.5-inch cylinder bore with iron sights. It's the most versatile firearm in the safe, useful for small game, big game, and defense. Add the 4-inch .357 with loads ranging from mild hard cast to full power magnums and all the bases are covered. I'd miss a .22LR and a good center fire rifle, but I could make do with the shotgun and revolver.

Legionnaire said:

I have three barrels for my Mossberg 500: 28-inch vent rib with removable chokes, 24-inch rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount and 4X M8, 18.5-inch cylinder bore with iron sights. It's the most versatile firearm in the safe, useful for small game, big game, and defense.

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Exactly this. I bought mine with the field and deer barrels, and picked up the 18.5" HD barrel shortly after. Only difference is my 24" rifled barrel has rifle sights rather than a cantilever scope mount (I do have a receiver-side-mount scope mount for it), and my 18.5" barrel has a single bead sight rather than irons. That setup covers a LOT of different uses.

daniel craig said:

There ain’t nothing you CANT do with a shotgun. It’s probably the single most versatile firearm in existence.

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While I agree wholeheartedly with the second, I find the first a stretch.

Demi-human said:

While I agree wholeheartedly with the second, I find the first a stretch.

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With some of the new slugs and barrels they make these days...200+ yard large caliber rifles

daniel craig said:

There ain’t nothing you CANT do with a shotgun. It’s probably the single most versatile firearm in existence.

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Trying to carry one concealed would be much less convenient than a pistol.

Robert said:

Only if you live in or stray into a few very small areas. What I am saying is we don't do those topics because they always end up being a chest thumping fantasy thread with no intelligent thought or constructive information.

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(Emphasis added)

CNN much?

171 cities out of 482 cities in CA
About 40% of the counties across the US.

Those 'few very small areas' you mention are also where a large part of the US population lives.


The rest of your post seems like a more fair assessment, though.

Given the parameters you set out I'd look into a four inch 357 revolver - used, but in decent shape. I'd consider a four inch 38 if I could not find a magnum in my price range.

Everything else would be ammunition and accessories.

If my shotgun does not have rifle sights I'd get a set of the Williams Fire Sights so that I could more accurately use slugs which would increase my usable shooting distance.

Finding the necessary ammunition just now is going to be the hard part.

Hoyte said:

In this scenario, you have $550 and a 12 ga pump. The firearms you spend the money on are the only ones you will have in the foreseeable future. There’s no option to save up more money or acquire other firearms afterwards. Society is how it is currently. What handgun and or rifles would buy that would last you a lifetime and will prepare you for whatever may come?

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Society currently is just regular folks living their lives, maybe working remote or temporarily unemployed, but otherwise being the same people as always dealing with the inconveniences being placed on us. The news had plenty of stupid people acting out in desparate hopes of influencing an election, but no matter your affiliations or intentions we all know this is more theater than anything else and life will move forward. So the question is what you plan to do with said rifle or handgun? Do you plan to hunt this fall or just want a fun plinker for a range? Are you more concerned with having a carry gun for piece of mind? Without context the question is meaningless.

illinoisburt said:

Without context the question is meaningless

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I'll add:
Is the question seeking advice or a curiosity about what we would seek for our own needs in the given scenario?

If you already have a shotgun, a solid handgun. Shotgun can serve a lot of purposes, but - having something that can be put in a shoulder holster and carried seems like a good pick.

CDW4ME said:

Trying to carry one concealed would be much less convenient than a pistol.

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Gotta saw that extra crap off! Ok ok. For concealed carry a shotgun isn’t ideal. That’s it’s ONE limitation.

Sovblocgunfan said:

Hi point in 9mm and a used hi point carbine in 9mm

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What are you going to do with the extra $400?

I would go to the gun show and see if I could find an old bolt gun and a used S&W.
There usually are a lot of Grandpa's rifles that none wants anymore. The handgun side is tougher.

Hoyte said:

In this scenario, you have $550 and a 12 ga pump. The firearms you spend the money on are the only ones you will have in the foreseeable future. There’s no option to save up more money or acquire other firearms afterwards. Society is how it is currently. What handgun and or rifles would buy that would last you a lifetime and will prepare you for whatever may come?

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I wouldn't buy another gun; I'd get $550 worth of 00 buck and slugs.

If your buying a handgun in current climate you have to be proactive.

Aim had M&P 45 LEO trade ins for $279.00 so deals are still there but you have to look for them by beIng plugged in to the market.

MacAR said:

Honestly, $550 won't get you much in the way of a rifle and a handgun. Some judicious searching might net you an beater rifle and maybe a police trade-in handgun. Personally, I'd try to find a good 30-30 and a single action 38/357. I know where both can be found for about $300 each. The 12 gauge pump can take care of your small game shooting needs, the 30-30 is good for deer sized targets out to about 150 yards, and the 357 is good enough to for any 2 or 4 legged threat that might be up close and personal. My opinion only, but that's what I'd pick.

Mac

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I'll second this. Maybe trade the single shot 30-30 for a single shot 308 or 30-06 for a little more downrange performance but otherwise I think you've got it nailed down pretty well.

George P said:

I'll disagree - one can defend, hunt, and enjoy shooting sports; they generally cost less than a handgun and are typically easier to own in states with gun restrictions; ammo is generally more readily available

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I agree, and my BPS was my first gun and would be my last to go.

But theres a ton of people that don’t hunt or shoot clays. They own “a” pistol.

To answer the OP, I’d buy a used Glock 19. A box of 9mm, 10 rnds of buck, 10 slugs, and maybe a box of #4 steel and be set for a while.

First determine what you'll need a firearm for, then go from there.
In the Alaska bush, a good rifle for hunting vittles is important.
In a crime ridden city, a concealable pistol would be a priority
At sea on a sailboat, a shark gun or flare pistol or a full auto to repel pirates might be more appropriate

A used Ruger sr9 for around 250 and a used savage axis in 270 or 308 would fit the bill. Or possibly a Ruger sr9c and a marlin mod 60 with money left over.

I have to ask how I got in a position I have to start over buying guns with only $550.

Trunk Monkey said:

I have to ask how I got in a position I have to start over buying guns with only $550.

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Easy.

Divorce.

With a 12 gauge shotgun and a used 4" GP100 357, you'd be pretty well armed IMO. The 12 gauge is a great start already and the Ruger GP100 should last a lifetime.