Starting Over

[Hoyte]

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?

 

[unclenunzie]

10/22 rifle and a milsurp or police trade in pistol or revolver. Just my thoughts.

 

[Hartkopf]

Glock 17

 

[Robert]

Let's keep this based in reality and not drift in to SHTF or EOTW stuff.

 

[MacAR]

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

 

[hso]

Used 9mm semiauto are easy to find from four to five hundred.

 

[WestKentucky]

RIA m14y 22lr because I have one and it’s a great rifle for $99.

heritage rough rider 22lr/22mag $150

Budget bolt rifle in .243. $300 left to spend on this one, and that’s pretty doable.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

One of those surplus Beretta M51s if there are any left and the rest on ammo and mags.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Used Model 10 S&W and a 10/22. Used blued .357 Blackhawk may be substituted if available.

 

[danez71]

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?

New or used?

I think you could get both new a marlin 22 rifle and a SW 9mm (not M&P) for under $550 on sale at one of my LGS.

 

[John Joseph]

With that budget I'd consider police trade ins if available my my state (sorry California!)

 

[George P]

While $550 most certainly can get you Glock or similar, it will not leave much for funding ammo (or is that a different pile of money). If ammo budget is separate, a handgun to go with the 12 gauge should cover most scenarios you are likely to encounter without much of the backlash against ARs we see today in many areas. That would give you one gun for concealment and a longarm with somewhat greater firepower

 

[magyars4]

An undesirable situation for sure.
I'd have to agree with a couple of the posters and say get a Glock 9mm. Second choice a 357 revolver. I'd try for a pre lock S&W

 

[Harriw]

What kind of barrel is on the pump, and what brand is it (I only ask the brand because it impacts cost of additional barrels)?

I'm wondering if a 2nd barrel for the pump might fill a need cheaper than another long gun, leaving more money for other choices?

 

[Mars5l]

On the cheap, Rossi .22 rifle, a High Point in 9mm and a Heritage Rough Rider revolver that comes with the .22lr and .22 magnum cylinder

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

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

 

[Howland937]

That's a pretty tough scenario to process. It's easy enough to look at what we have and figure out what we couldn't live without. In the situation the OP details, I think my approach wouldn't be the popular choice. I wouldn't be looking for anything. I'd make sure I had some light game loads, slugs, and good defense rounds for the pump and wait.
A good deal on a handgun is meaningless with the scarcity of available ammo. .22 is getting difficult to find too. I'd hold off a bit and see if the current situation gets better or not but keep an eye out for a deal that includes ammo with the gun.

 

[StationOps]

If I had some need to travel to places where I though I needed to carry, then S&W Shield 9 mm, remainder in ammo for both guns.

edit: Seems if I'm 'starting over', than that would mean I have no CCW license and would have to get one, with all the courses filled out to January, plus the cost of the course and license eating into my $550. Guess I'd get pepper spray, pocket knife, cane, baton or something along those lines. Supposedly, hitting somebody with an unopened soda can is effective, so keep that an the car. Spend money on the 22 and ammo. end edit.

Otherwise a Ruger 10/22 and lots of ammo.

 

[Texas10mm]

An undesirable situation for sure.
I'd have to agree with a couple of the posters and say get a Glock 9mm. Second choice a 357 revolver. I'd try for a pre lock S&W

For $550? I want to live where you live.

Canik ONE Series. Or wait for the PSA Dagger. The Canik is a really decent 9mm for around $300 new. Spend the rest on a couple extra mags and some ammo.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would work a deal to sell / trade the shotgun, buy a Glock 17, a few mags and some ammo.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

S&W 686, 686+, or HK VP9.
Depending on preference.

 

[Obturation]

Hmmmm, I guess a g20. Or a used 4" gp100. Everything else costs much more.
It would need to be robust and durable and have parts available. many brands don't have those features .

 

[JFrank]

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?

A hunting rifle and some Ammo

 

[Kevin Keith]

Ruger Wrangler .22 LR/$200
Mossberg Patriot .30-06/$330

$20 left over for four Venti Americanos with an extra shot. lol

 

[Electricmo]

I would trade the pump in and get a used .22 auto rifle and add the extra cash from it with the $550 and buy a AR-15 in today’s conditions.