If I were in a SHTF scenario that we always talk about I'd choose the following two toys that I have.
9mm AR15 and 9mm Hi Power. Both have enough power to repel assorted nasties most haste. Plus ammo is plentiful and readily obtained. I get hits out to 200 yards with the 9mm "rifle" , more than enough distance.
Now if I were out hunting I'd choose one of the new Ruger .44 Magnum Autos with a Smith 629 mountain gun.
I've got combos in .44 Mag, .45ACP and .22lr.
The big bore combos are good for what ails you and the .22 combos are good for when less noise is better, when the big bores are overkill and just plain economical fun.
Here's a couple pics of my pistol/carbine combo's. The first is of my 9mm combo with the HK94 and Sig P226. The second pic is of my Olympic Arms CAR-97 and Glock 20, both in 10mm Auto.
I guess it would have to be 44 Mag or 45 Colt - something like a S&W 629 and a Marlin 1894. If I were going the 'tactical' or survival route, I would have to assume that I'd be carrying all the stuff that I owned and would probably go for the 9mm - with either a CZ75SA or a Beretta Elite and I guess an AR with a 9mm upper.
...in 45 Colt. A Win 92 (I have a Rossi M92 in Stainless, 24" octag bbl) and a Ruger Blackhawk (or Vaquero -- I have both, the former in 7-1/2" bbl and the latter in 5-1/2" bbl versions). I use these in Cowboy Shooting and can attest to their reliability and their ability to shoot "plinker loads". The 45 C can be loaded up to near magnum capabilities for hunting (I've taken boar and deer with it). The 92 can put out 10 rounds as quick as a flash for defense (and I'm getting pretty darn quick with the revolver too.) as well as hitting out to 75-100 yards with slow fire.
I would choose .357, 40S&W or 9mm since they seem to pick up improved velocity from the longer barrels. Every .45ACP carbine I've seen tested had pretty dismal performance.
I ended up buying a 9mm Camp Carbine a few years ago. I chose it because I wanted a semi-auto, and didn't want to pay through the nose for 40S&W ammo. It's cheap and easy to stock up a whole bunch of 9mm ammo to feed both the carbine and pistol. Therefore it get's lots of plinking and range action. It's very accurate out to 100 yards and is probably very effective up to 75.
I am not a fan pf pistol caliber carbines, and have no desire to ever own one. But if that was all I could get in a long arm, it would be 9MM. No question.
Inexpensive ammo. Light ammo, a person can carry a great amount of it. And it is the most popular pistol and SMG cartridge in the world.
You can find 9MM ammo in plentiful supply in places where they've never even heard or a .38 Spec or .45 ACP.
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