Ok the long and short of it is The wife and I want to buy 3 firearms We know what we want for the first one.

10/22 mostly for plinkin and small game (plenty or rabbit squirl around) Thinkin a cheapo wallyworld will do fine maybe later on upgrade to something nice as a 4th

Id like to have a 12g shotgun with a long and a short barrel (mostly going to be kept for close range protection)

the third well is where I have a dilemma, Id like a common caliber with some decent power (not a massive 357 etc unless it can use a lower charge round as well) available in both riffle and revolver since I do believe some day I would like to take up reloading and would like to see our collection grow with time and use. I have had it suggested to look into a .45 and I like the idea but I am not sure how abundant a .45 riffle would be to find.

so what models and options do you suggest for some one who probably wont compete and probably will need to shoot some idiot meth head at some point. We have a fenced yard with great visibility and enough dogs to deter most folks but Ill be dammed if we do not find some jack ass with great big balls trying to do some thing in our yard a few times a year with increasing frequency.

Some good choices. Regarding the revolver, you can shoot .38 special out of a 357 mag revolver for reduced recoil/cost. A Ruger GP100 or the similar S&W in stainless will serve you well. I have both and they are excellent.

9mm. Its relatively cheap, lots of semi auto handguns in the caliber, take your pick, and you can get an AR chambered in it as well. Not going to be a long distance hunting rifle, but good enough for home defense.

If you are dead set on a .357 revolver AND rifle, you can buy a revolver and a Marlin 1894 in .357. You can run 38 specials in at least the revolver for reduced recoil. If you hand loaded you could buy one of each in .44 mag and load them down quite a bit.


10/22
12 ga
and pistol/rifle combo is a good start.

I just bought a Marlin 1894c. It's in .357/38 Special. I haven't shot it yet, but it's really nicely made and I've never heard anything but good about them.

Check out Marlins, they have a few rifles in pistol calibers. I think the .45 you are talking about is .45 long colt. Marlin makes rifles in that caliber as well.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894C.asp
and
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=84072

seem to be a good combo. I like the ideal of using a .38 special round and having the option of the .357 for those special cases

I did not expect replies so quickly thanks a lot guys any thing I should know about those two weapons?

9mm pistol and a 9mm AR-15.

9mm through an AR is just sinfully soft, and fun... :evil:

Ruger 10/22
Rem. 870
Springfield XD 40


I may be partial :D

10/22
870 with 26" and 18" barrels
Ruger heavy frame revolver in .357 or a decent automatic in 9mm

Why not just buy a pistol in a caliber and frame that fits your hands, and then buy a rifle in the caliber you want, after you have saved up some more money? Why are you limiting yourselves in 3 guns? Just buy 4 and then you want be disappointed in trying to make a combo out of the 3rd one.