First Gun Advice

[Barney Gumble]

Keep in mind that owning a firearm doesn't magically make you safer. There's a lot more to defending yourself with a firearm than picking it up and aiming it at a bad guy. Read the threads in the training section and find yourself a good tactical or defensive course and you will realize how much more to it there is.

Regarding shotguns there's a school of thought that adding lots of tactical parts like pistol grips, heat shields, etc. makes it easier for the other side to paint you as a para-military gun nut if you end up in court for defending yourself. Not everyone agrees with that so decide for yourself what you're comfortable with.

[Greg-Dawg]

...But what about SHTF situation...

It won't happen.

[510shooter510]

Hey bro. Lots of good advice for you here so far. In answer to some of your questions, shotgun with slugs is good out to 75 to 100 yards with a full stock on it. This really may be your best bet.
I also own a saiga and it is a wonderful gun. Not my first or even my second choice for home defense though unless I lived on a farm.
For the "one gun" philosophy, your choice should be either:
12 gauge shotgun (slugs and buckshot and even birdshot, pistol grip option)
Or a 357 revolver (option of 38 special for target or defense, 357 has good range and penetration).
Good luck sir, and don't expect S to HTF anytime soon. And even then, those options will be fine

[Sheepdog1968]

Shotgun would without my doubt be my first choice. Though my preference would be the Mos fivehundred big five special.

Second purchase would be a rifle. Any is fine.

Third purchase any pistol in fourty-five acp.

[Joe]

g19

nuff said

[510shooter510]

g19 is nice. hey OP, that should be your pistol choice should you go that route.