1) AR-15 with holographic sight
2) 12 gauge shotgun
3) .22LR lever action rifle
4) .44 magnum lever action rifle
5) 9mm semi-auto pistol
This is not an exhaustive list, I’ve got others, but these are my recommendations.
1. AR-15 carbine with 3X Burris sight.
2. 12G Rem. 870 pump with extended tube mag.
3. Scoped 22LR Ruger 10-22 with fast-twist barrel to use 60 grain subsonic ammo
4. 9mm pistol. I have an XD9 and I like it a lot, but I think Glock 19 is a better choice for the reasons given by NC Scout.
5. Ruger Standard Model 22LR pistol.
6. Crossman .177 pump air pistol.
7. On my short list: A PSA AR-9 carbine in 9mm, it takes all Glock 9mm mags and runs like a sewing machine with no recoil.
8. For folks on a tight budget who are not big, young or strong: Mossberg 20 gauge pump. Under $200 new. A lot of bang for the buck with much less recoil than a 12G.
Be sure to ALSO put in a supply of batteries for the sight, and a replacement no-battery scope sight for when the batteries run out.
I am building some AR-15s in .300 Blackout. I have a nice Mexican Mauser action with a heavy barrel and scope in .308.
Shotgun? A Maverick Arms 12 guage with a regular barrel and a slug barrel.
Handguns in .380, 9 MM and .45 ACP as well as .22 LR.
I would like to get an AR-7 and that new pump .22 from Henry Arms is appealing. I have a 10-22 setup with dot sights, underbarrel flashlight and laser for nocturnal visitors to our duck coop.
Sure, I have a series of Mausers for the hell of it.
Why the .22?
1 - yep but with 3x fixed optical scope
2 - yep but also looking to add a 20 gauge for the wife
3 - yep but not lever action (Ruger 10/22)
4 - nope but looking for a .45-70 lever as next rifle purchase (Marlin 1895G)
5 - nope but do have 2x .45 plus 1x .40 and 1x 357 mag. 9 mm is next pistol purchase.
Also .30-06 bolt action with BDC scope.
Also have reloading gear for much of the above but have not used in a while. 3 year long saga of getting my shoulder surgeries. Will get back to reloading in a few months. Need to get some pistol dies.
Also have 2 3d printers so will start experimenting with making parts, frames and slides but not barrels.
Now I just need to find the time .....