i am surprised that the marlin .22LR papoose (removable barrel) rifle did not make the list. and i always got the impression that an AR 15 dropped in the mud is worthless.
in my limited experience, an ak-47 has accuracy issues for long distance targets.
a 308 makes a lot of noise and noise is not something you want to make when TSHTF and you only need a rabbit for dinner.
for a handgun, if you want stoppability along with reliability, how about a 6 round .38 special 6 snub nose revolver?
the author makes a good point about shotguns. i would still be tempted to make my 3rd weapon a shotgun for times i need to get canned goods and supplies from the grocery store.
The M16 A1 had a propensity to jam when wet, muddy or in a sandy environment. Being a former Vietnam era Marine, I know from personal experience the M16 A1 jammed if someone farted on it. The M4 is generations beyond the old M-16, does not jam as easily and is very reliable. In fact the only jam I ever experienced with my M4 was due to cheap ammo. Which also points to the fact that 5.56 and .224 ammo has come along way since the early days of the M16 A1 and makes a difference in the reliability, accuracy and stopping power of the M4 vs. the M16 A1.