Over the years I have owned several handguns and long guns. Ruger makes reliable built like a tank handguns in all calibers. You can't go to far wrong with Savage long guns or Remington long guns built on the 700 action or their shotguns. If you want to low ball the long gun consider getting a mil surplus rifle built on the AK type action. That said, no matter what you end up with, you will need to spend lots of time and money learning to use your equipment.