If you had to choose one....

[James Chris]

If you had to pick only one firearm, what would it be? Which make, model and caliber would you trust to handle everything you need? Would love to know what everyone considers their top “all-purpose” choice!

 

[HWB13]

This is like picking which kid you like more. And for the record, under penalty of death, I would not make that call. But I am torn between a MSR platform 5.56 or a 12 ga shotgun. Even the shotgun gives me pause as to pick my 500 or 930. Both reliable and versatile but I have not yet,and no sure I need to, picked up a slug barrel for the 930. But the milspec 5.56 with 16in barrel, can do most anything also. Ammo replenishment is as easy or easier than anything short of 22lr. Both choices are versatile and easy to handle . Again like the kids don't make me choose.

 

[blue raven]

 I’d definitely go with something simple and proven, something I already know inside and out.

 

[guntha45]

"Back in the day" most of those in my neck of the woods from my great grandfather's day, up until just after WWII, predominantly had a lever action in various calibers, from .38/40 model 92 Winchesters to .300 Savage model 99's, the most common/popular was probably the .30/30 model 94 carbine, or a Winchester 94 in whatever caliber/configuration the local mercantile had on hand.
The end of WWII brought about affordable surplus bolt actions, and reliable optics arrived about that time as well. When my dad was a kid he had a surplus .30cal M1 carbine. His buddy had a surplus GEW 98 8x57 Mauser that was longer than he was tall... Most people around where I live had very limited incomes. We have far more disposable income today than they did then, in spite of what the crybabies want to say. Cost was the major determining factor in years past. It still is, but not to the same extent.
I am glad I don't have to choose just 1 gun, but it would be a toss-up between a pump 12 gauge and a bolt action scoped .308 carbine but would lean toward the rifle. If I had to get more specific it would be a post 64 Model 70 Winchester push feed with a quality 2x7 or 3x9 scope.

 

[Alan]

"Back in the day" most of those in my neck of the woods from my great grandfather's day, up until just after WWII, predominantly had a lever action in various calibers, from .38/40 model 92 Winchesters to .300 Savage model 99's, the most common/popular was probably the .30/30 model 94 carbine, or a Winchester 94 in whatever caliber/configuration the local mercantile had on hand.
The end of WWII brought about affordable surplus bolt actions, and reliable optics arrived about that time as well. When my dad was a kid he had a surplus .30cal M1 carbine. His buddy had a surplus GEW 98 8x57 Mauser that was longer than he was tall... Most people around where I live had very limited incomes. We have far more disposable income today than they did then, in spite of what the crybabies want to say. Cost was the major determining factor in years past. It still is, but not to the same extent.
I am glad I don't have to choose just 1 gun, but it would be a toss-up between a pump 12 gauge and a bolt action scoped .308 carbine but would lean toward the rifle. If I had to get more specific it would be a post 64 Model 70 Winchester push feed with a quality 2x7 or 3x9 scope.

You can’t go wrong there, just enough glass and a rifle that’s been putting game down for decades.