What gun to buy?

Kim du Toit linked to a column by Mike Adams who described some of the guns he thinks everyone should own, which, of course, triggered a similar column by Mr. du Toit.  Waaay back about a year ago, in the old Warren days, Captain Holly wrote a series of similar posts, based on my own experiences and opinions.  I won't bother Bigwig to dig it from his archives (he rarely shows up here anymore, anyway.  It must be all that fishing).  I'll just rewrite a relatively short, updated version.
 
This is America, and unless you are trying to buy some eeevil Class III weapons, the average American can walk into a gun store and buy pretty much any gun he wants to (which is as it should be, BTW).  There's a wide variety of firearms available in a whole range of calibers and styles (and after that idiotic AW ban expires, there should be even more).  But for working-class guys like myself, who have limited funds, what are the best choices?
 
I based my choices on three criteria:
 
1.  Availability.  Is the gun found at virtually every gun store, or do you have to special order it from a dealer?  Is it in a caliber that is widely used, or do you have to stock up on expensive ammo?  Are parts, accessories, and add-ons easily obtained, or if something breaks, you're SOL?
 
2.  Practicality.  Is the gun adapted to multiple uses, or is it good only for hunting Alaskan brown bears?  Would it be useful in the event of Total Societal Meltdown, or is it limited by capacity or action (think muzzleloader or single-shot)? 
 
3.  Cost.  Is the gun relatively affordable, or is it so expensive you won't dare shoot it or even take it out of its case?  Can you spend a day at the range for less than $20, or does even sighting it in cost more than a tank of gas?
 
So for those who are looking for the best options, here are the six types of guns that every gun owner should have:
 
1.  A bolt-action rifle with an adjustable scope, in .308 Win. or .30-06 Springfield.  Reliable design, cheap ammo, good performance.  If you're going to hunt only deer or antelope, go with the .308; elk or bear, go with the .30-06.  I'm partial to Savage package guns, available at any gun store, price runs from $350 to $450.
 
2.  A .22 rimfire rifle.  For price, performance, accessories and all-out fun, you can't beat the Ruger 10/22, which is why they sell so much of them.  And you can buy it virtually anywhere.  Price:  $175 to $250.
 
3.  A 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.  A pump-action 12-gauge is the gold standard for both bird hunting and self-defense (which is why so many police agencies use them).  There is a wide range of loads available for anything from grouse to deer.  I bought a Mossberg 500 package gun, with an extra 18.5 inch "home defense" barrel included.  Big 5 Sporting Goods price:  $200.
 
4.  A semi-automatic, detachable magazine-fed centerfire rifle, otherwise known as an Eeevil Assault Weapon.  Great gun for plinking, target shooting, jackrabbit slaughtering, Diane Feinstein enraging, etc.  Get one in a standard military caliber, such as .223 Remington, 7.62 X 39, or 7.62 NATO; this ensures that you can always get cheap, jacketed ammo.  I, like thousands of others, own a Ruger Mini-14, which unlike the AK clones or the SKS is still legal in most gun-hating Blue states (except Noo Joisey).  Price:  $450-500.
 
(Note: don't overlook the M-1 carbine either.  Fun little rifle).
 
5.  A semi-automatic, centerfire pistol.  This is a self-defense/carry gun, and should be in one of the standard military/police calibers:  9 mm Luger, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, depending on your tolerance for recoil and your desire for knock-down power.  Lots of choices, I would recommend one of the Ruger P Series, simply because they are affordable and widely available.  Price:  $350-$450.
 
6.  A .22 rimfire pistol.  I added this choice simply because it allows for more practice for less money.  My recommendation would be one of the Ruger Mark IIs, but there are several others.  Price:  $275-350.
 
So, adding it all up, a person can go out and (depending on local laws) buy an entire basic gun collection that will allow him to hunt most North American game animals, target shoot, plink, and defend self and others for only about $2000.
 
Is this a great country, or what?