First decide why you want to shoot. (the answer to this question is for your own use) Some people want home protection. Others like to eat wild game. Maybe you just want to tear up an old soup can when you're stressed out! The reason will effect the equipment that you decide to purchase. If you want to go full bore into sanctioned IDPA (International defensive pistol association) competition it is not uncommon to have over $8,000 in your equipment! or you can pick up a good used .22 squirrel hunting rifle for $110.
I think all shooters should start out learning the skills and safety protocol of shooting on a .22 rifle. They are easy to shoot, accurate, fun and the ammunition is affordable.
Next get some training. I have introduced several people to the joy of marksmanship. I am a certified Military marksmanship instructor but I lack civilian credentials. The NRA publishes a bunch of books on firearms training and safety. A competent friend that likes to shoot may be a good source of instruction as is the instructions that came with a new firearm. Maybe take a legitimate firearms class. There is probably one offered in your area.(the NRA can help with this too) Different people require different levels of instruction, don't just go buy a gun and load it in your living room without knowing about the fundamentals of operation and safety for your new equipment. Don't be the guy that shoots a hole in his kitchen wall because he was screwing around with a loaded pistol! OR WORSE!!
Once you've mastered the .22 rifle you're ready to step up to something more powerful and potentially more dangerous. This is where you need to decide a purpose and a type of arm. If you want home defense a 12 gauge shotgun is ideal. If you're wanting something to hunt deer with you have all sorts of options in larger caliber arms from traditional flintlock muskets to .300 Weatherby Magnum. (just in case you want to shoot a deer at like a mile away!!) A pistol is a good option at this point too. They make all sorts of hunting pistols, defense pistols, concealed carry pistols, and ones that are good at tearing up an old soup can. It's a good Idea to study about a gun that you're interested in before you drop $700 on your purchase. Think about what you want to do with it. Forums are a good source of research information but most of the stuff is opinions.(some good and some bad)
Some firearms fill several different rolls and some have a very small niche. A .45acp can be a concealed carry piece, a home defense tool, a IDPA competition grade arm, and a large game hunter! (It'll be better at some of these than others)
In a survival situation a .22 rifle will feed you. I shoot .22 more than anything else in my gun safe. I have taken rabbit and squirrel that I have eaten with .22 rifle. I tear up soup cans all of the time for enjoyment and stress relief with my .22s.
A good 12 gauge shotgun is the most diverse of all arms. With #4 shot it will stop an attacker immediately, with "00" double ought buckshot you can take a deer at 50 yards, with #8 you can shoot skeet and take quail and other small game animals. with a 3 1/2 inch magnum slug you can take grizzly and bull moose! Duck and geese can be taken with nothing other than a shotgun. It won't exactly fit in your purse though so this is what I recommend for a well rounded Joe:
Buy a nice .22 rifle and stay proficient with it. Pick up four more firearms after that. Get a good hunting rifle, a good shotgun, a good defensive type pistol, and a good .22 pistol.
If you have those two rifles, two pistols and a good shotgun you'll have a very diverse and capable collection.
You must know your equipment and practice with it often to remain a proficient marksman. I know people who have only one gun that they are content with and skilled. For some that is completely sufficient. I want ALL of the guns and all of the bullets. I'm addicted to shooting!
If you want advice on type and brand name of good equipment I can give you my opinion on which guns I like. I'll even take you shooting if you're curious about marksmanship.
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