Handgun: S&W 5906 - $400
Shotgun: Mossberg Slugster (cyclinder bore 24") - $150
Rifle: Ruger Stainless Mini-14 - $500

Handgun: Rossi 972, 6.5", 357mag - $300
Shotgun: Winchester 1300, both barrels, all three chokes - $175
Rifle: Rossi 92, 357mag - $350

Handgun: Ruger New Model Blackhawk, 7.5", 44mag, $475
Shotgun: Ithaca Model 37 featherlight - $200
Rifle: Rossi 92, 44mag - $400

Handgun: Ruger LC9 with lasermax - $400
Shotgun: Winchester 37 single, full choke - $250
Rifle: Remington 742, 30-06, extended mag - $450

...or, you could just have them all!

...Oh! I guess I do, and more.

Here is cheap:

Handgun: Hi-Point C9 - $150
Shotgun: H&R Single - $100
Rifle: NEF break in 17hmr or 223 or 22lr - $225
for a total of $475

Every gun I have listed here, I have in my safe(s) or stashed on my 43 acres of hills, hollows and caves. In the case of the C9s, I have three. In the case of the Rossi 972s, I have 2. In the case of the 5906's I have 2. In the case of the Mini-14 stainless, I have 3. Gotta have backups, you know!

But, you don't need to be going out and getting a bunch of stuff unless your a firearms and balistics scientist, like myself. The fact is, it really doesn't matter what you have.

Just be sure to use standard calibers and reliable guns. Regardless of what you choose, be sure you have all the bases covered:

Castle protection. - Shotguns are mostly preferred but a good snub nosed pistol will work well to if you use the right ammo.

Portable/Concealable protection. - Typically pistols and revolvers. 9mm/38/357/40/even 22lr. concealable, portable. Stashable.

Long Range protection. - Bolt guns with big shells and big bullets. 223 minimum up to, and including 30-06 and above. Some autoloaders, but accuracy is a factor.

Varmint/Game/Pest hunting/control. - 22lr usually but can substitute handloads in 30-30, 30-06, 223, etc, etc.

Get what you need. Learn to use it.

Note: for people that aren't experienced with firearms, don't buy blued guns. YOu need to keep them dry and clean and oil them. They take quite a bit more maintenance. Buy stainless or "all weather" models.

For beginners I would recommend a 357 magnum revolver with 38 special loads. Use a good Smith or Colt. But, Rossi makes some nice ones. I like the 972s that are like Colt Python knock offs.

Shotguns are great but beginners need something substantial. Single shots are easy to work but you've got one shot before a reload so your rate of fire it low. Recommend a good pump. Slug guns have short barrels and makes them pseudo-tactical. Winchester 1300s, Mossberg 88s or 500s or Remington 870s - with slug barrels you get a pretty handy castle protection gun.

Rifles are more difficult. I prefer Mini-14s, again, in stainless. But, for beginners, you might want to save your money and for the same price you could buy 2 stainless 10/22s and have a second gun for use or backup. Add in a 30 round mag and, while the pea sized round isn't much, do you really want to face down a guy you can throw 25 rounds at you faster than you can count with no recoil-return-to-target? Not me. ...and then add a second?

Shop carefully, try some out from friends, buy what you need.

Good luck!