What is the most versatile, cheap gun available?
I'm not sure. But I'm going with the Remington 870 Express pump-action 12 gauge shotgun.
Why? A shotgun can be used for self-defense, hunting, sporting, and survival.
Typically this shotgun is purchased with a long barrel with choke for bird-hunting, which makes it less than ideal for both self-defense and hunting larger game. However, with the purchase of two additional barrels: 1) an 18 in cylinder-bore barrel for self-defense, and 2) a rifled barrel with iron sights for hunting larger game, you have covered a lot of the bases that one gun can cover.
This particular shotgun is basically Remington's classic entry-level shotgun. As a pump action, the mechanics are reliable and simple. Recently this shotgun could be had for $230. I believe the price has gone up to around the $270 level. Still, for a classic, reliable, versatile gun, this is chump-change. Extra barrels will add more expense. You are looking at about $120 for an 18in barrel, and more than that for a rifled barrel.
