As for living in the sticks, my nearest neighbors only comment to my shooting off the back porch is if they can join me.
I have to say the three firearms I favor the most are the Ruger Mark II target, Glock 21, and Ruger 10/22.
I don't know why 22's get a bad rap, especially with some of the ammo these days punching out 1400 feet per second.
I've read a report that aguila 22 super max is punching 1740 fps and 200 ft lb's muzzle. I loaded up on this when it first hit the street. Out my mark II's they are hitting between 1300 and 1500 fps depending on which one.
When it's all said and done, the people who've ignored the 22 will regret doing so. A critter either 2 or 4 legged is just as dead from a well placed shot from a 22 as with a 44 mag and that has been made especially true with the latest hyper velocity 22 that's out.
Then there is the 60 grain subsonic variety. The navy seals currently utilize a silenced ruger mark II in the list of weapons.
Some of the 22 20 grain subsonic loads are quieter than a pellet gun. Just the thing called for when that cat won't stay of the garbage, or you don't want to alert the entire forest to your presence when taking a squirrel out for a meal.
For the shotguns I like the Winchester 1300 series. I also enjoy this one
http://www.iacshotguns.com/87w.html which I find not many people are aware of. I wished I could get an american made version, but this one isn't bad.
Anyway, as you stated, for open minded people there are a lot of alternatives out there. If you don't like whats out there simply make it yourself. My next project is converting a Mark II ruger to 5mm remington mag. Thats turning out to be a challenge, but when it's done I think it will be worth it.
Regards,
Gerald