Guns thing.

[quote]BTW I know of just about every gun posted so far.[/quote]

Good look knowing all of mine.  ^_^

Since this is the single hardest question posed on the forums since ever, this is going to be a pretty long and thought out answer. I'll categorise my favourites into types of weapon. This is done of favourites, not best. So I will be adding looks into the equation too.

Sadly there will be some fine firearms that do not make it into this post, don't be offended if I do not choose your personal favourite.

[u]Semi Automatic Handgun:[/u]
The only option for me was .45ACP, as it is a subsonic round as standard, meaning it fires much quieter than nearly every other pistol caliber round. It is therefore easier to suppress, as the suppressor does not need to decelerate the round out of supersonic speeds, as well as dealing with the sonic boom. Of the .45 caliber handguns, the old faithful 1911 series, and newer 'tactical' style handguns. While a good modern Double-Stack 1911 (Also known as 2011) will carry 14(+1 Chambered), however most examples of double-stack 1911s are aluminium or steel-framed, making them expensive and reasonably heavy. More modern pistols such as the HK45, a modernisation of the excellent USP45, are much further up in my list, and I have decided to go for a tie between the Taurus 24/7 OSS, and FNX 45 and the both in a .45 caliber.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a6eef]Taurus 24/7 OSS:[/url]
- Heavy Duty pistol, designed for US Special Forces.
- Very reliable, able to shoot well in extreme conditions
- Built-in Night-Sights as standard
- Full ambidextrous controls
- Higher than average capacity for handguns of .45ACP caliber: 12(+1)
- Reasonably cheap, around $530-$560

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a6flc]FNX 45:[/url]
- Full Ambidextrous controls
- 4 groove MIL-STD rail for accessories
- Threaded barrel for suppressor as standard
- Mounting base for pistol holographic or red-dot sights
- Raised night-sights as standard to clear suppressor bulge
- Excellent capacity, 10(+1) or 15(+1) round magazines available

[u]Revolvers:[/u]
As for the Automatic handguns, I limited myself to the best calibers for the type of weapon. For a revolver, .500S&W or .600 nitro may well sound and look cool, but will physically harm you if fired incorrectly. They are also very large, and limit the amount of rounds packed into the weapon. I have for a time had a fling with the Russian RSh-12, a massively powerful 12.7x55mm revolver with a low bore axis, preventing harsh recoil kicking up the barrel so high. However, the hugely powerful 12.7x55mm rounds just aren't practical. In the end, I went with the Taurus (Again) Model 608 in .357 Magnum, a caliber with 96% one-stop shots in real life police shootings. However, the Model 608 is more than your standard 6-shooter. Its extra weight and large frame handles recoil well, and with barrel from 8" to 11.5", the 608 is menacing and accurate. It's most important feature however, is the cylinder. Holding 8 rounds of .357, this revolver packs more punch than a large number of popular semi-automatic pistols, such as the M1911.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a6j58]Taurus Model 608:[/url]
- 8 round cylinder
- Barrel Porting acting as a built-in compensator to force the barrel down on firing, lowering muzzle flip
- Adjustable rear sight
- Scope mounts available for competitive shooting

[u]Sub-Machine Guns:[/u]
While it can be said that Sub-Machine Guns are on the way out, due to the influx of rifle caliber Personal Defence Weapons, SMGs are still used by police forces and militaries, especially navies and special forces teams, due to their compactness and lightness. A few notable SMGs are the excellent range of H&K MP5s, and the space-age P90, firing the advanced 5.7x28mm cartridge. The weapon I have chosen is technically classed as a Pistol-caliber PDW, however, the overarching definition of Sub-Machine Gun applies to it also. The H&K MP7, chambered in 4.6x30mm is an excellent balance between compactness and ergonomics, with a collapsible stock and range of magazine sizes, 20 or 40 rounds.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a6s8q]H&K MP7:[/url]
- Small size, high power
- 4 Sides of Picatinny rails for all types of accessories
- The 4.6x30mm round is small, allowing for high-capacity magazines of small overall size
- The 4.6x30mm round produces the same energies as a 9x19mm Parabellum round, however, the 4.6mm has a higher chance to hit a vital organ due to its unique fragmentation system.

[u]Standard Combat Rifles:[/u]
The Standard Combat Rifles of world militaries are often known by the media term 'Assault Rifles', stemming from the Sturmgewehr-44, meaning Storm-Rifle, year 1944, which was technically the second 'Assault Rifle', the first being the Russian Fedorov Avtomat. Modern examples include the AK47/AKM/AK-74 series of rifles, the M16Ax/M4Ax, and the SA-80/L-85. The most common calibers for military combat rifles nowadays are the 5.56x45mm, the 7.62x39mm and the 5.45x39mm rounds. Each of these have their advantages, being lighter than traditional .30 caliber rifle rounds, yet lack long-distance stopping power. I have chosen a rifle in 5.56x45mm not because of its characteristics, which are not great, but because of its widespread usage. 5.56x45mm is a standard NATO round, and STANAG magazines are available in most parts of the world. The gun I have chosen is also a bullpup, meaning its overall length is much shorter than standard weapons, though it keeps a medium length barrel. The Israeli Tavor Tar-21 is my choice of combat rifle, due to its futuristic and reliable design, and most importantly ease of use.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a6q7j]Tavor Tar-21:[/url]
- Bullpup design
- Takes standard STANAG 5.56x45mm magazines
- Available in a multitude of barrel lengths and caliber configurations
- Polymer body reduces weight

[u]Battle Rifle:[/u]
Battles rifles are classed as rifles capable of semi or fully automatic fire, and are chambered in a cartridge equal to or larger than a 7.62x51mm NATO rounds. To choose my favourite rifle, I have had to consider which rifle I would prefer to go into a warzone with. As you will see, my decision is an odd one. I have considered all the big-hitters, mostly in 7.62x51mm NATO, including the outstanding FN FAL, H&K G3, all variants of M14, including the bullpup Juggernaut Rogue stock-set available for the M14. I have also taken a look at semi-automatic precision rifles firing alternate rounds such as the heavier .338 Lapua magnum, however the weight and small magazine size of such rifles make them unsuitable for the role of true battle rifle. Overall, I have come to two choices. The modern recreation of Germany's FG-42, chambered in .308/7.62x51mm, which takes 20 round M14 magazines, and is a side-fed semi-bullpup. My second choice is a modern M14, equipped with the Juggernaut Rogue stock-set, and an X-Products X-14 50 round .308 Drum Magazine.

Best features of [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8b3d]SMG Guns' FG-42 remake:[/url]
- It's absolutely beautiful.
- Side-fed means it is easy to lie prone with
- Built in bipod
- Available in 8mm Mauser and .308/7.62x51mm
- Built in Spike Bayonet
- Recoiling stock reduces recoil to just less than an M16 rifle

Best features of [url=http://prntscr.com/3a89sq]M14 Juggernaut:[/url]
- With the X-14 magazine, it holds 50 rounds
- Tried and tested reliable design
- Bullpup, so is shorter than most other battle rifles
- Covered in rails, easy to mount accessories

In the end, if thrown into combat right now, with the bare rifle, I would choose FG-42, since the recoil is much more manageable. However, if I knew I would have to be using the rifle for the rest of my life, I would choose the M14 with Juggernaut and X-14, since the 50 round drums and accessory advantage would be better than the recoil reduction, and the FG-42's limited spread would mean spares and repairs would be few and far between.

[u]Machine Guns:[/u]
I will be choosing both a heavy and a light machine gun as well as a SAW-type. Belt-feed, drum, or high-capacity magazine compatibility are essential for all weapons, as switching stick magazines is not something I would enjoy doing while trying to assist my squad from range. That counts out the L-86, with its standard 30 round magazines, and light 5.56x45mm ammunition. For the role of Squad Automatic Weapon, I have considered the excellent FN Minimi machine gun, capable of firing 800RPM for short bursts, but have chosen its eastern counterpart, the RPK-74 MS. The paratrooper variant of the RPK-74M, this version is equipped with a folding stock. It fires the light but deadly 5.45x39mm cartridge, out of a range of magazines, from 45 round standard sticks, to 75 and 100 round drums.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8jim]RPK-74 MS:[/url]
- Left-side folding stock: Gun can be fired when stock is still folded
- Compatible with all AK-74 magazines
- Incredibly reliable AK heritage
- Wide variety of western features can be introduced to the weapon, such as RIS fore-ends and railed scope mounts.
- Integral bipod

For the Squad Support machine gun, I have chosen the German MG-3 machine gun, a descendant of the might World War Two MG-42. Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the MG-3 is a battle-proven GPMG-type weapon.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8m83]MG-3:[/url]
- Incredible fire-rate: Can reach up to 1350RPM
- Modern variants come with full top rails, and multiple side and underside rails for mounting attachments and optics
- Belt fed, but can mount a drum-style box to hold the belts during movement or assaults
- MG-3's quick-change barrel system allows for sustained fire for long periods of time

For the Heavy Machine Gun section, I have decided to go with a weapon that is technically possible to use alone, but not practical without a crew, tripod, or bipod. Chambered in massively powerful 12.7x108mm Russian ammunition, the Kord Machine Gun is a beast of a firearm, with an effective range of 2000m, and an average fire rate of 700RPM.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8mcc]Kord Machine Gun 6P50-1[/url]
- Hugely powerful, very badass
- 50 round belts can be linked to provide huge amounts of covering fire
- Heavy cartridge allows engagements of helicopters, UAVs, light aircraft, soft-skinned vehicles, lightly armoured vehicles, and personnel.
- Able to be equipped with powerful long-range optics.

[u]Shotguns[/u]

For shotguns, I immediately discounted all double-barrel and single-shot firearms, as well as low-capacity pump actions. While shotguns such as the Mossberg M590A1 are excellent weapons, their manual cycling and tube magazine reduce their effectiveness. The same can be said for automatic shotguns such as the Benelli line. The shotgun I have chosen is a mean looking weapon, the Origin-12. Firing the obvious 12 Gauge round out of a highly modified and reinforced Saiga platform, the Origin has many features other shotguns do not have, like the capability to feed from a 30 round drum.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8uqq]Origin 12:[/url]
- Bolt hold-open on last round
- Saiga-based gas piston means the Origin-12 is massively reliable.
- Can feed from a 30 round drum
- Non-reciprocating charging handle on the front handguard for easy reloading.
- Push-button magazine release
- Rails for optics and other accessories as standard
- Left-side folding stock, gun can be fired with stock folded
- Galil-style safety, easy to use.

[u]Designated Marksman's Rifles, and Squad Support Rifles:[/u]

DMRs are rifles designed for longer-range sqaud support, and are not the guns used by snipers. However, they can be as accurate as Sniper's Rifles, except traditionally use more standard ammunition and calibers such as 7.62x51mm NATO, or even 5.56x45mm in rifles such as the SR-15, a DMR version of the AR-15. I have ignored 5.56x45mm weapons, as they lack the range of heavier weapons. My running features the SR-25, the M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle, in a support role, the K&K 417, and the L-129. All fire the 7.62 NATO round. However, the gun I have chosen is not based on total battlefield effectiveness, but a combined mixture of looks, reputation, and effectiveness. In the end, I am choosing my personal favourite, not the best. The Dragunov SVD is my number one, due to its great looks, rugged reliability, and powerful 7.62x54R round.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a8yby]SVD Dragunov:[/url]
- Wooden handguard and thumbhole stock prevent sticking in extreme cold
- Early PSO-1 telescopic sights had a built-in Infrared optic for night shooting
- 10 round magazines make multiple follow-up shots quick to take
- It is personally one of the most beautiful guns ever created, as well as being a great shooting rifle.

[u]Anti-Material Rifles:[/u]
AMRs are designed primarily to engage targets such as parked aircraft, vehicles, buildings, and light pillboxes at extreme ranges. While the Barrett M82's massive .50BMG round is more than capable as an AMR round, I decided to go one better. My winner in the Denel NTW-20, capable of firing the 20x82mm, the 20x110mm Hispano, and the 14.5x114mm round. The 14.5x114mm round carries twice the ballistic energy of the .50BMG used by the M82, and with an effective range of 2300m, and a maximum range of near 4000m, the NTW-20 is a beast of a rifle. Unlike other high-caliber rifles, the NTW-20 is magazine fed, holding 3 rounds.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a91ed]NTW-20:[/url]
- 3 calibers for multiple target types, easy to switch between them using the cartridge rim as a tool
- Simple Bolt-action for maximum accuracy
- High-power scope as standard
- Overarching carry handle as standard
- Breaks into two parts for transport in special backpacks
- 20mm rounds available as explosive or armour piercing
- Bolt, barrel, and magazine recoil separate from the main body and stock, reducing felt recoil forces.

[u]True Sniper's Rifles/Long-Range Precision Rifles:[/u]

True Sniper's Rifles are rifles actually used by designated snipers. Rifles designed for the role, but not yet used, are technically long-range precision rifles. Rifles most commonly known as 'Sniper Rifles' such as the Barret M82, the SVD, and the SR-25, are actually designed for different roles altogether. Some examples of true sniper rifles are the Mosin-Nagant used by Simo Häyhä, 'White Death', in the Winter War of World War Two between Finland and the Soviet Union. A modern example would be the British Army's Accuracy International L115 rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum, or the Cheytac M200 'Intervention, chambered in .408 Cheytac. The rifle I have chosen is the L115A3 rifle, with the two longest confirmed kills in history at 2.47km.

Best features of the [url=http://prntscr.com/3a97wi]L115A3:[/url]
- 5 round Magazine means quick follow-up shots are possible
- The L115 is equipped with a folding stock so transportation is easier
- Bolt-action design prevents unnatural warping during firing, increasing accuracy
- Ergonomic thumbhole stock means the L115 rifle is comfortable to shoot with, as well as waiting for targets.

If you've actually read the whole thing, hopefully you've learnt something. Thanks for your time! Yes, it is a 2200+ word essay, basically.

Credit to the respective owners of the images I have used in this post, expect the SVD - That's my own gun.