Wife wants to learn shooting for defense; I want to kill deer. $500 budget-- Suggestions?

Hi gunnit,

After several years of living in California and a bit overseas, I'm finally living in firearms friendly place again. I'd like to start shooting again. My wife would also like to learn to shoot. The problem is that we're on a rather tight budget and also have different objectives. So, I'm asking gunnit's advice.

I want to be able to take whitetail next hunting season. I also want something that's fun and (relatively) inexpensive to shoot. Those are pretty much my requirements for a long-gun.

My wife wants something she can put behind the seat of her 4x4 pick-up (together with the first aid kit, emergency food, water purification tablets, and other survival gear) in case of zombie apocalypse or other SHTF situation.

A bit more about us-- I'm 5'8" and have average sized hands and arms. She's 5'1" and has short arms and tiny hands (she says a Kel-Tec P32 feels comfortable in her hands). I grew up shooting and had a decent arsenal before moving to CA (AR-15, CETME, AK, a few pistols). She grew up in Europe and hasn't shot any real guns before, but she's mean shot with an air rifle.

I was thinking something along the lines of a Saiga or EAA/Zastava or Romanian AK in 7.62x39. I hate the AK sights, so optics or a proper aperture sight (with rear sight on the receiver) would increase cost by a bit. 7.62x39 ought to be enough to take whitetail and won't have excessive recoil for the wife.

The other possibility might be to buy two different guns.

For me, a Mosin 91/30 or M44 and some inexpensive optics would probably do. Or, I'm kind of curious about black powder shooting. Looking around online shows I could get something entry level for under $250. Cheaperthandirt has these for $210.

For the wife, possibly a shotgun or pistol caliber carbine. A SUB-2000 should be doable for around $250. Perhaps a Mossberg Maverick 88 or Persuader in 20 or 12ga would also work. For the wife, a telescoping stock could bring down the length of pull to something manageable for her.

So, I'm wondering what gunnit would suggest here. Thoughts on any of the guns I've mentioned or in general?