I would go with the 10/22 you can hunt most small game with it. Low maintenance and cheap common ammo is a plus. Second would be a .410 shot gun can take down a deer and you can carry more rounds than 12.
I have a Iven Johnson M1 carbine paratrooper model. It has light rust and some light pitting. Should I restore it or just use the receiver and build a new M1?
I am a CCI mini-mag person. Shotting them since the early 80's. Good for both rile and pistol. I'm sure someone else might say Winchester superX or something else.
You could very careful and drill out the center of the pin. It's not a hard metal to drill. Start with a small #40 bit. Also take a small file flat the top of the pin and use a center punch and the drill it out. Just step it up until you release the pressure. Good luck and take your time.