I like the AR platform and 5.56, generally speaking. But, I want something with a bigger bang for my buck if it's my life (or my family), and I have a CHOICE.
For a sidearm, give me a 1911 in .45ACP with a half dozen or so spare mags. I don't need a tack driver as sidearms are not intended to engage targets at distances, that's what a rifle is for. I need something with a BIG thump and a whack when it hits at close range (you got to love those scientific terms). The 1911 and .45 have been around almost a century because they WORK.
The rifle is a bit more difficult. I think either a Springfield SOCOM, Springfield Tanker, or a variation of the FN-FAL in .308 (ok, ok 7.62 for the purists) would be my choice. I'd probably go with a Paratrooper (shorter) version of the FAL. The M1A platform is a proven design, but the FAL has a longer track record than the SOCOM or Tanker as compared with their full size M1A counterpart. Think South Africa, Angola, the Congo, ect. (hell, the ENTIRE Continent of Africa during the 60's, 70's, and 80's).
Agree or disagree, those are MY choices, and they're probably not for everyone. But that's ok too.