Fwiw, am a really thrifty/frugal broke near hermit
Depression's improved to the point I'm not concerned with it being a risk to myself and am currently nogunz except for varmint air guns
Considering dropping like two grand on a nice rifle 
and equipment and training with it alongside my gym routine
Debating getting either a KUSA KR-101X or a Keltec RFB and an optic and chest rig/plates and pouches, spare mags, etc for either
The KR-101X is a 5.56 AKM/74 clone that takes AR mags and looks pretty good from what I've seen, the RFB is a .308 bullpup DMR (I'm kinda a tankie and a big Halo dork, so both have their appeals)
Live in a state with a 10 round mag restriction, so that's leaning me towards the RFB.
Thoughts?
Dunno if there's a loophole for larger mags or a SBR "pistol" 
that might be a better option
Am I being a dumbass?
Should I get a pistol or a .22LR plinker first? Should I not drop a used car price on a rifle I might never have to actually use aside from playing at the range and running drills as a hobby?
@Tervell@hexbear.net pls lend me your wisdom and recs
The most expensive thing over time will be ammo. If you don't mind having multiple guns and all the fees that might entail, dropping $100 on a cheap 22 rifle and $250 on a tx22 will pay for itself in a dozen range trips. 22 can be found for ~5cpr, whereas 556 is gonna be ~50cpr and 308 ~70cpr.
AK is for style only and imo you can self express other ways. The cost difference between a decent AR and an equivalent or worse AK is better spent on sites, slings, mags, a gun safe, and training.
Word. Getting some snap caps for dry fire drills and practicing clearing malfunctions is a good choice. Get a dedicated mag just for drills, mark it with blaze orange, and store it with your snap caps separately from all live ammunition.