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
Any reason you want an ak pattern over an ar pattern? An ak that shoots 5.56 and uses stanags seems overcomplicated compared to getting an ar.
1500$ is an extremely expensive rifle if you're not an enthusiast. You can get a PSA ar15 for 5-700$ and it'll go bang every time and leave you money for glass, upgrades, mags, and other stuff.
Plus, ars have vastly more aftermarket parts and if your gun breaks it'll be a lot easier to get ar replacement parts than ak replacement parts.
I'll always advocate for a basic ar15 for a first gun
Sbr "pistols" are a gimmick for dorks who want to be operators and think they're smarter than the atf. The reduced weight can be nice but you're making your life much more difficult with all the regulatory bs in exchange for like 6" or something of shorter barrel. A carbine length rifle is good enough for anything you'd ever need.
Regardless, guns are worse than useless without regular practice. You gotta commit to doing dry fire practice, working on clearing jams, range time, and probably learning a little bit about squad level rifleman tactics. If you don't put in the practice and education you won't be able to fight at all.
Also - before you even buy a gun - take a stop the bleed course, get some na rescue tourniquettes and learn how to use them, get a basic "someone has been shot" first aid kit together. Statistically you're much more likely to kill or injure yourself than you are to ever use your gun in any defensive situation. Having a good first aid kit, practicing with it, and knowing how to use it is at least as important as a gun right now.
You can get a drop-in .22lr bolt for ar pattern rifle so you can practice with much less expensive .22lr instead of 5.56. Idk how much they cost these days but they used to be under 200$
Oh, you also need to consider safe storage. Check the laws in your area to see what storage requirements exist and factor that in to your costs.
Thank you, that's a factor too
I just think they're neat
An AR pattern is much more practical though
Plus if I want a bullpup, I think there are options that take AR parts
Could even get a Wylde barrel in order to shoot 223 and 556. Not sure if that's an option with the AK platform but it's nice to know that my AR will eat either cartridge all day.
I gotta look that up for the KR-101X
A .300BLK AK that takes AR mags and fits a can out of the box might be ideal
For ARs nowadays I think .300 "blackout" sounded appealing.
I've never shot 5.56 somehow. Lapua, BMG, 7.62x39, 7.62x54, and some shotgun/pistol calibers I'm uncertain of.
Just get 5.56. Blackout is for running suppressors and being a cool operator dude.
My advice is always going to be to get the most boring and common gun.
Can confirm. I did some range time with suppressed 300BLK and I did feel like a cool operator dude.
Co-signing to get 5.56. 300BLK is expensive AF to shoot.