In the scheme of all things firearms, flintlock long guns are my faves, further driven down to smoothbores only.
Followed by more "modern" black powder breech loaded rifles (Sharps and Rollers) that employ paper patched bullet cartridges.
Lastly, cartridge rifles, pistols, and revolvers, all powered by that white devil dust crap, and only for modern self defense.
YMMV.