It would also be interesting to note the shots per second.
It seems the pistol is ideal for high aim pvp as it fires many bullets at good range and accuracy.
The rifles seem quite poor except in an ambush..in which case any weapon is good.
Shotguns are also good in ambush, but generally pretty useless against decent pvp targets due to high sprint. They don't need much aim though, so it is the go-to for low aim chars.
So unless you are setting up a specific pvp in very close (sawn-off) or long range (hunter), use a pistol if you have any aim (2+).
If you have very poor aim, stick with shotguns. Although if your aim is that poor, don't try to aggress anyone unless they are using melee.
In fact, I vote to tone down the pistol---it functions tactically more like submachine grade firearm in this game than a 'pistol'. If armor were introduced, the pistol would be in balance again, as it would be far less effective.
The game is really missing the assault rifle class weapon. Of course, such a weapon would be undoubtedly the best overall in the game for the medium to short outdoor distance that pvp occurs in Zomboid. It'd have good range, high rate of fire, and good penetration. I guess that is why militaries use it.
However, it is prudent to note that if the pvp mechanics were more realistic, a rifle would actually be the most useful weapon for this kind of brush human against human fighting. However, such is not the case in Zomboid now.
Classifications:
Pistol - Zomboid's pistol (with low aim)
Submachine gun - Zomboid's pistol (with high aim)
Shotgun - Zomboid's shotguns (slug ammo would be nice though!)
Rifle - Zomboid has two choices, obviously...good enough!
Assault rifle - None in Zomboid
Machine gun - Dream on! It would be spectacular--but honestly no!
Grenade launcher - Now we are just getting crazzzzzy.
A blunderbuss (improvised 'single-shot' firearm--not the old historic blunderbusses) would be neat and useful in Zomboid. Flare guns would also be fitting and cool. It'd be easy to implement a light effect crossing a screen in a direction away from the soaring flare. Especially if triggered by a timer by build 32's electrician/engineer magic.