too many variables.stick with a known good brand name.best to go to a store and hold a few. if you have your own press or a shop near you that does xbow work a compound xbow is fine.a recurve is wide but managable and you do your own maintanence.everyone is different but if i was starting out maybe have a look at the ExcalIbur Axiom kit-TenpointGT FLEX- for recurves or a Horton Realtree Ultralite or Parker Tornado, for compounds.