Heres what i usually do.

Full abilities on pistols

Full save if we lost pistols

Bulldog+Full/Half shields if we won (bulldog is great for me in rifle rounds too, so i dont feel like im at a super big disadvantage like spectre vs vandal like most players)

Use bulldog as long as I can with abilities and when i die i start buying phantoms and vandals

If i cant afford at least a bulldog with a half shield, ill use a classic with full abilities instead of no abilities and a sheriff. (bad aim)

can someone tell me if im doing this right? i dont ever use the spectre, ghost, or anything else in this game.