If you are running the Gal-assault, I recommend running the combination of Assault Combat Rifle + Ion Pistol.
This is commando training wheels
You open up with the ion pistol to strip shields or straight up kill weaker suits, and then finish the armor with the assault combat rifle. This works against everything in the game.
If you step up to the gallente commando, then this fit becomes
Assault combat Rifle + Tactical AR, same strategy.

Another variant is the Tactical AR + Breach Submachine Gun.
The breach smg does more dps vrs armor than the tactical ar when both are Prof V, so you wreck their shields with the tac and then smash their armor with the breach.

You should be targeting them from my 20gj particle cannons. They dont syand much of a chance with 2 complex dmg mods and matching heat sink. Its a helluva way to pass your time while leveling up. I guarentee you score higher and get less deaths.

Still being fairly new and choosing Gallente based on philosophy, I've learned that each race has benefits to using certain types of weaponry. I did not know this at the start and now I'm wondering where I stand. I've gone up to level 3 in ARs but I can't help but feel like they aren't the best.

Sometimes between ScR and Rail Rifle, I feel like I get melted. I'm running G/I Assault suit with with about 490hp and whatever the standard shield amount is.

In my experience I'd have to list them like this:

Rail Rifle
Scramble Rifle
Assault Rifle
Combat Rifle

I can drop weaker suits very fast with my AR but sometimes against equal suits and same level weapons, the Rail Rifle just puts me to shame. How does everyone else feel about rifles?

I'm curious about the general consensus, not bashing on anyone rifle or anything.

Still being fairly new and choosing Gallente based on philosophy, I've learned that each race has benefits to using certain types of weaponry. I did not know this at the start and now I'm wondering where I stand. I've gone up to level 3 in ARs but I can't help but feel like they aren't the best.

Sometimes between ScR and Rail Rifle, I feel like I get melted. I'm running G/I Assault suit with with about 490hp and whatever the standard shield amount is.

In my experience I'd have to list them like this:

Rail Rifle
Scramble Rifle
Assault Rifle
Combat Rifle

I can drop weaker suits very fast with my AR but sometimes against equal suits and same level weapons, the Rail Rifle just puts me to shame. How does everyone else feel about rifles?

I'm curious about the general consensus, not bashing on anyone rifle or anything.

Still being fairly new and choosing Gallente based on philosophy, I've learned that each race has benefits to using certain types of weaponry. I did not know this at the start and now I'm wondering where I stand. I've gone up to level 3 in ARs but I can't help but feel like they aren't the best.

Sometimes between ScR and Rail Rifle, I feel like I get melted. I'm running G/I Assault suit with with about 490hp and whatever the standard shield amount is.

In my experience I'd have to list them like this:

Rail Rifle
Scramble Rifle
Assault Rifle
Combat Rifle

I can drop weaker suits very fast with my AR but sometimes against equal suits and same level weapons, the Rail Rifle just puts me to shame. How does everyone else feel about rifles?

I'm curious about the general consensus, not bashing on anyone rifle or anything.

Same pretty much
Scale / vanilla plate, dual repper and pill (green/ red)
Dmg in highs or buffer.
If you want to wreck with the ar get into range and ads with the burst variant while feathering. Youll get kills a plenty. Pair in with a flaylock for scouts and finishers.