A decent optic is a requirement. However you don't have to spend a lot to get something decent. You can start out with a Bushnell TSR-25 and they're usually under $100 and will hold up and hold zero. Romeo 5 or MSR is the next step up at about $120 these days.

From there you start talking about something like a PA or Burris Prismatic Scope (or if your eyes have the 'tism) at $300 - $350 or LPVO from PA or Vortex that start at the same price.

My go to rifle is an old Stag Model 3 with a PA 3x Prismatic scope, magpul VFG, a TLR-1 light on an offset mount, and Magpul RLS sling. I've never done shit beyond that because it just fucking works.

The two best upgrades for any rifle are to have more ammo, and to have shot more ammo.

If your training budget is cash rather than time limited, I'd say you want one reliable rifle (you're there) and then allocate resources to being good at using it.

Pistol course probably does have more immediate value that a carbine course, but get a basic one of each ASAP. There really is very little "advanced" material. Your goal at the course is to learn exactly what movements to practice, and how to practice them correctly.

Real skill then comes from taking that knowledge and actually practicing -- 99% of that can be done in your basement without expending any ammo. Individual skills are mostly a question of building muscle memory.

Once you get that down then it's less about becoming a better shooter and more about learning basic tactics, how to coordinate with other people, etc.

A stop the bleed course is definitely a good idea. You are probably more likely to save a life that way than with a gun, statistically speaking.

Survival training depends on your area. Any chance of finding yourself innawoods? This is an area with lots of good books available, and you can safely just go try the skills. It's harder than it sounds to start a fire in adverse situation though, so you do want to get some hands on.

You can start to do your own research and training any time. Start by reading. Get a good bush medicine book and read it.

I'd honestly buy a lower or two right now and then build from there your AR. Keep your smith as a few ARs are good to have. Personally i am a yuge fan of palmetto state armory.

As to training go with pistol. It's the hardest to master and the one gun you can always have under your golden girls t shirt and rhodesian short shorts. Many of the things you can apply to pistol training apply to rifle as most shootings in self defense are close range. Plus the rifle is inherently easier to shoot.

And fuck no it's no sin to cook a burger in a pan. Real talk? Get a burger weight. Makes a huge difference in well shaped juicy burgers.

M&P sport is a great rifle. Get good furniture and a Larue MBT-2 trigger and it'll run with anything else out there. Focus on ammo after that, imo.

Pistol > Rifle > Advanced Pistol/Rifle

Only upgrade rifle further after some classes. Adding a free-floated hand guard and re-using the original barrel would be the only major upgrade needed for a modern, far-forward grip. Only do this after maxing out your capabilities with what you have now, though. (My first rifle was a PSA freedom stainless build, basic everything/detachable irons. I was placing in the top half of local club matches against BCMs/JPs before building a better rifle)

a Stop the Bleed course is better than nothing, but I think that everyone should do to at least one first-aid class that covers wound packing, chest seals, ect. Survival training can be done online or through books imo, then just go out camping and practice/test your gear.

Burgers on a frying pan are perfectly acceptable out in the bush or on a rainy day inside