Ok, I was thinking about what would and wouldn't be realistic in my nation. It is desert based so resources like wood are pretty rare in any real abundance. Architecture is based around stone and metal which led me to ranged weaponry. Bows are completely out as for one, they take too long to train for there to be any real proficiency and two.. wood. Crossbows are a possibility as full metal ones (sorta like uruk hai in lotr) but honestly, with the abundance of metal and likely powders, early guns and cannons would make the most sense. 

I don't want it to be OP and considering I'm writing for story rather than war, it shouldn't really be an issue but I just wanted to get some input on a nation primarily using guns as its infantry weapon, alongside a machete for those close encounters :P