A few more early game questions (cause I have not survived into the mid game yet)
Gal to Peasant ratio?
I was playing with the Gals I could rescue and using Peasants for the rest of the crew. I also only had 10 Loknar which I used for the cave/underground missions.
Best early pistol?
I've enjoyed the Confederate Eagle and the Handcannon but they are heavy for Peasants. Best Peasant handgun?
Best early SMG/Rifle?
My peasants are usually too weak to carry a decent shotgun in the early game so I stick them with an SMG or a Rifle. Assault SMG might be my favorite. Linux SMG for the Gals or the peasants that can carry it.
Best early Throwable bomb?
I only embraced the Black Powder Bomb a few playthroughs in but I really like it now on almost everyone who can fit one on their loadout. Better grenade choices?
The appropriate gal to peasant ratio depends on the mission. Peasants take a lot of time to train, and trained peasants you ideally want to conserve for the handful of missions only they can do. Regular peasants are little more than shotgun and bandage caddies, and you should feel no compunction about throwing a dozen of them away to save a gal. If you need siz gals and can only take six troops, take six gals. If you need six gals and can take 12, take six gals and six peasants.
Shiny Niner is the best peasant pistol. Good mix of accuracy, damage, firing rate, and weight.
Best early rifle is the rcf carbine, for the same reasons.
HE grenades are lighter than black powders, which for peasants makes a big difference. They also do not detonate immediately, which has advantages and disadvantages.