Unless the goal is to have a bunch of people on hand and enjoy the reactions from all the different shooters, I don't consider any guns that are unpleasant/painful to fire to be a good choice for fun at the range.
For me, fun is more than a shot or two, so I don't get a big kick out of shooting expensive ammo.
Hitting the target is fun, so I'm not a fan unless the gun is decently accurate. That means different things for different firearms, targets and shooting. For example, shooting cans at close range is one standard, shooting clay targets on the 100yard berm is another.
I like shooting more than reloading, so it's nice to have something you can shoot a few times before it's time to go back to the ammo box and refill the magazine/cylinder.
Hard to go wrong with any of the following as long as the accuracy goals are met.
DA revolver in .38Sp or lighter caliber.
Full-sized 9mm pistol.
.22LR rifle.
Lever action/semi-auto centerfire rifles that don't pound the shooter.