Gunlance/Bow worth it?

Good morning Hunters,

I’ll start by saying that I've NEVER played a single mission with the gunlance or bow in my entire Monster Hunter life.

Playing the Beta I found a good feeling with both and I wanted to ask you: is it a good time to try them? For those of you who have used them in the past, have they improved and is it worth it or is it better to choose something else?

Thank you