I am finding that 54mm is a good scale to jump into all those periods I have been wanting to pursue for years, but didn't because I was already heavily invested in my two main periods / scales: 25mm Napoleonics and 28mm American War for Independence.
Recently I've begun painting / collecting 54mm & 1/32 scale figures for WWI, WWII, ACW, and SYW, primarily with plastic figures by Armies in Plastic, HaT Industries, ESCI, Airfix, BMC, IMEX, and the like.
The plastic figures are relatively inexpensive (compared to white metal figures), can be quite easily converted with an X-acto knife and some two-part epoxy, and can often be augmented by the occasional 54mm white metal figure or 1/35 scale multi-part plastic figure.
I'd say if you want to try out 54mm, order a unit or a gun and crew from ATKM and give them a go. They are a refreshing change from painting 28mm figures and smaller.
If you actually paint the 54mm figures, that may be enough to satisfy your 54mm cravings. If you never paint them, well then, no great loss because you haven't spent a lot of money for just one or two 54mm units.
tells something about herself.