[seeker_two]

I may be going against the grain, but I would recommend a medium- to full-size .22lr pistol as a first gun.....either a revolver (S&W 617, Ruger SP-101) or a semi-auto (Browning Buckmark, Ruger Mk III or SR-22). Easy and cheap for practice and, with a good load like Velocitors, adequate for self-defense uses. Once you get used to that, look into the medium-frame .38SPL revolvers or 9mm pistols...if your wrists can handle the extra recoil. If not, .22Mag pistols like the Taurus 941 or Kel-Tec PMR are another good step-up in power with minimal recoil.