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New shooters should always start with a .22. Get one in the same configuration that you plan on having your defensive weapon in - i.e. revolver or auto; same general size and weight, etc. Many full-size defensive sidearms have counterparts chambered in .22. Learn to shoot the .22. A brick a week through it at first would be a minimum. Once you are comfortable and familiar with it, decide on a full size sidearm.
As an asside, you can certainly defend yourself with a .22. Nobody wants to get shot by anything, even a .22. I hear it hurts like hell. The intimidation factor is still there; once a sidearm is presented, if there is time and opportunity, most people will retreat. A large majority of self-defense incedents result in no shots being fired. If forced to do so with a .22, aim for the face.
One last point - how good of a shot do you have to be, and how accurate does your sidearm have to be, to defend yourself? Not very, in either case. The vast majority of defensive shooting happens at knife fighting range. Familiarity with the sidearm, and the speed an confidence that instills, is vastly more important than mechanical accuracy of the gun or target range ability of the shooter. Deciding to do it is the most important part - most people can't believe "it's really happening to me" and hesitate. Decisiveness wins the day; not accuracy. Any modern defensive arm from a reputable manufacturer is more accurate than you need. Forget that as a criteria. Here is my list:
1. Reliability
2. Reliability
3. Reliability
4. Common ammo
5. Stopping power (i.e. large caliber)
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Jeff
'72 911T 3.0 MFI
'93 Ducati 900 Super Sport
"God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world"
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