[RF5BPilot]

I've tried to resist posting.....as opinions are cheap & rampant.

Rather than thinking of what's right for a first gun, consider what you want to do with it.

If -- you think you're picking up a semi-hobby and that after your initial training that you and your wife will regularly go to a range for fun (and thus, stay current on a gun that is cleaned regularly) -- then a semi-auto of your choice makes sense. Lots out there. Hard to go wrong with a Glock or SigSauer (even consider a KelTek .32 for defense). The 1911 pistols are great but they can be laborious to clean compared to the more modern designs.

But -- find something that fits your hand(s), that isn't too expensive to shoot, and that has a smooth enough action that you can shoot it accurately. I can't tell you how many times I'm next to some Testosterone Showoff with a large caliber gun who can't shoot *****. I'll take 1-2 carefully placed shots over 10 wild shots any day. Protection (and importantly, under the law) means that you are trying to stop the person, not kill them. These concepts overlap--but are genuinely distinct.

If---you mainly want it for protection. You'll take the class and somewhat rarely go to a range to practice a bit, but (honestly) most of the time it will sit in a small safe or case -- then a something like a .38 revolver makes a lot of sense (or the public defender revolver that can shoot .410 shotgun shells). It will still fire without regular cleaning. It's simpler. It's reasonably priced. You're paying for simple functionality, not bragging rights.

See what feels right after your training course. But recognize that a number of strategically placed defensive spray cans can be put around the house near doorways so they're easy to grab. The times when you could actually get to a gun and use it legally are relatively slim.