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NorCalRamFan
9 mm is one of the easiest and one of the least expensive rounds to learn how to shoot *accurately*
I prefer a variation of the Beretta M9. FS92
A lot of people like Glocks.
Many pistol ranges will let you rent firearms. Try a few different ones and see what suits you best...
9mm is the way to go. It won't break the bank to shoot a lot of ammo to learn and with the right loads for self defense it is more than adequate. By right loads, I mean Federal HST 124 grain +p or 147 grain, Winchester Ranger, or Speer Gold Dot in the same weights. There are other decent rounds, but these are what most law enforcement use including the FBI if I remember correctly. They do extensive testing for reliability and stopping power.
Don't get a Sig or Beretta or any other gun with a hammer. There are many fine hammer-fired guns, but they are not best for a beginner. The transition from double action first shot to single action for follow up shots is not something you want to mess with when learning how to shoot a handgun. Glock 19 or 17, Smith and Wesson M&P series, CZ P10 series, Walther PPQ, and maybe Springfield XD series are what you should focus on. Any of these normally run anywhere from $450 to $600 depending on options. NorCal is absolutely right and giving the best advice you can get - most ranges will have rentals so go shoot as many as you can before you buy. And if you are going to buy one for yourself and the missus, get the same brand if possible so you can share magazines and holsters. Its not a big deal, but nice if you both come to like the same gun.
If you do buy handguns, take a class - defensive handgun 101. There are many, many wrong ways to shoot a handgun and most of the right ways are not obvious. This is mostly about grip but there are other things to learn that you will have a hard time figuring out on your own.
You DO have to aim a shotgun. The pattern at typical self defense ranges would likely be no more than about 6". NO BIRD SHOT. 00 buck is what you want, but you can get a reduce recoil loads and still be fine.
Get an AR. Just do it. And then get a decent red dot optic for it and a few extra magazines. I don't know what ammo prices are like now but 5.56 typically runs about 35-40 cents/round. So it is not cheap to learn how to shoot.
Now for the most important part. Get a tactical flashlight. Something that will blind the living crap out of anyone within 50 yards in the dark. First, it is a hell of a deterrent and second, you really need to know what you are shooting at. Lighting someone up with 1000 lumens makes everyone's decisions a bit easier.
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