IMO .45’s aren’t any harder to shoot than 9mm’s if one has the proper instructions and the right gun. Plus the holes are bigger so the groupings look closer together when plinking paper 
I’d even suggest starting out with an air pistol before taking on the .22 rimfire ones. They’re fun to shoot paper villains with, really!
I don’t envy the people who really have to rely on a pistol for self-defense purposes; yet, if there are no other means of protection (i.e. a low crime rate to begin with, a low unemployment rate, police officers on patrol and taking their job seriously but not being overzealous at the same time, and generally high morale standards within the population), then be it.
I’ve always liked the full sized Glock17 lots, although they are much dearer in Austria (and have been in the UK) than they are in the US.
Oh, an English Webley .455 is REALLY fun to shoot! I do miss mine, had to sell it to a collector in Belgium. I’ve also had an Enfield No.2 Mk.I, which I had to have deactivated by a local gunsmith. Silly laws in Europe we do have, don’t we? But I may still hold on to a 12gauge double-barreled shotgun - as if that would make any sense.
Anyhow, target shooting can offer you loads of fun; start with an air pistol, work your way up to the .22 rimfire cartridge, then try out the ubiquitous 9x19 and the .45 ACP. Oh, if it’s got to be a revolver, I’d try a .357 as well - you may shoot a much tamer and much cheaper .38 round with that, as well.
Others might disagree on my opinion, eventually; but I still believe that proper aim is still more important than the size of the bullet.
My Taurus PT92 and Bersa 380
I got this for .22:
A 125gr bullet over 2.5gr of Bullseye in a 6” Smith&Wesson L frame has as little recoil as a .22, and is lots more fun to shoot
ruger MKI-MKIII .22 and a keltec p11 9mm are my picks.
ruger for backyard plinking and pistol target fun and the keltec for pocket duty. its a great pockt gun that holds 10 rds and accepts SW59 mags as well. its double action only too so its as safe as a revolver. (aka firm trigger pull so negligent discharge is very difficult)
Brian
If you want a nice .22 to start out with, the Ruger SR22 is a really nice pistol. I have one and it hasn’t had any FTF or any other problems. They are about $350 new and only hold 10 rounds so CA compliant. This is a fun gun to take to the range and let off some rounds. Only thing that sucks is it is still hard to find .22 ammo around here still. The Ruger 22/45 is also a really nice target pistol. My grandfather has a SS hunter and that thing was really accurate and fun to shoot.
SS Ruger Hunter 22/45
Also the Glock 19 is a nice pistol as well.
will they ship worldwide ?
Springfield XD 40, I live in California and bought one over the internet about 6 years ago… Shipped it to a local dealer with a 10 round magazine to be Cal. legal. Passed a test then took a course. Gun range personal instructor, etc.
So far have only used it at the gun range. About a month before I purchased the XD two guys jumped me in my driveway. Didn’t do much to me (I ran away!) but they damaged both cars in my driveway. You know…. broken mirrors, glass, kicked in door panels.
Should I be lucky enough to meet them again I think it will be a teachable moment. I now carry a very bright flashlight when I investigate noises at night.
Love the XD. Went to several gun shows and held 30 to 40 different hand guns and researched the XD like I research flashlights now. The XD was one of only 3 or 4 models that fit my hand and “felt right”.
TriStar C100. Excellent CZ75 compact clone with an alloy frame. Amazing gun for the price. So good I'm almost thinking of picking up a second, but my next purchase might be a M&P Shield.
Think we need some more info. on your needs in a gun.
- you want a semi auto, check
- what is it going to be used for, target/recreation, hunting, protection, gang-banging lol
- is it going to be carried on your body(concealed or in a visible holster), at home only, in a car
- how big are your hands, what size gloves do you wear
Some things I would suggest you avoid in a first gun
- double action only guns, too easy to misfire
- single action only guns, too slow when needed if uncocked, too easy to misfire is cocked
- 45ACP caliber, too much recoil for a first gun, slower follow up shots because of recoil
- guns with small ejection ports, more chance of a jam
Some things I would suggest for a first gun
- double action auto, first shot is double action and subsequent shot are semi auto, first shot can also be semi auto if you cock the hammer
- 9mm caliber, more than adequate stopping power and much less recoil than a 45ACP, if you want something in between go with a 40S&W. 9mm ammo is also a lot cheaper than 45ACP ammo. Smaller bullets also have less of a tendency to jam because of the smaller diameter, don’t have to make such a big jump from the magazine to the barrel
While I own a lot of the guns I’m about to bounce of your list, these wouldn’t be my choice for a first gun.
Browning Hi-Power and variants, small ejection port
Colt 1911 and variants, single action only, 45ACP
Glock, double action only
Of the guns people have listed this would be my order of preference
Sig Sauer P226
CZ75
Baretta 92
Taurus PT92
+2
You don't want to shoot like this.
Cops miss target, but hit two bystanders
Or this.
Cops kill target, hit 9 bystanders
Civilian Lance Thomas learns how to shoot, shoots and kills multiple robbers without hitting a single bystander.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/nR8Zi2whXVA
Saw that on TV when it originally aired a long time ago somewhere around 96 or 97. He is one badass, a real life Clint Eastwood character. Still have it on video tape somewhere, originally was on Dateline I believe. All those semi autos are Sig Sauer P220s and yes they are 45ACP. He ended up moving to Idaho because the gangs put a price on his head and it was a matter of time before they would eventually get him. This guy also had extensive training and zero fear.
+1 again.
Renting a gun at an indoor range allows and shooting it is better way to pick one out than just holding one at the gun counter.
If you can find an FFL in CA that will do internet sales, http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php is a good source.
People who haven’t watched the video of that watch maker and his shoot outs, should, it is an extraordinary story.
+1
I've got the Ruger MK-I with factory muzzle break, and SS Ruger MK-III Target/Hunter model. Love the .22s. My dad has the slab side MK-II target model, also a great gun.
If you are looking for something a little bigger, I really like my TZ-75 for plinking and home defense, not that it has ever been used for home defense. EAA Witness is what they call the TZ-75 now. Also, the CZ line of pistols are nice too. The Sig p226 also is a great gun and just feels right, but are also pretty expensive. But, they also have a wide range of calibers to choose. My uncle had 9mm, .45, and .357 sig in the p226. They all shot great and the .357 sig is a screamer
I got nothing against Glock, but will never own one. They just do not feel right in my hand. I really like the feel of the 1911 format.
What you should do as others have suggested, go to a local dealer or gun range and hold them. Work the action, see how they fit your hand, look down the sights... Make sure it all feels good and natural.
Unless you are planning to get extensive training, I would strongly suggest that you consider a revolver instead of a semi-auto. They are much easier to master, and much less prone to misuse under stress.
I don’t claim to be the last word on these matters, but I have competed with various types of firearms for many years. I have assisted in teaching some self defense courses for novices as well, and I can tell you that stress does strange things to people who can operate a firearm flawlessly under “normal” conditions. With a revolver there is much less of a tendency for mishaps by novices (I have seen several accidental discharges in self defense courses, and most have been with semi-autos).
If you think you may want more than 6 shots, both Smith&Wesson and Taurus have produced 8 round .357 Magnum revolvers, and they have the advantage of also being able to also use .38 Special ammo for versatility and reduced recoil.
After you thoroughly master the revolver, and the rules of gun safety, then you can move to the semi-auto if you want. The revolver will still make a great backup at that point.
Jim
The Sig P226 only comes in 9mm, .40 and 357 Sig. It’s a great gun although way out of the OP’s budget range. With the .40/.357 Sig caliber model one can get conversion barrels so all 3 calibers can be fired from it. Personally I don’t see any benefit in .357Sig since 9mm rounds achieve nearly the same velocity.
Glocks are Ok. I have a Glock 24 and it’s reliable and accurate, but it feels like a 2x4 in my hands and the trigger is nothing to write home about even with the light trigger in it. They are much easier to detail than Sigs of course.
1911’s are great to shoot. Easy to get a one with a decent trigger, and the balance and feel in the hand is perfect for me. They also run forever if not abused and maintained frequently.
Wow, thanks everyone for such great recommendations, this is just another level of hobby that I can’t imagine of, I only want a gun for self-defense, I’ve talked to fishmaniac and with his generosity he offered to take me to the range so I can try out his guns to see what I like the most. As of right now I’m still very new to this hobby, I’ve looked at the tristar that someone recommended and I really like the look of it also the price is very afforadable, I was wondering where in California I can check the gun out, I want to come and hold it to see how I like it. Anyways thanks everyone again for all the advises, much much appreciated. I’m glad I’ve found blf. This is such a great family. Thanks!