What he (Ramius) said.
I would advise a revolver versus an automatic for a beginner, but Ramius is correct on all points.
If I were behind the counter, I’d start you out with a Smith & Wesson .357 Model 19 or 66 with 2 1/2 inch barrel. It can shoot .380 if you can’t handle the recoil of a .357, and you can always work up to .357 with practice.
Besides being incredibly reliable and accurate (adjustable sights), it just looks nasty.
Do NOT buy a pink gun. If you have to draw it, you want to be taken seriously, not worried about accessorizing with your make up. Nor do you want anyone to think it is a toy.
I agree with Mr. Salvavida on the point that a revolver is the most simple and easiest to operate. I’m sure he meant that a .357 can also fire .38 special... which is true... not the .380... which wouldn’t be true.