I’d recommend a revolver for a first time buyer. Especially if it’s for home or self defense. Find a good quality used .357 for a few hundred bucks.
Much easier to learn with, much easier to shoot, and there’s a huge variety of 38 and 357 ammo to choose from.
L
My son’s Christmas present to mom was a pistol. I told him to rent a .357, but put some .38 light loads in it for her to test out.
Well, he rented the .357, and after one shot my wife exclaimed “I’ll never shoot a revolver again!!”
She did like the M&P shield 2.0.
She loved some expensive version of a .380. A Kimber iirc.
She never did get around to buying one - so she’ll have to do with the 20 gauge pump with buckshot for now.