Get a Ruger 22 target pistol
You can get 500 round boxes of ammo at Wal-Mart for about 10 bucks and can practice practice practice.
Most other ammo is expensive enough to prevent you from working with your weapon.....9mm, .45, etc.
Actually 9mm is pretty cheap. I buy mine at Chin...err Wal-Mart, (Winchester white box) 100rds for $12.
But for some reason most gun stores try and sell 9mm for around $10 for 50. I just laugh and go to Wally World.
.45's are $20 for a box of 100.
But your right about the .22's, you can't beat 500 for $10.