[OB1kNOb]

If money is tight, I recommend the Hi-Point line. .380, 9mm, 40 S&W, .45 caliber. Most less than $200 with a lifetime, transferable guarantee.

I agree with 2DV. Hi-Point is also American made. I have both the 9mm pistol ($159) and the 9mm 995TS carbine ($300). I find 9mm ammo to be more available and less expensive to acquire than other calibers. If you carry for protection, load with jacketed hollow-points.

[GladesGuru]

Another good thing about the High Point is that they come with a near match grade trigger and are a unique blowback design. The .45 ACP will happily cycle target and +P rounds.

[chainsaw]

I find 9mm ammo to be more available and less expensive to acquire than other calibers. If you carry for protection, load with jacketed hollow-points.

Practice with 9MM, and carry (9mm +p) or (9mm +P+), but make sure the weapon will take the more powerful ammo.