I would suggest anyone wanting to start out just go buy a Police trade in duty pistol.It will more than likely be an M&P .40 cal. And go to the range a lot until you know that gun well.Your getting a proven weapon in a familiar and effective caliber readily available.Get to know someone on your local law enforcement and see if they will go to the range with you a few times and get you started. After you have that down pat you can decide if you want something else and move from there.

It would be best if you do not buy a concealed carry weapon and then just start carrying it. Put in sometime with a full size weapon at the range with a trained professional before you do anything else.

If you think you might hunt with it get a .357 magnum revolver with at least a 4" inch barrel.

If you unsure of your ability get a revolver anyway.Your are much less likely to have an accidental misfire with a weapon you must cock or pull double action to fire a round.A striker fired or double single action auto fires easily and automatically chambers a round and ready to go.Even a single action revolver is a good choice for basic protection and hunting.