RE: looking for a rec. firearm
I have many different pistols and I would recomend you go with your first choice and not something bigger for your fist handgun. Get the .22 and learn to shoot it well THEN move up to something bigger. A .22 is cheap to shoot and you will be able to learn the fundemantals of handgun shooting easier than if you start out with something larger. Practice, practice, practice.
WWhunter