re: Educate me on a pistol

No conceal carry

Want to use it at the range for a new hobby and carry in my truck in case some Baton Rouge whackos decide to get crazy on me while pumping gas.

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OP doesn't say he's conceal carrying at all.

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ins and out of carrying a handgun. (safety, cleaning, permit, etc)

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They are more expensive to make. Glocks, Springfield, Smith and Wesson all have metal slides, but the rest is polymer plastic. If you look up the cost of all metal 9mm like Beretta, sig or any 1911 style, they are just as expensive if not more.

Get a Glock 19. Should be everyone's first pistol.

Youre going to get all kinds of opinions man. Ive already seen the shield mentioned and i hate it, feels like a 1x4, but nothing is wrong with the gun its something id trust my life to. For your purposes id def say a nice compact to fullsize double stack 9mm is a good place to start.

The best part about 2017 is most guns from reputable brands are great. Personally id say CZ for hammer fired and walther for striker, but thats my preference in ergos. look up some youtube videos for recommendations.

Glock, Smith, walther, springfield, cz are all names you can trust. Theres also plenty of newer companies making top notch stuff too such as canik and steyr.

Go rent a few at the range, go to a gun show and put them in your hand.

My fave pistols currently: walther pps m2, walthers ppq m2, and CZ 75 p01. All feel like butter in my hand.

There are plenty of instructors around. Edit: def speak with dawg first before purchasing there are little differences in the operation of each handgun, having someone help you understand what that means puts you miles ahead of the game.

For a novice concerned with personal defense that is just getting started I would go with a revolver to start. If you have a bad round all it takes is another trigger squeeze to get a new round. With semi-automatics there are misfires, stovepipes and other jams. Under pressure most will not be able to correct the problem.

As far as target shooting both revolver and semi-automatic are fun to shoot.

If you enjoy shooting you will end up buying a semi-automatic and can give the revolver to your spouse.

IMO caliber isnt that important, its where you aim. The larger the caliber the more likely you will get off target if shooting in rapid succession.

It sounds like you are going to be a responsible gun owner and it is a fun hobby. Just remember the most important rules, finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire and never point the gun at anything your not ready to destroy.