benatilstate -
I'm a big believer in the .22LR, but I think it comes down to what you're really wanting: If you're just looking to send some lead downrange, and get a big headrush from it, sure, the .22's a joke. Go for the 9mm, .45 or even a .44mag. However, if you think you'd also like to become a decent shooter in the process, you'll need to practice a lot, so get a .22LR and focus on the basics first. True, you'll have to adjust to some recoil when you make the switch, but there's much more to accurate shooting than handling recoil. To shoot any gun accurately, you'll have to develop good sight, trigger and breath control, and you do this by practice, practice and practice. The price of .22LR ammo is such that you can practice much more, while not picking up bad habits (like flinching) in the process. If you read a few threads about which round is best for SD, invariably, someone will point out that shot placement is key, and shot placement = accuracy.
When I started shooting, I spent a few months just shooting a .22, focusing on the basics. One day, a guy at the range, disgusted with his "inaccurate" Glock, asked if I'd like to try it (a "real" gun). I'd only ever shot a centerfire pistol once before, so sure, why not. Like a lot of others, he absolutely peppered his target with what looked to be random shots, so it was hard to find a clean spot. Nonetheless, I took my time, focused hard on the front sight, ignored the recoil, and put 8 rounds through a single hole. Secretly, I was surprised, but not nearly as surprised as that guy. Today, I still shoot a lot of rimfire. My rimfire:centerfire ratio is about 6:1. It's about the only way I feel I can get enough practice without going bankrupt.
Since you're leaning toward eventually getting a 9mm, consider a semi-auto .22. On the other hand, I love revolvers, and becoming a good shot with a revolver (shooting DA, of course), is very satisfying. If you can swing it, you could get the 9mm as well. If you do the majority of your shooting with the .22LR, the savings from the .22ammo could pay for the .22 pistol pretty quickly.
I'm a big believer in the .22LR, but I think it comes down to what you're really wanting: If you're just looking to send some lead downrange, and get a big headrush from it, sure, the .22's a joke. Go for the 9mm, .45 or even a .44mag. However, if you think you'd also like to become a decent shooter in the process, you'll need to practice a lot, so get a .22LR and focus on the basics first. True, you'll have to adjust to some recoil when you make the switch, but there's much more to accurate shooting than handling recoil. To shoot any gun accurately, you'll have to develop good sight, trigger and breath control, and you do this by practice, practice and practice. The price of .22LR ammo is such that you can practice much more, while not picking up bad habits (like flinching) in the process. If you read a few threads about which round is best for SD, invariably, someone will point out that shot placement is key, and shot placement = accuracy.
When I started shooting, I spent a few months just shooting a .22, focusing on the basics. One day, a guy at the range, disgusted with his "inaccurate" Glock, asked if I'd like to try it (a "real" gun). I'd only ever shot a centerfire pistol once before, so sure, why not. Like a lot of others, he absolutely peppered his target with what looked to be random shots, so it was hard to find a clean spot. Nonetheless, I took my time, focused hard on the front sight, ignored the recoil, and put 8 rounds through a single hole. Secretly, I was surprised, but not nearly as surprised as that guy. Today, I still shoot a lot of rimfire. My rimfire:centerfire ratio is about 6:1. It's about the only way I feel I can get enough practice without going bankrupt.
Since you're leaning toward eventually getting a 9mm, consider a semi-auto .22. On the other hand, I love revolvers, and becoming a good shot with a revolver (shooting DA, of course), is very satisfying. If you can swing it, you could get the 9mm as well. If you do the majority of your shooting with the .22LR, the savings from the .22ammo could pay for the .22 pistol pretty quickly.