excellent
I know this little lady back home who sets these things up for competition. She has 9 of them, and for a college student, she's really got an impressive setup. One is nearly all custom, and wears a holo sight.
You will learn all of the basics for half the price, and risk fewer of the recoil induced bad habits.
I would definately say that for a first centerfire, a ruger GP-100, or one of the several milsurp pistols would be great for ya. They're usually cheap, strong, and meant to handle rough useage.