Grampy,
I am going to recommend a Revolver for your first handgun.
I am old school and some of what I believe in, is (a) gun fit to shooter, and (b) learning to shoot with a .22 revolver in double action.
The guns I like for this are the S&W K frames, such as the Model 18. The reason being, is the next step I prefer to do, is transition to a .38spl using a light target load in a K frame.
I am convinced, lessons learned from shooting a revolver double action, will allow one to become a better shooter, period as lessons learned transition to semi auto handguns.
Because my next thing after Med frame in .38spl is to go back to a .22 semi-auto. Then go to 9mm semi auto platforms.
After all this, the student knows about gun fit. They choose some guns they have narrowed it down to , then shoot Mr. H's drill.
Five shots at 5 yards onto 1/4 sheet of typing paper.
The paper does not lie. It will reveal what platform, what caliber, and what ammo a persons shoots best
I will NOT use a heavy gun, or target gun , or onewith optics.
I am wanting to assist the new person with correct basic fundamentals-period.
I do not want to overwhelm them with a more refined or complicated firearm.
I do not want a gun too heavy, as the new person does not have the stamina, and muscle strength built up to hold a gun for periods of time and not get fatigued.
Fatigue means no fun for one. It also leads to ingraining bad habits and impeding getting the correct basic fundamentals down.
Yes I know revolvers are more expensive, even good used ones. I am also a big proponent of gun fit, and today nobody is making .22 revolvers like they used to.
See, I and mine had a variety of makes and models for folks to actually try, to see about fit, and even the same gun with different stocks. Revolvers allow for tweaking the stocks for fit , a bit better than semi's.
Older Hi Standard, H&R revolvers can be found for less monies.
Then again it might be worth it to you to find a good used S&W, Colt revolver.
I respect budgets, and I respect a person's likes and dislikes.
Semi's.
Again, Less is More.
I prefer fixed sights and 4" barrels.
Focus on the target, not the equipment - Will Fennell
These guns are not as heavy, which leads to fatigue. Fatigue leads to not having fun...
Keep in mind a lot of my experience is with dealing with single ladies, single moms, kids, elderly and physically limited.
Trust me, when a person has arthritis flare up, it hurts to hold, much less shoot a gun.
Trust me when I share when a healthy and fit 24 year old man, falls on ice and breaks a wrist, he cannot shoot his center fire. With Physical Therapy, he is not allowed to shoot anything other than rim-fire.
Not really a 'No Recoil' order, but darn close.
That nice bulls eye .22 a friend has is too darn heavy to shoot.
Now a old Ruger Standard, that does not have a bolt open after last shot, and the mag only holds 9 rounds, he can shoot.
I do not like the Ruger MKIII, the trigger and some other things are the reason.
Keep in mind, I recall when one could mail in the order form from a Field & Stream for a brand spanking new Ruger Standard , the gun was $24.50.
The postman delivered your new gun to your front door C.O.D.
Many of these guns had really nice triggers out of the box.
Unless you want a new gun, don't. I like the old guns better, and being honest, after the first shot, a new gun is a used gun.
-Ruger Standard, the old nine shot
-Ruger MKI
-Ruger MKII
-Smith & Wesson 422 (blue) , 622 (steel)
These guns are almost too light, and again I prefer the 4" . The gun totes so easy, one will forget they are wearing one holstered.
Kids can handle this sight radius and not tire out. Adults recovering / recovered from hip, back, and similar surgeries can tote this gun.
This gun is one of the most simple to take apart to inspect and maintain.
Which is great for arthritic hands, or those getting over injuries, or surgeries.
I look at things a bit different than many. One might be stropping and fit, and in the blink of an eye, not be.
Hence the reason I harp simple guns to not only introduce new shooters, also for individual use in case they get down, or someone in the family does.
-Hi Standard Duramatic.
This one again is easy to take down with its thumb screw.
-Hi Standard has some other offerings, I would get with some Bulls-Eye shooters that use the higher end guns, to assist with the field , plinker versions.
These are nice guns, and they fit hands.
-Colt Woodman.
This one is going to run more money. I will warn you, once you shoot it, you will be spoiled .
http://www.colt22.com/
-Browning Buckmarks.
I forget the names of the more basic, still Buckmarks tend to have better triggers out of the box.
Good used ones can be found.
Suggestion:
I would check to see whom traded in any .22 rim fire guns, to fund ARs, and EBRs
I know folks are trading in "old antiquated" guns for these ARs, and EBRs.
You might find a Model 18 that was passed to a nephew by a uncle. Or Ruger MKII that was a high school grad gift, or....