.38 Revolver

[m&p45acp10+1]

I would say that a decent .22 lr would more than do the job of being a good shooter. Most of the the even cheapo .22 lr guns are capable of greater accuracy than the hacks that own, and shoot them. (I am in that camp ).

With Cheapo Federal Champion bulk from Walmart at a less than $17 for 550 all of my .22 lr handguns will shoot at minute of golf ball at 25 yards. The only ammo I have had trouble with misfires, and duds has been Win Wild Cat. The worst .22 lr ammo I ever purchased.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

A 617 would be an awesome first (or second or third) revolver. I'd much prefer it to a 22 sp101 (and I'm a Ruger guy). The 617 would likely have a trigger that would be DRAMATICALLY better than the sp101 and in my experience, it's likely more accurate. In 38/357 some good choices would be a Ruger sp101 in 357, a Smith 686, or a GP100. There are also a lot of great choices in Ruger single actions (either cartridge).

As for 38 vs 22, it all depends on what you can afford to spend on ammo.