Like so many others here I went the .22 > .38/.357 > .44 mag route. Then I later discovered the .41 mag and even down to the .44 Special, however, my favorite still has to be the .44 mag. But lordy, I'm glad I didn't start there! And I'm also glad that ammo prices weren't as high as they are now. That's why God gave us .22s. They're great to learn on, and you never out grow them. My first was a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic (2206) and the next four were all revolvers, Smiths and Rugers. It was great when a brick was only $10, but now you're lucky to get one for $25. Still, that's the price of only one box of centerfire cartridges today. So if you start off with a good .22 (don't buy no junk) you'll have a great gun for plinking; a great gun for teaching the wife and rug rats how to shoot later; and a great gun for hunting small game. It's also a great excuse for saying later, "Honey, I need to get a new gun for huntin' deer. The .22 is just too small for that!" Then get that .44 to go with that fine little carbine.
Then later . . . "Honey, that .44 is just too big for home defense. I think I'm gonna get a . . . "