My grandpa recommended the Colt Woodsman, which was the go-to rimfire semi of his hunting days. They didn't make them anymore, so I got a Colt Cadet. Same basic idea (I think the mags are even interchangable) but with a bull barrel. Great little .22 - still does a great job for plinking!
I learned to shoot on a High Standard .22, Ruger Security Six and a Colt Gold Cup.
The first gun I ever bought was a Ruger P95, but it didn't stay around too long before it got traded in on a Springfield 1911 loaded stainless model. But that too didn't last long it got traded in on a stainless Kimber Classic Custom, which got traded in on something at KS&E and Darrel has had it ever since then!!!
First "pistol" was a Hamilton .22 single shot rifle. The barrel was cut down to 6 in and a homemade pistol grip was installed. This was legal back then: 1940 something. First Real handgun was a H&R Sportsman .22 revo. I still have one of those guns. Ain't gonna say which.
My first was a Ruger 22 convertible. I sill have it to this day. Bought it in Bloomington in the old strip mall. Paid something like $85.00 for it. That was about 1972. I had to safety upgrade done done on it through Ruger and have the original parts back.
I'll play, my first handgun was given to me by my father, a Colt Diamond back in .22LR w/ a 4" barrel. Love that gun, its a tack driver. First one I bought was a Taurus NON pro PT 140. It didn't last long.