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This is exactly what I was going to post today.

I am going to a gun store this week to buy a handgun.

I already have a Mossberg 20-guage shotgun but want a handgun.

I see most people are recommending revolvers. Yesterday on a reply I mentioned that I was going to get a concealed carry permit and then someone replied to my reply saying don’t do it, that it merely puts me on record with potential gun-grabbers.

However I live in Texas and that is not too likely right now.

Also I see a lot of people are recommending Glocks. I have two women friends who have Glocks.

My brother keeps telling me to get a .38 revolver. Well, whatever is simplest is best for me, I think. I am an amateur at this.

Not a Glock, not for a novice shooter. I'll probably draw some fire here, but I have never liked the Glocks. Look and feel cheap, and I hate the 'safety that isn't a safety'. Look up "accidental discharge" and "Glock" and you'll see why. Plus, of course, 9mm is just .45 set on 'stun'. And it's a pain to reload.

My advice is to stick with a revolver because it's just point and shoot. No issues regarding magazine feed, stovepipes, jams or all the rest of it. Once you are proficient and comfortable with a good revolver, then you can get a semi-auto if you like.

.38 Special just isn't sufficient for self-defense in my opinion (I worked for the Atlanta P.D. when they carried .38s and "Reggie pellets" and they were definitely undergunned). The .357 Mag will shoot .38s for practice, and if the recoil doesn't bother you it's adequate. I would get .44 Special myself, the Charter Arms Bulldog is back in production and it's a nice little carry gun. Little hard to find ammo but it's available (if more expensive than .38s). You do NOT want a .44 Magnum for any reason - that was the big recoil gun that macho types bought, put 6 rounds through, and never fired again, until even more extreme monsters like the .454 Casull became available.

I carried a .32 S&W revolver (a/k/a 'the mouse gun' - not recommended) when I was a teenager, then carried a .45 ACP Combat Commander for years and years. Recently switched to the Sig-Sauer P245 because it's double action. But, like I said, I would stick to revolvers until you get plenty of practice.