I am L.E. and have many years experience with S&W .357 and Glock 9mm. I own 2 nines and a 45. For a Newbie I would recommend the wheel gun. Like others have said, you don't have to worry about possibly needing to clear a jam or a misfire. With the revolver you just keep pulling the trigger until it's empty. And with a .357 or higher if the round doesn't get em the noise will scare the s**t out of them.:ar15: