Hello all a little advice needed

Ihaven't heard anythingbad regardng the Beretta other than its looks. If you like the looks then that is a gun worth considering. I prefer the Buckmark and don't find the take down too onerous compared tosome other guns in my safe. The Smith & Wesson 22A isn't a bad gun either considering its price. The Ruger 22/45 would also be a good choice.
As for targets, I shoot a lot of paper ones and have several spinners, dingers, and resetting versions. They all have their place with the metal ones being the most active. Mine all recommend the shooter to be at least 20 yards away though I do stand closer with some. Targets of opportunity like sticks, dirt clods, grasshoppers, etc. are also favorites but one needs a fair amount of space and/or a good backstop to safely shoot these. I use all types of bullets with mine, solid lead, hollow points, and full metal jackets all seem to work the same. Some brands of lead bullets have a lubricant that may necessitate more frequent cleaning as they can gum up the chamber but it does take quite a few rounds to reach this point.
The factory sights would be best to start with. They are likely much better than you are and by the time they are the weak link you will have enough experience to determine what new sighting system is best for you. It is also good to know how to readily use the irons in the event something happens to whatever optical sight you choose. If you are set on getting an optical sight, a red dot or one of the holographic ones would be much better than a scope. Scopes have a tendency to magnify one's shakes and jitters which do not help build confidence.
Hope this helps.

Thanks to everyone for there input.

I have thought about the 1911 with the conversion kit but I am just not sure how into hand gun shooting I will become (that is part of the excitement). I primarily shoot at skeet and occasionally sporting clays. My wife and I both enjoy that. I am just trying the hand gun as kind of an experiment at this point so cost is a little bit of a factor.

I am looking at the .22 because it is inexpensive, cheap to shoot, and no recoil so the wife can try as well. Right now she is not interested but she said the same thing about skeet till she hit her first target. Now she loves shooting and will not even let me touch "her" shotgun. I also think this is a good place to pick up basics.

The looks do not bother me because quite frankly I am to new to know any better. The Rugar .22/.45 sounds interesting though and I will have to check that out. I did not even know ruger made another .22.

I will be using this on a public range (we have no back yard yet), so I think for now I will stick with paper and maybe plastic bottles just for safety. I would hate for something to happen. Better safe than sorry.

I think I am going to stick with the basic iron sites for now. There is no real sense in getting the red dot since I am not that proficient yet and, quite frankly they do look a little funny.

Does any know where to get information about basic pistol marksmanship? THANKS again for your input and have a good day.

Paul F. I am in North Carolina. Might be a little bit of a trip for most of you but I appreciate the offer.

I will have to try the store. Them seem pretty knowledgeable there but I am still looking for additional information. You can never have to many options until you are really confused.

BigDog

I would love to go the instructor route but the range we use is public and primitive. There is no charge to use the range but there are no facilities or staff either. They have the concealed hand gun courses here as well and if we decide we like it we may go that route just for the instruction (at least I hope they teach basic marksmanship).

Thanks again to everyone for the information. I really do appreciate the friendly help.

Have a good weekend.