Some sage advice here: http://www.keepandbeararms.com/Puckett/firstgun.pdf

The snub revolver is the place to begin one's self-defense arsenal! With modern ammunition developments, it isn't the poor choice, that it was back in the day. (When I was a kid, we were counciled to avoid them completely.) Later, if one hopefully chooses to advance to other firearms, the snub revolver becomes the perfect backup gun! If one chooses not to advance any further, then they will still be reasonably well armed.

One note....it would however be a mistake to try to 'learn to shoot' on a snub! I start beginners out on a .22, like the excelent new Ruger SP101. Then, some light loads on something medium frame with a 4" barrel like a GP100 or 686, eventually working up to some hot .357's. From there, we now begin to downsize to the relatively heavy .38/.357 SP101, and on to the Ruger LCR with its excellent recoil absorbing grips, then the steel J-frames and on to the lighter alloy J's. If the student decides the guns are getting to hard to handle as we downsize, they can stop anywhere they like along the progression and settle on a gun they can shoot reasonably well.

Next, we will tackle the autos using a similar progression (Ruger 22/45, Glock 19 then 23, Glock 26 then 27, etc.), if they so choose....