So, i have two hand guns that were passed down to me.
a Walther p22 and an S&W 915.(witch i love them both, im just looking to get something that wasn't given to me by a family member)
but i want to get something on my own from the gun show comming in to town and im just not sure
what would be the best deal for my money.
i'm looking for something that will last
i'm looking at ether a 380 or a 9mm any suggestions?
Check out local gun ranges to see if they rent guns. Selecting a gun is like a woman picking out a new dress. What works for her won't for a different woman.
Use the P22 to practice marksmanship, trigger pull, mag changes, etc. 22LR is cheap and unreliable enough to cause you to clear jams stovepipes etc (good real world experience).
Why are you selecting .380 or 9mm? They work well for smaller concealable guns (Sig P238
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p238.aspx, kahr P380:
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P380.asp as well as Ruger and Keltec's. A 9mm will be only slightly bigger and much better as far as capabilities than a .380 so for a primary self defense gun I would go with a Kahr PM9:
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9.asp
Have you ever shot a 45acp pistol? The recoil isn't worse than a 9mm just different. This is where renting a gun and shooting different models and calibers helps.
There are many, many models and options to choose from so shopping for one is part of the fun.
Hand size, recoil sensitivity, trigger pull, how it is carried (pocket holster, IWB, OWB), capacity all play into the decision and they are mostly personal to you so whatever YOU decide on will be right for you. Just give yourself as much info/experience as you can before making a decision.
If you do get a gun that you decide you don't like anymore you can sell it to fund a future purchase. Just like cars they can take a hit being used vs new but you can usually recoup most of your money.
ETA: gun shows are great to hold many types of firearms to see what you like. I like gunbroker.com for many purchases. Sometimes you can get a good deal at one or the other (show vs online) but if nothing else check gunbroker.com to see what the going prices are for a firearm.