I agree with all of the above shoot as many pistols/revolvers as you can. Truly everyone is different. If you go with a revolver the ones that have back and front sights
You might consider multiple pistols. For target practicing I would get a 9mm, probably a Browning. 9mm ammo is cheap.
I have to agree with Brent though. Don't write off a .22 for target practice they are literally ALMOST free to shoot. I mean 500 rounds is like $20. That's a lot of shooting
You won't feel bad practicing all day at those kinda prices.
As far as camping, well you never know what kinda animals you MIGHT run into. Probably a .357/.44 magnum or a .45.
Personal protection I think a .357/.44 or .45 would fit the bill as well. People carry smaller calibers and I personally don't get it at all. I would rather know my gun is good for one shot stoppage then having to empty a clip.
But the ammo for those calibers isn't cheap.
Before I had shot one I would NEVER recommend a revolver but after shooting them......hard to argue. People will debate the ammo capacity but you tell me how many shots it takes with a .44 magnum before "your target" stops doing what he/she/it is doing? Probably one, and it probably doesn't need to be placed in any particular area either. A .357 is right there as well with one, maybe two shots and that's all she wrote.
It's easy to get an airweight .357 that will fit inside your pocket in a holster won't break the bank either. Don't kid yourself either I was surprised how far a .357 2 inch barrel would shoot accurately.
You'll notice a huge different in shooting metal guns and polymer. Personally I don't shoot too well with polymer. They are usually big, boxy and bulky. You'll save a bit of weight but eh...
To date (5 years of shooting guns) my favorites were Browning 9mm, S&W .38/.357 airweight, and a Dan Wesson 1911. The ones I hated the most, Glock .45 full size, Sig polymer .40, and a kel tec polymer. Some guns that were OKAY Taurus 9mm, baby desert eagle, .38 taurus, and a .40 glock (smaller but still had those $hitty sites
).
oh and DON'T buy Glock. They are made for full size gorillas to shoot and unless you have leather hands they aren't comfortable either. The only gun to ever give me blisters and wear down on your skin while shooting......a glock.