I used to live in central florida, and south florida. About 32 years total lived there. Yeah go to a gun shop and find one that will give you some instruction. Dont be afriad to pay for it!!
a lot of rental guns at the shops and find what your confortable with. If you cant handle the .45 then it is not the caliber for you. The more you try the better a decision you can make. please DO NOT buy a gun the first day you shoot. Go shooting several times first. Also look into any shooting clubs in the area. Some of those take in new members and offer training classes and even open gun loaner days. Basically these are days other meebers can go in and use other peoples guns for free, you provide the ammo. And above all...PLEASE BE SAFE!! NEVER point a weapon at ANYTHING you arent willing to kill right then and there!
O and shotguns. Shotguns are your friend at close to medium range. Just the sound of a pump action shotgun being cocked and loaded has been known to make grown men soil themselves.