There will be a wide range of experience depending on the gun. Shooting a.22lr pistol will be like shooting a BB gun. Shooting a .44 magnum a totally different experience. Loud bang, flash of fire from the barrel and muzzle flip like someone tried to violently jerk the gun out of your hands.
You don't need luck to get a pistol license. Fill out the application and unless you've got something significant in your background (felony, domestic violence, multiple misdemeanor or serious traffic violations, serious mental health issues, etc.) you should be able to get a license.
I would definitely recommend an NRA or some other basic pistol class that workers its way up to live fire.