I'm getting a pocket gun, which is better .22 semi or 38 revolver?

I personally would go with the .22 judging by your information. Semi auto I think is the funnest.(If thats a word) And since you have "unlimited" ammo you wont need to buy ammo. .22 guns are normally the cheapest type of gun and theyre very fun. And dont worry about the reviews of reliability unless its a complicated gun like an ar-15 varient or so. With a pheonix youll be fine.