glock 19 or 17 , s&w m&p or if you want a cheap reliable gun go with the s&w sigma in a 9 ..... I have the 40 I love that gun also check out the Berretta px4 storm in a 9 that mofo it an accurate sob , I have that as my 9mm
NOMAD -
What will you be using it for? Home protection, concealed carry?
Can't go wrong with Glock unless you aren't used to that type of trigger safety, then you will shoot yourself when drawing it in a panic situation. They are cheap, reliable and parts / customization is endless.
Sigs are great but..little pricey. They'll last forever.
LAPD is moving their whole force to S&W M&P 9mm. Military still utilizes the Beretta 92FS (great, reliable, but heavy).
You will find that you may want to own different guns for different purposes. When in the woods for large animal protection .357 mag, home defense maybe a .45, concealed carry, 9mm as the ammo is cheap so you will get more practice with this caliber.
for example -
I have a .357 for hiking
Glock and a couple other full size for outside waist holster carry (winter time when you can conceal with jacket)
Kahr CW9 (9mm) for "pocket pistol" carry. Inside waist or underarm shirt holster carry when at work, church or anywhere I REALLY want to hide the fact I'm carrying...or where pistols are privately banned (restaurants my wife and kids like, local movie theater etc..)
My $0.02 advice -
-Go to a local range, rent some of their guns and try different ones / calibers.
-Learn your local carry and deadly force laws.
-Have an attorney in mind because if you ever have to kill someone you WILL need one. Justified kill means no jail but it doesn't mean the bad guys money hungry family / baby momma won't sue you in civil court.
-Buy a safe to keep your gun in.