Here's what I suggest. If you have a local range that rents out, go there with a few models in mind, and ask to fire a couple dozen or so rounds in each. It may cost you a pretty penny but it will give you an idea of what you like and don't like.
I for one have always loved the 1911 .45 and thought I wanted that as my first handgun, however they are 1. not cheap, ranging upwards into the 600-700 brackets easily, 2. Many models are full sized, and seeing as how I have "girl" hands (small hands) they are kind of on the heavy side for me, so I'd have to find a smaller more compact version. 3. .45 ACP is not cheap either, unless you use reloaded ammo or Wolf ammunition, expect to shell out quite a bit of cash if you plan on using this for paper slaying at the range.
I settled on getting a Beretta 92fs 9mm as a future pistol. It's not any cheaper than a 1911, but it fits my hand better, ammunition won't cost me my soul to purchase, and the generous 15-17 round magazines are a very nice plus as opposed to the 7-8+1(in the chamber) of a 1911. Furthermore, the 9mm round has enough punching power to deck someone and is much easier to get more rounds on target due to the more manageable recoil.
Shop around, and shoot many different brands and calibers, you'll never know what you'll truly want until you've actually fired the gun. Speaking from experience here. The tacticool guns are not always the best choice.
