As a former NRA Youth instructor, NRA High Master Competitor, former TCLOESE officer, and avid shooter, I'd suggest going shooting with some friends, as well. If they'll let you shoot their handgun, it will give you an idea of what you would like. Let me suggest offering to buy some ammo for whatever caliber they have. Magazines are a good source for new models, but there are many older models that you won't have any exposure to. I've carried a great many different models over the years, and shot literally millions of rounds. There are dozens of models I'd trust my life with, but no specific model I'd trust without shooting a few hundred rounds through. For example, I have an old Russian Makarov , 9x 18, I've carried off duty, and now carry concealed, that I trust my life with. It's a small pistol, cheap to buy, easy to clean. Not all the ones I've had are as good as it is. I also have Glocks, Sigs, Eagles, EAA Witness, Colt 1911s, Para Ordnance... . I trade a lot. I personally don't like Smith and Wessons or Rugers, but that's like Red vs. Blue, Dodge vs. Ford.
If your friends don't have much selection, you might look up a local gun range that will lease you some handguns to try. Asking in the local gun shop might lead to a place where you can shoot several models, too. Above all, as said above, practice is key to survival. Can you clear a misfire or jam in time to protect yourself? Can you cycle a round into the chamber when someone is beating in your front door WITHOUT shooting yourself or someone on the INSIDE of the house? Can you hit what you aim at when you HAVE to? It's a grim scenario to think of, but they need to be thought out ahead of time, if you intend to protect yourself and survive, should the need arise.
Happy hunting, for a nice model, that is... .
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