I am biased. With that out of the way, look at Glock first. I have owned Sigs, Glocks, HKs, Colts, A S&W M&P, beretta 92 and kel-tec and a few revolvers... And come back to the Glock every time. Glocks are simple and reliable. They are very cost effective and do not have "active safeties" that you must train around. Same pull every time, abundant, cost effective mags and accessories like bolsters and such. They are light weight and more accurate than 90% of the people who own them.

Personally, I am a fan of either the 9mm or the .45. One of my Sigs was in .40 but Neither myself nor my wife cared for snap of the recoil, but YMMV. Look hard at the Glock 19 in 9mm or the Glock 30 in .45. Most any range will have those guns for you to rent and really that is some of the best money you can spend before you buy. Any gun. Oh yeah, I'll also second the idea of a dedicated .22, especially the browning buckmark <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />