First handguns are such a personal thing, so don't listen to other people or fall into the "these people have that gun so I want one, too" syndrome.
You need to feel, touch and shoot different models to see which one fits your hand, feels the most comfortable and also falls within your budget plus has the look and features that you want. Everybody had bough at least one gun because they liked it before handling it or because everybody else has one and was just wrong. I admit I have done this, too, along with all the people I shoot with.
I started out with club rental guns and trying other members guns to see what I shot best with in both rimfire and centerfire. For me, it was the Ruger Mark II and 1911. Those aren't the best first rim and centerfire for a friend of mine and might not be the best choice for you. See? It's a personal thing. Didn't buy but kept on using the beat up old club guns. Mainly because I was scared of having them being stolen.
Several years later, I now have my personal favorites (except a Mark III instead of a Mark II) plus the ones I bought for IPSC (the two XD's) plus a couple of toys (Wheel guns) and a couple I just wanted to collect. The ones I bought because I liked them but turned out not the right gun for me are sold.