"...will shoot on a range, but not all the time..." You must join a club. Where you are, in Ontario, matters.
If you're new to handguns, a .22 would be better than a .45 to learn how to shoot. You wouldn't be the first to start with a .45 though. They are comfortable to shoot, even with factory ammo. Mind you, factory centre fire ammo, of any kind, gets expensive quickly.
"...a used "brand-name"?..." Norinco is a brand name. If I was buying one, it'd be their 'Sport' model. Because it comes with better sights and two mags. Marstar wants $349 for a brand new one. Black or two toned doesn't matter.