TexasCHLforum.com

Having just bought my first gun (and completed CHL) in the last few months, I can give you what I did and maybe it will help (but like anything here is my slant on the issue):

1) Didn't really have anybody (friend, father, etc) who was into handguns. If you have a buddy or someone you really trust, this is a big + (or this forum) - but somtimes forums are just TOO much information for a n00b like me (was or still am)
2) Been a life-long shotgun hunter, so felt safe around shotgun rifles, but somewhat apprehensive around handguns; have fired a few limited handguns because someone had brought it hunting and let me shoot it for fun.
3) I tried to buy a gun that I MIGHT want to conceal, but probably just wanted something for target, and general home defense.
4) I wasn't willing to pay over XX amount of dollars (All during my research it was easy to get opinions on the best type of gun, but rarely what was the best value - for a good "starter" gun.). I hate that term, maybe "first" gun would be better.
5) I wanted to be comfortable with built-in safety.

Having said that:

If I were to force you to buy a 9MM, you probably would be very satisfied. This caliber of gun is EXTREMELY popular. This is almost your go-to caliber of weapon - I'm talking "first" gun purchase here with no help (like I had). They are affordable (as well as ammo), reliable (most modern handguns are), and have limited recoil so it is a good gun to start to practice shooting with (you don't get intimidated with the recoil). These guns are usually smaller in size and can be conceal-carry quite easily. Ask any old shooter if they own a 9MM and they most assuredly will say yes. The only drawback here is that if, like myself, you have large hands, I couldn't find one that really fit me.

Next, I went to the biggest store with the biggest selection of handguns I could find. This actually took me to two stores and probably some 50 some odd guns. Now, I know it's a bit tough to go into gun store with everyone in camo and say "I know nothing.", but that is essentially what I did and found the salespeople to be very friendly and helpful (why is it that everyone in a gun store is so polite?). I came away from this experience with a few handguns that I was interested in.

Next, I went to the range, I wanted to shoot a 9MM, .40, and .45. I asked the guy at the counter for some some quick training on the operations of each gun, and he was more than happy to oblige. In my humble opinion, caliber is really the first question. I actually liked shooting the .45 but it does have some power and if are a really newbie shooter (like me), you feel somewhat like the gun is taming you, instead of you taming the gun. The 9MM was an excellent gun, and thought I had my choice, but after shooting the .40 it really started to click that this was a large enough gun for me (size-wise) and whose recoil was not overly-aggressive. I had my caliber.

The decision-tree from there is really make and model: We are talking first guns here but SIG and GLOCK are like (I hate saying this) Ford and Chevy (sheesh) - again, these are my cliff-notes with no help. SIG makes some good .40 caliber weapons. I eventually found a gun dealer locally that had a CPO (certified pre-owned) SIG P229 (which looked new to me) and which I bought for what I knew was a good value (compared to in store new).

I probably shot 2-3 hundred rounds before the CHL class and qualified 249/250 (considering the distance and target size not much of an accomplishment), but, again, for a complete n00b like myself I think I muddled through the selection process.

Now, last thing: are you completely stuck with the gun for the rest of your life? No, this is just your first gun, but are your guaranteed to find the love of your life on the first purchase? Probably not, but I think if you find a gun you can control and are comfortable with (both physically and emotionally and economically) then you are well on your way to finding the right gun for you.

Hope this helps and let us know what you get.