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One more thing. Collectors also buys and takes guns on trade.

My advice to you is to go to a large store with a large collection of guns and browse. Explain to the person helping you what you are looking for. Hold as many guns as you can and see what is comfortable for you. While you are doing this, ask them about the different ways you can carry them concealed. Depending on how you want to conceal it will greatly impact the gun you want to buy. Carrying a compact 1911 in your front pocket is very difficult, but if you are comfortable wearing outside the waist band with an untucked shirt you can get away with a full size semi. Don't worry as much about caliber, worry about what you are comfortable shooting. The best gun is one you will carry every day.

I personally carry an LCP in the pocket with a pocket holster every day. This conceals VERY well, especially for someone that wears slacks and tucked in shirts every day. With 7 shots of .380 with Gold Dots, I am confident I can get away. Especially since I have an extra magazine in my other front pocket. In addition, most days I carry the sub compact Glock 26 in a IWB (in the waist band) holster by Comp-Tac. You can still tuck your shirt in to conceal it. I LOVE this gun. It takes abuse very well and they are very reliable. There are times though that I can't carry it such as my work out shorts at the gym. The LCP will conceal in my gym shorts. I feel confident that between these two I am safe.

You might make a trip to Houston and go to Collectors Firearms and ask for Alex. He is very knowledgeable and he will spend as much time with you as you need. He helped my wife find her first CC firearm recently after she got her CHL. He spent almost 90 minutes with her. She really wanted a jFrame, but once she compared it to other guns she settled on a Beretta TomCat. She now has a IWB Tuckable and a Pocket holster. She never goes out without the gun now.

Remember, caliber is not as important as finding a gun you will carry. I have heard people say "You are not safe unless you have a .45 with 16 rounds and 3 extra magazines. Yes this is safe. However, chances are you will never need to use the gun. Get what works for you now based on how you dress and what you can conceal. You can always add more guns in the future.

Remember, carry all the time or guess right. Get the gun that will allow you to live this way.