Just went to the range on Saturday and shot a gun for the first time. It was fantastic! I decided that I need a gun of my own. I shot 4 different .22’s, 4 different 9mm’s, and a larger revolver (.38 mag? maybe). I will be using it mainly for fun – target shooting, but also for home defense. There is potential for concealed carry, but we will cross that bridge if and when I decide to do it. Based on my obsessive personality type and need to collect things, I believe that my first handgun purchase will not be my last, so something geared specifically for concealed carry or any other purpose is not really necessary.

I am pretty settled on it being a 9mm, so while I appreciate recommendations of other calibers, I would like to focus on 9mm. My biggest issue is cost. I need to keep it under $400. I also prefer a compact-ish size, preferably with a barrel length no greater than about 4.5″. I also prefer a magazine size of at least 10, but this is not a deal-breaker. I am currently considering the Taurus 24/7 Pro, the Ruger P95, and the Taurus PT111 Millenium Pro. I am also open to picking up a used piece in good condition.

Any suggestions for the budget-conscious noob?