I If you are looking for a handgun and not looking to spend a ton of money, check out the Springfield XD45.
Not too much money, some nice added on saftey features, same grip angle as a 1911 (much more vertical than the glock, which I fucking hate due to the angle of the handle, just so unnatural to shoot for me), and you can get it chambered for I think 13 rounds of .45 ACP, which is a great bullet for protection.  13 rounds of 45 will fuck someone up.
I have shot the following:
Beretta M9 - decent overall
H&K UPS - again, another fun gun
Colt 1911 - Awesome gun, but only a 7 round clip
Springfield XD45 - My favorite.  If I were to get a handgun (cost considered) this would be that one
Springfield XD - 9mm model, nice as well, but .45 ACP is much sweeter than the 9mm
Glock 19 & Glock 23 - hate them.  The handle angle just kills them for me.  But some people love them, so it is a personal thing.
Sig P228 - nice but small.  Would have loved to try the Sig 226 but didn't have one there to try.
Kimber 0.45 - Basically an updated 1911.  Used by Tacoma PD.
I think that if I got a chance to shoot the P226 I would like it a lot, but they are expensive.  You could always spring for a H&K Mark 23, what a lot of the navy seals use/used.  It is like $2000 though.
Of the ones I shot, I would probably buy:
1) Springfield XD45
2) H&K UPS
3) Kimber of Colt 1911/0.45 variant
I suspect the Sig P226 would be in the top 3 if or when I get to shoot it.