I guess I'm pretty much with the rest of these guys. A .44 would be a good choice, though I'm partial myself to the .45, but only because I've shot that more than any others. Decide what the main function of the gun is going to be, then start looking to fill that ticket. What one feller loves may not be your cup of tea.
My 45lc is a Uberti Cattleman, a replica of the 1873 SAA. It's a single action, so it's not what you'd consider a combat handgun, but durn, I do love the traditional feel of that 45. Love the way it shoots and really love the power behind that 250 grain round nose flat point bullet. The recoil is really not what you'd expect. I shot a friends KelTec 9mm and the 9 had a heck of alot more recoil than the 45. Of course the 9mm weighed a fraction of my Cattleman. That has loads to do with the recoil. Loads. Get it? Har!