RE: Handgun question
Another super gun to check out is the Springfield XD. Their new, or relatively new compact .45 holds I think 13 or 14. Pretty impressive for a compact .45. I Like them better than the Glocks, but that is just my preference. like others have said, go to the gun shop and handle as many as possible to figure out what you like. I would even suggest 1) go to a gun show as you are more likely to have a larger selection to check out, and / or 2) find a gun shop - range that has guns you can shoot to see what you like.
Good Luck