RE: New Handgun
Check out Springfeild XD pistols. they are very good firearms at a reasonable price. But before anything, worry more about the gun that fits your hand and that you are comfortable with. Don't get a "glock" to be cool like other glock owners. Are the poster above mentioned, either you hate them or love them. I hate then as the angle of the grip is awkward for me. But they are a great gun. Again, find a gun that fits you, and worry about caliber and price second. Todays 9mm ammo is fine for a defense gun and i think 9mm is fine for a defense situation. My XD can hold 17 rounds of which i can fire off with out a problem. To me this is important. I have seen women bring 357's to the range only to figure out they can't hit paper at 15 feet due to recoil and being "too much gun".
remember, just find something that fits you.