Some people love ____________ (fill in the blank) while others hate them. There is no one gun that is best as each person has different sized hands, palms and fingers.
You stated that Glock is out of your price range at this time. How much extra funds do you have to practice? I would NOT recommend a .22LR for personal defense, but they are great for working on proper form and practice. A .22LR will eventually pay for itself in ammo savings.
I suggest taking certified courses and looking for certified instructors so you can make well informed decisions. For the certified courses, start with a course that covers the fundamentals (NRA Basic Pistol). Also take certified courses where the main focus is concealed carry, personal defense and how to help defuse a situation instead of escalating it.
Know the laws! Be aware that if you draw a firearm, you are likely to end up in court (civil if not criminal).