So I'm considering buying my own handgun for the first time. I know very little about which ones are good for what. Yes, I've fired guns before, I've just never owned a pistol of my own. I know that I want a semiautomatic, no revolver for me. It's just a preference. It would be for home/personal defense, but since I live in California, CCW is not likely to happen. So that will eliminate the "is it concealable" question. I don't need it to be concealable. To the contrary, it has to be visible or it's a felony.

I don't have a lot of experience with a very wide variety of pistols. I've only fired a Kimber 1911 and a Beretta M9A1. I loved the Beretta. (The M9A1 is essentially the same hardware as a 92 or a 92FS, it just has a rail.)

Lately I've been looking at the Springfield Armory XD(m) .40 cal. I know I don't want the 9mm if I get the XD(m).

I like the feel of a Beretta, and I absolutely love the look. Recoil isn't bad at all, but it's a little bit big and a little heavier than I want. Again, size isn't a big issue, but I'd rather that it's not QUITE that big. I really like the look of XD pistols, and they also have a look that I like. Maybe I"m dumb, but the look is important to me too.

Can someone recommend some reliable firearms to try out? What should a first-time buyer be looking for in a defensive firearm?

-Rainman