jayman if you are seriously looking for a handgun it really depends on what you like ... i mean if you asked the question, "hey i am looking for a car what would you recommend" you would get everything from station wagons to hummers.
If you are looking for small compact to carry, Keltec 380 auto is what I personally carry. 6+1 is more than enough to get the job done, small as a wallet and can slip it in your back pocket and sit on it all day without noticing it. If you prefer revolvers, most stub nose revolvers are ok, few better than others.
If you are looking for handguns to carry a decent amount of rounds, you can go a few ways, I prefer compant and simple, Sigmas are nice S&W 9VE one of my fav's. One of the best guns you can get is a CZ. Hard to find but if you can, worth the extra $100, go with the 9mm.
If you want more details, I owe about 50 handguns right now in all different shapes and sizes from carry and compact to large and range guns. Love it, one of my favorite hobbies. If you are looking for a fun toy, not sure where you hang your hat these days, but a class 3 permit is available here in SC. Silencer and full autos are the shit. Handguns run about $5000-$6000 full auto and rifles around $15000-$20000. Silencers run around $400-$600 with a $200 per item tax. Can get you setup good the next time you are in town
.