KS, Take Tree Doc's advise and go wrap your hands around a Springfield Armory XD40. Out of all the different pistols I looked at and touched, the XD felt like it was made for my hands. I bought the XD9, only because of cheaper shooting and lighter recoil. I plan to get my wife hooked on shooting with this thing.
Plus, from what I read about the harder hitting 9mm factory loads, I think it would do the trick as a carry weapon too. I picked mine up for $408 plus tax, new.