If anyone tells you that a certain brand and model pistol is the best, then they have no idea what they are talking about. There is no "best" out there. And to think there is, is delusional. Pick any pistol in the world, no matter the price, and I can find someone whereby that pistol is NOT the best. Size, caliber, recoil, concealment, etc... Something about that gun will NOT be the best for either a particular person or a particular purpose. And most manufacturers of pistols are the "Best" pistol for someone; some place. And it really is that simple
And the only thing worse than our little debates, is when some WELL MEANING husband (Usually) or parent, says: "I'm going to buy "X" pistol for my wife, son, daughter, for .........". If a person wants to "PAY" for a gun for another person, that is admirable. We need more armed citizens and we need more shooter and gun enthusiasts. But the person who is going to be owning/shooting the gun, is the one who needs to pick it out. And if you let that person shoot numerous calibers of your gun so they can get a feel for it, and after shooting a bit, they "Prefer" a 32acp, or a 380, or a 9mm, or WHATEVER CALIBER", it is not your place to tell them that they shouldn't get that caliber. Now, if they really like a 380 in a CZ-83, but they are looking for themselves a 380 is the size of an LCP, Tomcat, AMT backup, or other micro-gun. You can let them know than the smaller size is going to feel a lot stronger than the larger CZ-83 in the same caliber. But you shouldn't lean them towards or away from any caliber. If they get a caliber they like and are comfortable with, then they will practice more and have more fun. I will put my elderly mom shooting the walther 32acp PPK up against many people 1/2 her age shooting their 40sw. I know for a fact, that my mom will hit the size of a grapefruit EVERY SINGLE SHOT with that 32acp. And if the time ever comes where she would have to defend herself with that pistol, I know she would be able to do it. Compared to the person with the bigger caliber that they don't react well with, don't practice as much with, and aren't orgasmic about shooting.
So no, there is no "best" gun. Don't look for it, because it doesn't exist. However, there IS a gun out there that is perfect for YOU and for your PURPOSE. And that gun could be a glock 19; or a springfield 1911A1; or an H&K; or a S&W Revolver; or an LCP; or YES, even a Hi-Point. I hope you find YOUR perfect gun. It's out there. My perfect pistols for "Most" situations have been a CZ-82 and a SigSauer P220. I can consistently hit my 3" circle quickly and reliably every time up to 30 feet. And that is the distance I train for. And neither gun recoils enough to be noticeable. And I'll take my guaranteed 7 shots from my P220 45acp or 12 shots of 9mm makarov over anyone's 15-18 round glock where they'll probably miss 1/2 or more of their shots.