Good question. I was rather clueless myself when I decided to conceal/carry and it was a bit hit and miss (it still is as I am still just a little less than clueless).
I bought two guns that I expected to be my conceal carry choices.
The first one was a Smith & Wesson 642 J Frame.
The second was a Kimber 1911 Ultra Crimson Carry II.
Just from the feel of the gun, I liked the Kimber the best. And it's the smallest 1911 they make, so I figured I would carry it a lot.
Now that I've been carrying a gun around for awhile, though, I've found that the 1911, even the smallest one, is difficult for me to properly conceal. I mainly need a gun that will fit in my front pocket, and the 1911 just doesn't do that very well. Plus, the weight of the gun makes it much more difficult to pocket carry. So, as I type this, I have my J Frame in my pocket and can hardly tell it's there. When I have to wear a suit, I pocket carry a Kel-Tec P32, which is a little gun I can take EVERYWHERE as it's extremely small and light.
Whenever I can conceal a holster (like if I'm wearing a jacket or sweater) I will always try to carry the Kimber. I also have a couple of conceal/carry jackets with holsters in the jacket itself, and I will care the Kimber when I'm wearing those.
So I'm glad I have the Kimber, and I do carry it. But if you can only afford ONE gun, and it is a gun you want to carry every day, I'd get something a bit smaller and lighter. But that's me. I have a nephew who carries a full size Taurus 1911 every day, and he has no problem doing it.
Whatever you do, good luck with it and have fun choosing your gun!