Back when I was trying to pick out my first CCW I was thinking only about the gun. I now realize there are so many other factors involved such as:
• Your build (height, weight, body proportions)
• Your average daily attire (dress pants and tucked-in dress shirts, or baggy cargo shorts and t-shirts)
• Your daily routine (your job, are you in or near schools, do you go to the post office, are you in and out of car throughout the day)
• Places you may find yourself on a regular or semi-regular basis (mostly at home in a gated community in an affluent suburb, or riding public transportation through the worst parts of a big city)
Once you answer these questions you can begin to think about the firearm, caliber, holster setup, extra mags/speedloaders, etc.
Having said all that, I bought an XD-40 subcompact as my first CCW and I quickly switched to a S&W 642 Airweight 5-shot revolver. It fits me much better than the XD when I consider the above criteria. The XD is a very fine firearm and I shoot it very well, but it is blocky and heavy and it takes the right kind of setup to make it work for concealed carry.